Changes to LPG gas booking: New rules effective from October 1; here is what you need to do for the subsidy..
The central government has taken a major decision regarding subsidized domestic LPG cylinders. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, biometric Aadhaar authentication will become mandatory for subsidized domestic LPG refills starting October 1, 2026. A total of 27.43 crore customers (89.9 percent) have already completed the authentication and do not need to take any further action. Authentication can be done at the time of delivery, at the distributor's showroom, or via the Oil Marketing Company (OMC) mobile app.
The government announced on Saturday that, starting October 1, domestic LPG customers must complete biometric Aadhaar authentication to book refills at the subsidized rate. The government aims to ensure that subsidized cooking gas reaches only the intended households.
Biometric Aadhaar Authentication
Customers who have already completed the authentication process do not need to do anything further. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, 27.43 crore active domestic LPG customers (89.9 percent of the total customer base) had completed biometric Aadhaar authentication by September 19. In a statement, the Ministry noted that for those who have not yet completed this process, the ability to book subsidized refills will commence once the authentication is finished.
The government stated that the objective of this move is to prevent the diversion of subsidized domestic cylinders for commercial and industrial use and to eliminate duplicate or ineligible connections.
Customers can complete the authentication process at the time of LPG delivery, at their distributor's showroom, or through the mobile apps of government oil marketing companies—specifically 'IndianOil ONE' for Indane, 'HelloBPCL' for Bharatgas, and 'HP PAY' for HP Gas. Those who do not wish to undergo biometric authentication, or are unable to do so, will continue to receive LPG, but without the subsidy and at the applicable market price. Customers must indicate their preference.
Such customers will need to communicate their preference through the digital channels of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)—such as websites, mobile apps, WhatsApp chatbots, and IVRS. Depending on local availability, they may receive either 5-kg or 10-kg cylinders. Initially, the government had asked customers to complete biometric Aadhaar authentication by June 30, but the deadline was subsequently extended multiple times—to July 31, August 7, August 15, August 23, August 31, September 7, and finally to September 14.
Over 12 crore SMS and WhatsApp messages
The authentication drive has been underway across the country since October 2023. Oil Marketing Companies have sent over 12 crore SMS and WhatsApp messages and are reaching out to people through distributors, delivery personnel, special camps, IVRS prompts, and other channels. This new step comes at a time when the government is providing significant financial support to keep domestic LPG affordable. According to the ministry, the implicit subsidy on a 14.2-kg cylinder was approximately ₹210 in September 2026, whereas it stood at ₹721 in June.
The ministry stated that the government provided ₹22,000 crore to state-owned Oil Marketing Companies in 2022-23 to compensate for losses (under-recoveries) incurred on domestic LPG, and is providing ₹30,000 crore annually for the years 2025-26 and 2026-27. Despite this assistance, the accumulated ‘under-recovery’ (the gap between cost and selling price) on domestic LPG for state-owned OMCs had exceeded ₹62,000 crore by August 31, 2026. Rules to Change from October 1
Due to the requirement for authentication, a tangible distinction between subsidized LPG and market-priced LPG will emerge starting October 1. Households eligible for the subsidy must complete Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA) before booking their next refill to avoid losing the benefit of the subsidized price.
LPG Service Helpline Number Released
The government and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) aim to ensure subsidies reach the intended beneficiaries and to minimize leakage. To achieve this, they are ensuring that every subsidized connection is linked to a customer verified via Aadhaar. The government has advised customers to complete the authentication process—whether online, through distributors, or via delivery-based channels—before October 1. The LPG service helpline number is 1800 2333 555.
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