What is prepaid meter?
A prepaid meter lets you use electricity only after you pay in advance, like a mobile recharge. Also called prepayment meter, smart prepaid meter, recharge meter.
- Plain English
- Official sources
- Bill terms A–Z
Prepaid meter on your bill
You recharge first. The meter deducts charges as you use electricity.
When the credit runs out, supply stops. This is not a disconnection, and supply comes back when you recharge.
Central rules say new connections should get a smart prepaid or prepaid meter, unless the commission approves an exception.
Some states give a rebate for prepaid use. Chhattisgarh gives 1%, and Bihar gives Rs 0.25 a unit. Some take no security deposit.
Keep enough balance before holidays. Check your state's rules on emergency credit.
Official sources
- Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, G.S.R. 818(E), 31-12-2020 (Gazette copy hosted by MERC), rule 5(1)
“No connection shall be given without a meter and such meter shall be the smart pre-payment meter or pre-payment meter.” - Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, G.S.R. 818(E), 31-12-2020 (Gazette copy hosted by MERC), rule 9(3) (from p_national.json)
“This shall however not be treated as a disconnection and the supply will be resumed whenever the meter is recharged.” - OERC Notification No. OERC-Engg.-16/2006, 20-10-2006, amending the OERC Distribution (Conditions of Supply) Code, 2004, reg. 2(gg)(1)
“'Prepaid Meter' means a meter which facilitates use of electricity only after advance payment;”
Read on 17 October 2026. Your State regulator’s rules and your discom’s bill have the final word.