New Delhi: Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA) will become mandatory from October 1, 2026, for domestic LPG consumers who want to book refills at the regulated retail selling price with applicable subsidy, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

The government said the move is intended to ensure that subsidised domestic LPG reaches genuine and eligible households and to strengthen verification of LPG connections.

As of September 19, 27.43 crore active domestic LPG consumers, or 89.9% of the total, had completed biometric Aadhaar authentication. Consumers who have already completed the process will not need to take any further action and can continue booking their refills as usual.

For those who have not completed the authentication, booking a refill at the regulated retail selling price with subsidy will be enabled after the BAA process is completed.

Why Aadhaar authentication is being made mandatory

The government said biometric authentication will help link each domestic LPG connection with an Aadhaar-authenticated consumer.

It is also intended to strengthen the targeting of LPG subsidies by identifying duplicate and ineligible connections and reducing the diversion of subsidised domestic cylinders for commercial and industrial use.

The government has been pursuing Aadhaar-based authentication of LPG consumers as part of efforts to improve subsidy delivery and remove duplicate or ineligible beneficiaries. Earlier government disclosures have highlighted biometric authentication and database-based de-duplication as measures to improve the targeting of LPG benefits.

How to complete biometric Aadhaar authentication

Consumers who have not yet completed BAA can use several channels provided by the public-sector oil marketing companies (OMCs).

During LPG cylinder delivery

Consumers can ask the LPG delivery person to complete the authentication process during delivery. OMCs have enabled delivery personnel to use their mobile applications for this purpose.

At the LPG distributor’s showroom

Consumers can also visit their LPG distributor’s showroom and complete biometric authentication there.

Through OMC mobile apps

The authentication process can also be completed from home through the respective OMC’s mobile application.

Consumers can use:

  • Indane: IndianOil ONE
  • Bharatgas: HelloBPCL
  • HP Gas: HP PAY

The government has previously confirmed these three channels — delivery, distributor showrooms and OMC mobile applications — for completing biometric Aadhaar authentication.

What happens if you do not want Aadhaar authentication?

Consumers who are unwilling or unable to complete BAA will not be completely denied access to LPG, according to the government’s latest clarification.

However, they will need to register their choice through their OMC’s digital channels, including its consumer web portal, mobile application, WhatsApp chatbot or IVRS.

Such consumers will be able to receive LPG at the applicable market price without subsidy. The government said 5-kg or 10-kg cylinders can be supplied, subject to availability with the concerned OMC.

This means that the key change from October 1 is linked to subsidised refills at the regulated retail selling price, rather than an absolute stoppage of LPG supply for consumers who have not completed authentication.

Deadline was extended several times

The government said LPG consumers were initially asked to complete biometric Aadhaar authentication by June 30, 2026. The deadline was subsequently extended several times before being set at September 14, 2026.

The authentication drive has been running nationwide since October 2023.

The government said OMCs have undertaken extensive outreach, including more than 12 crore SMS and WhatsApp messages, individual follow-ups by distributors and delivery personnel, and special authentication camps in both urban and rural areas.

Earlier PIB communications had also stated that consumers could complete biometric authentication through mobile apps, during cylinder delivery or by visiting their distributor.

How much subsidy is involved?

The government said domestic LPG is being sold below cost, with the implicit subsidy estimated at around Rs 210 per 14.2-kg cylinder in September 2026.

This compares with an implicit subsidy of around Rs 721 per 14.2-kg cylinder in June 2026, according to the government’s latest information.

The government has compensated oil marketing companies for domestic LPG under-recoveries. It said OMCs received Rs 22,000 crore in compensation during FY2022-23, while Rs 30,000 crore is being provided during FY2025-26 and FY2026-27.

Accumulated under-recoveries of public-sector OMCs on domestic LPG stood at more than Rs 62,000 crore as of August 31, 2026, according to the PIB release.

What LPG consumers should do before October 1

Consumers who have already completed biometric Aadhaar authentication do not need to repeat the process.

Those who have not completed it should consider doing so before the October 1 deadline if they want to continue accessing domestic LPG refills at the regulated retail selling price with applicable subsidy.

The process can be completed through the OMC mobile applications, at the LPG distributor’s showroom or during cylinder delivery.

For assistance related to LPG services and authentication, consumers can contact the toll-free helpline 1800 2333 555. The government has previously listed the same number for LPG consumer assistance.

With biometric authentication now covering nearly 90% of active domestic LPG consumers, the October 1 rule marks the next stage of the government’s effort to link subsidised LPG benefits with verified and eligible connections.