In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 91(4) read Section 178 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003), and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, and after previous publication, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-11032026-270826 EXTRAORDINARY PART III—Section 4 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 163] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026/PHALGUNA 19, 1947 CENTRAL ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 16th February, 2026 No. L-7/1/0S44(59)-CERC.— In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 91(4) read Section 178 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003), and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, and after previous publication, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, hereby makes the following regulations, to amend the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations, 2008 (hereinafter referred to as the "Principal Regulations"), namely:- 1. Short Title and Commencement: - 1.1. These regulations shall be called the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Appointment of Consultants) (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2026; 1.2. These regulations shall come into force with effect from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette: Provided that the consolidated fee and other conditions of service under these regulations shall also be applicable to staff consultants and individual consultants who are already engaged or appointed prior to the commencement of these regulations, for the period of their continued engagement. 2. Amendment to Regulation 4 of the Principal Regulations: Regulation 4 of the Principal Regulations shall be substituted as under: "Consultant shall be engaged for a total period of up to six years. The performance of the consultant shall be reviewed upon completion of the first year of service. On finding their performance satisfactory, the engagement shall be extended for a further period of three years. Subsequently, based on continued satisfactory performance, the engagement may be extended by an additional period up to a maximum of two years." 3. Amendment to Regulation 5 of the Principal Regulations: The word "engaged for full time" is added after the word "Consultant" in Regulation 5A of the principal Regulations. 4. Amendment to Regulation 6 of the Principal Regulations: The following shall be added under Regulation 6A of the Principal Regulations (i) Addition of "or Quality cum Cost based selection or Fixed Budget based selection (FBS) or single source selection" at the end of Regulation 6A of the Principal Regulations after the word 'basis of 'least cost system." (ii) The following shall be added under Regulation 6C (6) of the Principal Regulations. Addition of "or Quality cum Cost based selection, or Fixed Budget based selection (FBS) or Single source selection" at the end of Regulation 6C (6) of the Principal Regulations after the words "basis of 'least cost system". 5. Amendment to Regulation 7 of the Principal Regulations: Regulation 7 (1A) of the Principal Regulations shall be substituted as under: An individual consultant shall be engaged in the category of "Adviser" with a maximum consolidated fee of ₹2,00,000/- (excluding Goods and Services tax (GST), if applicable) per month or in the category of "Senior Adviser" with a consolidated fee of ₹2,50,000/- (excluding Goods and Services tax (GST), if applicable) per month, commensurate with their academic qualifications, total experience in number of years, domain expertise and knowledge required for the deliverables. Regulation 7 (6) of the Principal Regulations shall be substituted as under: "(6) The candidate approved by the Chairperson from the panel prepared by the CEC shall be engaged as an individual consultant initially for a period of one year. On finding their performance satisfactory, the engagement shall be extended for a further period of three years. Subsequently, based on continued satisfactory performance, the engagement may be extended for an additional period up to a maximum of two years and limited to a total period of six years. An annual escalation up to 10% on the fee may be given with the approval of the Chairperson based on the performance of the individual consultant during the preceding year." 6. Amendment to Regulation 8 of the Principal Regulations: The word "or work on an assignment basis" is added at the end of Regulation 8(1) of the Principal Regulations. The word "Rs Ten lakh" under Regulation 8(3) of the Principal Regulations is substituted with the word “* Twenty lakh”. 7. Amendment to Regulation 8 of the Principal Regulations: Table under Clause 4 of Regulation 8A of the Principal Regulation shall be substituted as under: +-------------------------+-------------------------------+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Category | Monthly Fee Range* (in ₹) | Experience (in completed years) | Qualifications | +=========================+===============================+==================================+=======================================================================================================================+ | Research Associate (RA) | 50,000/-** | Less than three years | As may be decided at the time of issue of Terms of Reference, commensurate with the work requirement. | +-------------------------+-------------------------------+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Research Officer (RO) | 75,000/- to 1,10,000/- | Three years up to Seven years | | +-------------------------+-------------------------------+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Senior Research Officer (SRO) | 1,15,000/- to 1,50,000/- | More than Seven years up to Ten years | | +-------------------------+-------------------------------+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Principal Research Officer (PRO) | 1,30,000/- to 1,80,000/- | More than Ten years and above | | +-------------------------+-------------------------------+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ *Excluding Goods and Services tax (GST), if applicable. The fee shall be fixed taking into consideration the emoluments drawn in the immediate previous employment. ** In case of Research Associate (RA), after completion of one year of satisfactory performance, the salary is fixed at *64,000/-. Regulation 8(6) of the Principal Regulations shall be substituted as under: "6. The Staff Consultant shall be engaged initially for a period of one year. On finding their performance satisfactory, the engagement shall be extended for a further period of three years. Subsequently, based on continued satisfactory performance, the engagement may be extended for an additional period up to a maximum of two years and limited to a total period of six years. In deserving cases, an annual escalation up to 10% on the fee may be given with the approval of the Chairperson based on the performance during the preceding year" 8. Insertion of New Regulation 8C of the Principal Regulations 8C Other Conditions of Service Medical Benefits: (1) Reimbursement of Medical insurance is provided for OPD/IPD treatments to Research Associate / Research Officer @ ₹20,000/- per year; Senior Research Officer and Principal Research Officer @ ₹27,000/ per year; and Advisors/Senior Advisors @ ₹34,000/ per year. A Reimbursement Towards Books and Periodicals: (2) Re-imbursement for purchase of books and periodicals up to the ceiling of ₹1800/- per month to Research Associate (RA), Research officer (RO), Senior Research Officer (SRO) and Principal Research officer (PRO), and up to 2,400 per month to Advisors/Senior Advisors. HARPREET SINGH PRUTHI, Secy. [ADVT.-III/4/Exty./739/2025-26] NOTE: The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations, 2008 were published in Part III, Section 4, No.160 of the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) dated 14.10.2008 and amended vide- (a) First Amendment Regulations, 2010 published in Part III, Section 4, No.225 of the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) dated 06.09.2010. (b) Second Amendment Regulations, 2014 published in Part III, Section 4, No.286 of the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) dated 07.10.2014. (c) Third Amendment Regulations, 2017 published in Part III, Section 4, No.110 of the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) dated 10.02.2017. (d) Fourth Amendment Regulations, 2023 published in Part III, Section 4, No.333 of the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) dated 12.05.2023. (e) Fifth Amendment Regulations, 2025 published in Part III, Section 4, No.292 of the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) dated 07.01.2025 Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.