Protected and un-protected consumers
If your home used 200 units or less in each of the last six months, you are a protected consumer and pay much lower rates. Go above 200 units even once and you become un-protected for the next six months.
Domestic rates (Rs per unit)
| Units in the month | Protected | Un-protected |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 100 | 10.54 | 22.44 |
| 101 – 200 | 13.01 | 28.91 |
| 201 – 300 | – | 33.10 |
| 301 – 400 | – | 36.46 |
| 401 – 500 | – | 38.95 |
| 501 – 600 | – | 40.22 |
| 601 – 700 | – | 41.85 |
| Above 700 | – | 47.20 |
NEPRA uniform domestic tariff (SRO 279(I)/2026). Lifeline consumers (up to 100 units, under 5 kW) pay Rs 3.95 for the first 50 units and Rs 7.74 for 51–100.
Why one extra unit can cost so much
Un-protected homes pay one rate on every unit, set by the month's total. At 300 units you pay Rs 33.10 on all 300 units; at 301 units the rate jumps to Rs 36.46 on all 301. Protected homes get the benefit of one previous slab instead: the first 100 units at the lower rate.
What else is on the bill
- Fixed charge: charged per kW of sanctioned load, from Rs 200 to Rs 675 per kW depending on your slab.
- FC surcharge: Rs 3.23 per unit (Rs 1.43 for protected homes).
- Fuel adjustment (FPA) and quarterly adjustment (QTA): change month to month and can be plus or minus.
- Electricity duty: about 1.5% of the energy charge.
- GST: 18%.
- PTV fee: Rs 35.
- Income tax for non-filers on bills of Rs 25,000 or more.
Example: 300 units, un-protected, 2 kW load
Energy 300 × 33.10 = Rs 9,930, fixed charge Rs 700, FC surcharge Rs 969, duty Rs 149, GST Rs 1,989 and PTV Rs 35 make about Rs 13,772, or roughly Rs 46 a unit.
Ways to keep the bill down
- Track your units mid-month on the meter so you don't cross a slab by accident.
- Set ACs to 26 °C and use inverter appliances.
- If you stay under 200 units for six months, you return to protected rates.