Beatrice Lang
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi has provided up to 200 units of free electricity to residents since 2013. This scheme has proven popular, especially with the middle class, who have been facing a high cost of living. The Delhi BJP has also supported the extension of the power subsidy, but has demanded that all consumers, regardless of their residential or commercial status, should be given the first 200 units free of charge. As of 2024, the Delhi government has extended the power subsidy scheme until March 31, 2025, providing free electricity to households that consume below 200 units and a 50% subsidy to those that use 201-400 units per month.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of units of electricity free for residential households | 200 units per month |
| Number of units of electricity free for temples and Gurudwaras | 500 units |
| Number of units of electricity BJP may provide | 300 units |
| Subsidy for households consuming 201-400 units | 50% |
| Number of households that availed benefits of electricity subsidy | 4.02 million |
| Number of consumers that received zero bills | 2.2 million |
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What You'll Learn
- The Delhi government provides free electricity to households consuming under 200 units per month
- Households consuming 201-400 units per month receive a 50% subsidy
- The BJP has proposed providing 300 units of free electricity to women
- BJP leaders have demanded that all consumers, residential or commercial, should receive the first 200 units free of charge
- Over 2.2 million consumers in Delhi received zero electricity bills in 2023
The Delhi government provides free electricity to households consuming under 200 units per month
The Delhi government has been providing free electricity to households consuming under 200 units per month. This power subsidy scheme was extended by the Delhi Cabinet for the financial year 2024-25, benefitting over 2.2 million households. The scheme was first introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government when it came to power in Delhi in 2013.
Under this scheme, the Delhi government provides free electricity to households consuming less than 200 units of electricity per month. For households that consume between 201 and 400 units, a 50% subsidy is offered. This initiative has been well-received, especially by the middle class, who face a high cost of living.
The total number of domestic electricity consumers in Delhi is around 5.86 million, out of which approximately 68.33% (about 4.02 million) benefit from the electricity subsidy. This scheme has been estimated to cost the Delhi government around ₹3,500 crore per year.
However, there have been criticisms of the scheme. Some have argued that while the Delhi government provides free electricity to a section of society, commercial, industrial, and even other residential consumers are forced to buy electricity at higher rates compared to other states.
Despite this criticism, the scheme has been extended multiple times, and the BJP-led government, which came to power in Delhi in 2025, has also promised to continue the scheme. They have suggested that they may even increase the number of free units to 300.
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Households consuming 201-400 units per month receive a 50% subsidy
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has been providing free electricity to households consuming up to 200 units of electricity per month. For households that consume more than 200 units, the government offers a 50% subsidy for those using between 201 and 400 units of electricity per month. This scheme was extended by the Delhi Cabinet for the financial year 2024-25 and will be in place until March 31, 2025.
The power subsidy scheme in Delhi has been a popular welfare initiative, especially among the middle class, who face a high cost of living. Over 2.2 million households in Delhi have benefited from this scheme, with many receiving zero electricity bills. The Delhi government spends around ₹3,500 crore annually to provide this subsidy.
While the AAP government has been committed to this scheme for several years, there were concerns about its continuation after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Delhi election in 2025. During the election campaign, BJP leaders claimed that the welfare schemes of free electricity and water would be discontinued if they came to power. However, the BJP has clarified that they do not oppose the provision of free electricity to residential consumers for up to 200 units per month.
In fact, the BJP has suggested that they may increase the number of free units to 300 and provide additional benefits to women and religious institutions. Despite this, there are still concerns about the continuation of the subsidy scheme, as the BJP has not provided a definitive assurance. The BJP has also criticised the AAP government for providing free electricity to only a section of society while charging high rates to commercial, industrial, and other residential consumers.
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The BJP has proposed providing 300 units of free electricity to women
In the lead-up to the 2025 Delhi elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, led by Arvind Kejriwal, had consistently urged voters not to support the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that welfare schemes providing free electricity and water would be discontinued if the BJP came to power.
However, the BJP has proposed providing 300 units of free electricity to women in Delhi, in a bid to match the AAP's pre-poll promises. This proposal comes as the BJP seeks to capitalize on its recent electoral successes in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, where cash handouts targeted at women played a pivotal role in their victory. The BJP recognizes women as a crucial voting demographic and aims to deliver direct financial benefits to female constituents.
The BJP's proposal of 300 units of free electricity for women is part of their efforts to match or even surpass the AAP's welfare initiatives. The AAP has relied on flagship programmes such as providing free electricity of up to 200 units and free bus rides for women, which have been popular among the masses, especially the middle class, who face a high cost of living. The BJP aims to not only continue but potentially enhance these benefits for voters.
In addition to the proposed 300 units of free electricity for women, the BJP is also considering providing free electricity of up to 500 units to religious institutions such as temples and gurdwaras. They have also suggested promising ₹2,500 per month to women beneficiaries in Delhi, a proposal believed to have been accepted by the BJP's central leadership.
The BJP's commitment to continuing and potentially expanding welfare schemes, including free electricity for women, signals a shift in their stance. While initially rejecting such initiatives as "freebies", the BJP has now embraced them as a way to connect with voters and consolidate its position in Delhi.
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BJP leaders have demanded that all consumers, residential or commercial, should receive the first 200 units free of charge
In Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has provided up to 200 units of free electricity to residents. This scheme has been in place for nine years and has granted free electricity to over 2.2 million households. The Delhi government has also provided a 50% subsidy to households that use between 201 and 400 units of electricity per month.
However, BJP leaders have demanded that all consumers, including residential and commercial entities, should receive the first 200 units of electricity free of charge. BJP media head and spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor stated that they welcomed the extension of the power subsidy but reiterated their long-standing demand that all consumers should be treated equally. He added that it was "atrocious" that the Delhi government was claiming to provide free electricity to a section of society while many others were forced to buy electricity at the highest rates in North India.
The BJP's manifesto committee for the Delhi assembly polls has suggested providing an increased number of free electricity units, proposing 300 units of free electricity for all consumers. They have also proposed additional benefits, such as Rs 2,500 per month for women beneficiaries and 500 units of free electricity for temples and Gurudwaras in Delhi.
The BJP's stance on free electricity in Delhi has evolved over time. Initially, they rejected the idea of free electricity as "freebies." However, after witnessing the popularity of such welfare schemes among voters, they have now embraced and expanded upon the concept. Following their victory in the 2025 Delhi elections, BJP leaders assured that the welfare schemes of free electricity and water would continue.
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Over 2.2 million consumers in Delhi received zero electricity bills in 2023
In a bid to promote sustainability and financial relief, the Delhi government has implemented the Delhi Solar Policy 2023, which offers zero electricity bills to its residents. This initiative has resulted in over 2.2 million consumers in Delhi receiving zero electricity bills.
The Delhi Solar Policy 2023 builds upon the foundation laid by the Delhi Solar Policy 2016, which encouraged the adoption of solar energy in the city. The latest policy incentivizes residents to install solar panels on their rooftops, offering the possibility of completely eliminating their electricity bills.
Prior to the introduction of the Delhi Solar Policy 2023, the Delhi government had already been providing electricity subsidies to its residents. Under this subsidy scheme, households consuming up to 200 units of electricity per month received free electricity, resulting in zero electricity bills. This initiative was met with overwhelming support, with a steady increase in the number of beneficiaries over the years. In April 2022, around 22.8 lakh households received zero bills, and this number continued to grow, reaching 36 lakh by April 2024.
The Delhi Solar Policy 2023 takes this initiative a step further by eliminating electricity bills even for those consuming more than 400 units of electricity. By embracing solar energy, Delhi is not only striving towards sustainability but also empowering its residents with the potential for additional income generation.
The implementation of the Delhi Solar Policy 2023 and the preceding electricity subsidy scheme reflect the government's commitment to providing financial relief to its residents and promoting the adoption of renewable energy sources. These initiatives have been well-received by the people of Delhi and are expected to contribute significantly to the city's sustainability and energy independence goals.
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Frequently asked questions
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi previously offered 200 units of free electricity to residents. However, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Delhi election in 2025, there was speculation that they might increase this to 300 units of free electricity.
As of 2023, over 2.2 million consumers in Delhi received zero electricity bills, and around 4.02 million domestic consumers availed of the benefits of the electricity subsidy.
Delhi also provides a free bus service for women on all AC and non-AC DTC-run buses, as well as free water up to 20,000 litres to every household.
The Delhi government pays ₹3,500 crore per annum for the power subsidy scheme.
Commercial and industrial consumers in Delhi have to pay ₹13 per unit, while their counterparts in Haryana pay a maximum of ₹8.50 per unit.
