Karnataka Electricity Bills Set to Rise by 36 Paise per Unit

Starting from April 1, 2025, electricity consumers in Karnataka will see a rise of 36 paise per unit in their power bills. The hike follows the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (KERC) decision to allow electricity supply companies (Escoms) to recover pending pension and gratuity dues for their employees.

Breakdown of the Hike

The additional charge will be in effect for the 2025-26 financial year. It is set to decrease slightly over the next two years—down to 35 paise per unit in 2026-27 and 34 paise in 2027-28. Fixed charges will also be increased in a phased manner: ₹25 in 2025-26, ₹30 in 2026-27, and ₹40 in 2027-28.

What It Means for Consumers

For a typical Bengaluru household using around 150 units per month, this adjustment is expected to raise the monthly electricity bill by approximately ₹35 to ₹60. Households with higher consumption—over 200 units per month—may see an increase of ₹100 or more.

Government’s Clarification

Energy Minister KJ George stated that the tariff revision is not an arbitrary decision by the government, but a directive enforced under the Karnataka High Court’s order and approved by the KERC. He also reassured that the hike will not impact beneficiaries of the Gruha Jyothi scheme, as their electricity usage is subsidized entirely by the state.