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How to read your TNPDCL (TNEB) electricity bill

This guide shows where to find your service connection number and due date. It explains the Government subsidy, the deposits and the codes on your payment receipt. All meanings come from TNERC and TNPDCL documents.

  • Redrawn from a real TNPDCL bill and receipt
  • 15 fields explained
  • Meanings from TNERC and TNPDCL

Independent guide. ebbillcalc is not part of Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNPDCL, formerly TANGEDCO). TNPDCL did not approve this guide. TNPDCL does not publish a sample bill that we could use, so the layout follows a real bill (2023 bill view and 2026 payment receipt) that a reader shared. We removed all personal details. Our drawing uses invented names, numbers and amounts. We drew a home bill with 2026 figures. Each explanation links to the official document that it comes from.

Quick answers

Where is my consumer number?

It is the service connection number at the top of the bill, for example 00-000-000-000. Type it without the hyphens when you pay online. See #1 on the sample

What is my region code?

It is the first 2 digits of your service connection number. See #1 on the sample

When must I pay?

Pay by the due date. It is at least 5 days after the entry in your meter card. TNPDCL gives 15 days’ notice before it disconnects. See #4 on the sample

How many units did I use?

Consumption = final reading − initial reading. The bill is for 2 months. See #5, #3 on the sample

Where are my free units?

See “Less: Govt subsidy”. From 10 May 2026, if you use up to 500 units in 2 months, the first 200 units are free. See #8 on the sample

What is BPSC on my receipt?

It is the belated payment surcharge. You pay it if you pay after the notice period: 1.5% a month for homes. See #16 on the sample

Watch: how to read a TNPDCL bill

A short video (59 seconds). It has no sound. The captions explain each field.

Your bill at a glance

How the bill adds up

Energy charges 6Fixed charges 7Govt subsidy 8Electricity tax 9Other charges 10ASD demand 11Round offNet payable amount 12

The bill prints sub-totals a to g.

From meter reading to payment

  1. Meter card entryThe assessor reads the meter and writes it in your meter card. This entry is the bill.
  2. SMSTNPDCL sends the bill within 4 working days.
  3. Due dateAt least 5 days after the meter card entry.
  4. 15 days’ noticeNo BPSC in this period. After it, TNPDCL can disconnect the supply.
  5. After the noticeBPSC: 1.5% a month for homes.

Source: TNERC Supply Code, consolidated to 31-03-2024 (PDF)

How the service connection number is made

00Region code
000Not explained
000Not explained
000Not explained

TNPDCL says only that the first 2 digits are the region. Type the number without hyphens when you pay online. The TNPDCL FAQ example: a card number 5 - 5 - 5 becomes 0050055.

Source: TNPDCL online payment FAQ

The TNPDCL bill, field by field

Move the bill to the left to see all of it.

Bill (online view)

SAMPLE · layout of a TNPDCL bill, redrawn by ebbillcalc.com · not a real billTax invoice for LT current consumption chargesSectionSAMPLE SECTIONCircleSAMPLE CIRCLEDistributionSAMPLEService Connection Number00-000-000-000ConsumerNameA. SAMPLE NAMEAddressSample Street, MaduraiInvoice NoL0000000000000000Invoice date28-08-2026ConnectionTariff appliedLA1ASanctioned load3.0 KWPhaseSingle phaseCT / Non-CTNon-CTSolar RTSNOBilling cycleBi-MonthlyBillBill period26-06-2026 - 26-08-2026Bill amountRs. 846/-Due date02-09-2026Minnagam helpline94987 94987Energy consumptionReadingDateStatusFinal reading12,53026-08-2026NormalInitial reading12,15026-06-2026NormalMF1Consumption380Max demand recorded1.20ChargesEnergy charges (HSN 2716)1,881.00Fixed charges0.00Sub total (a)1,881.00Less: Govt subsidy1,035.00Sub total (b)846.00Electricity tax—Other charges (SAC 996912)0.00ASD demand0.00Round off (g)0.00Net payable amount846.00Security depositBalance as of 01-04-20261,200.00Interest credited69.12Balance as of bill date1,269.12MCD825.00Advance CC balance0.00NotesPay the bill by the due date to avoid disconnection (Sec 56(1), Electricity Act 2003).Payment after the due date attracts belated payment surcharge.SAMPLE123456789101112131415

Payment receipt

SAMPLE · layout of a TNPDCL payment receipt, redrawn by ebbillcalc.comElectricity payment receiptNameA. SAMPLE NAMEService connection number00-000-000-000Receipt numberPG000000000000000Payment modeTNPDCL PAYMENT PORTALDate30-08-2026 12:00:00Payment detailsNo.ItemAmount (Rs.)123100-CC Charges846.00262250-BPSC0.00361902-R.C Charges**0.00462948-Rounding Off0.00Total846.00Also printed** Support services are taxable under GSTElectrical energy and distribution services are exempted under GSTSAMPLE16
Each number has an explanation below. Tap a number to go to its explanation. All names, numbers and amounts are invented; the figures follow the current TNERC tariff for a home that uses 380 units in 2 months.
  1. 1

    Service connection number

    This is the number of your connection. TNPDCL calls it the consumer number when you pay online. Type it as one number, without the hyphens. The first 2 digits are your region code.

    Source: TNPDCL online payment FAQ The consumer no is the service no available in the white meter card or in the previous receipts.

  2. 2

    Tariff applied

    This is your tariff code. TNPDCL does not explain these codes. The TNERC tariff order gives the categories, for example LT I-A for homes.

    Source: TNERC Tariff Order 6 of 2025 (PDF)

  3. 3

    Billing cycle

    Bills for homes are bi-monthly. The TNERC tariff gives the home slabs for 2 months, for example 0 to 400 units.

    Source: TNERC Tariff Order 6 of 2025 (PDF) From 0 to 200 units per month or 0 - 400 units for two months

  4. 4

    Due date

    For LT services, the due date is at least 5 days after the entry in your meter card. After the due date, TNPDCL must give 15 days’ clear notice before it disconnects the supply. TNPDCL does not charge BPSC during this notice period.

    Source: TNERC Supply Code, consolidated to 31-03-2024 (PDF) For LT Services, the due date shall be not less than 5 days from the date of entry in the consumer meter card.

  5. 5

    Energy consumption

    Consumption = (final reading − initial reading) × MF. The status column shows how the assessor read the meter. TNPDCL does not explain the status codes or MF.

  6. 6

    Energy charges

    This is the charge for your units at the TNERC tariff, before the Government subsidy. For homes, the rate for 0 to 400 units in 2 months is ₹4.95 for each unit.

    Source: TNERC Tariff Order 6 of 2025 (PDF)

  7. 7

    Fixed charges

    The TNERC tariff for homes (LT I-A) shows no fixed charge. For many other LT tariffs, the fixed charge is for each kW of contracted demand.

    Source: TNERC Tariff Order 6 of 2025 (PDF) the fixed charges shall be calculated on the basis of the contracted demand.

  8. 8

    Less: Govt subsidy

    The Government of Tamil Nadu pays a part of the bill for homes. From 10 May 2026, the first 200 units in 2 months are free if you use up to 500 units. The Government also pays a part of the rate for the next units.

    Source: TNERC Order 5 of 2026: 200 free units (PDF) provision of free electricity of total 200 units bimonthly to domestic consumers with consumption upto 500 units bimonthly with effect from 10-05-2026

  9. 9

    Electricity tax

    This is a tax under the Tamil Nadu Tax on Consumption or Sale of Electricity Act, 2003. The Act sets the rate at 5% to 10% of the net charge. We did not find the rate for homes. TNERC tells TNPDCL to print the rate and the Government order on the bill.

    Source: Tamil Nadu Tax on Consumption or Sale of Electricity Act, 2003 (PDF) the rate shall be not less than 5% and not more than 10% of the net charge

  10. 10

    Other charges (SAC 996912)

    Support services, for example reconnection, have GST: CGST 9% + SGST 9%. The supply of electricity itself has no GST. The TNPDCL sample receipt says this.

    Source: TNPDCL consumer number guide (sample receipt) Electrical Energy & Distribution Services are exempted Under GST

  11. 11

    ASD demand

    If your deposit is less than the new deposit amount, TNPDCL asks for the difference as ASD (additional security deposit). You get 30 days’ notice. You can ask to pay it in 3 parts.

    Source: TNERC Supply Code, consolidated to 31-03-2024 (PDF) If available deposit is less than the revised Security Deposit, the balance shall be collected as Additional Security Deposit.

  12. 12

    Net payable amount

    This is the amount that you pay by the due date.

  13. 13

    Security deposit

    TNPDCL keeps a security deposit for your connection. Every 2 years, it checks the deposit. For bi-monthly bills, the deposit is 3 times your average monthly charges for the last 12 months. TNPDCL pays interest on it each year.

    Source: TNERC Supply Code, consolidated to 31-03-2024 (PDF) For the categories of consumer under bi-monthly billing, the Security Deposit is equivalent to three times of the monthly average of the electricity charges for the preceding twelve months.

  14. 14

    MCD

    MCD is the meter caution deposit. It is the security for the meter that TNPDCL supplies. For a single-phase LT meter, it is ₹825 from 1 July 2025. It also gets interest.

    Source: TNERC Order 7 of 2025: miscellaneous charges (PDF)

  15. 15

    Advance CC account

    You can pay in advance if you have no unpaid dues. TNPDCL adjusts the advance against your next bills. It pays interest on the advance: 2.50% a year for 2026-27.

    Source: TNERC Supply Code, consolidated to 31-03-2024 (PDF)

  16. 16

    Payment receipt codes

    The receipt lists each item that you paid. CC charges are the current consumption charges: your bill. BPSC is the belated payment surcharge. R.C charges are reconnection charges. TNPDCL does not explain the code numbers.

    Source: TNPDCL consumer number guide (sample receipt)

Other terms you may see

These lines can also be on a TNPDCL bill. The explanations come from TNPDCL documents.

Interest on deposits

TNPDCL pays interest on your security deposit and your meter caution deposit. The rate for 2026-27 is 5.76% a year. TNPDCL adds the interest at the start of each financial year.

Source: TNERC Order 3 of 2026: interest on deposits (PDF) The Commission directs that the TNPDCL shall pay interest at 5.76% p.a on the Security Deposit from the consumers for the financial year 2026-27.

BPSC (belated payment surcharge)

If you do not pay by the end of the notice period, TNPDCL adds BPSC from the next day. For homes, it is 1.5% a month on the unpaid charges, for a minimum of 15 days. TNPDCL does not charge BPSC on electricity tax.

Source: TNERC Supply Code, consolidated to 31-03-2024 (PDF) In the case of LT Consumers (except Local Bodies) the surcharge shall be 1.5% per month for the outstanding arrears towards the price of electricity supplied.

R.C charges (reconnection)

If TNPDCL disconnected your supply, you pay a reconnection charge. From 1 July 2025, it is ₹135 (cut-out), ₹330 (overhead) or ₹550 (underground). TNPDCL must restore the supply within 6 working hours after you pay.

Source: TNERC Order 7 of 2025: miscellaneous charges (PDF)

SMS as the bill

For LT services, the meter card entry is the bill. If TNPDCL sends the readings, charges and last date by SMS or e-mail, that message is also the bill and the notice.

Source: TNERC Supply Code amendments, 2 September 2023 (PDF) such communication shall also be construed as Bill-cum-Notice

Excess MD charges

For homes, TNPDCL does not charge for excess demand. But if your recorded demand is more than your sanctioned load 3 times in 12 months, TNPDCL increases your sanctioned load.

Source: TNERC Supply Code amendments, 2 September 2023 (PDF) The excess demand charges shall be applicable to the consumers other than domestic and agricultural categories.

Welding surcharge and LPF penalty

These lines do not apply to a normal home. Supply to welding sets costs 15% more. Three-phase industrial (LT III-B) and commercial (LT V) services must keep a power factor of at least 0.85.

Source: TNERC Tariff Order 6 of 2025 (PDF) Supply to welding sets shall be charged 15% extra irrespective of category and capacity.

Labels TNPDCL does not explain

These labels are on the bill. We did not find an official explanation for them.

  • What the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups of the service connection number mean
  • Tariff codes such as LA1A
  • Meter reading status codes
  • MF (multiplying factor)
  • TDS on the interest on the deposit
  • The TCS/TDS row
  • Receipt code numbers (23100, 62250, 61902, 62948)
  • The electricity tax rate for homes
  • Network charges for rooftop solar
  • Invoice type, supply type, reverse charge and place of supply

We explain a line only if TNPDCL or the regulator explains it. If you have a question about one of these lines, ask your section office or call the helpline on the bill.

Pay or see your bill online

These are official TNPDCL channels only.

Pay only on official channels. ebbillcalc does not ask for your consumer number. ebbillcalc does not take payments. Some messages say that your power will be cut tonight. They tell you to call a number or install an app. Do not do this.

Is the amount right?

Type the units for 2 months and the total from your bill. The checker includes the Government subsidy and the 200 free units.

Check a Tamil Nadu billTamil Nadu bill calculatorTariff changes

Questions

Where is the consumer number on a TNPDCL bill?

It is the service connection number at the top of the bill. It has 4 groups of digits, for example 00-000-000-000. When you pay online, type it without the hyphens.

What is the region code for TNPDCL online payment?

It is the first 2 digits of your service connection number.

What is BPSC on a TNPDCL receipt?

BPSC is the belated payment surcharge. For homes, it is 1.5% a month on the unpaid charges, for a minimum of 15 days. It starts after the 15-day notice period.

What is MCD on my TNPDCL bill?

MCD is the meter caution deposit. It is the security for the meter that TNPDCL supplies. For a single-phase LT meter, it is ₹825.

How do the 200 free units show on my bill?

The bill shows the energy charges at the full tariff. Then “Less: Govt subsidy” subtracts the Government part. From 10 May 2026, the first 200 units in 2 months are free if you use up to 500 units.

What are R.C charges on a TNPDCL receipt?

They are reconnection charges: ₹135, ₹330 or ₹550 for a home, by the type of service line.

Sources

We read the official documents on 15 October 2026. Bill layouts can change. If your bill looks different, tell us. Cover your name, address and consumer number first.

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