If you live in Bangalore or anywhere in Karnataka, paying your BESCOM bill has probably felt like a rollercoaster lately. Between government subsidies, scheme updates, and recent tariff revisions, figuring out exactly what you are paying per unit is confusing. You look at the final number and wonder how the math works.
Most consumers don’t know the exact rates. They rely on guesswork. But understanding the 1 unit electricity price in Karnataka is actually much simpler now than it used to be. The state has drastically changed its billing structure, throwing out the old complex slabs in favor of a much more straightforward system.
Let’s break down the official FY 2026-27 tariff rates for Karnataka (applicable across BESCOM, MESCOM, HESCOM, GESCOM, and CESC), how the Gruha Jyothi scheme works, the hidden surcharges, and what commercial users are paying right now.
The End of Telescopic Slabs: Karnataka’s New Single-Rate System
For years, Karnataka used a telescopic slab system. The first 50 units were cheap, the next 50 were slightly more expensive, and anything above 100 or 200 units carried a heavy premium. Calculating your bill manually was a nightmare.
That is no longer the case. The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has abolished the multi-slab system for domestic consumers. Now, whether you consume 10 units or 1,000 units, the base energy rate remains exactly the same. However, this does not mean your bill is cheap — because the flat rate they chose is quite high compared to the old starting slabs.
1 Unit Electricity Price in Karnataka — Domestic Tariff (LT-1)
Here is the current, simplified base energy charge for all domestic consumers in Karnataka, effective for the FY 2026-27 billing cycle:
📊 Karnataka Domestic Tariff 2026-27 (LT-1)
| Monthly Consumption | Base Energy Rate | Fixed Charge |
|---|---|---|
| All Units (Single Slab) | ₹ 7.00 per unit | ₹ 115 per kW/month |
⚡ What this means: There is no “cheap” first slab anymore. Every single unit you consume costs a base rate of ₹7.00. Your fixed charge is based purely on your sanctioned load (e.g., a 3 kW connection pays a fixed ₹345 monthly).
The Real Cost: Surcharges and Taxes
When someone says electricity in Karnataka is ₹7.00 per unit, they are ignoring the additional mandatory charges. Your final bill includes a massive fuel surcharge and electricity duty.
Fuel Surcharge (FPPCA)
₹0.92 / unit
Includes previous FY true-up recovery
Electricity Duty
9%
State tax applied on energy & fixed charges
Because of the ₹0.92 per unit fuel surcharge and the 9% electricity duty, your effective cost per unit in Karnataka actually crosses ₹8.50. This is why a simple 300-unit bill can easily cross ₹3,000 once all taxes and fixed charges are layered on top.
How the Gruha Jyothi Scheme Changes the Math
The high base rate of ₹7.00 per unit would be punishing for average households, which is why the Karnataka Government introduced the Gruha Jyothi Scheme. This scheme provides up to 200 units of free electricity every month.
However, it is not a blanket “200 units free for everyone” rule. The scheme is based on your historical average consumption. Here is how it strictly works:
- Your free entitlement is calculated as your 12-month average consumption + 10%.
- If your monthly consumption stays under this entitled limit (and under 200 units absolute max), your bill is effectively zero.
- If your consumption crosses your entitled limit but stays under 200 units, you only pay for the extra units consumed above the average.
- If your consumption crosses 200 units, you lose the subsidy entirely for that month and pay the full bill at ₹7.00/unit plus surcharges.
⚡ Stop Doing The Math Manually
With a flat ₹7.00 rate, a heavy ₹0.92 fuel surcharge, 9% duty, and fixed charges based on load, calculating your exact BESCOM bill is tricky. Use our free Karnataka electricity bill calculator. Just enter your units, load, and check if you get the subsidy — get your exact bill breakdown instantly.
Commercial, Industrial & EV Charging Rates
Non-domestic connections in Karnataka pay significantly different rates. If you run a shop, a factory, or an EV charging station, here is what KERC has approved for FY 2026-27.
Commercial Lighting & Power — LT-3
Shops, offices, and commercial establishments fall under the LT-3 category. The base rate is slightly higher than domestic, but the fixed charges are massive.
Flat Energy Rate
₹7.50/unit
Fixed Charge
₹240/kW/mo
Example: A small commercial shop with a 5 kW load pays ₹1,200 every month in fixed charges alone, plus ₹7.50 for every unit consumed.
Industrial (Motive Power) — LT-5
Karnataka actually incentivizes industrial production by offering a lower energy rate than both domestic and commercial users, though fixed charges are levied per Horsepower (HP) rather than kW.
Flat Energy Rate
₹5.40/unit
Fixed Charge
₹170/HP/mo
EV Charging Stations — LT-6(c)
To promote electric vehicle adoption, dedicated EV charging stations get the lowest tariff in the state, with heavily subsidized fixed charges and cheap power.
Energy Rate
₹4.50/unit
Fixed Charge
₹70/kW/mo
Why Does BESCOM Charge a Deposit?
Many new tenants or homeowners in Karnataka are shocked to see an additional Security Deposit (ASD) or Additional Security Deposit demand on their bills. BESCOM requires all consumers to maintain a deposit equivalent to two months of their average billing amount.
If your consumption increases (e.g., you install a new AC), your average two-month bill goes up. Once a year, usually in the first quarter, BESCOM recalculates your required deposit. If there is a shortfall, they will add the ASD amount directly to your monthly bill. This is a refundable deposit, but failure to pay it can lead to disconnection.
3 Practical Ways to Lower Your BESCOM Bill
| Strategy | Why it works in Karnataka |
|---|---|
| Stay under 200 units strictly | If you qualify for Gruha Jyothi and cross 200 units, you instantly owe ₹7.00 per unit for the entire consumption, wiping out thousands in subsidies. |
| Review your Sanctioned Load | At ₹115 per kW per month, extra load is expensive. If you are paying for 5 kW but only draw a max of 2 kW, downgrading will save you ₹4,140 annually. |
| Upgrade old appliances | Because Karnataka has a flat ₹7.00/unit rate, replacing an old 10-year-old fridge or non-inverter AC pays for itself faster here than in states with cheaper lower slabs. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 1 unit electricity price in Karnataka right now?
Karnataka uses a single flat rate for domestic connections. Every unit costs exactly ₹7.00 (base energy charge). However, when you add the ₹0.92 fuel surcharge and 9% electricity duty, the effective cost you pay per unit is around ₹8.50.
Is the 200 units free electricity scheme still active?
Yes, the Gruha Jyothi scheme is active. If your monthly consumption stays under your historical average (plus 10%) and absolutely below 200 units, your bill will be zero. If you cross 200 units, you do not get any subsidy and must pay the full bill amount.
Do commercial shops pay more per unit in Karnataka?
Yes, commercial connections (LT-3) pay a higher base rate of ₹7.50 per unit compared to the domestic ₹7.00 rate. More significantly, their fixed charges are more than double, standing at ₹240 per kW per month.
What is the fuel surcharge (FPPCA) on my BESCOM bill?
The Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment (FPPCA) is a variable charge used to recover the fluctuating cost of coal and power purchase. Currently, it is a significant ₹0.92 per unit, which noticeably increases your final bill.
How much is the fixed charge for a house in Karnataka?
For domestic LT-1 connections, the fixed charge is ₹115 per kW of sanctioned load per month. This means a standard 3 kW home connection will incur a fixed charge of ₹345 every month, even if the house is locked and consumption is zero.
Are EV charging rates cheaper in Karnataka?
Yes. Karnataka heavily subsidizes EV charging to promote electric vehicles. Dedicated EV charging stations (LT-6c) pay only ₹4.50 per unit and a very low fixed charge of ₹70 per kW per month.
How can I check my BESCOM average consumption for Gruha Jyothi?
Your entitled average consumption is printed on your physical BESCOM bill. You can also view it by logging into the BESCOM Mithra app or the Seva Sindhu portal where you registered for the scheme.
What happens if I don’t pay the BESCOM Additional Security Deposit (ASD)?
If you fail to pay the ASD demanded on your bill within the specified timeframe, BESCOM has the authority to disconnect your power supply. The ASD is mandatory as it covers the risk of two months of your average billing.
Disclaimer: The tariff rates, fixed charges, and duty percentages mentioned are based on the KERC Tariff Order for FY 2026-27. Electricity tariffs are subject to periodic revisions. Always refer to your official BESCOM/ESCOM bill for your exact billing details.
Official Resource: For further details on tariff orders, visit the BESCOM Official Website.
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