A Coimbatore resident’s electricity bill jumped to ₹2,400 — unusually high for his household. Checking reading details on tnebnet.org by Service Number revealed a meter-number mismatch. A call to 1912 corrected it within three days, without a single office visit.
TNEB (Tamil Nadu Electricity Board) — distribution services now operate through TANGEDCO, rebranded as TNPDCL (Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited) since June 27, 2024. All online services — reading checks, bill payment, account summaries — run through tnebnet.org and the official TNEB mobile app.
Quick Answer: Check reading: tnebnet.org → Bill Status/Reading Details → Service Number + Region Code Quick Pay (no login): tnebnet.org → Quick Pay → Service Number App: “TNEB Mobile App” — Google Play (official TNPDCL app) Free units (effective May 10, 2026): 200 units free per bimonthly cycle if consumption stays within 500 units; 100 units free (unchanged) if consumption exceeds 500 units Helpline: 1912 (24×7 — power failure and billing complaints)
⭐ 200 Units Free Electricity — Effective May 10, 2026
Following the change in state government after the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced a revised electricity subsidy as one of the new government’s first major welfare decisions, formalized through an order by the Energy (D3) Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.
| Bimonthly Consumption | Free Units |
|---|---|
| Up to 500 units | 200 units free (the existing 100, plus an additional 100) |
| Above 500 units | 100 units free (unchanged from the previous structure) |
No application needed — this benefit applies automatically based on your existing consumption and billing records with TNPDCL. The subsidy isn’t paid in cash; it’s adjusted directly within your electricity bill.
Approximately 90% of Tamil Nadu’s domestic consumers (around 2.23 crore out of 2.46 crore) fall within the 500-unit bimonthly threshold and directly benefit from this expanded free slab.
If you’re eligible but not seeing the benefit reflected: Contact your local Electricity Department/TNPDCL office for verification — you may be asked for supporting consumption documentation.
Checking Your Reading Details — Step by Step
Step 1: Visit tnebnet.org
Step 2: Select “Bill Status” or “Reading Details”
Step 3: Choose your Region
Step 4: Enter your Service Number and registered mobile number
Step 5: Complete the Captcha → Submit
Login is not required for checking reading details — this is a direct lookup.
Don’t know your Service Number? Check your physical electricity bill or White Meter Card — labeled “Service Connection No.”
Quick Pay — Paying Your Bill Without Login
Step 1: Visit tnebnet.org → “Quick Pay”
Step 2: Enter your Service Number and select your Region
Step 3: Enter the amount displayed
Step 4: Pay via UPI, Card, or Net Banking
For multiple connections (e.g., home plus shop), saving each Service Number as a Favourite on the portal speeds up future payments.
UPI apps like Google Pay and PhonePe also support direct TNEB bill payment — search “TNEB” within the app, and the pending amount typically displays automatically.
TNEB Mobile App
Step 1: Search “TNEB Mobile App” on Google Play Store
Step 2: Install — this is the official TNPDCL app
Step 3: Use the same Service Number-based lookup for bills, reading, and payment
Understanding Slab Rates Beyond the Free Units
TANGEDCO/TNPDCL determines tariffs based on a proposal submitted to and approved by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC). Beyond your free units, charges apply per slab, increasing as consumption rises. Use the bill calculator on tnebnet.org to estimate charges for usage above your free threshold.
Note: Exact slab rates for the 201-500 unit range under the new 2026 structure are pending official gazette notification from TNERC/TNPDCL as of this writing — confirm current applicable rates directly on tnebnet.org.
Filing a Complaint
Online: tnebnet.org → Consumer Services → Lodge Complaint
Phone: 1912 (24×7, for both power failure and billing complaints)
Power Failure SMS: Send “FAULT” + your Service Number to 9498794987
Common Problems + Fix
“Bill amount seems unusually high”: Check reading details on tnebnet.org and compare current vs previous reading. If the difference looks incorrect, call 1912 to raise a meter reading dispute.
“Service Number shows ‘not found'”: Verify you’ve selected the correct Region — an incorrect region code is the most common cause of this error, even with a correct Service Number. Check your physical bill for the right region.
“OTP not received during lookup”: Confirm your mobile number is registered with TNEB. If not, visit your nearest TNEB office to update it before online services will work fully.
“Not seeing the 200-unit free benefit despite qualifying”: Contact your local Electricity Department/TNPDCL office for verification — you may need to provide supporting consumption documentation.
“Confused about which free-unit slab applies to me”: If your bimonthly consumption is 500 units or less, you get 200 free units. Above 500 units, the original 100 free units still applies.
FAQ
How many electricity units are free in Tamil Nadu now? 200 units per bimonthly cycle if your consumption stays within 500 units; 100 units (unchanged) if consumption exceeds 500 units. Effective May 10, 2026.
Do I need to apply for the 200 units free benefit? No — it’s applied automatically based on your existing consumption and billing records; no separate application is needed.
How do I check my TNEB reading without logging in? Visit tnebnet.org → Bill Status/Reading Details → enter your Service Number, Region, and mobile number.
Where do I find my Service Number? On your physical electricity bill or White Meter Card, labeled “Service Connection No.”
What’s the TNEB complaint helpline? 1912, available 24×7 for both power failure and billing issues.
Is TNEB the same as TANGEDCO/TNPDCL? TNEB historically referred to the board; distribution functions now operate under TANGEDCO, rebranded TNPDCL since June 27, 2024. The terms are often used interchangeably by consumers.
Official Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| TNEB/TNPDCL Portal | tnebnet.org |
| Mobile App | “TNEB Mobile App” — Google Play |
| Helpline | 1912 |
| Fault Reporting SMS | “FAULT” + Service Number to 9498794987 |
A meter-reading discrepancy is often the actual cause behind a suddenly inflated bill — checking your reading details directly, rather than assuming a tariff increase, is usually the faster path to a resolution.
If you’re a Tamil Nadu electricity consumer, check tnebnet.org regularly for your reading and bill status, and confirm whether your household qualifies for the expanded 200-unit free slab introduced in May 2026.
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