Delhi Makes Aadhaar KYC Mandatory For Electricity Subsidy; Check How To Apply

The Delhi government has made Aadhaar-based KYC mandatory for consumers seeking electricity subsidies, aiming to improve transparency and prevent fraudulent claims under the scheme.

Under the revised process, consumers will have to submit their Aadhaar details to their respective electricity distribution companies (discoms) to continue receiving the subsidy. The government aims to identify duplicate connections registered under the same name and ensure that benefits reach eligible households.

The government is also considering limiting the subsidy to one electricity connection per consumer in the future, although this has not been confirmed as a final rule.

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Who Gets Free Electricity In Delhi?

Under the existing scheme, domestic consumers receive the following benefits based on their monthly electricity consumption:

- Up to 200 units: Eligible consumers receive a zero electricity bill.

- 201-400 units: Eligible consumers receive a 50 per cent subsidy.

The government has said that mandatory KYC will help verify beneficiaries and reduce the possibility of multiple connections being used to claim benefits.

How To Complete Electricity Subsidy KYC

The Energy Department initiated the process of amending the scheme after receiving approval from the Lieutenant Governor. A notification was subsequently issued making KYC mandatory for electricity subsidy beneficiaries.

Consumers can complete the process through their electricity distribution company's official web portal by entering their Aadhaar details.

Those who have not yet enrolled for Aadhaar will need to apply for it. According to the reported procedure, they must submit the required details along with their 14-digit Aadhaar enrolment ID to avail of the subsidy.

The government says the move is intended to streamline verification, reduce paperwork and improve transparency in the distribution of subsidies.

Electricity Subsidy Spending Rises Over The Years

Another significant burden for the national capital is the subsidy on electricity, which has grown nearly eight times in a decade. The subsidy on electricity was Rs 1,442.76 crore in 2015-16 and is estimated to rise to Rs 4,037.62 crore in 2025-26.

The number of beneficiaries has also gone up. In 2024-25, an estimated 52.3 lakh, of Delhi's (estimated 73 lakh) domestic consumers received the subsidy (almost 84 per cent of total consumers).

In 2025-26, it increased to more than 55 lakh or roughly 87 per cent of the total domestic consumers.

A 2023 report by the CAG had also flagged lapses in the subsidy policy. It had raised doubts on why it was decided to extend benefits to all domestic consumers, rather than only to deserving families living in poverty.

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Electricity Subsidy Expenditure: Year-Wise Figures

According to the figures provided in the report, Delhi's electricity subsidy expenditure and budget allocation were as follows:

The figures indicate a substantial increase in subsidy spending over the decade, although the amounts vary from year to year.