LPG consumers have been advised to complete their Aadhaar-based biometric e-KYC by August 16 to avoid possible disruption in access to subsidised domestic LPG benefits. The verification requirement applies to both existing and new domestic LPG customers.

However, consumers should note that while oil companies have been communicating August 16 as the deadline, the final cut-off and consequences of missing it have not been uniformly confirmed as an immediate cancellation of LPG connections. Customers who have not completed the verification may still be able to regularise their records later.

The e-KYC exercise is aimed at ensuring that LPG connections are linked to genuine beneficiaries and at reducing duplication, misuse and diversion of domestic cooking gas.

Why e-KYC Matters

Aadhaar-based biometric verification has been made part of the LPG consumer verification process to improve transparency in the distribution system.

The exercise is particularly relevant for beneficiaries receiving government assistance under schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). For eligible beneficiaries, failure to complete required verification could affect access to subsidy benefits until the consumer's records are updated.

Oil marketing companies have been repeatedly reminding customers to complete the process as part of efforts to clean up their consumer databases.

Will the LPG Connection Be Cancelled?

Missing the August 16 date does not automatically mean that an LPG connection will be cancelled.

Consumers may, however, face restrictions or delays in receiving subsidised domestic LPG benefits if their verification remains incomplete. In some cases, customers could be required to complete e-KYC before certain benefits or domestic-rate supplies are restored.

Therefore, consumers who have not completed the process should not panic but should complete the verification at the earliest possible opportunity.

How to Complete e-KYC Online

Customers can complete biometric e-KYC from home through the official mobile application of their LPG distributor.

Depending on the connection, consumers can use the official apps of Indian Oil's Indane, Bharatgas or HP Gas.

The general process is:

1. Download and open the official LPG company's mobile application.

2. Log in using the registered consumer details.

3. Look for the e-KYC or Aadhaar authentication option.

4. Enter or verify the required Aadhaar details.

5. Complete the face-authentication or biometric verification process.

6. Submit the request and wait for confirmation.

7. Check that the application shows an e-KYC successful/completed status.

Consumers should not assume that verification has been completed merely because a face scan has taken place. The final status should be checked in the consumer account.

What If Face Authentication Fails?

Face authentication may occasionally fail because of poor lighting, an unstable camera or problems during the scanning process.

Consumers can try the process again after moving to a well-lit location. The phone should be kept steady and the face should remain clearly visible during authentication.

If the process repeatedly fails, consumers should contact their LPG distributor and ask the agency to verify whether the e-KYC request has actually been recorded.

Offline Verification Options

Customers unable to complete the process through the mobile application have offline alternatives.

Visit the LPG agency: Consumers can visit their nearest distributor and request biometric Aadhaar authentication.

Use delivery personnel: In some cases, biometric authentication can also be completed through the authorised device used by the LPG delivery personnel during cylinder delivery.

Consumers should ensure that the authentication is being carried out through an official LPG system and should avoid sharing Aadhaar OTPs or other sensitive information with unauthorised persons.

What About Cylinder Prices?

The supplied information cites Delhi's domestic LPG price at around ₹942 for a 14.2-kg cylinder, while a 19-kg commercial cylinder is priced at around ₹2,738.

However, domestic and commercial cylinders are different products and are not directly interchangeable. Consumers should therefore not assume that missing e-KYC automatically means their domestic connection will be converted to a commercial LPG connection.

The actual price applicable to a consumer depends on the distributor, location, cylinder category and applicable government subsidy or benefit.

What Consumers Should Do Now

Customers who have not completed Aadhaar-based e-KYC should complete the process through their LPG company's official app or visit their distributor. After authentication, they should verify that the status has been updated successfully.

For Ujjwala beneficiaries and other consumers receiving applicable subsidies, checking the e-KYC status is particularly important because incomplete verification can affect the processing of benefits.

The key point is that missing August 16 should not be interpreted as automatic cancellation of an LPG connection. Consumers should complete the verification as soon as possible and confirm their status with the distributor if there is any uncertainty.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appointed Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to head a high-powered task force on examination reforms, entrusting one of India's foremost technology architects with the responsibility of rebuilding confidence in the country's testing system following recent controversies over examination irregularities.

The announcement came a day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister, with the Centre signalling a major overhaul of the examination framework through greater use of technology and institutional reforms.

Sharing the decision, Prime Minister Modi said the government is committed to making India's examination system more reliable, transparent and technology-driven, adding that the committee's recommendations would be implemented at the earliest.

Who Is Nandan Nilekani?

Nandan Nilekani is widely regarded as one of India's leading technology entrepreneurs. After co-founding Infosys in 1981 alongside N.R. Narayana Murthy and other partners, he served as the company's Chief Executive Officer before moving into public policy.

In 2009, Nilekani became the founding Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), where he led the creation and rollout of Aadhaar, now the world's largest digital identity programme.

Driving India's Digital Transformation

Beyond Aadhaar, Nilekani has played a central role in several landmark digital governance initiatives. He contributed to the framework that enabled the development of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), chaired the Reserve Bank of India's Committee on Deepening Digital Payments, and has been associated with technology-driven reforms in taxation, governance and public service delivery.

He has also served on the G20 Task Force on Digital Public Infrastructure, the Supreme Court's Artificial Intelligence Committee, and the India Energy Stack Task Force, reflecting his long-standing involvement in public technology initiatives across successive governments.

Why He Was Selected

Government officials believe Nilekani's experience in implementing large-scale digital systems makes him well suited to address challenges facing India's examination ecosystem.

Unlike conventional administrative reforms, the proposed changes are expected to involve advanced technology, stronger accountability mechanisms, enhanced cybersecurity and secure digital infrastructure aimed at preventing paper leaks and examination malpractice.

Nilekani also brings prior experience in examination reforms. He previously served on a Supreme Court-appointed committee that examined irregularities in the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) CGL and CHSL examinations.

Expert Panel to Recommend Reforms

The task force includes several prominent experts alongside Nilekani, including former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal, and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

According to the government, the panel will recommend immediate measures to secure upcoming examinations while preparing a long-term roadmap to make India's national examination system transparent, secure and resistant to leaks and malpractice.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana was hearing a writ petition filed by the parents of four students challenging the constitutional validity of the APAAR — Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry — ID scheme, arguing it effectively compels students to obtain Aadhaar-linked academic identifiers despite officially being described as voluntary. Senior Advocate Indira Jaising, representing the petitioners, pointed the court to a December 2025 Orissa High Court ruling that had already directed the Union Ministry of Education to amend the model APAAR consent form to explicitly let parents refuse consent and opt out.

When informed that the Centre had not challenged that High Court order, the bench indicated it would extend the ruling nationwide. The Chief Justice said the court would direct CBSE to implement the judgment on a pan-India basis since the High Court's order had been accepted, adding that CBSE would also be asked to examine the broader concerns raised in the petition. A formal written order is expected to be uploaded at a later date.

The Orissa High Court's original ruling, delivered by Justice Sashikanta Mishra, had found that the absence of an explicit opt-out option in the existing consent form undermined the government's own stated position that APAAR is voluntary, and raised legitimate concerns about the fundamental right to privacy. That court also held that education cannot be made conditional on Aadhaar, and specifically rejected the idea that a right to withdraw consent after the fact could substitute for the right to refuse consent at the outset. The Orissa case originated after a kindergarten student's father objected to being asked to submit consent for the scheme through his child's school.

The Supreme Court also clarified that any CBSE circulars implementing APAAR would remain subject to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and cannot override that legal framework. The petitioners' broader case argues that APAAR — introduced by the Ministry of Education in July 2023 under the "One Student, One ID" framework — creates a centralised digital architecture capable of long-term tracking and profiling of students, and that treating it as effectively mandatory for board exam registration violates the rights to privacy, education and decisional autonomy under Articles 21 and 21A of the Constitution.

With the Supreme Court's direction still pending formal written order, the immediate practical question for schools and parents is timing — how quickly CBSE moves to revise its model consent form nationwide, and whether the same explicit opt-out standard extends to state boards and other education bodies beyond CBSE's direct jurisdiction.

In a major digital overhaul aimed at improving security and streamlining services, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has shifted Universal Account Number (UAN) activation and new UAN generation exclusively to the UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) app.

The move means that these services are no longer available through the EPFO's official website. Subscribers will now have to use the UMANG app and complete Aadhaar-based Face Authentication to activate or generate their UAN.

According to EPFO, the change follows a comprehensive database consolidation and software upgrade designed to make online services faster, more secure and user-friendly.

Face Authentication Becomes Mandatory

As part of the revised process, subscribers must complete Aadhaar-based Face Authentication using the UMANG app. The additional verification layer has been introduced to strengthen identity validation and reduce the risk of fraud or unauthorized access to EPF accounts.

The new system is expected to simplify digital onboarding while ensuring higher levels of security for millions of EPFO members.

How to Check UAN Activation Status

Subscribers can verify whether their UAN has already been activated by following these steps:

• Open the UMANG App.

• Select 'UAN Services Through Face Auth'.

• Click on 'UAN Allotment and Activation'.

• Enter your UAN, Aadhaar number and registered mobile number.

• Tick the consent checkbox.

• Click 'Send OTP'.

• Complete the OTP verification and Face Authentication process.

If the UAN has already been activated, the system will display the message:

"The UAN entered is already activated."

EPF Interest Rate Remains at 8.25%

Separately, the Ministry of Finance has approved an 8.25% annual interest rate on Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) deposits for FY 2025-26.

This marks the third consecutive financial year in which EPF subscribers will receive an 8.25% interest rate, providing stable returns on retirement savings.

Withdrawal Rules Remain Unchanged

EPFO has also reiterated the existing withdrawal guidelines.

Subscribers are required to maintain at least 25% of their EPF balance in their account while they remain employed. Consequently, they can withdraw up to 75% of the available balance as a partial withdrawal, subject to applicable eligibility conditions.

For example, if an EPF account has a total balance of ₹2 lakh, a subscriber can withdraw a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh, while ₹50,000 must remain in the account. Complete settlement is generally permitted only after leaving employment and fulfilling the prescribed conditions.

Why the Change Matters

The migration of UAN-related services to the UMANG platform reflects EPFO's broader digital transformation strategy. By integrating Aadhaar-based Face Authentication, the organisation aims to reduce fraudulent activities, enhance cybersecurity and deliver faster digital services to its growing subscriber base.

The transition also reinforces the government's focus on secure, app-based citizen services while encouraging EPF members to manage their accounts through a unified digital platform.

July has brought a mixed bag of reliefs and cost hikes, with commercial LPG cylinders becoming cheaper by about ₹180 on average, while passport fees and penalties for travelling without a ticket have gone up. Fuel, aviation and auto prices are also seeing changes that will affect households and businesses.

Major changes

• Commercial LPG cylinder prices have been reduced across major cities, with Delhi now at ₹2,930 instead of ₹3,113.50. Restaurants, caterers and small food businesses are likely to benefit from lower operating costs.

• Nayara Energy has cut petrol by ₹5 per litre and diesel by ₹3 per litre at its outlets, offering some relief to consumers.

• The cap on diesel sales of 200 litres per vehicle per day at petrol pumps has been removed after supply improved.

• Passport fees have increased from 1 July, making new applications and re-issues more expensive.

• The minimum fine for travelling without a ticket on trains has been doubled from ₹250 to ₹500, on top of the actual fare.

• UIDAI has made email updates on Aadhaar free for six months, until 31 December 2026.

• Aviation turbine fuel has been reduced by ₹5 per litre, which may help airlines control ticket costs.

• Most carmakers have increased prices from 1 July, making new vehicles more expensive.

What changes for consumers

Households may see some relief from cheaper commercial gas and select fuel price cuts, but the increase in passport fees, train penalties and car prices will add pressure elsewhere. Businesses that rely on LPG, diesel and aviation fuel may benefit from lower input costs, especially in food service, transport and travel.

The removal of diesel purchase limits is also important for transporters and industrial buyers, who had been dealing with supply restrictions for the past 18 days. With those curbs lifted, regular fuel access should become smoother again.

Price snapshot

Why it matters

The July changes affect both daily life and business costs, especially for commuters, travellers, restaurants and transport operators. While some items are becoming cheaper, the overall picture is still one of selective relief rather than broad price easing.

Government Push for Pre-Installed Aadhaar App Meets Stiff Resistance from Tech Giants

Apple, Samsung, and Google have voiced opposition to the proposal, raising concerns over security, privacy, and global precedent in a significant showdown between the state and Silicon Valley.

In a significant policy clash, the Indian government’s push to mandate the pre-installation of the Aadhaar app on all new smartphones has encountered firm resistance from global technology majors. A proposal floated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) earlier this year has led to a standoff, with manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, and Google pushing back against what they term a forced onboarding that compromises user choice and device security. The development marks a crucial test of India’s digital sovereignty ambitions against global industry standards.

Industry Pushback

The Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT) has formally communicated its opposition to the proposal. In an internal correspondence, the industry body stated it is against the pre-installation mandate, noting that this is not an isolated incident. Sources indicate that this is at least the sixth instance where the government has attempted to mandate the pre-loading of specific applications, including the Sanchar Saathi app in late 2025, creating a persistent pattern of regulatory friction. The association argues that such demands disrupt the existing user consent framework.

Core Concerns Emerge

The resistance from major players centres on three critical concerns. First and foremost is the issue of device security. Industry experts warn that a pre-installed app is deeply integrated into the operating system; any vulnerability found in the Aadhaar app could potentially compromise the entire device, including biometric authentication layers. Secondly, there is an economic cost. Manufacturers argue that developing India-specific production lines to accommodate such mandates would lead to a 2-3% increase in the final price of smartphones, a cost that would ultimately be borne by Indian consumers.

A Question of Precedent

Beyond immediate security and cost, the battle is also about establishing a global precedent. For multinational companies like Apple and Samsung, acceding to India’s request could open the floodgates for similar demands from other nations, including China and Russia. This, they fear, would effectively dismantle their control over their proprietary operating systems and hardware ecosystems, forcing them to create fragmented, market-specific devices that undermine their global brand integrity.

Security and Privacy at the Fore

Privacy advocates and digital rights experts have weighed in, describing the pre-installation proposal as a serious erosion of personal choice. They highlight that the primary threat to privacy is not just data collection, but the removal of user agency. An app that is pre-installed and non-removable, linked to a citizen’s biometrics, bank accounts, and mobile number, transforms from a tool of convenience into a potential infrastructure for surveillance. Critics argue that convenience is often the first step towards control, and a silent, default installation implies a forced consent that undermines foundational privacy rights.

A Pattern of Mandates

This current confrontation mirrors a previous attempt with the Sanchar Saathi app in late 2025. The government had sought to make that application, designed for telecom monitoring and fraud detection, a mandatory, non-removable pre-install. The move was met with a massive backlash from the industry and privacy advocates, forcing the government to temporarily retreat from the mandate. Observers note that the Aadhaar proposal represents a more significant escalation, given the app’s role as a foundational identity document.

What Next

The standoff places India at a policy crossroads. The government argues its case based on sovereignty, national security, and improved welfare delivery, positioning itself alongside nations like Russia and China that enforce strict digital controls. The industry and privacy advocates, however, are pushing for a path similar to the US and EU, where user consent and data protection remain paramount. With no immediate resolution in sight, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether India can build its unique digital infrastructure model without forcing a fundamental compromise on user security and device integrity.