SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded one of the highest Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses among states and Union Territories, with losses standing at 59.28 per cent in 2020-21, the Ministry of Power informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Replying to an unstarred question, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik said the government has been taking several measures to modernise the power sector, reduce transmission and distribution losses and improve electricity supply across the country, including in Union Territories.
The ministry said AT&C losses at the national level have declined from 21.91 per cent in 2021 to 15.04 per cent in 2025 following various reform measures. However, the state-wise data showed that Jammu and Kashmir reported an AT&C loss figure of 59.28 per cent in FY 2020-21, while subsequent yearly figures were not available in the report.
The government said distribution utilities are responsible for taking measures to reduce losses and strengthen power infrastructure. Under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), financial assistance is being provided for loss reduction works and smart metering projects.
At the national level, projects worth Rs 1.53 lakh crore for loss reduction infrastructure and Rs 1.31 lakh crore for smart metering have been sanctioned under RDSS. The scheme aims to bring AT&C losses down to 12-15 per cent and improve the financial sustainability of distribution companies.
The ministry informed that rural electrification initiatives have helped expand electricity access across the country. Under the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, 18,374 unelectrified census villages were electrified, while around 2.86 crore households received electricity connections under the Saubhagya scheme.
It added that under RDSS and other targeted programmes, works have been sanctioned for electrification of 13.65 lakh left-out households, including those in remote and border areas.
On power generation capacity, the ministry said India had an installed capacity of 5,48,858 MW as on June 30, 2026. Non-fossil fuel sources accounted for 54.18 per cent of the total capacity, while fossil fuels contributed 45.82 per cent.
The government said steps are also being taken to strengthen the national grid through advanced technologies, renewable energy integration, energy storage systems and expansion of transmission networks.
For improving supply reliability, the ministry said average power availability in rural areas has increased from 12.5 hours in 2014 to 22.6 hours in 2026, while urban areas have witnessed an increase from 22.1 hours to 23.4 hours during the same period.
