Major changes in the smart prepaid meter system benefitted more than 67 lakh domestic consumers

Over 43 lakh consumers in the state have 1 kilowatt domestic connections

Relief extended to 24 lakh consumers with 2 kilowatt domestic connections as well

Lucknow, May 2026 : The Yogi government recently made significant changes to the smart prepaid meter system, providing major relief to electricity consumers, especially lower and middle-income households. The government decided that domestic consumers with up to 1 kilowatt load will continue to receive electricity supply for 30 days even after their balance is exhausted.

This decision has benefited more than 67 lakh domestic consumers with low load connections. Among them, over 43 lakh consumers with up to 1 kilowatt domestic connections have received the maximum relief.

After the implementation of smart prepaid meters in the state, all consumers were earlier given only 3 days, after which electricity supply would automatically be disconnected. This created difficulties, especially for domestic consumers with 1 kilowatt and 2 kilowatt connections.

Keeping this in mind, the Yogi government recently decided to provide relief to such consumers. Following this decision, domestic consumers with connections up to 1 kilowatt will not face immediate disconnection even after their balance runs out.

Under the new provision, such consumers will be given an additional grace period of 30 days. During this period, domestic consumers can recharge their balance and continue to receive electricity supply. However, if the balance is not recharged within 30 days, the electricity supply will then be automatically disconnected.

Similarly, domestic consumers with connections above 1 kilowatt and up to 2 kilowatt have also been given the facility of emergency credit. Such consumers will continue to receive electricity for at least 3 days or up to a negative balance of 200 rupees whichever occurs earlier.

For example, if after 3 days of balance exhaustion, the consumer’s balance is minus 100 rupees, the electricity supply will continue. But as soon as the balance reaches minus 200 rupees and is not recharged, the connection will be automatically disconnected. This decision of the Yogi government has provided relief to more than 67 lakh electricity consumers in the state.

According to the department, around 83 lakh smart meters have been installed in the state so far. Among them, approximately 43 lakh 17 thousand are consumers with 1 kilowatt domestic connections, and about 24 lakh 51 thousand are consumers with 2 kilowatt domestic connections.

Under the new system, the cost of electricity consumed during the emergency credit period will be automatically deducted from the next recharge. Consumers have been advised to monitor their current balance and estimated consumption through the UPPCL Smart app and recharge on time.

Additionally, keeping consumer convenience and transparency in mind, the government has introduced another important provision. Now, before disconnecting any consumer’s connection, 5 mandatory SMS alerts will be sent, giving them sufficient time to recharge. This ensures that consumers receive timely notifications about low balance.

Under the new arrangement, certain time periods have been designated during which electricity will not be disconnected. Power supply will not be cut from 6 PM to 8 AM. Additionally, electricity supply will continue on Sundays, second Saturdays, and all public holidays, even if the balance is exhausted or negative.

However, the electricity consumed during this period will be automatically adjusted in the next recharge. It is noteworthy that the smart prepaid meter is a modern technology based system that works like a mobile prepaid system, recharge first, then use.