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LEGACY KNOWLEDGE · REGULATORS
The bodies that regulate
power, explained.
Who each regulator is, what law created them, and what they're actually responsible for — the foundational reference most other coverage on this site assumes you already know.
This overview is free for everyone. Deeper archive material — landmark orders, superseded regulations, historical tariff decisions — is being added here progressively for Premium subscribers.
By regulator
Who regulates what
CERC
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission
Statutory body under Section 76 of the Electricity Act, 2003 — originally constituted under the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998, on 24 July 1998.
Core mandate
- Regulates tariffs for generating companies owned or controlled by the Centre
- Levies fees for the purposes of the Act
- Specifies the Grid Code, with regard to Grid Standards
- Formulates the National Electricity Policy and Tariff Policy
- Promotes competition, efficiency and economy across the electricity industry
- Promotes investment in the sector, and handles any other matter referred by the Central Government
CEA
Central Electricity Authority
Originally constituted under Section 3(1) of the repealed Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948 — now under Section 70 of the Electricity Act, 2003. Set up as a part-time body in 1951, made full-time in 1975; functions defined under Section 73.
Core mandate
- Provides technical support to all stakeholders across the power sector
- Supports the Ministry of Power in forming sector policy
- Sets technical standards and regulations
- Carries out project monitoring across the sector
- Disseminates power sector information
- Builds human-resource capability across the sector
APTEL
Appellate Tribunal for Electricity
Statutory body under Section 110 of the Electricity Act, 2003 — constituted in 2005.
Core mandate
- Hears appeals against orders of the CERC, State Commissions, Joint Commissions and Adjudicating Officers
- Chaired by a sitting or retired Chief Justice or Supreme Court judge, sitting with judicial and technical members
- Can direct Central and State Governments on the performance of their statutory duties under the Act
- Its orders are appealable only to the Supreme Court, and only on a substantial question of law
SERCs
State Electricity Regulatory Commissions
Statutory bodies under Section 82 of the Electricity Act, 2003 — one per state, with joint commissions covering some smaller states and UTs.
Core mandate
- Determine tariffs for generation, transmission and distribution within the state
- Regulate intra-state open access and issue the state-specific Grid Code
- Mirror CERC’s role at state level — same Act, same regulatory tools, state jurisdiction
- Coordinate with each other and with CERC through the Forum of Regulators (FOR)
Grid-India
Grid Controller of India Limited — NLDC & RLDCs
National Load Despatch Centre under Section 26 and five Regional Load Despatch Centres under Section 27 of the Electricity Act, 2003. Renamed from POSOCO in November 2022.
Core mandate
- Operates the NLDC and five RLDCs for real-time national and regional grid scheduling and despatch
- Ensures grid security, stability and integrated operation of the Indian power system
- Nodal agency for DSM, the REC mechanism, Green Energy Open Access and short-term open access
- Distinct from CTU — Grid-India runs the grid moment-to-moment; CTU plans and builds it
CTU
Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL)
Notified under Section 38 of the Electricity Act, 2003 — incorporated December 2020 as a wholly-owned POWERGRID subsidiary, functioning as CTU since April 2021.
Core mandate
- Plans and coordinates the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS)
- Administers open access and General Network Access (GNA) for inter-state transmission
- Approves transmission schemes and coordinates renewable-energy grid connectivity
- Handles billing, collection and disbursement under CERC’s transmission-charge regulations