Guwahati: Consumers seeking subsidised domestic LPG refills will have to complete biometric Aadhaar authentication from October 1, 2026, under a new requirement aimed at ensuring that subsidies reach eligible households.
The requirement will apply to domestic LPG consumers who have not yet completed biometric Aadhaar authentication. Those who have already completed the process will not need to authenticate again.
According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, around 27.43 crore active domestic LPG consumers, or 89.9% of the total, had completed biometric authentication as of September 19.
The government has said the measure is intended to improve the targeting of LPG subsidies and help identify duplicate or ineligible connections.
The October 1 change applies specifically to subsidised domestic LPG and should not be confused with the pricing framework for commercial cylinders.
Domestic LPG is supplied for household cooking, with eligible consumers receiving applicable subsidy or regulated pricing benefits subject to government rules and eligibility conditions. Commercial LPG cylinders, meanwhile, are used by businesses and commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels, shops and catering units. They are priced separately and do not receive the household LPG subsidy available to eligible domestic consumers.
The government has clarified that LPG supply will not automatically stop simply because a consumer has not completed biometric Aadhaar authentication.
Consumers who are unable or unwilling to complete the process can register their choice through available oil marketing company digital channels, including consumer websites, mobile applications, WhatsApp chatbots and IVRS. However, under the stated arrangement, such consumers may receive LPG at the applicable market price without subsidy.
Consumers who have not completed biometric authentication can use facilities provided by their respective oil marketing companies. These include authentication during LPG delivery where the facility is available, visiting an LPG distributor’s showroom, using the official OMC mobile application or following authentication instructions issued through the companies’ digital channels.
Major LPG companies provide consumer platforms including IndianOil ONE for Indane, HelloBPCL for Bharatgas and HP PAY for HP Gas.
The new authentication requirement does not introduce a separate LPG refill waiting period. According to the government’s clarification, existing refill booking timelines remain 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas.
Domestic and commercial LPG also continue to follow separate pricing mechanisms. For eligible domestic consumers, the applicable regulated price and subsidy depend on government policy and eligibility. Commercial LPG cylinders are generally sold at market-linked rates, with prices determined separately.
According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, biometric authentication is intended to ensure that subsidies reach eligible households, identify duplicate LPG connections and ineligible beneficiaries, prevent diversion of subsidised domestic LPG and improve transparency in subsidy distribution.
Domestic LPG consumers who have not completed biometric Aadhaar authentication should check their status and complete the process if they want to continue receiving subsidised refills at the applicable regulated price.
Consumers who have already completed the authentication process do not need to repeat it. Commercial LPG users, meanwhile, should continue to track the applicable commercial cylinder prices and supply terms of their respective OMCs, as commercial LPG is outside the household subsidy framework.
For LPG-related assistance, the government has provided the toll-free helpline 1800 2333 555.