No subsidized top-up norm for non-eKYC LPG users will come into effect

To access smaller refills, consumers who have not completed Aadhaar biometric verification must register their unwillingness or inability to complete eKYC and consent to receive free trade LPG (FTL) refills. | Photo credit: PTI

From October 1, new regulations have come into effect which stipulates that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) households that do not have Aadhaar biometric authentication completed will not be supplied with subsidized cylinders.

These consumers will now be supplied with only 5 or 10 kg LPG cylinders at market prices without subsidy. In order to access even these smaller refills, they must register their reluctance or inability to complete the BAA, popularly known as eKYC, and give consent to take LPG refills (FTL) for free trade.

The change will necessarily burn a hole in the household budget. In Hyderabad, a 14.2 kg subsidized LPG cylinder costs ₹994 or around ₹70 per kg. In comparison, a 5 kg FTL cartridge is priced at ₹ 846.50, while a 10 kg composite cylinder is priced at ₹ 1,801. Early adopters of FTL cylinders, whose prices are linked to commercial LPG, must also pay for the equipment.

Targeted deliveries

Days after the eKYC deadline on September 14, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas announced the new norms and directed oil marketing companies Indian Oil, BPCL and HPCL to implement them from October 1.

BAA aims to ensure that subsidized LPG reaches only genuine and deserving households, while helping prevent diversion of refills and eliminate duplicate and ineligible connections.

The first day of the new regulations was like any other day for LPG distributors in Hyderabad and the rest of the state, said Telangana LPG Distributors Association president Jagan Mohan Reddy.

However, the impact is expected to be evident in the coming days as consumers who have not completed eKYC realize that they cannot place orders. According to instructions issued to OMC distributors, pending orders and invoices, including prepaid, of both Ujjwala and non-PMUY households that have not completed biometric authentication have been canceled with effect from Wednesday.

Consumers can still complete a BAA and continue to receive a subsidized refill.

Well stocked

LPG distributors are ready to meet the growing demand for smaller cylinders, especially with the ongoing festival season and the winter months when consumption usually rises. “I have also sent a message to all our distributors this morning to maintain adequate stock of 5 and 10 kg bottles,” Mr. Reddy said, adding that 5 kg refills sold by private firms are also available in the open market in urban areas.

According to official data, Telangana has 1.26 million active LPG users. Without providing a Statewise breakup, the center recently said that 27.43 million or 89.9% of active domestic LPG consumers in the country had completed verification as of September 19.

Mr. Reddy estimates that around 11 million LPG users in Telangana are yet to complete eKYC.

Published – 01 Oct 2026 21:38 IST