Telescopic vs Non-Telescopic Billing: What's the Difference?
If you've ever looked at your electricity bill and wondered why the "rate per unit" doesn't match what you were charged, the answer is almost always telescopic billing.
What is Telescopic Billing?
Under the telescopic method, your total consumption is split across multiple slabs, and each slab is charged at its own rate. For example, if the first 100 units cost ₹3.50/unit and the next 100 units cost ₹5/unit, someone who uses 150 units pays ₹3.50 for the first 100 units and ₹5 for the remaining 50 units — not ₹5 for all 150 units.
What is Non-Telescopic Billing?
In a non-telescopic (or "single-point") system, once your consumption crosses into a higher slab, the higher rate applies to your entire consumption, not just the portion above the threshold. This is far less common in India today but was historically used in a few tariff structures.
Why It Matters
Understanding which method your state uses helps you predict your bill accurately and understand why reducing usage by even a few units near a slab boundary can meaningfully change your total charge. All calculators on BijliCalc use the telescopic method, matching how most Indian DISCOMs currently bill domestic consumers.