⚠ Official Notice: www.ijisrt.com is the official website of the International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT) Journal for research paper submission and publication. Please beware of fake or duplicate websites using the IJISRT name.



Operational and Financial Performance of Public Sector DISCOMs in Karnataka: A Comparative Analysis


Authors : Parashuram Mohansing Devi; Dr. Mallikarjun M. Maradi

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 10 - October


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yratsnw3

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26Oct653

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : This study evaluates the operational and financial performance of five public sector electricity distribution companies in Karnataka-BESCOM, CHESCOM, GESCOM, HESCOM, and MESCOM from 2016-17 to 2024-25. Operational indicators include billing, collection, and AT&C efficiency; financial indicators comprise average cost of supply, average revenue realised, and the ACS–ARR gap. Secondary data were obtained from Power Finance Corporation reports and the India Climate and Energy Dashboard. MESCOM recorded the highest mean billing and AT&C efficiency, lowest supply cost, and narrowest ACS-ARR gap. BESCOM achieved the highest collection efficiency and revenue realisation. Overall, MESCOM ranked first, followed by BESCOM, CHESCOM, GESCOM, and HESCOM. The TwoWay ANOVA revealed significant differences among DISCOMs and across financial years on the performance indicators. The findings highlight the need for loss reduction, cost control, and improved billing, collection, and revenue realisation to strengthen the operational efficiency and financial sustainability of Karnataka’s distribution sector.

Keywords : Karnataka DISCOMs, Operational Performance, Financial Performance, Mean, Rank, ANOVA.

References :

    • Research Papers
  1. Bhambra, M. R., & Dessai, D. S. (2018). Performance analysis of Goa Electricity Department. IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM, VI(5), 52–58.
  2. Biswas, P., Chakrabarty, H. S., & Rao, D. T. (2025). The impact of Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) on operational efficiency and financial performance of DISCOMs in India: Evidence from a difference-in-differences based approach. Energy Policy, 207, 114822.
  3. Dr. Geeta. R. Nandur. (2021). AN ECONOMIC ANAYSIS OF GULBARGA ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY (GESCOM) IN KARNATAKA. EPRA International Journal of Economic and Business Review, 37–44. https://doi.org/10.36713/epra8525
  4. Fukumi, A. (2016). Power Sector Reform in India: Current Status and Issues.
  5. Gupta, A., & Nath, D. N. (2015). Performance of electricity distribution companies in Delhi: An evaluation study. ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, (2), 111–136. https://doi.org/10.3280/EFE2014-002006
  6. Halli, P., & Kadakol, D. A. M. (2021). A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON PERFORMANCE OF HUBLI ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY LTD. KARNATAKA WITH TORRENT POWER LTD. GUJARAT. 8(1).
  7. Jain, V., & Sharma, K. (2025). COMMERCIAL VIABILITY OF DISCOMS OF GUJARAT AND RAJASTHAN: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS.
  8. Jamasb, T., Llorca, M., & Thakur, T. (2018). Institutions and Performance of Regulated Firms: Evidence from Electric Utilities in the Indian States.
  9. Jayalakshmamma, K. (2013). A Study on “Financial Performance of BESCOM.” 2(7), 24–26.
  10. Kannan, K. P., & Pillai, N. V. (2001). Plight of Power Sector in India-II: Financial Performance of SEBs. Economic and Political Weekly, 36(3), 234–246.
  11. Kumbar, D. M. (2023). An Overview Of Power Sector Of Karnataka. Nov-De. 2023, 14(6), 01–06. https://doi.org/www.Iosrjournals.Org
  12. Maurya, N. K. (2020). Power Sector Reforms and Performance Assessment of Power Sector Utilities of Uttar Pradesh. Indian Journal of Public Administration, 66(1), 77–96. https://doi.org/10.1177/0019556120906073
  13. Mohanty, A., & Mohanty, B. (2014). Power Sector Efficiency—A Review.
  14. Mr.N.Vishnumayi Singh & Dr.S.Robita. (2022). ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF POWER DISCOMS USING DUPONT MODEL: A CASE STUDY OF GUJARAT DISCOMS. EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR), 175–180. https://doi.org/10.36713/epra11044
  15. Panda, H. (2003). ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF POWER SECTOR REFORMS IN ORISSA.
  16. Patyal, V. S., Kumar, R., Lamba, K., & Maheshwari, S. (2023). Performance evaluation of Indian electricity distribution companies: An integrated DEA-IRP-TOPSIS approach. Energy Economics, 124, 106796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2023.106796
  17. Pravinbhai, D. H., & Kshatriya, D. A. B. (2022). A FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED POWER COMPANIES OF INDIA.
  18. Rajkumari, L., & Gayithri, K. (2018). Performance Analysis of Karnataka Power Sector in India in the Context of Power Sector Reforms. Energy Policy, 115, 385–396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.01.020
  19. Ramaswamy, S. (2013). M.ANANDAN RESEARCH SCHOLAR DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS THE GANDHIGRAM RURAL INSTITUTE-DEEMED UNIVERSITY DINDIGUL. (3).
  20. Sarangi, G. K., Pradhan, A. K., & Taghizadeh-Hesary, F. (2021). Performance assessment of state-owned electricity distribution utilities in India. Economic Analysis and Policy, 71, 516–531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2021.06.005
  21. Sharma, D. P., Sharma, D. S., & Sharma, A. (2019). A COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF PUNJAB STATE POWER CORPORATION LTD. (PSPCL): POST REFORMS VS. PRE REFORMS PERIOD. 6(03).
  22. Singh, K., & Vashishtha, S. (2020). A Performance Analysis of Power Distribution Utilities of Haryana. 2, 13–19.
  23. Thakur, T., Deshmukh, S. G., Kaushik, S. C., & Kulshrestha, M. (2005). Impact assessment of the Electricity Act 2003 on the Indian power sector. Energy Policy, 33(9), 1187–1198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2003.11.016
    • Websites
  1. https://www.powermin.gov.in/
  2. https://iced.niti.gov.in/
  3. https://www.pfcindia.co.in/hi
  4. https://www.bescom.co.in/
  5. https://cescmysore.karnataka.gov.in/en
  6. https://mescom.karnataka.gov.in/en
  7. https://hescom.karnataka.gov.in/en
  8. https://gescom.karnataka.gov.in/en

This study evaluates the operational and financial performance of five public sector electricity distribution companies in Karnataka-BESCOM, CHESCOM, GESCOM, HESCOM, and MESCOM from 2016-17 to 2024-25. Operational indicators include billing, collection, and AT&C efficiency; financial indicators comprise average cost of supply, average revenue realised, and the ACS–ARR gap. Secondary data were obtained from Power Finance Corporation reports and the India Climate and Energy Dashboard. MESCOM recorded the highest mean billing and AT&C efficiency, lowest supply cost, and narrowest ACS-ARR gap. BESCOM achieved the highest collection efficiency and revenue realisation. Overall, MESCOM ranked first, followed by BESCOM, CHESCOM, GESCOM, and HESCOM. The TwoWay ANOVA revealed significant differences among DISCOMs and across financial years on the performance indicators. The findings highlight the need for loss reduction, cost control, and improved billing, collection, and revenue realisation to strengthen the operational efficiency and financial sustainability of Karnataka’s distribution sector.

Keywords : Karnataka DISCOMs, Operational Performance, Financial Performance, Mean, Rank, ANOVA.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - October - 2026

SUBMIT YOUR PAPER CALL FOR PAPERS
Video Explanation for Published paper

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe