Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief OverviewThe 

Karnataka Government launched the "Gruha Jyothi Scheme" in 2023 with the objective of providing free electricity support to domestic households across the state. The scheme was introduced to reduce the financial burden of electricity expenses on families and to provide relief during rising inflation. Under the scheme, eligible households can receive up to 200 units of electricity free of cost every month.

Along with Gruha Lakshmi Scheme, the Gruha Jyothi Scheme was one of the major welfare promises announced in the Congress election manifesto before the Karnataka Assembly Elections. After forming the government, the scheme was implemented across the state and quickly became one of the flagship welfare schemes of the Karnataka Government. The scheme is also popularly known as the "Karnataka Free Electricity Scheme".

Domestic electricity consumers whose monthly electricity consumption remains within 200 units are eligible to receive zero electricity bills under the scheme. However, households consuming more than 200 units in a month are not eligible for free electricity benefits for that billing cycle. Commercial electricity connections are not covered under the scheme.

Permanent residents of Karnataka with domestic electricity connections can avail the benefits of the scheme. Tenant families living in rented houses are also eligible, provided they fulfil the required conditions. Eligible beneficiaries are required to complete registration through the Seva Sindhu Portal or designated offline service centres in order to receive the benefits.

Registration for the Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme started from 18 June 2023. Applications can be submitted through the online application form available on the Seva Sindhu Portal or through offline application forms available at Grama One, Karnataka One, and Bangalore One centres. Subsidised and zero electricity bills under the scheme started being generated from August 2023 for eligible electricity consumption.

Gruha Jyothi Scheme Re-verification 2026

The Karnataka Government is conducting a door-to-door verification of existing Gruha Jyothi beneficiaries to verify beneficiary details and update the records in the Seva Sindhu portal. The verification is carried out by ESCOM meter readers or electricity supply company staff during field visits. The verification does not mean cancellation of the scheme, and beneficiaries will continue to receive the scheme benefits during the verification process.

• The verification is conducted at the beneficiary's residence during the field visit of the concerned ESCOM meter reader or electricity supply company staff.
• Beneficiaries cannot complete the verification online or at Bangalore One, Karnataka One, or Grama One centres.
• No fee is charged from beneficiaries for the verification process.
• Beneficiaries must provide the electricity account number, Aadhaar number, voter ID and other prescribed information during the verification.
• Rental agreement may be provided by tenant beneficiaries. Ration card, caste certificate and PAN card are optional.
• Collecting the beneficiary's photograph during the survey is mandatory.
• The beneficiary must provide the requested information and declaration in the prescribed hard-copy format during the verification process.
• The verification process will not change the eligible free electricity units. The existing entitlement based on the average electricity consumption during financial year 2022-23 plus an additional 10% will continue.
• If a beneficiary has more than one electricity meter in their name, the benefit can continue for all meters if the required documents are submitted and verification is successfully completed for each meter.
• Tenants can complete the verification even when the electricity bill is in the landlord's name, subject to submission of the required documents.
• If a beneficiary has shifted to a new house and the current electricity connection is registered in another person's name, the beneficiary can submit the verification with their own details and supporting documents.
• After submitting the verification application, the beneficiary will receive an acknowledgement through email and/or SMS.
• The information collected during verification will be used only for verifying and updating Gruha Jyothi beneficiary records.

Verification of Locked and Vacant Houses

• In case of a locked house, meter readers may visit the premises up to three times at different time slots.
• During each visit, the field staff will record the location's latitude and longitude and mark the premises as "DL" (Door Lock) in the mobile application.
• An SMS containing the meter reader's name and contact number may be sent to the beneficiary's registered mobile number after the premises is marked as locked.
• Beneficiaries can contact the meter reader to complete the verification.
• A premises marked as "VACANT" can be registered in the mobile application only after field staff physically visit the location and record its latitude and longitude.

Scheme Benefits

Karnataka Government provides the following benefits to eligible households under Gruha Jyothi Scheme:-

• Free electricity up to 200 units per month.
• Zero electricity bill for eligible domestic consumers.
• Financial relief from monthly electricity expenses.
• Support for economically weaker and middle-class families.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must fulfil the following eligibility conditions to avail the benefit of free electricity under Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme:-

• The applicant should be a permanent resident of Karnataka.
• Applicant must have a domestic electricity connection.
• Monthly electricity consumption should remain within 200 units.
• Commercial electricity consumers are not eligible under the scheme.
• Tenant families can also apply for the scheme.

Required Documents

Applicants may need the following documents while applying for the Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme:-

• Aadhaar Card.
• Electricity Connection Number / Account ID.
• Voter ID Card.
• Mobile Number.
• Rent Agreement or Lease Agreement (for tenant applicants).

Steps to Apply

• To avail the benefit of 200 units of free electricity under the Gruha Jyothi Scheme, eligible households can apply for the scheme: -
  • Through the Online Application Form.
  • Through the Offline Application Form.

Online Application Process

• Eligible Household Beneficiaries can avail the benefit of free electricity up to 200 units by filling out the Online Application Form of Gruha Jyothi Scheme.
• The online application form of the Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme is available on the Seva Sindhu Portal of the Government of Karnataka.
• Beneficiaries have to Register themselves first.
• Aadhaar Card is mandatorily needed for beneficiary registration.
• Fill the details mentioned below in the Registration Form: -
  • ESCOM Name.
  • Connection ID.
  • ESCOM Account Holder Name.
  • Account Holder Address.
  • Aadhar Number.
  • Mobile Number.
  • Name of Applicant
• Preview the Application Form of Gruha Jyothi Scheme and click on the Submit Button to submit the application form.
• Submitted Applications of Gruha Jyothi Scheme will be scrutinized by the concerned officials.
• After scrutiny of applications, zero electricity bills will be generated of those beneficiaries whose monthly electricity consumption is below 200 units per month.
• Beneficiaries can also check the Application Status of Gruha Jyothi Scheme by entering the Application ID.
• We request our users to bookmark this page or subscribe the scheme on our Scheme Subscription Page to get an regular update regarding the Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme.

Offline Application Process

• Eligible Household Beneficiaries can also apply for Gruha Jyothi Scheme by filling an Offline Application Form.
• Offline Application Form of Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme is available free of cost at below mentioned centers : -
  • Grama One.
  • Karnataka One.
  • Bangalore One.
• Collect the Gruha Jyothi Scheme Application Form and Fill it Carefully.
• Attach all the documents with the Application Form.
• Submit the Application Form of Gruha Jyothi Scheme along with all the documents at the centre from where it was collected.
• Received Applications of Gruha Jyothi Scheme will be forwarded for scrutiny to the concerned officials.
• After verification of applications, subsidised bills will be generated in favour of the beneficiary with effect from 1st of August 2023.
• Beneficiaries can also check the Application Status of Gruha Jyothi Scheme by entering the Application ID.

What is D-Link in Gruha Jyothi Scheme

• D-Link in Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme means de-linking Aadhaar Number details from an existing electricity service connection.
• D-Link process is generally required in the following situations:-
  • The beneficiary wants to transfer benefits to another house.
  • The wrong electricity connection was linked during registration.
  • Old tenant shifted from the rented house.
  • Aadhaar Number got linked with another service connection by mistake.
• Without completing the D-Link process, beneficiaries may face difficulties while linking Gruha Jyothi benefits with a new electricity connection because the scheme allows only one active domestic connection per family.

Online Process of D-Link

• Beneficiaries need to visit the official online portal.
• From the homepage, select the "Gruha Jyothi" service.
• Choose the option related to D-Link or De-Link of electricity connection.
• Enter the existing Electricity Service Connection Number.
• Provide your Aadhaar Number and verify the same with OTP.
• Applicants may also need to provide the reason for the D-Link request.
• Verify all entered details carefully before submission.
• Accept the declaration and enter the verification code shown on the screen.
• Click on the "Submit" option to complete the D-Link request process.
• After successful verification, Aadhaar and ration card details will be removed from the existing electricity connection.
• Once the D-Link process is completed, beneficiaries can apply for linking Gruha Jyothi benefits with another eligible domestic electricity connection.

Transfer Gruha Jyothi Scheme from One House to Another

Karnataka Government allows eligible beneficiaries to transfer Gruha Jyothi Scheme benefits from one house to another in certain situations. Transfer of benefits may be useful when a family shifts from a rented house to their own house, changes residence within Karnataka, or obtains a new domestic electricity connection after closure of the old connection.

• The family shifted from a rented house to their own house.
• The family shifted to another rented house.
• The beneficiary changed residence within Karnataka.
• The old electricity connection became inactive, and a new domestic connection was taken.

Beneficiaries first need to complete the D-Link process for the existing electricity connection before transferring the benefits to another house. After a successful D-Link, beneficiaries can submit a fresh application using the new domestic electricity connection.

How to Surrender Gruha Jyothi Scheme Benefit?

Beneficiaries who no longer wish to continue receiving Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme benefits can voluntarily surrender the benefits through the online portal.

• Household shifted outside Karnataka.
• Electricity connection changed from domestic to commercial category.
• The beneficiary no longer fulfils the eligibility conditions.
• The beneficiary wants to apply for the scheme for another house.

To surrender the benefits, beneficiaries need to complete the D-Link process and choose the option "Unwilling to Continue with Gruha Jyothi Scheme" during the process.

Relevant Links

• Gruha Jyothi Scheme Online Application Form.
• Gruha Jyothi Scheme Login.
• Gruha Jyothi Scheme Application Status.
• Karnataka Gruha Jyothi D-Link Application.
• Karnataka Seva Sindhu Portal.
• Gruha Jyothi Scheme Guidelines.
• Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme Frequently Asked Questions.

Contact Information

• Karnataka Gruha Jyothi Scheme Helpline Number:- 1912.
• Beneficiaries requiring assistance regarding the verification survey can contact the dedicated BESCOM helpline numbers:
  • 9480816111
  • 9480816112
  • 9480816113
  • 9480816114