Indian Government Clarifies LPG eKYC Requirements for Consumers

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in India issued a clarification regarding the biometric Aadhaar authentication process for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumers on 17 March 2026. The announcement addresses misunderstandings surrounding the eKYC requirements for LPG customers.

According to the ministry, the eKYC procedure applies exclusively to customers who have not yet completed it. For consumers already authenticated, the ministry stated, 'If you are a non-PMUY customer and have done it before, you don’t need to do it again.' This response comes in light of various reports suggesting a more widespread requirement.

In its statement, the government emphasised that the biometric authentication is part of an ongoing initiative to encourage LPG users to complete the process. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) customers only need to undertake the Aadhaar authentication once per financial year, specifically to access targeted direct benefit transfers (DBT) after their seventh refill, which applies on the eighth and ninth refills.

The ministry reiterated that there will not be any disruption in the supply of refills due to these requirements. The eKYC aims to enhance transparency, confirm eligible recipients, eliminate fraudulent accounts, and prevent the misappropriation of LPG resources. In its communication, the ministry outlined that customers can conveniently verify their eKYC status from home using applications provided by oil marketing companies alongside the Aadhaar FaceRD app.

The clarification marks the government’s effort to ensure that consumers are well-informed about their responsibilities and rights regarding LPG supplies, as well as to dispel confusion stemming from earlier communications regarding the applicability of the eKYC process.