The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has rolled out new LPG regulations effective May 1, 2026, banning households from holding both LPG and piped natural gas (PNG) connections while also tightening refill, delivery, and compliance norms for consumers nationwide, PTI reported.
According to the report, under a March 14 amendment to the LPG Regulation Order, households with PNG connections must surrender their domestic LPG connections and will no longer be eligible for LPG refills or new LPG registrations. Oil marketing companies and distributors have been directed not to supply LPG to such consumers as part of the government’s effort to curb misuse, improve subsidy targeting, and prioritise LPG access for homes without PNG infrastructure.
As per a NDTV report, officials said over 43,000 dual-connection holders have already surrendered their LPG links, though authorities expect the number to rise as nationwide identification continues.
The policy shift comes amid mounting energy supply disruptions linked to tensions in West Asia, which have strained global fuel imports and pushed India to tighten domestic energy distribution.
For millions of consumers under Indane, Bharat Gas, and HP Gas, the new rules also introduce longer booking intervals, OTP-based delivery verification, and mandatory KYC updates.
The refill booking interval has now been increased from 21 to 25 days in urban areas, while rural households may face intervals of up to 45 days between bookings.
Commercial LPG users have been hit hardest. Since March 2026, oil marketing companies have raised the price of 19 kg commercial cylinders in multiple phases – first by Rs 28 to Rs 31 on March 1, followed by a Rs 114.5 increase on March 7, and another Rs 196 to Rs 218 hike in April across major metro cities. A fresh revision on May 1 has now pushed cumulative increases close to Rs 993 since the crisis began, according to sources.
Domestic consumers, however, have been shielded for now. The price of a 14.2 kg household LPG cylinder remains unchanged at Rs 913 in Delhi, after the last Rs 60 hike on March 7. Petrol and diesel prices have also remained stable at Rs 94.77 and Rs 87.67 per litre respectively in the national capital.
Despite stable domestic rates, oil marketing companies are reportedly facing under-recoveries of Rs 380 per household cylinder, with cumulative projected losses estimated at Rs 40,484 crore by the end of May, NDTV reported.
The Centre said the tightening LPG framework is necessary in view of escalating geopolitical instability in West Asia, which has disrupted key global energy corridors and increased crude and gas prices worldwide.
Even amid the crisis, the government has assured citizens that India is maintaining 100 per cent supply of domestic LPG, PNG, and CNG, stressing that essential household and transport fuel availability remains secure. (With inputs from NDTV and PTI)