OMCs require Aadhaar checks as 27.43 crore LPG users comply
Sept. 19, 2026 — Oil Marketing Companies will require domestic LPG consumers to complete Biometric Aadhaar Authentication from Oct. 1, 2026, for booking refills at the regulated retail selling price with applicable subsidy, while authenticated consumers need no further action.
The authentication requirement applies to consumers who have not yet completed the process. The announcement said 27.43 crore active domestic LPG consumers, equal to 89.9%, had completed Biometric Aadhaar Authentication as of Sept. 19, 2026.
The measure matters because it links subsidised domestic LPG refills to eligibility checks. The announcement said the process is intended to ensure that subsidised LPG reaches eligible households, prevent diversion of subsidised domestic cylinders for commercial and industrial use, remove duplicate and ineligible connections, and improve targeted subsidy delivery.
Consumers can complete authentication at multiple points. The process can be done during refill delivery through the delivery person’s Oil Marketing Company mobile application, at the LPG distributor’s showroom, or through company mobile apps. Indane customers can use IndianOil ONE, Bharatgas customers can use HelloBPCL, and HP Gas customers can use HP PAY.
Consumers who have not completed authentication will be able to book refills at the subsidised regulated price after completing it. Consumers who do not want to complete Biometric Aadhaar Authentication can still receive LPG by registering that choice through their OMC’s digital channels. These include the consumer web portal, mobile app, WhatsApp chatbot, IVRS or other available channels.
Those consumers will receive LPG at the applicable market price without subsidy in 5 kg or 10 kg cylinders, subject to local availability with the OMC.
The announcement placed the requirement in the context of LPG subsidy costs. Domestic LPG is sold below cost. The implicit subsidy was around ₹210 per 14.2 kg cylinder in September 2026 and reached ₹721 per cylinder in June 2026. The government paid OMCs ₹22,000 crore in compensation in FY 2022-23 and is paying ₹30,000 crore during FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27.
Public sector OMCs’ accumulated under-recoveries on domestic LPG exceeded ₹62,000 crore as of Aug. 31, 2026, according to the announcement.
The authentication timeline has been extended several times. Consumers were first asked to complete the process by June 30, 2026. The deadline was later moved to July 31, Aug. 7, Aug. 15, Aug. 23, Aug. 31, Sept. 7 and Sept. 14, 2026.
Since October 2023, OMCs have run a nationwide outreach drive. More than 12 crore SMS and WhatsApp messages have been sent. Distributors and delivery staff followed up with unauthenticated consumers, while special camps were held at distributorships, high-footfall locations and rural areas.
OMCs also used IVRS prompts during refill booking, mobile notifications, social media campaigns, newspaper campaigns and other channels. Consumers seeking help with LPG services may call the toll-free helpline 1800 2333 555.
