About CEA 

• The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is a statutory body constituted under the erstwhile Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948 (replaced by the Electricity Act, 2003).
• Established in 1951, the office of the CEA is an attached office of the Ministry of Power. 
• CEA provides technical and policy support to the government and to all other stakeholders in the power sector.
• It is headed by a Chairman, who is also ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India.

Functions & Duties of CEA

• Specify the technical standards for construction of electrical plants, electric lines and connectivity to the grid;
• Specify the safety requirements for construction, operation and maintenance of electrical plants and electric lines;
• Specify the Grid standards for operation and maintenance of transmission lines;
• Specify the conditions for installation of meters for transmission and supply of electricity;
• The CEA shall prepare a National Electricity Plan in accordance with the National Electricity Policy and notify such plan once in five years. 
• Any generating company intending to set-up a hydro-generating station requires the concurrence of CEA.