upfront costs, and limited awareness among smaller developers continue to be Ambitious smart meter deployment targets are in place, in 2021. The scheme, which has an estimated total outlay of USD 33 billion (~INR 3 trillion) over five years, aims to replace 250 million conventional electricity meters with smart meters. The original 2026 deadline has now been extended to 2028. As of September 2025, over 220 million smart meters had been approved these are in four states - Bihar (33%), Assam (16%), Uttar Pradesh (9%) and