The directive follows a nationwide drive that began in October 2023, when oil marketing companies sent more than 12 crore SMS and WhatsApp alerts urging households to complete the biometric scan.
The government says the measure will curb diversion of subsidised cylinders to commercial and industrial users and eliminate duplicate, ineligible connections that have long plagued the scheme.
Consumers can verify their identity by a finger‑print or iris scan during delivery, at a distributor’s showroom, or via the mobile apps of the three state‑owned OMCs: IndianOil ONE for Indane, HelloBPCL for Bharatgas and HP PAY for HP Gas. Unverified customers will still receive LPG, but only at market price and must register through the OMCs’ websites, apps, WhatsApp chatbots or IVRS.
The ministry had repeatedly extended the deadline—last on September 14—before announcing the Oct 1 cut‑off, and will publish detailed enforcement guidelines next week, including penalties for non‑compliance and a mechanism to revoke subsidies for fraudulently verified accounts.