- The Ministry of Power has extended the deadline for stakeholder feedback on the Draft National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2026 to March 19 in India.
- The extension aims to enable broader consultation on reforms targeting distribution sector finances, tariff structures, and grid modernisation.
The Ministry of Power, India, has extended the deadline for stakeholders to submit feedback on the Draft National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2026. The decision gives industry participants additional time to review and comment on the proposed reforms.
According to an official notification issued on February 25, the new deadline for comments and suggestions is March 19. This replaces the earlier submission deadline of February 19.
Officials said the extension followed requests from industry stakeholders who needed more time to study the draft policy. The ministry aims to strengthen the consultation process and encourage wider participation from utilities, industry groups, experts and the public.
The Draft National Electricity Policy 2026 forms a central component of India’s strategy to modernise its electricity sector. The policy seeks to address longstanding structural challenges, particularly within the distribution segment.
Many electricity distribution companies, commonly known as discoms, continue to face high debt burdens and operational losses. These financial pressures weaken sector stability and limit investment in infrastructure upgrades and service improvements.
Tariff restructuring represents a key focus of the draft policy. Authorities noted that electricity tariffs in several regions do not reflect the actual cost of generation and supply. As a result, a persistent revenue gap has contributed to financial stress across distribution utilities.
The policy also addresses cross-subsidisation. Under this system, industrial and commercial consumers often pay higher tariffs to subsidise electricity for agricultural users and low-income households. Policymakers believe that gradually reducing such imbalances will improve the financial sustainability of the electricity market.
Beyond financial reforms, the draft emphasises the need to strengthen power infrastructure. It also calls for a more resilient national grid capable of supporting higher shares of renewable energy. As solar and wind capacity expands, grid flexibility and reliability will become increasingly important.
In addition, the policy promotes consumer-focused electricity services, improved operational efficiency and stronger competition across the power sector.
Officials highlighted that India has made significant progress since the introduction of the previous National Electricity Policy in 2005. In particular, the country has expanded generation capacity and accelerated renewable energy deployment.
Nevertheless, the ministry acknowledged that distribution remains the most critical challenge in the electricity value chain. Through the extended consultation period, policymakers aim to gather comprehensive feedback that will shape a balanced and forward-looking electricity policy for India’s long-term energy transition and economic growth.