Delhi mandates Aadhaar for eligibility under its electricity subsidy program
The Delhi government has made Aadhaar verification a prerequisite for households to receive the city's power subsidy benefits.
Delhi's power subsidy scheme now requires beneficiaries to prove possession of a genuine Aadhaar number, as stipulated by Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016. The program, which supplies 200 kilowatt-hours per month free of charge and halves the bill (capped at ₹800) for consumption between 201 and 400 units, served over 5.5 million households in 2025-26, representing 87 % of the city's 7.3 million domestic consumers. The subsidy bill reached ₹4,037.63 crore in February 2026, with a fresh allocation of ₹3,500 crore for one outlet fiscal year.
Distribution is handled by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL), Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Military Engineer Services (MES). Those lacking an Aadhaar must apply for enrollment and provide the 14-digit enrolment ID to access the benefit. Officials argue that Aadhaar simplifies verification, reduces paperwork, and enhances transparency.
Why it matters
Linking Aadhaar to the subsidy aims to curb fraud and streamline delivery of a multi-billion-rupee electricity aid program.
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