The CEIG drawing approval is one of the least documented requirements in the Indian solar EPC workflow — not because it is complicated, but because every state handles it differently. An EPC founder who has successfully gotten CEIG approval in Gujarat can be caught flat-footed when the Tamil Nadu Chief Electrical Inspector’s office returns a submission with a different format requirement, a different signature authority, and a different process entirely. This guide maps the CEIG drawing approval process state by state for the major solar markets, with the specific document requirements, timeline benchmarks, and the most common rejection causes.
Direct answer. CEIG (Chief Electrical Inspector to the Government) drawing approval is mandatory for all grid-connected solar installations above a state-specific capacity threshold (typically 10 kW or above) in India. The process requires submission of IS-format electrical drawings signed by a CEIG-approved licensed electrical contractor or engineer. Approval timelines range from 2 weeks (Gujarat online portal) to 8-12 weeks (Tamil Nadu manual process). The most common rejection causes are: non-IS-format SLD symbology, missing protection relay specification, and unauthorized signatory credentials.
This guide is written for Rohan: the EPC founder managing CEIG submissions across multiple states who needs to understand the process variations before assigning the drawing work to his team or a subcontracted engineering firm.
What CEIG Drawing Approval Is and Why It Is Legally Required
The CEIG is a state government officer — the Chief Electrical Inspector to the Government — responsible for ensuring electrical installations comply with the Indian Electricity Act, Indian Electricity Rules 1956, and state-specific electrical safety regulations.
CEIG drawing approval is legally required because grid-connected solar installations create new points of interconnection with the public distribution network. The CEA Connectivity Regulations 2019 and the Indian Electricity Act 2003 both require that electrical installations above the state threshold obtain approval from the state’s Chief Electrical Inspector before energization.
Definition. A CEIG-approved drawing is an electrical schematic (Single-Line Diagram) certified by a licensed electrical contractor or engineer recognized by the state Chief Electrical Inspector. Without this certification, the DISCOM cannot issue the net-metering agreement or the commissioning approval for grid-connected solar installations above the state threshold.
The approval covers: the electrical safety of the solar installation (protection relay scheme, earthing design, isolation devices), the adequacy of the metering arrangement (bidirectional meter, CT/PT specs), and the compliance of the SLD with Indian Standards (IS 16-series symbology, IS 732 cable sizing, IS 3043 earthing).
According to CEA Connectivity Regulations 2019, all solar installations intending to connect to the grid must submit a connection proposal to the DISCOM, supported by CEIG-approved electrical drawings. This is a regulatory hard gate — no workaround exists.
2-12 weeks
CEIG approval timeline range
State CEIG office benchmarks, 2025
10 kW
Typical CEIG threshold (most states)
State Electricity Acts, 2025
38%
First-submission rejection rate
Heaven Designs project data, 2025
3-4 wks
Typical rejection re-cycle time
EPC project management benchmarks, 2025
Documents Required for CEIG Drawing Approval
The core document set is largely consistent across states, but the specific format, number of copies, and additional annexures vary significantly.
Universal requirements (all states):
- Application form (state-specific form, signed by licensed electrical contractor)
- Single-Line Diagram (SLD) in IS-format, signed by CEIG-approved engineer
- General Arrangement (GA) drawing showing module layout, inverter location, isolation points
- Equipment data sheets: solar modules, inverters, protection relays, metering equipment
- Electrical safety calculations: cable sizing (IS 732), earthing design (IS 3043), fault level calculations
- Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) certificate of the signatory
- Site photographs (for larger systems, typically above 100 kW)
State-specific additional requirements:
- Gujarat: Online portal submission (UGVCL/GUVNL portal), digital signature required
- Maharashtra: MSEDCL technical committee approval for systems above 100 kW
- Tamil Nadu: Physical submission to TANGEDCO zonal office; additional protection coordination study for systems above 500 kW
- Rajasthan: RRVPNL format-specific SLD template required
- Karnataka: BESCOM pre-inspection required before CEIG submission for systems above 50 kW
The CEIG Approval 6-Stage Process Framework
This is Heaven Designs’ proprietary sequence for CEIG drawing approval that minimizes the re-submission cycle. Most first-time rejections occur because these stages are conflated or skipped.
Identify state CEIG office and threshold
Confirm the state CEIG office jurisdiction for the project location. Some states have district-level CEIG offices (Karnataka, Maharashtra); others process through a single state office (Gujarat, Rajasthan). Confirm the capacity threshold that triggers CEIG mandatory approval -- typically 10 kW but varies by state.
Engage CEIG-approved signatory
The electrical drawings must be signed by an engineer or contractor whose license is recognized by the specific state CEIG office. A license recognized in Gujarat may not be recognized in Tamil Nadu. Verify the signatory's state-specific CEIG registration number before the drawing is produced -- the wrong signatory results in immediate rejection.
Produce IS-format SLD
The SLD must use IS 16-series electrical symbology -- not ANSI or IEC conventions. It must show DC side (string to combiner to inverter), AC side (inverter to metering to grid connection), protection relay scheme (OVR/UVR/OFR/UFR per DISCOM specification), earthing connections, and the bidirectional meter. The title block must include the CEIG-approved engineer's name, license number, and signature space.
Compile state-specific document package
Assemble the state-specific document package: application form (obtain the current version from the CEIG office, not a template from a previous project -- forms are updated), equipment data sheets, electrical safety calculations, LEC certificate, and site photographs where required. Bind in the order specified by the CEIG office; some offices return submissions that are not in their preferred binding order.
Submit and track the application
Submit through the state portal (Gujarat, Maharashtra have online systems) or in person (Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan require physical submission). Obtain an acknowledgment receipt with a submission number. Track the application status weekly -- CEIG offices typically do not proactively communicate the status. Assign one point of contact from your team to follow up.
Address queries and obtain approval certificate
If the CEIG office issues a technical query or requests a revision, respond within the office's specified timeframe (typically 15-30 days from query date). Provide revised drawings and a query response letter signed by the CEIG-approved engineer. Once approved, obtain the official approval certificate -- this document goes into the DISCOM submission package and the commissioning file.
State-by-State CEIG Process Comparison
| State | CEIG Office | Submission mode | Typical approval time | Key format requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | State CEIG, Gandhinagar | Online portal (UGVCL/GUVNL) | 2-4 weeks | Digital signature on drawings |
| Maharashtra | State CEIG, Mumbai; District offices | Online (Mahadiscom portal) | 4-6 weeks | MSEDCL-format SLD template |
| Tamil Nadu | State CEIG, Chennai; Zonal offices | Physical submission | 8-12 weeks | TANGEDCO protection relay spec |
| Rajasthan | State CEIG, Jaipur | Physical submission | 6-8 weeks | RRVPNL format SLD |
| Karnataka | State CEIG, Bangalore; Zone offices | Online + physical | 4-6 weeks | BESCOM pre-inspection for 50+ kW |
| Uttar Pradesh | District CEIG offices | Physical | 6-10 weeks | UP Electricity Act format |
Watch out. Tamil Nadu's CEIG process for systems above 500 kW requires a protection coordination study -- a separate technical document showing relay coordination between the solar inverter protection functions and the TANGEDCO feeder protection scheme. This document is not part of the standard CEIG submission in other states but is mandatory in Tamil Nadu for larger systems.
Common CEIG Rejection Causes
The most common first-submission CEIG rejection causes, based on Heaven Designs’ project data across 2023-2025:
- Non-IS-format SLD symbology (42% of rejections): Drawings produced in ANSI or IEC format instead of IS 16-series. AutoCAD symbol libraries used by software tools default to IEC or ANSI conventions — a manual IS-format conversion is required.
- Missing or incorrect protection relay specification (28%): The SLD must show the protection relay functions (Over/Under Voltage, Over/Under Frequency, Earth Fault) with the specific relay model, CT ratio, and relay settings per the DISCOM’s applicable grid code.
- Unauthorized signatory (18%): Drawing signed by an engineer whose license is not recognized by the specific state CEIG office. CEIG recognition is state-specific — national certification alone is not sufficient.
- Missing earthing diagram (8%): The earthing and lightning protection design (per IS 3043) must be included as a separate drawing or as a sheet in the drawing set.
- Incorrect application form version (4%): Using an application form from a previous year when the CEIG office has updated its format.
See what a CEIG-approved electrical drawing looks like
Download a redacted sample: IS-format SLD for a 100 kW rooftop project, CEIG-approved for Gujarat, including protection relay scheme and earthing design.
Get the sample pack ->CEIG Drawings as Part of the Full DISCOM Submission Package
CEIG approval is not a standalone requirement — it is one component of the full DISCOM net metering or open access connectivity submission package. Understanding how CEIG drawings fit into the broader submission helps EPCs plan their documentation timeline more accurately.
The full DISCOM submission package for a grid-connected solar installation typically includes:
- Net metering or connectivity application form — state-specific form, signed by the consumer and the EPC/installer
- CEIG-approved SLD — the electrical safety approval, which must be obtained before submission in most states
- Module compliance documents — BIS registration certificate (IS 16221 Part I) for the module, ALMM Part I listing printout from MNRE portal (for government-scheme projects)
- Inverter compliance documents — BIS registration certificate (IS 16221 Part III) for the inverter
- Site photographs — pre-installation photographs of the proposed mounting location and existing electrical panel
- Load sanction letter — from the DISCOM confirming the consumer’s sanctioned load
- Agreement for net metering — the consumer’s agreement to the net metering terms and conditions
- Commissioning report — after installation, confirming the system parameters match the approved drawing
In states with online submission portals (Gujarat, Maharashtra), all documents are uploaded to the portal as PDFs. In states with physical submission (Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan), documents are submitted in person to the DISCOM zonal office or section office.
Note. The CEIG approval is typically the longest lead-time item in the DISCOM submission package — particularly in states with manual submission processes (Tamil Nadu: 8-12 weeks, Rajasthan: 6-8 weeks). Start the CEIG drawing preparation and submission process before the other DISCOM package components are complete so that CEIG approval is not on the critical path to commissioning.
How Heaven Designs Handles CEIG Approval Across States
Heaven Designs maintains CEIG-approved signatories for Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and UP — the six largest solar markets by C&I project volume. Every CEIG drawing set is produced in the state-specific IS format with the correct protection relay scheme, earthing design, and application form for the target DISCOM.
- Electrical CEIG Drawings — CEIG-approval-ready electrical drawings for all major Indian state DISCOMs, signed by licensed engineers with state-specific approval numbers.
- Solar Rooftop Detailed Engineering Design — Complete IFC pack including CEIG-format SLD, GA, structural, and BOQ as a single deliverable.
- Engineering Documentation India — Full submission packages for DISCOM applications including CEIG drawings, ALMM certificates, and state-specific forms.
- Download a sample deliverable — See a real CEIG-approved drawing set before committing.
See DISCOM net metering process India for the full approval context, and MNRE DCR compliance guide for module compliance requirements. Contact us for CEIG drawing support in your state.
FAQ
Is CEIG approval mandatory for all solar installations in India?
CEIG approval is mandatory for all grid-connected solar installations above the state-specific capacity threshold, typically 10 kW. Below this threshold, some states allow self-certification by a licensed electrical contractor without formal CEIG office review. Verify the threshold with the specific DISCOM office before assuming CEIG approval is not required — the threshold has been changing as state solar policies evolve.
How long does CEIG drawing approval take in Gujarat versus Tamil Nadu?
Gujarat’s online portal (UGVCL/GUVNL) typically returns CEIG approval within 2-4 weeks for standard rooftop systems. Tamil Nadu’s physical submission process through TANGEDCO zonal offices typically takes 8-12 weeks, with additional time if a protection coordination study is required for systems above 500 kW. Plan your project timeline accordingly — Tamil Nadu CEIG approval is often the critical path item in the commissioning schedule.
Can a nationally certified electrical engineer sign CEIG drawings?
CEIG recognition is state-specific. A licensed electrical engineer certified at the national level (e.g., CEIG-recognized in Delhi) may not be recognized by the Tamil Nadu or Karnataka CEIG office. Always verify that the signing engineer’s license is specifically recognized by the state CEIG office where the project is located. Heaven Designs maintains state-specific CEIG-recognized engineers for the six major solar states.
What is IS-format SLD and why is it different from standard CAD output?
IS-format SLD (Single-Line Diagram) uses Indian Standard IS 16-series electrical symbology — a specific set of graphical symbols for electrical components mandated by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Standard CAD tools and software (including Aurora and Helioscope) use IEC or ANSI conventions, which are not accepted by Indian CEIG offices. A manual redraw of the SLD in IS-format symbology is required for every CEIG submission.
What is the protection relay specification required in CEIG drawings?
The protection relay scheme required in CEIG drawings varies by DISCOM. Most DISCOMs require: Over Voltage Relay (OVR), Under Voltage Relay (UVR), Over Frequency Relay (OFR), Under Frequency Relay (UFR), and Earth Fault Relay (EFR). The relay settings (pickup values, time delays) must comply with the DISCOM’s grid code specifications. Tamil Nadu (TANGEDCO) has published specific protection relay settings requirements; other states reference CEA Grid Code standards.
What happens if the CEIG drawing is approved but the installation deviates from the approved drawing?
Any deviation from the CEIG-approved drawing after approval — such as using a different inverter model, adding modules beyond the approved capacity, or changing the protection relay make/model — requires a revised drawing submission and re-approval. Installing deviations without re-approval constitutes an unauthorized electrical installation under the Indian Electricity Act, which can result in disconnection and legal liability. Maintain strict change control between the approved drawing and the installed system.
How does CEIG approval interact with DISCOM net metering connectivity approval?
The CEIG approval and the DISCOM net metering connectivity approval are two separate processes, though both are required before commissioning. The CEIG approval certifies the electrical safety of the installation; the DISCOM connectivity approval certifies the technical adequacy of the grid connection. In most states, the DISCOM requires the CEIG approval certificate as a mandatory attachment to the net metering connectivity application. This means CEIG approval must be obtained first. Some states (Gujarat) have integrated both processes into a single portal workflow, reducing the overall timeline.
Can an EPC use the same CEIG signatory engineer for projects across multiple states?
No. CEIG recognition is issued by each state’s Chief Electrical Inspector, and recognition in one state does not automatically apply in another. An EPC operating across multiple Indian states must maintain separate CEIG-approved signatories for each state where projects are located. Many EPCs solve this by partnering with an engineering firm (like Heaven Designs) that maintains a roster of state-specific CEIG-recognized engineers across all major solar markets, rather than hiring individual engineers state by state.
