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Electricity Bill Calculator
Accurate estimates for Bihar · SBPDCL
Estimated monthly bill
₹1,287.00
| 1–50 @ ₹7.42 × 50 | ₹371.00 |
| 51–∞ @ ₹7.96 × 100 | ₹796.00 |
| Energy charge | ₹1,167.00 |
| Fuel cost adjustment (₹0/unit) | ₹0.00 |
| Fixed charge (₹40/kW × 3 kW) | ₹120.00 |
| Total | ₹1,287.00 |
Worked example
A 150-unit monthly Bihar residential bill (single-phase) works out to ₹0123456789012345678901234567890123456789. That is ₹1,167.00 energy charge + ₹120.00 fixed charge.
See the full breakdown ↓Have a fixed budget? Work backwards
Enter what you want to spend, and we'll tell you the maximum units that stays within it — the exact inverse of the calculator above.
Budget → Units Calculator
Tell us your target bill, we'll tell you how many units that buys
You can use up to
113 units
for a monthly bill of ₹992.48 (within your ₹1,000.00 budget)
How to use this calculator
- 1Select your state — it's pre-selected for this page
- 2Enter your sanctioned load in kW, shown on your bill or meter agreement
- 3Enter the units consumed shown on your bill, or your meter readings
- 4Choose your connection phase (single or three) if applicable
- 5Review the itemised slab-by-slab result below the calculator
Your monthly billing cycle
SBPDCL bills monthly.
Bihar residential tariff slabs
| Slab (units) | Rate (₹/unit) |
|---|---|
| 0–50 | ₹7.42 |
| 51–above | ₹7.96 |
| Fixed charge | ₹40/kW of sanctioned load |
Effective from 1 April 2025 · Verified 29 August 2026 · source order
Two worked examples
Lower usage
₹1,287.00
150 units · ₹1,167.00 energy + ₹120.00 fixed
Higher usage
₹2,958.60
360 units · ₹2,838.60 energy + ₹120.00 fixed
Common SBPDCL bill traps
SBPDCL covers only south Bihar
If your connection is in north Bihar (Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Purnia and similar), your actual discom is NBPDCL, not SBPDCL — both share the same tariff, but bill separately.
The rate is nearly flat, not steeply telescopic
Unlike states with dramatic slab jumps, Bihar's rate barely changes between the first 50 units (₹7.42) and everything above (₹7.96) — the main cost driver here is the high base rate itself, not which slab you're in.
Kutir Jyoti is a separate, lower category
BPL households fall under the Kutir Jyoti scheme with different (lower) rates — this calculator uses the standard domestic (DS-I) tariff, not Kutir Jyoti.
How the SBPDCL bill is calculated
A near-flat, non-telescopic rate
Unlike most states, Bihar’s domestic tariff is essentially flat — ₹7.42/unit up to 50 units and ₹7.96/unit beyond, among the higher base rates in the country. NBPDCL and SBPDCL charge the same, and BPL homes fall under the separate Kutir Jyoti category.
How the Bihar bill is calculated
Bihar domestic supply is billed monthly. Consumption is split across telescopic slabs from ₹7.42 to ₹7.96/unit, each band charged at its own rate. A fixed charge of ₹40 per kW of sanctioned load applies.
Your bill, component by component
Based on the 150-unit example above. Expand each line for what it means and whether you can influence it.
Energy chargeReducible₹1,167.00+
Priced across telescopic slabs — the more you use, the higher the marginal rate. Shifting usage below your next slab threshold lowers this line directly. This example totals ₹1,167.00.
Fuel cost adjustment (FCA)Set by DISCOM₹0.00+
A ₹0/unit pass-through surcharge that tracks the DISCOM's power-purchase cost. It applies equally to every consumer on this tariff and isn't something you can reduce by changing usage.
Fixed chargeFixed₹120.00+
Charged regardless of how many units you use (₹40/kW × 3 kW). The only way to change this line is to change your phase, sanctioned load, or connection type.
What's included in your bill
| Component | What it is | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Energy charge | Units × slab rate, telescopic | ₹7.42–₹7.96/unit |
| Fixed charge | Flat, independent of usage | ₹40/kW of sanctioned load |
How to read your meter
Digital meters show a running total in kWh ("units") on an LCD display — write down the number before the decimal point. To find your consumption for a billing period, subtract your previous reading from your current reading; that is exactly what the "Meter reading" mode in the calculator above does for you. Analog meters use a set of dial gauges read left to right — note the number the pointer has just passed on each dial.
☀️ See how much solar could save you in Bihar
Rooftop solar can cut this bill sharply. Check your payback period and PM Surya Ghar subsidy in under a minute.
Tools that cut your bill
Swap CFL for LED bulbs
Replacing a 15W CFL with a 9W LED bulb, run 6 hrs/day, saves about ₹104.59/year at Bihar's top slab rate (₹7.96/unit) — per bulb.
Upgrade to a 5-star AC
A 1.5 ton 5-star AC vs 3-star, run 6 hrs/day, saves about ₹4,437.01/year in Bihar.
See the full comparison →How does SBPDCL compare?
SBPDCL
Bihar
Top slab rate
₹7.96/unit
Base slab
₹7.42
Slabs
2
Billing
monthly
Duty
0%
JBVNL
Jharkhand
Top slab rate
₹6.85/unit
↓ 14% cheaper than SBPDCL
Base slab
₹6.85
Slabs
1
Billing
monthly
Duty
0%
WBSEDCL
West Bengal
Top slab rate
₹6.81/unit
↓ 14% cheaper than SBPDCL
Base slab
₹4.10
Slabs
5
Billing
quarterly
Duty
0%
UPPCL
Uttar Pradesh
Top slab rate
₹7.00/unit
↓ 12% cheaper than SBPDCL
Base slab
₹5.50
Slabs
4
Billing
monthly
Duty
5%
Top Slab Rate Comparison
SBPDCL's top domestic slab rate is ₹7.96/unit — cheaper than JBVNL (₹6.85/unit), — cheaper than WBSEDCL (₹6.81/unit), — cheaper than UPPCL (₹7.00/unit). Billing cycles also differ: SBPDCL bills monthly, while JBVNL bills monthly, WBSEDCL bills quarterly, UPPCL bills monthly.
Tips to reduce your SBPDCL bill
- Where practical, keep usage below your next slab threshold — the marginal units above ₹7.96/unit cost the most.
- For high-usage households, rooftop solar can offset your most expensive top-slab units — see the solar section above.
Net metering explained
Net metering lets a rooftop solar system export surplus power back to the grid through your existing meter, which runs in reverse. At billing time, your DISCOM credits the exported units against what you drew from the grid — you're billed only for the net difference. Combined with telescopic slabs, this typically offsets your most expensive units first. Estimate your solar payback →
About SBPDCL
The Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) was unbundled on 1 November 2012, under Section 14 of the Electricity Act, 2003, into five successor companies including two regional distribution companies split by geography.
South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (SBPDCL) serves 17 southern districts including Patna, Nalanda, Gaya and Bhagalpur, covering over 50 lakh consumers. North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (NBPDCL) covers the northern districts on the same BSEB-successor tariff.
Does SBPDCL supply electricity to Patna?
Yes. Patna is part of SBPDCL's south Bihar territory. If your connection is in a northern district — such as Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga or Purnia — your discom is NBPDCL instead, on the same tariff shown here.
How to check and pay your bill
- 1Visit the official SBPDCL website
- 2Enter your Consumer ID/Account number to fetch your current bill
- 3Verify the amount and pay via UPI, card or net banking
- 4Save the payment receipt for your records
Official portal
sbpdcl.co.in (official SBPDCL portal)
Helpline
1912 (24×7)
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bihar electricity tariff telescopic?
Yes. Bihar charges telescopically: each slab is billed at its own rate, so moving up a slab does not re-price your cheaper units.
What is the fixed charge for a Bihar domestic connection?
The fixed charge is ₹40 per kW of sanctioned load.
How accurate is this Bihar bill estimate?
It uses the published domestic slab rates and is a close estimate, not a billing-grade figure. Always confirm against your official SBPDCL bill.
Does SBPDCL supply electricity to Patna?
Yes. Patna is one of SBPDCL's core circles, part of its 17-district south Bihar territory (also including Nalanda, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur and Rohtas). North Bihar — including Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Purnia — is served by the separate North Bihar Power Distribution Company (NBPDCL), on the same tariff.
How do I check or pay my SBPDCL bill online?
Pay via the official portal at sbpdcl.co.in. For queries, call the 24×7 toll-free helpline 1912.
What is SBPDCL, and how did it form?
The Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) was unbundled on 1 November 2012, under Section 14 of the Electricity Act 2003, into five companies — including two regional distribution companies, South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (SBPDCL) and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (NBPDCL).