Key facts
- KSERC announced a 6.6% average tariff increase on 25 June 2022, effective from 26 June 2022 to 31 March 2023; domestic fixed charges rose by about 22–53% (The News Minute).
- An interim KSERC order raised tariffs from 1 November 2023; the average domestic tariff went from ₹5.13 to ₹5.37 per unit, and households using up to 40 units saw no change (Onmanorama).
- The 2023 interim tariff was extended several times in 2024, the third time to 30 November 2024 in view of by-elections (Onmanorama).
- KSERC approved an average increase of 16 paise per unit (2.39%) from 5 December 2024, a further 12 paise for 2025–26, and rejected any increase for 2026–27 (Onmanorama).
- KSEB documents say a 2023 amendment let distribution licensees levy a monthly fuel surcharge capped at 10 paise per unit.
Who decides the tariff
Electricity in Kalamassery is supplied by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), but KSEB cannot set its own prices. It files a petition with the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC), which holds public hearings and issues a tariff order. Domestic tariffs are telescopic (each slab priced separately) up to 250 units a month, and above that a single rate applies to all the units used. On top of the energy charge there is a fixed charge that depends on the slab and on whether the connection is single-phase or three-phase. For how this fits into a monthly budget, see monthly budget for men in Kalamassery; for the year-by-year local context, see Kalamassery in 2024.
Timeline
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Jul 2019 | Previous tariff revision before 2022 | The News Minute |
| 25–26 Jun 2022 | KSERC announces a 6.6% average increase, in force 26 Jun 2022 to 31 Mar 2023 | The News Minute |
| 25 Jan 2023 | KSERC order allows fuel surcharge of 9 paise/unit for Feb–Apr 2023 | KSEB fuel surcharge document |
| 2023 | Regulations amended: monthly fuel surcharge capped at 10 paise/unit | KSEB fuel surcharge documents |
| 1 Nov 2023 | Interim order: domestic average ₹5.13 to ₹5.37/unit; 0–40 units unchanged; valid to 30 Jul 2024 | Onmanorama, 2 Nov 2023 |
| 2024 | Tariff extended to 30 Sep, then again in October, then to 30 Nov in view of by-elections | Onmanorama, 29 Oct 2024 |
| 5 Dec 2024 | Average increase of 16 paise/unit (2.39%); summer tariff rejected | Onmanorama, 6 Dec 2024 |
| 2025–26 | Further average increase of 12 paise/unit approved; 2026–27 increase rejected | Onmanorama, 6 Dec 2024 |
June 2022: the first increase in three years
KSERC announced the 2022 revision on Saturday, 25 June 2022, and it applied from 26 June 2022 to 31 March 2023. The previous revision had been on 8 July 2019. The average increase was 6.6%. According to The News Minute, households using up to 150 units a month paid roughly ₹43–88 more, and the largest increases fell on households using more than 500 units. Fixed charges for domestic consumers rose by about 22–53%. The commission said weaker sections, small farmers and small industries would not face an increase.
November 2023: an interim order
In late 2023 KSERC issued an interim order with new rates from 1 November 2023, valid until 30 July 2024. Onmanorama reported that the domestic average rose 4.7%, from ₹5.13 to ₹5.37 per unit. The lowest slab, 0–40 units on connections under 1,000 watts, stayed at ₹1.50 a unit. Other slab rates rose by 10 to 20 paise, for example 51–100 units from ₹3.95 to ₹4.05. Including fixed charges, households using up to 250 units paid about ₹5 to ₹58 more a month, and heavier users about ₹90 to over ₹200 more.
2024: delays, then December’s order
The interim tariff was extended rather than replaced: first to 30 September 2024, then again in October, and then, according to Onmanorama, to 30 November 2024 “in view of the bypolls”. KSEB had asked for about 34 paise a unit more for domestic consumers and a separate summer tariff of 10 paise for January–May.
KSERC’s order, in force from 5 December 2024, approved an average increase of 16 paise per unit (2.39%) for the rest of 2024–25 and 12 paise more for 2025–26. It rejected an increase for 2026–27 and rejected the summer tariff. For the four lowest slabs, which cover about 90% of consumers, Onmanorama put the average effective increase at under 10 paise a unit. Single-phase fixed charges in those slabs rose by an average of ₹8.75 a month. Households below 40 units a month on BPL connections continued to get free power.
Fuel surcharge
Separate from the tariff, KSEB may add a fuel surcharge to recover extra power-purchase costs. According to KSEB documents, a 2023 amendment to the tariff regulations allowed licensees to adjust it monthly, capped at 10 paise per unit. Any shortfall above the cap can be carried forward for up to six months. Domestic consumers below 1,000 W connected load and 40 units a month are exempt. Before the monthly system, a KSERC order of 25 January 2023 allowed 9 paise per unit for February–April 2023. For June 2023, KSEB’s own calculation came to about 12.65 paise, but the 10-paise cap applied. We did not find a consolidated list of monthly surcharges for 2024–26, so check the current bill.
What it means for tenants near the NAD signal
Most hostel and PG rooms do not have their own meter, so the tariff reaches tenants through how the landlord splits the bill. At Ashraf Gents Hostel, water is included in the rent and electricity is charged separately; ask on the call how the split works. Because of the telescopic slabs, a building that crosses 250 units a month pays a much higher rate on all its units, so a fan left on in an empty room costs everyone. Our power cuts and KSEB complaints guide, summer heat tips, water tariff history and the Kalamassery history archive cover related ground.
Frequently asked questions
When did Kerala’s electricity tariff last change?
KSERC’s order of December 2024 raised tariffs from 5 December 2024 and approved a further average 12-paise step for 2025–26. It rejected any increase for 2026–27.
How much did the 2022 revision add?
An average of 6.6%, from 26 June 2022, with domestic fixed charges up by about 22–53%.
Did low users pay more in 2023?
No. The 0–40 unit slab on small connections stayed at ₹1.50 a unit in the November 2023 interim order.
What is the fuel surcharge?
A monthly add-on to recover extra power-purchase costs. Since a 2023 amendment it has been capped at 10 paise per unit, with small domestic users exempt.
Does Ashraf Gents Hostel include electricity in the rent?
No. Water is included and electricity is charged separately; ask on the call how it is shared.
Related guides
Sources
- The News Minute: Electricity tariff revised in Kerala after three years (26 June 2022)
- Onmanorama: Electricity price hike in Kerala (2 November 2023)
- Onmanorama: Bypolls delay electricity tariff hike till Nov 30 (29 October 2024)
- Onmanorama: Electricity tariff hike in Kerala – impact on consumers (6 December 2024)
- KSEB: Fuel surcharge demand, February–April 2023 (PDF)
- KSEB: Fuel surcharge, June 2023 (PDF)
Facts about Ashraf Gents Hostel come from the hostel’s own profile and photos; rates are indicative and confirmed on the call. Last reviewed . How we write these guides: editorial notes. Map embeds © Google.
Cite this guide: Ashraf Gents Hostel. “Electricity Tariff in Kerala, 2022–2026: What Changed for Tenants.” Published 8 October 2026. https://ashrafgentspghostel.adserr.com/kseb-tariff-history-2022-2026/ Plain-text (Markdown) version · quoting with a link back is welcome.