𝐃𝐔𝐌 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 How can India’s power distribution utilities strengthen their financial foundations and unlock new avenues of capital? This was the focus of the first technical session at the Distribution Utility Meet (DUM) 2026 in Jaipur, themed “𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.” The session featured a theme presentation by 𝗦𝗵𝗿𝗶 Himanshu Chawla, Head – Regulatory, Power Foundation of India (PFI), and 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐥, 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 (𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞), 𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐃𝐂𝐋. It was chaired by 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐤 𝐊𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫, 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥, 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐀)and moderated by 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐮 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐚. Discussions centred on the key prerequisites for DISCOMs to access capital markets, including governance and accounting reforms, the potential of green and sustainability-linked bonds to finance distribution infrastructure, and the structuring of bankable utility projects. The session also examined the strategic implications of the PFC–REC merger and the need for State Electricity Regulatory Commissions to revisit tariff structures to strengthen the financial viability of distribution utilities. The distinguished panel of experts included 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐥 𝐊𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐞, Former CMD, Grid Controller of India Limited; 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢 𝐇𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚, Chairman, TERC; 𝐃𝐫. 𝐑. 𝐊. 𝐓𝐲𝐚𝐠𝐢, Director General, PFI; 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐣 𝐊𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫, Member, BERC; and 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬𝐡 𝐊𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫, COO, BSES Yamuna Power Limited. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, followed by closing remarks from the Chair, reinforcing the importance of financial reforms, innovative financing mechanisms and regulatory interventions in building financially resilient DISCOMs. #DUM2026 #PowerFoundationOfIndia #DISCOMs #PowerDistribution #CapitalMarkets #GreenBonds #EnergyFinance #PowerSectorReforms #FinancialSustainability #EnergyTransition

𝐃𝐔𝐌 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏: 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 The 10th edition of the Distribution Utility Meet (DUM) 2026 commenced today in Jaipur, Rajasthan, bringing together power distribution utilities and sector leaders from across India to exchange experiences and explore solutions for energy transition, grid modernisation and digitalisation. Power Foundation of India (PFI)is participating in the two-day event (October 27–28, 2026) as its Knowledge Partner, bringing research-based insights to the evolving priorities of India’s power distribution sector. The inaugural session was graced by 𝐇𝐨𝐧’𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫, 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧, 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢 𝐇𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫, while 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢 𝐒𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐬 𝐕𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧, delivered the inaugural address. Senior officials, including Smt. Arti Dogra, IAS, Secretary, Energy Department, Government of Rajasthan, and distinguished power sector leaders from India and abroad also participated in the proceedings. In his special address, Dr. R.K. Tyagi, Director General, PFI, highlighted the growing investment requirements of India’s power sector, driven by rising electricity demand from electrification, electric vehicles and AI-enabled data centres. He underscored the need to mobilise diverse sources of finance to meet the estimated ₹200 lakh crore investment requirement for the energy transition. While acknowledging improvements in DISCOM performance, he emphasised the importance of sustaining their financial viability to support the sector’s long-term growth. A key highlight of the inaugural session was the release of three PFI research studies addressing critical challenges in the distribution sector: 🔹 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐬 🔹 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞-𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 🔹 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 PFI also showcased its research, key initiatives and contributions to the power sector through an engaging, interactive stall. Visited by the Hon’ble Minister, the stall attracted a large number of visitors, with a sector-specific quiz emerging as a major crowd-puller and encouraging enthusiastic participation through an engaging, informative learning experience. DUM 2026 provides an important platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange and actionable insights to strengthen India’s power distribution ecosystem. #DUM2026 #PowerFoundationOfIndia #PowerDistribution #DISCOMs #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #DemandSideManagement #GridModernisation #PowerSector #KnowledgeSharing

Power Foundation of India (PFI) will be the 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 for the 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 (𝐃𝐔𝐌) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, being organised by the India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF). The event will take place on 𝟐𝟕 –𝟐𝟖 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥, 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐫, 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧. PFI will lead two sessions on key priorities for India’s power distribution sector: 🔹 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: DISCOMs Financial Transformation and Capital Market Readiness 🔹𝟐𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: India Energy Stack (IES) and Data Exchange Framework Join us to explore how financial transformation and digitalisation can strengthen distribution utilities and support a resilient, future-ready power sector. Follow us for more updates! #PFI #DUM2026 #ISGF #PowerDistribution #DISCOMs #IndiaEnergyStack

𝐏𝐅𝐈 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 | 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟓 The Power Foundation of India (PFI) successfully organised the fifth session of its PFI Lecture Series on October 16, 2026, featuring Shri Venkateshan M, General Manager and Head of Market Operation, Grid Controller of India. The session focused on '𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐒𝐌 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑', offering PFI employees valuable insights into the evolution of the deviation framework and the regulatory mechanisms governing the Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM) in India’s power sector. Enriched with practical cases, real-world examples and engaging discussions, the session explored the application of the deviation framework and DSM regulations in the evolving power sector landscape. The examples helped participants better understand the regulatory provisions, their practical implications and the significance of maintaining grid discipline and balancing deviations in electricity generation and consumption. The session was part of PFI’s ongoing Learning & Development initiative to promote knowledge sharing, deepen sectoral understanding and foster continuous learning among its employees.

Dr. R. K. Tyagi, Director General, Power Foundation of India (PFI), met Smt. Valsa NairSingh, Chairperson, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), during his visit to MERC on 15 October 2026. He was accompanied by Shri Vibhay Kumar, Expert-Transmission, and Shri Himanshu Chawla, Head- Regulatory, PFI. Other senior officials of the Commission were also present during the meeting.

The second edition of the Regulatory Chintan Shivir, organised by Power Foundation of India (PFI) in collaboration with the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC), commenced on 8th October 2026 at the Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur. The two-day conference aims to strengthen regulatory capacity through structured dialogue, peer learning and knowledge exchange, with a focus on developing actionable recommendations to address key challenges in the power sector. The inaugural session was addressed by Dr. R. K. Tyagi, Director General, PFI; Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Chairperson, RERC; Shri Raj Kumar Chaudhary, Chairperson, JERC (J&K and Ladakh); and Shri Mohd. Ashraf, Secretary, JERC (J&K and Ladakh). Shri Shashank Mishra, Joint Secretary (Distribution), Ministry of Power, Government of India, joined the session virtually and shared his perspectives on key issues concerning the power sector. In his remarks, Dr. R. K. Tyagi emphasised the vital role of renewable energy in advancing India’s energy independence, achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and potentially saving approximately ₹20 lakh crore annually in foreign exchange outflows. He highlighted the need to ensure grid flexibility and stability as renewable energy integration grows, calling for next-generation reforms by regulatory bodies and the Ministry of Power in resource adequacy, demand flexibility, demand-side management and grid integration of energy storage. The Chintan Shivir brings together senior representatives of SERCs and DISCOMs from the Western and Southern Regions and Rajasthan to translate shared experiences and implementation challenges into practical recommendations that strengthen regulatory institutions and improve outcomes for consumers and utilities. #PowerFoundationOfIndia #RERC #RegulatoryChintanShivir #PowerSector #Jaipur

Power Foundation of India in collaboration with Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) is organising the 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐫 for the 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 & 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞, bringing senior officials of State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs), Joint Electricity Regulatory Commissions (JERCs), and DISCOMs (handling regulatory matters), for focused deliberations on important regulatory and power-sector issues. The two-day Chintan Shivir aims to provide a platform for structured dialogue, peer learning, knowledge exchange, and exchange of best practices among regulatory professionals across the power sector. 📅 𝟖𝐭𝐡 & 𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 📍 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞, 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐫 #PowerFoundationOfIndia #RegulatoryChintanShivir #PowerSector #Rajasthan

Power Foundation of India (PFI) has established a Wellness Centre at its office to promote employee health and well-being. The centre was inaugurated by Dr. R. K. Tyagi, Director General, PFI. The new wellness centre reflects PFI’s commitment to creating a supportive workplace and promote a culture of wellness among employees. #PowerFoundationOfIndia #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceWellness

Power Foundation of India (PFI) held the second session of its PFI Lecture Series on “Smart Grid Technologies in the Power Distribution Sector” as part of its ongoing learning and development initiatives. Welcoming the participants, Dr. R.K. Tyagi, Director General, Power Foundation of India, highlighted the importance of keeping pace with technological developments in power distribution through continuous learning and knowledge exchange. The two-hour session was led by Mr. Amandeep pathak, Associate Director, Deloitte, and his team. They discussed developments and best practices in smart grid technologies, including SCADA, DMS, OMS, IT–OT systems, digital strategy and other emerging technologies in power distribution. An interactive discussion and Q&A gave participants an opportunity to explore the practical applications of these technologies. The PFI Lecture Series continues to bring experts and participants together for learning and exchange on issues relevant to the power sector. #PFILectureSeries #smartgrid #powerdistribution

Regional Regulatory Workshop (North-Eastern, Northern and Eastern Regions) organised by Power Foundation of India, in association with Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad, concluded successfully on September 25, 2026. The five-day workshop bought together officials from State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs), DISCOMs, GENCOs and TRANSCOs to strengthen regulatory capabilities and deepen their understanding of emerging issues across the power sector. The workshop concluded with a felicitation and certificate distribution ceremony. Certificates were distributed by Shri Rajkiran Bilolikar, Professor and Director - Centre for Energy Studies - ASCI, and Shri Himanshu Chawla, Head-Regulatory, Power Foundation of India. The programme served as an important platform for knowledge sharing, peer learning, and strengthening regulatory understanding across the power sector.

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