Karnataka’s Gruha Jyothi beneficiary verification drive begins from July 1, 2026, with electricity supply companies (ESCOMs) launching a door-to-door survey across the state to verify beneficiaries and identify ineligible consumers.
The verification aims to ensure that only eligible households continue to receive free electricity benefits under the Gruha Jyothi scheme while preventing misuse caused by changes in ownership, tenancy, or beneficiary details.
What is the Gruha Jyothi Scheme?
Launched on July 1, 2023, the Gruha Jyothi Scheme provides free electricity to eligible domestic consumers in Karnataka.
Under the scheme:
- Free electricity is available up to the consumer’s monthly eligible units, calculated based on the 2022-23 annual average consumption.
- The maximum limit remains 200 units per month.
- Consumers exceeding their eligible units must pay for the excess consumption up to 200 units.
- If monthly consumption exceeds 200 units, the consumer must pay the entire electricity bill.
The government later revised the calculation for homes consuming less than 48 units per month by adding 10 units instead of a 10% increase.
Step-by-Step: What Will Happen During Verification?
Step 1: ESCOM officials will visit your home
Beginning July 1, authorised ESCOM staff will visit registered Gruha Jyothi households across Karnataka.
Step 2: Existing registration details will be checked
Officials will verify information already submitted during registration, including:
- Electricity account (RR) number
- Aadhaar number
- Name on Aadhaar
- Registered mobile number
- Whether the applicant is the owner or tenant
Step 3: Additional information will be collected
Officials will also record the following details in the Seva Sindhu system:
- Type of ration card (APL/BPL/No Card)
- BPL card number (if applicable)
- Karnataka voter status
- EPIC (Voter ID) number
- Recent photograph of the applicant
- Beneficiary category (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/Others)
- Profession (Government employee, private employee, business, farmer, labourer, etc.)
- Whether the applicant pays Income Tax
- PAN number (if applicable)
Step 4: Owner or tenant confirmation
The applicant will be asked to confirm that the information provided is correct before it is updated in the Seva Sindhu database.
Step 5: Verification will be completed within two months
The government has directed all ESCOMs to complete the verification drive within two months while submitting daily progress reports.
Why is the Verification Being Conducted?
The government said the exercise is necessary because several beneficiary records may have changed since registration, including:
- Death of the registered beneficiary
- Change of tenant
- Sale or purchase of the property
- Change in ownership
- Other beneficiary details that were never updated
The verification is intended to ensure that benefits reach only eligible, living beneficiaries.
Chief Minister’s Direction
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed officials that no genuine beneficiary should face hardship, while action should be taken only against ineligible beneficiaries and misuse of government guarantee schemes.
The government has also highlighted irregularities found in welfare schemes, including payments made to deceased beneficiaries, multiple beneficiaries linked to a single bank account, and other anomalies. According to the Advocate General, around ₹60 crore was paid through nearly three lakh instalments because of such discrepancies.
What Consumers Should Keep Ready
To make the verification process smooth, keep the following documents ready:
- Aadhaar Card
- Electricity bill (RR Number)
- Registered mobile number
- Ration Card (APL/BPL)
- Voter ID (EPIC)
- PAN Card (if applicable)
Important Points to Remember
- Verification starts: July 1, 2026
- Who will visit: Authorised ESCOM staff
- Where data is updated: Seva Sindhu portal
- Purpose: Verify eligible Gruha Jyothi beneficiaries and remove ineligible cases
- Scheme rules: No changes have been made to the existing Gruha Jyothi eligibility conditions. Only beneficiary verification is being carried out.