India’s electrification journey is a globally recognised success, having achieved near-universal access and expanded installed capacity around 400-fold since independence. However, a persistent gap remains in the reliability and quality of supply between urban and rural areas. On April 23, 2026, APCO India, in association with Chintan Research Foundation (CRF), organised a roundtable at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, to address these disparities and align the power sector with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

The discussion emphasised that electricity must be treated as an economic enabler rather than merely a utility, given its role in driving growth and livelihoods. Strengthening rural distribution infrastructure was identified as a key policy priority to ensure inclusive access. The session also highlighted that DISCOM’s financial sustainability remains crucial for bolstering service reliability and enabling future investments.