India Clarifies LPG eKYC Requirements

The India===Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas clarified that biometric Aadhaar authentication (eKYC) for LPG consumers is only mandatory for unauthenticated users, not all customers. This statement was issued to counter circulating reports suggesting a universal requirement. The ministry emphasized that this is an ongoing effort to encourage authentication, not a new directive. Non-Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana customers who have previously completed eKYC do not need to repeat the process. However, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries must complete eKYC once per financial year to receive targeted Direct Benefit Transfer subsidies after seven refills. The ministry assured that LPG cylinder supply will not be affected by eKYC status and that the process is free and can be completed from home. Officials, including Sujata Sharma, confirmed that no connections have been disconnected due to lack of eKYC, and bookings are not stopped. The government highlighted that eKYC enhances transparency, establishes eligibility, eliminates duplicate consumers, and prevents diversion of Liquefied petroleum gas cylinders.