Date: 2026-04-01Category: Extra OrdinaryState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Whereas public notices advertising the draft Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2026 proposing to amend the Central Electricity Authority
**Executive Summary**
This notification, issued by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) on April 1, 2026, amends the 2006 regulations regarding the installation and operation of electricity meters. The amendment mandates the transition to Smart Meters and prepayment functionality within specified timelines to enhance metering infrastructure. These regulations come into force immediately upon their publication in the Official Gazette.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Smart Metering Mandates**
* All consumers located in areas with established communication networks must be supplied with Smart Meters conforming to relevant Indian Standards (IS).
* Implementation must occur within the timelines stipulated by the Central Government.
* Consumer connections with a current carrying capacity exceeding specified IS limits must be equipped with Smart Meters or meters featuring automatic remote meter reading facilities.
**Alternative Metering and Infrastructure**
* In areas lacking communication networks, State Electricity Regulatory Commissions may authorize the installation of prepayment meters.
* All Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) must include prepayment functionality and be interoperable according to CEA guidelines.
* Smart Meters with an accuracy class of 1.0/0.5S shall function as interface meters for open access consumers at voltage levels not exceeding 650 V.
**Meter Installation Locations**
* **Open Access Consumers (> 650 V):** For those connected to Inter-State or Intra-State systems, Main and Check meters must be located at the consumer's premises. Standby meters may be placed at the consumer's premises on a separate instrument transformer or at the Licensee’s substation, subject to mutual agreement.
* **Open Access Consumers (≤ 650 V):** Both Main and Check meters must be installed at the consumer's premises.
**Impact Analysis**
**Consumers**
**Impact**
Consumers in network-enabled areas will transition to Smart Meters, while those in other areas may move to prepayment systems. Open access consumers are subject to specific meter placement rules based on their voltage levels.
**Action Required**
Consumers must comply with the installation of new metering equipment as per the timelines provided by the Central Government or respective State Commissions.
**State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs)**
**Impact**
Commissions are empowered to allow prepayment meters in specific regions and must ensure that metering infrastructure aligns with the new standards.
**Action Required**
SERCs must authorize the installation of prepayment meters in non-communication areas and oversee the implementation of the amended regulations.
**Power Utilities / Licensees**
**Impact**
Utilities are responsible for the supply and installation of Smart Meters and ensuring that the Advanced Metering Infrastructure is interoperable and supports prepayment.
**Action Required**
Utilities must deploy Smart Meters within government timelines, ensure AMI interoperability as per CEA guidelines, and reach agreements with high-voltage consumers regarding standby meter placement.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Amendment Regulations, 2026: The primary regulatory document mandating the deployment of Smart Meters and prepayment functionality across power distribution networks.
Central Electricity Authority (CEA): The primary regulatory body and statutory organization responsible for issuing technical standards and notifications regarding electricity meters in India.
Electricity Act, 2003: The principal legislation (specifically Sections 55 and 177) that provides the legal authority for framing regulations on the installation and operation of meters.
Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006: The original principal regulations which this 2026 notification seeks to amend to modernize metering infrastructure.
State Electricity Regulatory Commission: The regional regulators authorized under this policy to approve the installation of prepayment meters in areas lacking communication networks.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-01042026-271483
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CG-DL-E-01042026-271483
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग III—खण् ड 4
PART III—Section 4
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 233] नई कदल्ली, बधु िार, अप्रैल 1, 2026/ चत्रै 11, 1948 ष 22, 1947
No. 233] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2026/ CHAITRA 11, 1948 s 1947
केंद्रीय विद्यतु प्राविकरण
अविसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 1 अप्रलै , 2026
फा. स.ं 1/12/केविप्रा/डीपीएम/विवनयमन/2025.—च ंकक प्रारूप केंद्रीय विद्युत प्राविकरण (मीटरों की अविष्ठापन
और प्रचालन) संिोधन जिजनयम, 2026, विसके द्वारा केंद्रीय विद्युत प्राविकरण (मीटरों की अविष्ठापन और प्रचालन)
जिजनयम 2006 म ें संशोिन का प्रस्ताि ह,ै का जिज्ञापन देन े के जलए सािविजनक स चना, जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 की धारा
177 के उप-धारा (2) और जिद्युत (प िव प्रकािन प्रकिया) जनयम, 2005 के जनयम 3 के उप-जनयम (2) के अधीन
आिश्यकतानुसार, छह समाचार पत्र दैजनकों में प्रकाजित की गई थी, ताकक उक्त प्रारूप विवनयमों की सािविजनक प्रजतया ं
उपलब्ध कराए िान े की तारीख स े तीस कदनों की अिजध के भीतर, संभाजित रूप से प्रभाजित होन े िाल े सभी व्यजक्तयों स े
आपजियां और सुझाि आमंजत्रत ककए िा सकें;
तथा च ंकक समाचार पत्रों म ें जिज्ञाजपत सािविजनक स चना तथा उक्त प्रारूप विवनयमों की प्रजत 23 फरिरी, 2026
को केंद्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण की िेबसाइट पर िनता के जलए उपलब्ध कराई गई थी;
तथा च ंकक िनता स े प्राप्त उक्त प्रारूप विवनयमों पर आपजियों एिं सुझािों पर केंद्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण द्वारा
जिचार ककया गया ह:ै
अतः, विद्युत अविवनयम, 2003 (2003 का 36) की िारा 177 की उपिारा (2) के खडं (ग) और िारा 55 की
उप-िारा (1) द्वारा प्रित्त शवियों का प्रयोग करते हुए, केंद्रीय विद्युत प्राविकरण, एतद्द्वारा केंद्रीय विद्युत प्राविकरण
(मीटरों की अविष्ठापन और प्रचालन) विवनयम, 2006 का और संशोिन करन े के वलए वनम्नवलवखत विवनयम बनाता ह,ै
अर्ाात:् –
2353 GI/2026 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
1. संविप्त नाम एि ं प्रारंभ. -(1) इन विवनयमों का संविप्त नाम केंद्रीय विद्युत प्राविकरण (मीटरों की अविष्ठापन और
प्रचालन) संशोिन जिजनयम, 2026 ह।ै
(2) य ेवनयम रािपत्र म ेंइनके प्रकाशन की तारीख से प्रिृत्त होंगे।
2. केंद्रीय विद्युत प्राविकरण (मीटरों की अविष्ठापन और प्रचालन) विवनयम, 2006 (विसे इसके पश्चात उि विवनयम कहा
गया ह)ै के विवनयम 4 के उप-विवनयम (1) म ें खडं (ख) के स्र्ान पर वनम्नवलवखत प्रवतस्र्ावपत दकया िाएगा, अर्ाात्:-
“(ख) संचार नेटिकव िाल े क्षेत्रों में सभी उपभोक्ताओं को केन्द्द्रीय सरकार द्वारा विवनर्िाष्ट समय-सीमा के
भीतर, सुसगं त भारतीय मानक के अनरूु प स्ट्माटव मीटर के सार् जबिली की आप र्त व की िाएगी;
परन्द्त ु सुसंगत भारतीय मानक में जनर्दवष्ट से अजधक विद्युत धारा िहन क्षमता िाले सभी उपभोक्ता कनेक्िनों
को स्ट्िचाजलत ररमोट मीटर रीडडंग सुजिधा िाल े मीटर या ससु ंगत भारतीय मानक के अनुरूप स्ट्माटव मीटर प्रिान
दकए िाएंगे;
परन्द्त ु यह और दक िो क्षेत्र संचार नेटिकव की किरेि के अंतगता नहीं ह,ैं िहां संबंजधत राज्य जिद्युत जनयामक
आयोग द्वारा सुसंगत भारतीय मानक के अनुरूप, पूिा भुगतान मीटरों की स्ट्थापना की अनुमवत िी िाएगी;
परन्द्त ु यह भी दक सभी एडिांस्ड मीटररंग इंफ्रास्रक्चर में पूिा भुगतान सुवििा और प्राजधकरण द्वारा िारी
कदिाजनदेिों के अनुसार अंतरप्रचालनीयता होगी;
परन्द्तु यह भी दक 1.0/0.5S की सटीकता श्रेणी िाले संबंजधत भारतीय मानक के अनुरूप स्ट्माटव मीटर, 650
िोल्ट से अजधक िोल्टेि स्ट्तर पर ओपन एक्सेस की अनुमजत प्राप्त उपभोक्ता के जलए इंटरफेस मीटर के रूप म ें काय व
करेगा।“
3. उि विवनयमों के विवनयम 7 म,ें उप-विवनयम (1) म,ें खंड (क) म,ें सारणी-1 म ें क्रमांक 4 और उससे संबंवित प्रविवष्टयों
के स्र्ान पर वनम्नवलवखत क्रमांक और उससे संबंवित प्रविवष्टया ाँ प्रवतस्र्ावपत की िाएगाँ ी, अर्ाता ्: -
ि. स.ं चरण मुख्य मीटर चेक मीटर स्टैंडबाई मीटर
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
“4. अंतर-राज्यीय पारेषण प्रणाली या उपभोक्ता के पररसर म ें । उपभोक्ता पररसर म ें अलग
राजयांतररक पारेषण प्रणाली या जितरण इंस्ट्ूमेंट रांसफामवर पर या
प्रणाली से सीध े संयोवित उपभोक्ता, विन्द्ह े लाइसेंसधारी के सबस्ट्टेिन
समुवचत आयोग द्वारा 650 िोल्ट से अजधक पर, िैसा कक आपसी
िोल्टेि स्ट्तर पर ओपन एक्सेस की अनुमजत सहमजत से तय ककया गया
दी गई ह ैया कोई अन्य प्रणाली, िो उपयुाि हो।
में सवममवलत नहीं ह ै।
5. 650 िोल्ट स े अजधक िोल्टेि स्ट्तर िाल े उपभोक्ता के उपभोक्ता के
उपभोक्ता को ओपन एक्सेस की अनुमजत पररसर म ें। पररसर म ें। -----”.
नहीं ह।ै
राकेि कुमार, सजचि
[जिज्ञापन-III/4/असा./02/2026-27]
रटप्पणी: मुख्य जिजनयम भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग III, खडं 4 म ें अजधस चना संख्या 502/70/CEA/DP&D,
कदनांक 22 माचव, 2006 के माध्यम से प्रकाजित ककए गए थे और अंजतम बार अजधस चना
संख्या CEA-GO-13-15(12)/1/2022-DPR जडिीिन, कदनांक 28 फरिरी, 2022 के माध्यम से संिोजधत
ककए गए थे।[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 1st April, 2026
F. No. 1/12/CEA/DPM/Regulations/2025.—Whereas public notices advertising the draft Central Electricity
Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2026 proposing to amend the Central Electricity
Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006, were published in six newspaper dailies, as
required by sub-section (3) of section 177 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003) read with sub-rule (2) of rule 3 of
the Electricity (Procedure for Previous Publication) Rules, 2005, for inviting objections and suggestions from all
persons likely to be affected thereby, before the expiry of the period of thirty days, from the date on which the copies
of the newspaper containing the said draft regulations was made available to the public ;
And whereas copy of the public notice as advertised in the newspapers and the said draft regulations were
made available to the public on the website of the Central Electricity Authority on 23rd February, 2026;
And whereas the objections and suggestions received from the public on the said draft regulations were
considered by the Central Electricity Authority;
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 177 read with
sub-section (1) of section 55 of the Electricity Act, 2003(36 of 2003), the Central Electricity Authority hereby makes
the following regulations further to amend the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters)
Regulations, 2006, namely: –
1. Short Title and Commencement. -(1) These regulations may be called the Central Electricity Authority (Installation
and Operation of Meters) Amendment Regulations, 2026.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. In the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006 (herein after referred to
as the said regulations), in sub-regulation (1) of regulation 4, for clause (b) the following shall be substituted,
namely:-
“(b) All consumers in areas with communication network, shall be supplied electricity with Smart Meters
conforming to relevant IS, within the timelines as provided by the Central Government:
Provided that all consumer connections having current carrying capacity beyond that specified in
relevant IS, shall be provided with meters having automatic remote meter reading facility or Smart Meters as
per relevant IS:
Provided further that in areas which are not covered with communication network, installation of
prepayment meters, conforming to relevant IS, shall be allowed by the respective State Electricity Regulatory
Commission.
Provided also that all the Advanced Metering Infrastructure shall include the prepayment functionality
and shall be interoperable in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Authority:
Provided also that the Smart Meter conforming to relevant Indian Standard with accuracy class of
1.0/0.5S shall act as an Interface meter for the consumer permitted open access at voltage level not exceeding
650 V.”.
3. In regulation 7 of the said regulations, in sub-regulation (1), in clause (a), in Table-1 for Sl. No. 4 and the pentries
relating thereto, the following Sl. Nos. and entries relating thereto shall be substituted, namely: -
Sl. Stages Main Check Standby Meter
Meter Meter
No.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
“4. Consumer directly connected to the Inter- State At consumer premises At consumer premises on
Transmission System or Intra-State separate Instrument
Transmission System or Distribution System Transformer or at
who has been permitted open access at voltage Licensee’s substation as
level exceeding 650 V by the Appropriate mutually agreed.
Commission or any other system not
covered above4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
5. Consumer permitted open access at voltage At consumer At consumer
level not exceeding 650 V premises premises
-----”.
RAKESH KUMAR, Secy.
[ADVT.-III/4/Exty./02/2026-27]
Note: The principal regulations were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4, vide
notification No. 502/70/CEA/DP&D, dated the 22nd March, 2006 and last amended vide notification No.
CEA-GO-13-15(12)/1/2022-DPR Division, dated the 28th February, 2022.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.