India’s Smart Metering Journey: Progress, Challenges, and What Lies Ahead

In a compelling conclusion to a multi-part podcast series, Sanjay Kumar Mithal, Senior Director of Eninrac Consulting, has spotlighted the journey, challenges, and future outlook of India's ambitious Smart Metering Programme—an initiative that has been steadily progressing over the past eight years.

Drawing from a rich infographic analysis prepared by the team at Eninrac, presented a data-backed snapshot of the national progress in smart meter deployment. As of now, over 22.3 crore smart meters have been sanctioned, and installation activities are gaining momentum thanks to the removal of earlier bottlenecks and strong government support.

The central government has committed a staggering ₹23,000 crore in support through 2027, with several state governments also stepping up to sanction projects at a significant scale. The availability of meters remains a challenge; however, increased domestic manufacturing is helping bridge the gap. Companies like HPL, GPIL, and Adani are emerging as key players in this rapidly expanding sector.

States such as Bihar and Assam lead the charge in percentage completion, with Bihar installing 36% of sanctioned meters and Assam topping with 45%, despite their smaller overall share. Larger states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh are also showing substantial progress.

A regional analysis, as illustrated in the infographic, reveals lag in the Southern and Eastern regions, excluding Bihar. North-Eastern states such as Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur contribute modestly in volume but demonstrate significant localized progress.

The market dynamics are evolving, with major mergers and acquisitions reshaping capacity. A notable example includes a company acquisition valued at over ₹551.3 million, aimed at scaling up smart meter production capabilities.

Mithal emphasized that while the initial government target of 25 crore meters by 2025 was highly ambitious, a more realistic projection now places the achievement around 2027 or later, with Uttar Pradesh alone awaiting commissioning of 28.6 million smart meters.

“Through this podcast series and infographic, we’ve aimed to demystify the smart metering journey of India,” said Mithal. “While there are real challenges, the transformation is well underway, and our team at Eninrac remains committed to supporting this vision—domestically and globally.”

Eninrac invites corporate stakeholders, investors, and policymakers to explore comprehensive reports and consulting services related to smart metering and infrastructure development through Eninrac.com.