LPG eKYC Becomes Mandatory From October 1; Subsidy Tied to Biometric Aadhaar Check
Biometric Aadhaar Authentication for domestic LPG connections becomes mandatory on October 1, 2026, with 89.9% of consumers already verified.
Domestic cooking gas consumers will need to complete Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA), commonly called eKYC, to keep receiving subsidised refills from October 1, 2026. The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has said the requirement is aimed at eliminating ghost and duplicate connections and stopping subsidised cylinders from being diverted to commercial and industrial use.
Why the ministry is pushing eKYC
The measure gained urgency as India felt the impact of the war in West Asia on fuel supplies. According to the ministry, linking every connection to an Aadhaar-authenticated consumer makes subsidy delivery through direct benefit transfer more transparent and ensures that only genuine households benefit.
How consumers can complete the process
BAA involves linking Aadhaar to the LPG consumer number using biometric data such as fingerprints or an iris scan. Consumers have three routes: visiting their gas agency, completing the process at home through the oil marketing companies' mobile applications, or getting authenticated on the spot by the delivery person during a refill using the OMC app.
Those choosing to authenticate at home should keep a stable internet connection ready, and a white background is preferable for an iris scan. Explanatory videos for all three OMCs are available at pmuy.gov.in/e-kyc.html, and assistance can be sought on 1800 2333 555.
What happens without eKYC
Households that do not complete BAA will not be cut off entirely, but their terms will change. They will not receive 14.2 kg refills and will instead be supplied 5 kg or 10 kg cylinders, subject to availability. These smaller cylinders are free-trade products priced along commercial LPG lines, so such consumers will pay market rates without subsidy.
Consumers who complete authentication will continue to get refills at the regulated retail selling price with the applicable subsidy. For those yet to finish the process, booking refills at the retail selling price with subsidy will be enabled once authentication is done.
Those unwilling or unable to complete BAA must register their choice through the oil marketing companies' digital channels, including web portals, mobile apps, WhatsApp chatbots and IVRS, or through other available channels.
As of September 19, 27.43 crore consumers — 89.9% of active domestic LPG users in the country — had completed biometric authentication.