India smart-meter Time-of-Day tariff guide

Start with the tariff order that applies to you

India's central Time-of-Day framework does not create one household rate or clock schedule for the whole country. The State Electricity Regulatory Commission and distribution licensee determine the applicable consumer category, periods and published charges. A smart meter may provide interval data, but the bill or tariff order remains the source for the rate used.

Confirm that Time-of-Day billing is active for the connection, not merely that a smart meter has been installed.

Separate solar, normal and peak periods

Copy the period names and times exactly as published. Download interval consumption where available, then total the kWh inside each period for the same billing dates. The current comparison calculator supports two rate bands, so compare one flexible block at a time when the tariff has three bands.

• Do not move fixed charges into the kWh rate.
• Keep taxes, duty and adjustments separate unless the order says they vary by period.
• Check weekends, holidays and seasonal schedules.

Move only genuinely flexible loads

A washing cycle, water-heating period or EV charge may be shiftable; refrigeration, medical equipment and comfort-critical cooling may not be. Calculate the kWh that can actually move rather than applying a cheaper period to the whole bill.

For each appliance, multiply its measured or labelled input by the hours moved. Use safe controls and manufacturer guidance; a tariff comparison is not an electrical switching instruction.

Judge the total bill, not the discount headline

Price the same total kWh under both schedules, including any changed fixed charge. A lower solar-hour rate can be offset by consumption remaining in a higher peak band. Re-run the comparison after one or two real billing cycles and compare the utility's period totals with your estimate.

Keep the saved tariff document and review date with the result because state orders and consumer categories can change.