CEA Proposes 2026 Draft Amendments To Accelerate Smart Meter Rollout Across India

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) under the Government of India has proposed new amendments to the rules that govern the installation and operation of electricity meters across the country. The draft notification, titled the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Amendment Regulations, 2026, aims to update the existing regulations that were first introduced in 2006.

One of the key highlights of the proposed amendments is the shift towards advanced metering technology. As per the draft, all consumers located in areas where communication networks are available will be required to install Smart Meters. These meters must comply with relevant Indian Standards and follow the rollout timelines decided by the Central Government. The move is part of a broader effort to modernize the power distribution system and improve billing accuracy and transparency.

For consumers whose electrical connections have a higher current carrying capacity than standard limits, the draft mandates the installation of either Smart Meters or meters equipped with automatic remote reading facilities. This is expected to reduce manual intervention and improve efficiency in data collection and monitoring.

The draft also takes into account areas where communication networks are not yet available. In such regions, the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commissions will have the authority to permit the use of prepayment meters. The CEA has clarified that all Advanced Metering Infrastructure must include prepayment functionality and ensure interoperability, in line with guidelines issued by the Authority. This means the systems should be able to work smoothly across different platforms and service providers.

Special provisions have also been made for open access consumers who draw electricity from the grid at different voltage levels. For consumers connected at voltage levels up to 650 volts, a Smart Meter with an accuracy class of 1.0 or 0.5S will be used as the interface meter. For those connected at voltage levels above 650 volts, the draft proposes the installation of both Main and Check meters. These meters will be placed either at the consumer’s premises or at the licensee’s substation to ensure proper monitoring and accurate measurement of electricity use.

The CEA has invited comments and suggestions from the public and stakeholders. The draft regulations were uploaded on the official website on February 23, 2026. Feedback can be sent to the Chief Engineer (Legal) at the CEA headquarters in New Delhi by post or email. The last date for submission is March 26, 2026. Once finalized and published in the Official Gazette, the new rules will come into effect immediately.