LPG Subsidy Update: Mandatory Aadhaar Biometric Authentication from October 1

Effective October 1, 2026, the Indian government has made Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA), commonly referred to as eKYC, mandatory for all domestic LPG consumers wishing to receive refills at the regulated Retail Selling Price (RSP) with applicable subsidies. This move is designed to ensure that subsidised cooking gas reaches genuine households and to eliminate the diversion of domestic cylinders for commercial or industrial purposes, as detailed by Akashvani News.

The Cost of Non-Compliance: Why eKYC Matters

For consumers who have not completed their adhar (Aadhaar) authentication, the impact is not a total cutoff of gas, but a significant increase in cost and a change in cylinder size. According to The Hindu, households that are non-eKYC compliant will face two primary restrictions:

• Loss of 14.2 kg Cylinders: Non-compliant users will no longer be eligible for the standard 14.2 kg subsidised refills.
• Shift to Smaller, Costlier Units: These households will only be supplied with 5 kg or 10 kg cylinders, subject to availability. These are considered "free trade products" and are priced similarly to commercial LPG, meaning they are more expensive per unit than the subsidised domestic version.

Comparison: Subsidised vs. Market Pricing

To illustrate the financial impact, consider the pricing trends observed in cities like Hyderabad as of September 2026. While a standard 14.2 kg Indane refill is priced at ₹994, the smaller non-domestic alternatives cost significantly more relative to their volume: a 5 kg cylinder is priced at ₹829.50 and a 10 kg cylinder at ₹1,765.

How to Complete Your Authentication

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has provided multiple channels for consumers to complete their BAA to avoid losing their subsidy. As of September 19, 2026, approximately 27.43 crore (89.9%) of active domestic LPG consumers had already completed the process. If you are among the remaining 10.1%, you can authenticate via:

• Mobile Apps: Using the official Oil Marketing Company (OMC) applications.
• Physical Outlets: Visiting your LPG distributor’s showroom.
• At Delivery: Completing the biometric process when the cylinder is delivered to your home.

Users who are unable or unwilling to undergo biometric authentication must register this choice through official OMC digital channels, including web portals, WhatsApp chatbots, or IVRS.

Why the Government is Mandating BAA

The mandate aims to clean up the distribution system by removing duplicate and ineligible connections. By linking every connection to a verified Aadhaar-authenticated consumer, the government intends to make subsidy delivery more transparent. This is particularly critical given the high cost of domestic LPG; for instance, the implicit subsidy in September 2026 was approximately ₹210 per 14.2 kg cylinder, contributing to massive under-recoveries for public sector OMCs, which exceeded ₹62,000 crore as of August 31, 2026.