If you use an LPG gas cylinder at home, there are some important changes coming your way from May 1, 2026. From how often you can book a cylinder to how it gets delivered to your door, here is everything you need to know in simple language.
Why Are These Changes Happening?
The main reason is the ongoing tensions in West Asia. Due to the West Asia war that began at the end of February, the global energy sector is facing a crisis with supply shortages, delivery delays and a surge in prices. This pushed countries including India to make significant rule changes to manage the LPG supply shortage.
India requires around 80,000 tonnes of LPG daily, while domestic production is about 46,000 tonnes. Around 8 lakh tonnes of LPG have already been imported. Recently, 10 ships crossed the Hormuz Strait to India carrying cooking gas.
After disruptions in crude oil supply, Indian oil companies are also importing additional LPG from the United States, with deliveries expected in June and July.
Change 1: Longer Gap Between Bookings
This is the most important change for regular households. Urban consumers will now have to wait at least 25 days between two bookings. For rural users, the minimum gap has been set at 45 days.
Earlier, the gap was 21 days. So if you are in a city, you now have to wait four more days before placing your next booking. For rural households, the wait is significantly longer.
Change 2: OTP Based Delivery
Under this system, an OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number when a cylinder is out for delivery. The delivery will only be completed after sharing the OTP with the delivery person.
This system is already running in most places and is now being made permanent across the country. Delivery Authentication Code based deliveries have already reached around 94%, aimed at preventing diversion of subsidised cylinders.
So make sure your mobile number is correctly registered with your gas agency. If your number is not updated, you will not receive the OTP and the delivery may not go through.
Change 3: Aadhaar Based eKYC for Ujjwala Beneficiaries
The government has made Aadhaar based biometric authentication mandatory for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries. The ministry clarified that the eKYC requirement applies only to those LPG consumers who have not completed it so far.
If you are a non-PMUY customer and have done it before, you are not required to do the LPG biometric Aadhaar authentication. PMUY customers need to do it only once every financial year, and only for receiving targeted DBT subsidies after 7 refills, that is on the 8th refill onwards.
Change 4: Price Revision Expected on May 1
A further revision in LPG prices from May 1, 2026, is widely anticipated, with Indian Oil, BPCL, and HPCL reportedly in discussions over new delivery and booking rules.
Prices have already gone up sharply in recent months. The cost of a standard 14.2 kg domestic gas cylinder was increased by around Rs 60. The impact has been more severe for commercial users, with the 19 kg cylinder witnessing a sharp hike of nearly Rs 196 by April 2026.
Whether prices go up further on May 1 will depend on global crude oil rates at the time.
Change 5: PNG Is Being Pushed as an Alternative
The government is quietly pushing households to switch from LPG cylinders to PNG, which is piped natural gas directly into your home. The government has already barred PNG customers from surrendering their connections to get a new LPG cylinder. A new order from late March stated that if a household has a PNG connection available but does not switch, their LPG supply could be cut off after three months.
Since March 2026, approximately 5.45 lakh PNG connections have been established, with infrastructure in place for an additional 2.62 lakh, taking the total to 8.07 lakh connections.
Online Bookings Are Now the Norm
Online LPG bookings have climbed to approximately 98%, while Delivery Authentication Code based deliveries have reached around 94%. This means the shift to digital booking is nearly complete across the country.
What Should You Do Right Now?
Here is a quick checklist to make sure you are prepared for May 1:
Make sure your mobile number is updated with your gas agency so you receive OTP on delivery. If you are a Ujjwala Yojana beneficiary and have not done eKYC yet, do it as soon as possible. Plan your next booking keeping the new 25 day gap in mind if you live in a city. If PNG is available in your area, check whether switching makes sense for your household.
The Bigger Picture
Despite all the changes and price hikes, the government has assured people there is no shortage of gas. The government has maintained that 100% supply is being ensured for domestic LPG, domestic PNG, and CNG for transport. On the commercial side, priority has been given to hospitals, educational institutions, and sectors such as pharma, steel, automobiles, seeds, and agriculture.
So while the rules are getting stricter and prices are going up, the government says supply is stable and there is no need to panic buy or stock up.