Delhi consumers seeking electricity subsidy will now have to provide proof of Aadhaar or complete Aadhaar authentication, while beneficiaries will be required to opt in through an online portal and renew their choice every year under a new system notified by the Delhi government.
The requirement applies to eligible domestic consumers in areas served by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited, BSES Yamuna Power Limited, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, the New Delhi Municipal Council and Military Engineer Services. The notification has been issued under Section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.
Under the notified process, consumers must submit proof of possession of an Aadhaar number through a web portal or another mode prescribed by the government. Consumers who have not yet been issued an Aadhaar number can still seek the subsidy by applying for enrolment and submitting their details along with the 14-digit enrolment ID, according to the notification reported by The Indian Express.
The system will also require consumers to actively opt in to receive the subsidy through a dedicated online portal. Officials said beneficiaries are expected to log in using their 14-digit consumer account number, verify their details and renew their choice annually. The distribution companies will validate the information submitted by consumers.
The Power Department has been directed to publicise the new requirement and inform beneficiaries about the change. The process is being introduced as Delhi’s electricity subsidy programme continues to cover a substantial share of the capital’s domestic consumers.
Delhi had around 73 lakh electricity consumers in 2024-25, including approximately 61 lakh domestic consumers. Nearly 48 lakh households received the subsidy under the existing structure. Domestic consumers using up to 200 units of electricity a month receive a 100% subsidy on energy charges, while those consuming between 201 and 400 units receive a 50% subsidy of up to Rs 800.
The financial scale of the programme has also increased. Government spending on the electricity subsidy rose to Rs 4,037 crore in 2025-26, compared with Rs 3,161 crore in 2022-23 and Rs 1,442 crore in 2015-16. The beneficiary count cited in the report is around 55 lakh, although the number of households receiving the subsidy under the existing arrangement is approximately 48 lakh.
The new verification process therefore places a fresh administrative requirement on consumers who currently receive or wish to claim the benefit. It also places responsibility on the electricity distribution companies to validate consumer information across multiple service areas and on the Power Department to ensure that beneficiaries are made aware of the annual renewal process.
Consumers will need to use the dedicated portal or another prescribed mode to submit their Aadhaar-related details, complete verification and opt in for the subsidy. The distribution companies’ validation process and the department’s public-awareness exercise are the next stated steps in implementing the new system.
