Biometric e-KYC made mandatory for LPG users, subsidy and refills linked to verification

The Centre has made biometric Aadhaar authentication, or e-KYC, mandatory for domestic LPG consumers as part of efforts to streamline subsidy delivery and curb misuse of cooking gas connections.

The directive, issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, requires consumers to complete identity verification using Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication. The move comes at a time when LPG supply chains have been under pressure due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Officials said the process is designed to be simple and can be completed from home using mobile applications of oil marketing companies along with the Aadhaar FaceRD app, eliminating the need to visit LPG distributors physically.

However, the government has warned that failure to complete the e-KYC process could lead to disruptions in LPG services, including delays or suspension of cylinder refills and subsidy transfers until verification is completed.

The rule applies to customers of public sector oil marketing companies such as Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum, which together supply cooking gas to millions of households across the country.

For beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the requirement is stricter. They must complete biometric authentication at the start of every financial year to continue receiving subsidised LPG cylinders.

The government has also clarified that the requirement primarily targets consumers who have not yet completed their e-KYC, amid confusion that the rule applies uniformly to all users.

The push for biometric verification is aimed at improving transparency, eliminating duplicate or inactive connections and ensuring that subsidies reach genuine beneficiaries. It is also part of broader efforts to manage LPG distribution efficiently during a period of supply uncertainty.

With India heavily dependent on imports for LPG, authorities are focusing on tightening delivery systems to avoid leakages and ensure uninterrupted supply to households.