Quick Answer (TL;DR)

FY 2083/84 (16 July 2026): NEA domestic single-phase tariff is progressive — Rs 0–11 per unit across 6 blocks (21–30: Rs 6.50, 31–50: Rs 8.00, 51–250: Rs 9.50, 251+: Rs 11.00) plus one service charge by total units + meter capacity (5A/15A/30A/60A). 5A ≤20 units = Rs 0 energy (Rs 30 charge only); if >20 units those 20 are billed at Rs 3.00. Household VAT: first 50 units exempt, 5% on energy above 50 (new from Shrawan 1, 2083).

Progressive, not flat: Only the units inside each block use that block’s price. A 75-unit household does not pay Rs 9.50 for all 75 units — only for units 51–75. This is the most common billing mistake.

How NEA Tariff Works (Progressive Slabs)

Your meter capacity (Ampere on the nameplate) + total monthly units (kWh) decide two things:

  • Energy charge: added block by block (progressively)
  • Service (minimum) charge: one fixed charge selected from the row matching your total units and meter capacity (not added per block)
  • VAT: 5% on the energy charge for consumption above 50 units only (household, from FY 2083/84)

Full Domestic Tariff Table — FY 2083/84

Source: Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) tariff reproduced in NEA annual report for FY 2083/84. Household single-phase domestic.

Consumption BlockEnergy Rate (per unit)5A Service15A Service30A Service60A Service
0–20 units*5A: Rs 0* / 15A: 4.00 / 30A: 5.00 / 60A: 6.00Rs 30Rs 50Rs 75Rs 125
21–30 unitsRs 6.50Rs 50Rs 75Rs 100Rs 125
31–50 unitsRs 8.00Rs 50Rs 75Rs 100Rs 125
51–100 unitsRs 9.50Rs 75Rs 100Rs 125Rs 150
101–250 unitsRs 9.50Rs 100Rs 125Rs 150Rs 200
251+ unitsRs 11.00 (on units above 250)Rs 150Rs 175Rs 200Rs 250

* 5A lifeline: Rs 0 energy for 0–20 only when total ≤20; see below.

5A Lifeline Rule (0–20 Units)

Total ≤20 units on a 5A meterEnergy = Rs 0 → bill = Rs 30 service charge only (no VAT)
Total 21+ units on a 5A meterThose first 20 are retroactively Rs 3.00 each (20×3 = Rs 60), then 21–30 at 6.50 etc. progressively
Larger meters (15A/30A/60A)No lifeline — first 20 are always Rs 4.00 / 5.00 / 6.00 respectively

VAT Rule — 5% Only Above 50 Units (FY 2083/84 New)

0–50 units (household)VAT-exempt — no VAT at all
51+ units5% concessional VAT on the energy charge for units above 50 only (not on service charge)
Non-householdSeparate VAT treatment — verify the invoice category; do not use the household rule for commercial/industrial

How to Calculate Your Bill (Progressive Method)

Bill = (Block1 units × Block1 rate) + (Block2 × rate) + ... + One Service Charge (total-use row) + 5% VAT on energy above 50 units

Do not multiply total units by the highest block rate — that overstates the bill.

Worked Examples (5A Domestic)

20 units (≤20 lifeline)Energy Rs 0 + Service Rs 30 = Rs 30 (no VAT)
30 units20×3.00 (=60) + 10×6.50 (=65) = Rs 125 energy + Rs 50 service = ~Rs 175 (≤50 → no VAT)
50 units20×3.00 (=60) + 10×6.50 (=65) + 20×8.00 (=160) = Rs 285 energy + Rs 50 service (5A, 21–50 row) = Rs 335 (≤50 → no VAT)
100 units285 (first 50) + 50×9.50 (=475) = Rs 760 energy + Rs 75 service = Rs 835 + 5% VAT on energy above 50 (~Rs 24) ≈ Rs 859
200 units~Rs 1,790 energy + Rs 100 service + ~Rs 71 VAT (above 50) ≈ Rs 1,961

Note: 50-unit math above is the 5A progressive illustration (first 20 at the Rs 3.00 >20-unit rule). A 15A meter's first 20 bill at Rs 4.00 instead — same method, different first block. Use SolutionsNepal’s Electricity Bill Calculator for the exact itemized progressive math with your meter capacity.

Try it: Enter your units + meter capacity in our NEA Bill Calculator to see each block’s contribution, service charge and VAT itemized.

How to Find Your Meter Capacity

  • Check the meter nameplate (sticker on the NEA meter — “5A”, “15A”, “30A” or “60A”)
  • Check your NEA invoice — meter capacity is printed near the customer ID
  • Domestic single-phase is almost always 5A (standard house) or 15A (larger house); 30A/60A are less common for households

How to Check & Pay Your NEA Bill Online

  1. Open the NEA portal, Nagarik App → NEA, or eSewa/Khalti → Electricity/NEA
  2. Enter customer ID / SC number from the bill and select the meter/office
  3. Verify the reading date, units and amount before paying
  4. Keep the digital receipt — check that VAT above 50 units is shown separately where applicable

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Multiplying total units by the top slab rate (progressive method required)
  • Assuming 5A lifeline Rs 0 applies when total >20 (those 20 become Rs 3.00)
  • Using the 15A/30A first-block rate for a 5A meter (or vice-versa)
  • Adding VAT to the service charge or to the first 50 units (VAT only on energy above 50, household)
  • Using a commercial/industrial tariff for a household single-phase meter
  • Forgetting that service charge is one amount (total-use row), not per block

Bill Checklist

  • Meter capacity confirmed (5A/15A/30A/60A)
  • Monthly units read from bill or meter
  • Progressive energy blocks added separately
  • One service charge from the total-use row added
  • 5% VAT on energy above 50 units only (household, FY 2083/84)
  • Total cross-checked with SolutionsNepal calculator before payment

Official Sources & Final Note

Source: Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) tariff sheet reproduced via Nepal Electricity Authority for FY 2083/84 — verify the live slab and service-charge matrix on nea.org.np before disputing a bill (matrix above is the commonly cited working table as of October 2026). The "5% VAT on energy above 50 units only, not the service charge" split follows the FY 2083/84 household VAT provision as commonly reported — confirm the VAT guideline line on your NEA invoice/notice, as VAT treatment is set per fiscal year.

Last updated: September 26, 2026. Tariffs and VAT rules are set per fiscal year and can be amended by ERC/NEA notice. Verify your invoice’s tariff year and meter capacity before disputing a bill. SolutionsNepal is an educational guide, not NEA.

Frequently asked questions

What are the NEA domestic tariff slabs for 2026?

FY 2083/84 (16 July 2026): 0–20, 21–30 (Rs 6.50), 31–50 (Rs 8.00), 51–100/101–250 (Rs 9.50), 251+ (Rs 11.00). 5A lifeline: 0–20 is Rs 0 energy if total ≤20 (Rs 30 service charge only). If total >20, the first 20 are retroactively Rs 3.00 each. 15A first 20 is Rs 4.00, 30A Rs 5.00, 60A Rs 6.00. Rates are progressive — only the units inside each block use that block’s price.

How much is the NEA service/minimum charge?

One monthly fixed charge selected by total units + meter capacity. 5A: Rs 30 (0–20), 50 (21–50), 75 (51–100), 100 (101–250), 150 (251+). 15A: 50/75/100/125/175. 30A: 75/100/125/150/200. 60A: 125/125/150/200/250. See full table in this guide.

Is NEA electricity tariff the same across Nepal?

Yes for domestic single-phase — uniform nationwide. Check your meter nameplate for 5A/15A/30A/60A and apply the correct column.

What is the 5A lifeline rule?

For a 5A domestic meter: if total monthly use ≤20 units, energy = Rs 0 + Rs 30 service charge. If >20 units, those first 20 are billed at Rs 3.00 each plus higher blocks progressively.

Is there VAT on electricity?

From FY 2083/84: household use up to 50 units/month is VAT-exempt. At 51+ units, 5% concessional VAT applies only on the energy charge for units above 50 (not on the service charge). Non-household categories have separate VAT treatment.

How do I calculate my bill?

Add each block separately: first 20 at its rate + next 10 at 6.50 + next 20 at 8.00 + next units at 9.50 etc., add the one service charge for your total-use row, then add 5% VAT on energy above 50 units where applicable. Use SolutionsNepal’s electricity bill calculator for the itemized math.

Can I pay NEA bill online?

Yes via NEA online portal, Nagarik App, eSewa, Khalti, Khalti-connectIPS, or at NEA counters. Keep the receipt and check the meter reading date on the bill.

What if my meter is 15A/30A?

Use the 15A or 30A service-charge column and the first-block energy rate for that capacity (15A first 20 = Rs 4.00, 30A = Rs 5.00, 60A = Rs 6.00). The 5A lifeline (Rs 0 for 0–20) does not apply to larger meters.

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Written by SolutionsNepal Team

Nepal utilities and tariff researchers