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.