If you’re a resident of Karnataka, there’s good news for you. The Karnataka State Government has launched the Gruha Jyothi Scheme, under which eligible households can get up to 200 units of electricity free every month. This scheme officially started in July 2023, and it’s aimed at reducing the electricity burden for middle-class and lower-income families.
To qualify, your average monthly electricity usage should be below 200 units. This average will be calculated based on how much power you used in the last year. If your usage is within the limit, you will receive a zero electricity bill every month.
How the Government Calculates Your Average Electricity Use
To figure out who is eligible, the government uses a simple method. They look at your monthly power usage from April 2022 to March 2023. Then, they add an extra 10% cushion on top of that average.
Formula Used:
Average monthly usage = (Average units used between April 2022 and March 2023) + 10% extra
Let’s say your average was 150 units, then 10% of 150 (which is 15) is added. So, your total eligible free units will be 165 units per month.
Now, here’s how the billing works based on your usage:
- If you use 165 units or less, you don’t have to pay anything.
- If you use more than 165 units but still under 200 units, you will only pay for the extra units.
- If your monthly usage crosses 200 units, you will pay the full bill for that month.
Example for Better Understanding
Let’s say a user named X had an average usage of 150 units in the previous year.
- After adding 10%, X gets 165 units free every month.
- If X uses only 160 units in a month → Zero bill.
- If X uses 175 units → Pay for 10 units only (175 – 165).
- If X uses 210 units → X will need to pay for all 210 units since the limit of 200 is crossed.
What If You’ve Moved into a New Home or Built a New One?
For those who just moved into a new house or recently built one, there’s no record of previous electricity usage. So, the government gives a standard average.
In such cases, the household will be eligible for 53 units + 10% per month, which comes to about 58 to 59 units of free electricity every month.
- If your usage stays within 58–59 units, your bill will be zero.
- If you use more, say 70 units, you only pay for the extra 11–12 units.
- After completing one year in the new home, your average consumption will be recalculated, and the new free limit will be based on your actual usage.
This scheme has brought real benefits to lakhs of households across Karnataka. By helping families save money on their power bills, the Gruha Jyothi Yojana is making everyday life a bit easier.
If you’re looking to enjoy these benefits, make sure to check your eligibility and apply through the official Seva Sindhu portal. Just search for Gruha Jyothi Karnataka Apply, Free Electricity Scheme Karnataka, or 200 units free electricity Seva Sindhu to get started easily.
Who Can Get the Gruha Jyothi Scheme Subsidy? Know the Conditions
To get the benefit of zero electricity bill under the Gruha Jyothi Scheme, there are a few important conditions you must meet. These rules help the government make sure that only those who truly use limited electricity can enjoy the subsidy.
Important Conditions for Getting Gruha Jyothi Subsidy
- Your average monthly electricity usage for the previous financial year must be below 200 units.
- The electricity used in the current month should be equal to or less than your average usage of the past 12 months.
- If your consumption follows these rules, you will get a zero electricity bill under this scheme.
Let’s understand this better with a simple example:
Example of Electricity Consumption Calculation
- Financial year considered: April 2022 to March 2023
- Total number of months: 12
- Suppose you used 1800 units of electricity in those 12 months
- Then your average monthly usage = 1800 ÷ 12 = 150 units
So, if your average comes out to be 150 units per month, you are eligible for the Gruha Jyothi subsidy. This means:
- ✅ You will get a zero electricity bill every month if you continue to stay under this 150-unit average.
- ❌ But if in any month your usage goes above 200 units, the extra units will be charged as per normal rates, and you won’t get the zero-bill benefit for that month.
Keep in Mind:
- Always try to stay below your average unit usage to keep getting benefits.
- This scheme is made to help people who use power responsibly.
- Check your old electricity bills to see if your usage fits under the scheme’s limit.
This clear understanding will help you take full advantage of the Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Yojana subsidy and save money on your monthly power bills.
Gruha Jyothi Scheme Application for House Transfer or Tenant
Are you a tenant who has recently shifted to a new house and wondering what to do with your old Gruha Jyothi Scheme application? Many tenants are going through the same issue after moving out of their earlier rented house. In this post, we’ll guide you on what to do if you’ve already applied and now need to update your details.
As per the official guidelines of the Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Yojana, only one Aadhaar card can be linked with one electricity meter. This means:
- If you’ve already applied from your old rented house using your Aadhaar and meter details,
- You cannot submit a new application for your new house using the same Aadhaar until the old connection is deactivated or transferred.
What Should Tenants Do After Changing Their House?
Many tenants shift homes due to work or personal reasons, and here’s what you should know:
- The Gruha Jyothi portal currently does not allow direct transfer of application to a new address.
- This issue has been reported to ESCOM (Electricity Supply Companies) and officials have confirmed it’s under review.
- As of now, the “House Transfer” option is not available in the online application form.
- ESCOM has stated that they are actively working on adding this feature soon.
Key Points to Remember for Tenants
- ✅ One Aadhaar = One electricity meter (as per scheme rules)
- 🕒 Wait for official update about the “House Transfer” feature
- 🏠 Don’t apply again until the transfer option is added to the portal
- 📝 Keep your documents ready for easy updating once the feature is live
- 💬 Stay connected with official sources like the Seva Sindhu portal or ESCOM office for announcements
For now, tenants are kindly requested to wait until the house transfer feature is officially available. This will help avoid duplicate applications and ensure you get the benefits of the Gruha Jyothi Scheme smoothly from your new rented house.
FAQs on Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme 2025
Q1. What is the Gruha Jyothi Scheme in Karnataka?
The Gruha Jyothi Scheme offers up to 200 units of free electricity each month to eligible households in Karnataka.
Q2. How can I get free electricity under the Gruha Jyothi Yojana?
You must use less than 200 units on average per month, based on your usage from the previous financial year.
Q3. What is the eligibility limit for monthly electricity usage?
Your average monthly usage must be below 200 units. If you cross this limit, the full bill applies.
Q4. How does the government calculate my free electricity units?
They calculate the average units from April 2022 to March 2023 and add 10% to that value for monthly free units.
Q5. If my usage is 165 units and I consume 170 units, how much do I pay?
You pay only for the extra 5 units (170 – 165). The rest is free.
Q6. Do I get zero bill if my usage stays below the calculated average?
Yes, you get a zero bill if your monthly usage stays within your eligible average plus 10%.
Q7. What happens if I cross 200 units in a month?
If your usage goes beyond 200 units, you’ll need to pay the full bill for that month.
Q8. I moved into a new house. Am I eligible for Gruha Jyothi Scheme?
Yes, new homes get a fixed free unit allowance of 53 units + 10% (approx. 58–59 units monthly) until your average is calculated after a year.
Q9. Can tenants transfer their Gruha Jyothi application to a new house?
Currently, transfer isn’t allowed. Tenants must wait for the “house transfer” feature to be added on the portal.
Q10. Can I apply for the scheme from two houses using the same Aadhaar?
No, only one Aadhaar can be linked with one electricity meter as per scheme rules.
Q11. Where can I apply for the Gruha Jyothi Scheme online?
You can apply through the official Seva Sindhu portal. Search “Gruha Jyothi Apply Karnataka” to access it.
Q12. What documents are required for Gruha Jyothi application?
You need your Aadhaar card, electricity bill, and meter details while applying on Seva Sindhu.
Q13. How do I know if I qualify for the 200 units free electricity?
Check your last 12 months’ average power use. If it’s under 200 units, you are eligible.
Q14. What is the Seva Sindhu portal for Gruha Jyothi?
Seva Sindhu is the Karnataka Government’s official online service portal to apply for Gruha Jyothi Scheme benefits.