LPG subsidy: biometric e-KYC mandatory from October 1 or lose discount
The government has made Aadhaar biometric verification compulsory from October 1 for households to keep getting subsidised LPG cylinders.
Important news for every household that uses a cooking gas cylinder. The government has brought in a new rule for domestic LPG cylinders under which, from October 1, 2026, Aadhaar biometric verification will be mandatory to get a subsidised cylinder. In other words, without a thumbprint, gas will no longer be available at the cheaper rate. The government said on Saturday that all consumers should complete their e-KYC in time, or face trouble later.
The government said the step has not been taken to inconvenience anyone, but to ensure the subsidy amount reaches genuinely needy people. It has been observed in several places that two connections are running on the same name, or that people who are not entitled to the subsidy are also availing of it. Some people take domestic cylinders and sell them at higher prices to eateries outside. To stop this misuse, every connection is now being linked to Aadhaar and a thumbprint. Once the biometric process is done, duplicate connections will automatically be closed and the whole system will become transparent.
Consumers who have already completed biometric verification do not need to do anything, they will keep getting their gas cylinder as before. According to the government, by September 19, 2026, 27.43 crore people, or about 89.8 percent of consumers in the country, had completed their biometric verification. This means around 10 percent of people still have to complete the process, and they have been advised to do so as soon as possible.
For those whose verification is still pending, the government has provided simple options. When the delivery person brings the cylinder home, verification can be done right there by giving a thumbprint on the OMC app on the delivery person's mobile phone, with no need to go anywhere. It can also be done directly at the gas agency's shop. E-KYC can also be done from home, using the Indian Oil One App for Indane customers, the Hello BPCL App for Bharat Gas customers, and the HP Pay App for HP Gas customers. A video guide is also available on the PMUY portal. The deadline was earlier June 30, 2026, but the government extended it several times for the convenience of consumers, to July 31, August 7, August 15, August 31 and finally September 14. Now the rule will be strictly enforced from October 1.
If someone has not completed biometric verification, they will not be denied a gas cylinder, but they will have to pay the full market price, meaning no subsidy. Such consumers will only be able to get a 5 kg or 10 kg cylinder, not the larger 14.2 kg cylinder, and they will have to state their preference through the OMC's website or WhatsApp chatbot.
At present, the government is giving a subsidy on the 14.2 kg cylinder, which stood at Rs 210 in September 2026. The government says this subsidy could rise to Rs 721 by June next year. Those who want cheaper gas should therefore get their biometric verification done as soon as possible.
