The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas announced that from October 1, 2026, every domestic LPG consumer who has not yet completed Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA) must do so before booking a subsidised cylinder. As of September 19, 2026, 89.9 % of the 27.43 crore consumers had already provided their biometrics, leaving 3.45 crore unverified. Those 3.45 crore will continue to receive cylinders but will be charged the prevailing market rate and will no longer enjoy the subsidy.
The subsidy, which previously lowered the 14.2‑kg cylinder price by an estimated ₹210, is expected to shrink to ₹721 in June and ₹210 by September. Consumers can complete BAA at the time of delivery, at distributor showrooms, or via the oil marketing companies' mobile apps—IndianOil ONE for Indane users, HelloBPCL for Bharatgas, and HP PAY for HP Gas. Those who opt out must record their choice through the same digital channels.
Oil marketing companies received ₹22 000 crore in FY23 and will receive ₹30 000 crore in FY26 and FY27 to offset the cost of the subsidy. By August 31, 2026, the accumulated under‑recovery from domestic LPG had surpassed ₹62 000 crore, a figure that the Ministry said will be gradually recouped through the new authentication scheme.
In parallel, only 20 % of households with access to a piped natural gas (PNG) network have switched, despite the Ministry identifying 21.7 lakh eligible consumers across 72 000 housing societies. The government ran 33 000 outreach camps and sent WhatsApp alerts to 21 lakh households, yet only 4.4 lakh applications have been received and 3.3 lakh connections activated. The Ministry cited the West Asia conflict’s supply disruptions as a catalyst for the push, but the conversion rate remains stubbornly low.
Across Delhi, a single‑bedroom family in a 72‑unit housing society reports that their 14‑kg cylinder, now priced at ₹2 500 without the subsidy, will strain their monthly budget of ₹10 000.
The Ministry has set a helpline at 1800 2333 555 for consumer queries, and the authentication rollout will begin on September 20, with a nationwide enforcement deadline of October 1.