Archive · 28 Jul 2025
Govt. Extends Smart Meter Deadline to March 2028
The government is giving itself more time to finish installing smart meters, which are like digital electricity readers.
They're part of a big plan to upgrade how electricity works.
The project has been extended until March 2028.
The delay is because it took time to get everything set up.
They are now installing about 80,000 meters each day.
The smart meter installation deadline has been extended to March 2028.
20.33 crore smart meters have been sanctioned under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
2.44 crore smart meters have been installed to date.
The Power Ministry cited delays in tenders, testing, and approvals as reasons for the extension.
Smart meter installation has increased from 11,000-12,000 per day to around 80,000 per day.
- Who
- The Power Ministry.
- What
- Extension of the smart meter installation deadline.
- When
- The deadline was extended to March 2028.
- Where
- Across India.
- Why
- Due to delays in tenders, testing, and approvals.
Concerns
Government's Stance
Implementation Challenges
Concerns
The committee had raised doubts over the installation of smart meters and had said that the target of installing 25 crore smart meters by FY26 seems to be a “difficult task”.
Government's Stance
The Ministry informed the panel about the extension and reasons behind the delay.
- Extended Deadline
- March 2028
- Smart Meters Sanctioned
- 20.33 crore
- Smart Meters Installed
- 2.44 crore
- RDSS Outlay
- ₹3,03,758 crore
- Daily Installation Rate (Feb 2025)
- 80,000