New LPG Rules From Today: 25‑Day Booking Gap, OTP Mandatory For Cylinder Delivery
Lucknow, May 1 (TNA) Starting from today, several new changes have come into effect for booking domestic LPG cylinders in India, aimed at tightening delivery security and curbing misuse of refills. The key norms now apply uniformly across major oil marketing companies such as Indian Oil (Indane), Bharat Gas (BPCL), and HP Gas (HPCL), and are being communicated through their apps, websites, and outlets.
Extended booking gap
One of the most visible changes is a longer minimum gap between two bookings. In urban areas, customers are now required to wait at least 25 days before booking another refill, up from the earlier 21‑day window. In rural areas, the mandatory gap has been fixed at up to 45 days to prevent panic booking and hoarding amid supply‑side pressures linked to global energy disruptions and the West Asia situation. Officials have clarified that these rules apply to all categories of domestic consumers, including those under the PM‑Ujjwala scheme.
OTP‑based delivery authentication
From today, LPG deliveries are being authenticated with an OTP‑based system to ensure that cylinders are handed over only to the rightful connection holder.
The delivery personnel now generate or refer to a Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) or one‑time password that must be verified by the customer at the time of delivery, which helps plug leakages and diversion of cylinders to the black market. According to recent data, DAC‑enabled deliveries have risen sharply, now covering over 90% of doorstep supplies, against just about half a few months ago.
The government and oil marketing companies have jointly urged consumers to avoid panic bookings and to rely on transparent, digital channels that provide real‑time tracking and confirmation of cylinder dispatch and delivery.
Push for digital and e‑KYC compliance
Oil companies are also reinforcing the shift toward digital booking channels. Consumers are now strongly encouraged to book cylinders via mobile apps such as IndianOil One, Hello BPCL, and HP Pay, as well as via official websites, SMS, IVRS, WhatsApp, and missed‑call services.
Mandatory e‑KYC or Aadhaar‑based biometric authentication has been stepped up; customers are asked to complete or update their KYC through company apps or the Aadhaar FaceRD app, with OTP verification at each login or booking attempt. This move is intended to streamline subsidy flow under the PAHAL scheme and reduce the scope for duplicate or ghost connections.
Practical impact for households
For millions of households, these changes mean having to plan refill bookings more carefully to avoid running out of gas, especially in cities where the 25‑day gap is now strictly enforced. Rural users, who already have a 45‑day window, may see fewer mid‑cycle bookings but also benefit from more secure and traceable deliveries.
The government and oil marketing companies have jointly urged consumers to avoid panic bookings and to rely on transparent, digital channels that provide real‑time tracking and confirmation of cylinder dispatch and delivery.