The Delhi government has made Aadhaar authentication or proof of Aadhaar possession compulsory for residents seeking benefits under its electricity subsidy scheme. According to a notification issued by the Power Department, dated September 30 and subsequently published in the Delhi Gazette, this measure is designed to verify the identities of beneficiaries and streamline the distribution of financial assistance funded through the Consolidated Fund of Delhi.
This new requirement applies to all electricity consumers served by major power distribution companies in the national capital, including BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL), BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL), and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL). Residents residing in areas governed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and those covered by Military Engineer Services (MES) are also required to comply with the updated norms to maintain their eligibility for power subsidies.
The policy change is rooted in Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016. Authorities have clarified that while the requirement is mandatory, it does not exclude those who are currently in the process of obtaining an Aadhaar number. Individuals without an existing Aadhaar card are permitted to submit their Aadhaar enrolment application and provide the 14-digit enrolment ID to continue claiming the benefits. To facilitate the transition, the Power Department has instructed all implementing agencies to publicise these changes widely through media channels.
Official reports indicate that the government intends to launch a dedicated online portal to simplify the authentication process for consumers. As part of the new framework, beneficiaries will be required to renew their choice to opt into the subsidy scheme on an annual basis. This shift toward digital verification follows a period of significant growth in the scheme's reach, with data showing that approximately 87 percent of Delhi's 73 lakh domestic consumers, or roughly 55 lakh households, availed of the power subsidy in the 2025-26 period, up from 84 percent in the previous year.
Under the existing electricity subsidy structure, the Delhi government provides free electricity for up to 200 units per month. For consumers whose usage falls between 201 and 400 units, the government provides a 50 percent subsidy, which is subject to a cap of ₹800 per month. The scale of the fiscal commitment for these subsidies is significant; government figures cited in reports show that the allocation reached ₹4,037.63 crore by February 2026, while the budget allocated for the current financial year is ₹3,500 crore.
The introduction of the Aadhaar-linked verification system is part of a broader push to ensure that government subsidies are delivered in a targeted manner. By requiring annual renewal and direct identity proofing, the administration aims to improve the management of its power subsidy expenditure, which has seen increased demand as the total number of power consumers in the city has grown by nearly 40 percent over the last decade.
Agencies such as the Power Department and participating distribution companies are currently preparing for the implementation of the online portal. Consumers are advised to monitor official communications for further instructions regarding the specific deadlines and procedural steps required to complete their Aadhaar authentication and subsidy registration.
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