India
Delhi Mandates Aadhaar Proof for Electricity Subsidy Eligibility
By Livemint
The Delhi government has made Aadhaar authentication or proof of Aadhaar possession compulsory for consumers who wish to benefit from its electricity subsidy scheme, a notification from the power department said. The September 30 notification, published in the Delhi Gazette, requires eligible consumers to submit proof of their Aadhaar number via an online portal or another method specified by the government. The rule applies to beneficiaries served by BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL), BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL), Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL), as well as those in areas served by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Military Engineer Services (MES). According to PTI, the Delhi government’s allocation for power subsidy reached ₹4,037.63 crore by February 2026, while the budget for the current financial year is ₹3,500 crore. Delhi has 73 lakh power consumers, a rise of nearly 40% in the last decade. In 2024‑25, 84 % (52.3 lakh) of the 73 lakh domestic consumers availed the subsidy; this rose to 87 % (55 lakh) in 2025‑26. Under the scheme, consumers receive up to 200 units of electricity free each month. Those using between 201 and 400 units receive a 50 % subsidy, capped at ₹800 per month. The notification, issued under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, states that the requirement is intended to establish beneficiaries’ identities and ensure subsidies reach the intended recipients. The scheme’s expenditure is funded through the Consolidated Fund of Delhi. Consumers who do not yet have an Aadhaar number will not be excluded; they can submit an Aadhaar enrolment application and provide their details along with the 14‑digit enrolment ID to claim the benefit. The power department and implementing agencies have been instructed to publicise the new requirement through the media. Officials said a dedicated online portal will be introduced to simplify the process, and beneficiaries will need to renew their choice annually to continue receiving the subsidy.