Saubhagya Scheme — Free Electricity Connection BPL

What is Saubhagya Scheme?

Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana — Saubhagya is a Government of India scheme to achieve universal household electrification by providing free electricity connections to all unelectrified households in rural areas, and to BPL (Below Poverty Line) households in urban areas.

Launched in 2017, the scheme has electrified over 2.8 crore households across India.

Key features:

• Free connection for BPL rural and BPL urban households
• ₹500 connection cost for non-BPL rural households (paid in 10 instalments of ₹50 via electricity bill)
• Connection includes: Service connection, wiring, 1 LED bulb, 1 mobile charger
• Solar packs provided for remote habitations where grid connection is difficult (5 LED lights, 1 DC fan, 1 DC power plug)

Who is Eligible?

Free connection (No charge):

• BPL rural households — identified from SECC (Socio-Economic and Caste Census) 2011 data
• BPL urban households

₹500 connection (10 instalments):

• Non-BPL rural households without existing electricity connection

The scheme is specifically for unelectrified households — households that have never had a legal electricity connection.

How to Apply

Method 1: Door-to-Door Government Survey

In many areas, government teams visited door-to-door and registered unelectrified households automatically. If your house was missed:

Method 2: Contact Your Local DISCOM (Electricity Distribution Company)

1. Find your local DISCOM office (state electricity distribution company)
2. Visit the office or Sub-Division office with documents
3. Request a new connection under Saubhagya scheme
4. A field officer will verify and complete the connection

Method 3: via saubhagya.gov.in (Check Status)

1. Go to saubhagya.gov.in
2. Check if your village/habitation is covered
3. The portal shows electrification status by village and district
4. Contact the listed DISCOM for your area

Method 4: CSC (Common Service Centre)

Some states allow connection applications via CSC. Visit your nearest CSC and ask about Saubhagya scheme applications.

Documents Required

For BPL households:

1. Aadhaar card (all adult family members)
2. BPL card / Ration card (to prove BPL status)
3. Proof of house ownership or residency (voter ID with address, or Gram Panchayat certificate)
4. Photograph of the house (some states require this)

For non-BPL rural households:

1. Aadhaar card
2. Address proof (voter ID with address)
3. ₹500 advance payment arrangement (via installments)

What You Get Under Saubhagya

For remote/unelectrified habitations where grid extension is not feasible:

• Solar pack: 5 LED lights + 1 DC fan + 1 DC plug
• 5-year maintenance by DISCOM

Monthly Electricity Bill After Connection

Having a Saubhagya connection does not mean free electricity forever — it is a one-time free connection. After connection:

• You pay for the electricity consumed (per unit tariff as per your state's tariff schedule)
• BPL families get first 30–50 units free under many state tariff plans
• Check your state DISCOM's BPL tariff structure

Frequently Asked Questions

My village is electrified but my house specifically has no connection. Am I eligible?

Yes — Saubhagya targets households not just villages. Even if your village has electricity poles, if your individual house has never had a connection, you are eligible.

I had an old illegal (katia) connection. Will Saubhagya regularize it?

In many cases, Saubhagya has been used to regularize illegal connections for BPL households by providing proper metered connections. Contact your DISCOM.

The scheme was announced in 2017. Is it still active?

The scheme's primary implementation phase ended in 2019. However, new households that were missed or newly constructed BPL households can still apply for connections under the scheme or under the broader RDSS (Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme) for infrastructure improvement.

What if my solar pack (for remote areas) stops working?

The DISCOM is responsible for maintaining solar packs for 5 years after installation. Report to your DISCOM sub-division office for repairs.

Is there a connection fee for urban BPL households?

No — urban BPL households get free connections, same as rural BPL households.

Official Links

• Status and information: saubhagya.gov.in
• Ministry of Power: powermin.gov.in
• Contact: Your state DISCOM (electricity distribution company) office
• Helpline: 1912 (power supply complaints — varies by state DISCOM)