CEA Organizes an Electrical Safety Awareness Programme

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA), in association with BSES, organised the Electrical Safety Day 2026 in New Delhi on 29th June 2026. This year’s theme is “Today’s Awareness, Tomorrow’s Prevention: Let Us All Unite to Prevent Fire Hazards from Electrical Short Circuits”. The theme encapsulates a simple but powerful truth: prevention begins with awareness. Most electrical fires are preventable – the barrier is not technology or resources but knowledge. When citizens, communities, and institutions understand the risks of faulty wiring, overloaded sockets, and substandard electrical equipment, they are empowered to act before a hazard becomes a tragedy. Electrical Safety Day 2026 is a platform to seed this awareness – today – so that tomorrow is safer for every home, every family, and every community.

The event was graced by Shri Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority. He was joined by Shri Sunil Kumar Jha, Directorate General-Fire Services, Civil Defense & Home Guards, Ministry of Home Affairs. The occasion was also graced by Sh. A. Balan, Member (Planning); Sh. Praveen Gupta, Member (Thermal and E&C); Sh. Hemant Jain, Member (GO&D); and Shri V.K. Singh, Member (Power System), CEA. Shri Amal Sinha, Director and Group CEO, BSES, was also present on this occasion.

Over 1300 delegates from all corners of the energy sector—ranging from utilities and regulatory bodies, State Chief Electrical Inspectorate officers, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), OEMs, manufacturers, field technicians, and representatives from hospitals, schools, hotels, and proactive energy users (prosumers)—attended the event in person, while a large number of people viewed it virtually through a live YouTube webcast (Observing Electrical Safety Day | 29th June 2026 | CEA | BSES – YouTube), thereby expanding the reach and impact of the day’s proceedings.

The hon’ble Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, also addressed the gathering through a video message. He emphasised that electrical safety is fundamental to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and called for making safety an integral part of everyday life. Referring to the theme, “Today’s Awareness, Tomorrow’s Prevention – Let Us All Unite to Prevent Fire Hazards from Electrical Short Circuits”, the Minister highlighted that most electrical fires caused by short circuits are preventable through regular safety checkups, preventive maintenance, proper earthing and adherence to safety standards. He urged Resident Welfare Associations, industries, hospitals, commercial establishments and infrastructure agencies to strengthen electrical safety practices and promote a culture of prevention. The Honourable Minister also welcomed the launch of ‘Vidyut Suraksha Bodh’, an electricity safety handbook for children, and the Electrical Fire Safety Book, describing them as important initiatives to strengthen public awareness and nurture a safety-conscious future generation.

The Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, in his address through a video message, urged every citizen to make electrical safety a part of everyday life by adopting safe electrical practices at homes, workplaces and public spaces. Emphasising the theme, “Today’s Awareness, Tomorrow’s Prevention – Let Us All Unite to Prevent Fire Hazards from Electrical Short Circuits”, he observed that most electrical fires and accidents can be prevented through timely safety checkups of electrical installations, avoiding overloading of circuits, use of quality electrical equipment and proper earthing. Highlighting the launch of ‘Vidyut Suraksha Bodh’ and the Electrical Fire Safety Book, the honourable minister said these publications would help inculcate safe electrical practices among children and strengthen public awareness. He urged the general public to make electrical safety a way of life—not only during this week, but every day of the year.

Shri Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, CEA, emphasised that electrical safety begins with small, everyday actions and called for fostering a culture where prevention becomes a continuous practice rather than a one-time effort. Highlighting the theme, “Today’s Awareness, Tomorrow’s Prevention – Let Us All Unite to Prevent Fire Hazards from Electrical Short Circuits”, he urged Resident Welfare Associations, industries, commercial establishments and citizens to adopt safe electrical practices and remain vigilant against potential electrical hazards. He also highlighted the launch of ‘Vidyut Suraksha Bodh’ and the Electrical Fire Safety Book as important initiatives to strengthen public awareness and promote safe electrical practices through education.

Shri Sunil Kumar Jha, Directorate General-Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards, highlighted that India’s rapid growth in urbanisation, renewable energy, electric vehicles, data centres, and industrial automation has significantly increased dependence on electrical systems, bringing with it heightened fire risks. He identified short circuits, overloading, loose connections, poor maintenance, substandard equipment, ageing wiring, and unauthorised modifications as leading causes of electrical fires across residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. He outlined three pillars of electrical safety: safe design and installation, regular inspection and maintenance, and public awareness and behavioural change. He also highlighted the unique and serious challenges posed by Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), announcing joint training guidelines developed between his directorate and the Central Electricity Authority for fire auditors and firefighting personnel. He concluded by urging collective commitment to making electrical safety a way of life across India

A major highlight of the event was the launch of the following:

‘Vidyut Suraksha Bodh’ – This book introduces electrical safety at an early age, recognizing that safe habits developed during childhood last a lifetime. Through age-appropriate lessons, stories, illustrations, and activities, it teaches children essential safety practices such as avoiding contact with wires and sockets, keeping away from electrical installations, using electricity safely, preventing electrical accidents, and responding correctly during emergencies and lightning events. By making safety education simple and engaging, the book aims to create a generation of safety-conscious citizens and contribute to a safer India.
Electrical Fire Safety Book – The book is launched as a practical awareness guide to promote the prevention of electrical fire hazards and encourage safe use of electricity. Covering key aspects such as causes of electrical fires, preventive measures, emergency response, and safety practices for residential, commercial, industrial and emerging energy installations, the handbook aims to strengthen public awareness, foster a culture of prevention, and support the collective efforts of all stakeholders towards enhancing electrical safety across the country.
A Nukkad Natak on Safety Best Practices and a thematic presentation titled “Fire Speaks – The Journey of Fire” were organised as part of the event to create greater public awareness on electrical fire safety. Through engaging storytelling and interactive performances, the programmes highlighted the common causes of electrical fires, the importance of adopting safe electrical practices, and the role of timely preventive measures in protecting lives and property. The initiatives effectively conveyed the message that electrical safety begins with awareness and responsible behaviour, making the technical subject easily understandable for the general public.

The post-inaugural session included a series of technical presentations on the fire safety of BESS and fire preventive technologies, which were appreciated by the participants.

Building on the momentum of Electrical Safety Day 2026, a series of awareness initiatives will continue throughout National Electrical Safety Week, encouraging wider public participation through safety pledge ceremonies, community outreach programmes, dissemination of best practices, and awareness campaigns across schools, Resident Welfare Associations, industries and institutions. These initiatives seek to transform awareness into sustained action by promoting safe electrical practices and strengthening a culture of prevention across the country.

As India advances towards a modern, resilient and sustainable power sector, electrical safety must remain a shared national priority. Guided by this year’s theme, “Today’s Awareness, Tomorrow’s Prevention – Let Us All Unite to Prevent Fire Hazards from Electrical Short Circuits”, the collective efforts of governments, utilities, industries and citizens will play a vital role in preventing electrical fire hazards, protecting lives and property, and building a safer and more secure India.

The event concluded with the note that Electrical Safety is a shared responsibility of every citizen and emphasised the need for collective awareness, vigilance, and adherence to safe electrical practices.