- India has installed 4.76 crore smart meters, while 20.33 crore have been sanctioned under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
- The rollout supports grid modernisation, improves billing efficiency, and mandates higher local manufacturing, including 100% local content for HES and MDM systems as of January 1, 2025.
India’s nationwide smart meter rollout has crossed a significant milestone, with more than 4.76 crore smart meters installed under a combination of central and state-led schemes. The government aims to strengthen power monitoring, enhance distribution efficiency and support the country’s broader clean energy transition. The achievement marks steady progress in modernising India’s electricity ecosystem. It also reflects sustained policy support for digital infrastructure across the power sector.
Minister of State for Power Shripad Yesso Naik presented the latest figures in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. He stated that, under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the government has already sanctioned 20.33 crore smart meters based on proposals submitted by individual states. He emphasised that installations are being carried out through a PPP-based TOTEX model, in which Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Providers (AMISPs) manage deployment, operations and maintenance. The model ensures accountability and efficiency.
Furthermore, the government continues to strengthen domestic manufacturing. It added smart meters to the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order in July 2023. The minimum local content requirement currently stands at 60%, and from January 1, 2025, a 100% mandatory local content rule will apply to Head End Systems (HES) and Meter Data Management (MDM) systems. This shift encourages domestic production. This shift also reduces import dependence.
Smart meters are transforming consumer engagement with electricity usage. They enable real-time tracking. They support accurate energy accounting. They also help distribution companies conduct detailed energy audits. Moreover, the accelerated rollout of prepaid smart meters is assisting households to manage their budgets more effectively, while strengthening billing efficiency and improving cash flows for utilities.
At the grid level, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Distribution Management Systems (DMS) approved under RDSS are helping utilities reduce outages, enhance remote monitoring capabilities, and improve fault response times. The scheme also supports modernisation of distribution infrastructure, including upgrades to substations, transmission lines and underground cabling. These improvements are essential for integrating large volumes of renewable energy into the national grid.
The Ministry of Power is also supporting technology solution providers and startups in developing data-driven smart meter analytics tools under RDSS. State-level data shows the highest installation numbers in Bihar (82.37 lakh), Maharashtra (73.98 lakh) and Uttar Pradesh (65.06 lakh), indicating strong adoption across diverse regions.