The government has implemented significant changes to LPG cylinder refill rules following the US-Israel-Iran war, which has created a global energy crisis. According to reports from Goodreturns, customers in urban areas can now apply for LPG refills after a 25-day gap from their previous purchase, while rural customers must wait 45 days before making new bookings. This represents an increase from the earlier 21-day gap policy that was in place for all customer categories. The new rules were announced by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas as part of measures to curb the LPG supply crunch caused by the West Asia conflict, with LPG gas cylinder being prioritized for allocation after the war forced a global energy crisis.
A major shift in LPG delivery has been the implementation of Delivery Authentication Code (DAC)-based deliveries, which have increased to about 95% to prevent diversion. As reported by Goodreturns, customers must share their OTP only with delivery personnel at the time of LPG delivery. For Indane Gas, the OTP is 6-digit and sent to registered mobile numbers, while HP Gas uses 4-digit OTPs that must be verified before sharing. Oil marketing companies including Indian Oil, BPCL, and HPCL have issued advisories emphasizing that customers without OTPs will not receive gas handover during delivery. Indian Oil recently stated "Your safety begins with a secure delivery," explaining that customers should share the 6-digit DAC only with Indane delivery personnel at the time of LPG delivery.
According to the latest update from the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, online LPG cylinder bookings have increased to about 99% on an industry basis following the new rules. As reported by Goodreturns, this dramatic shift reflects the public's adaptation to the digital booking system. The increased adoption of online booking channels has been crucial in maintaining LPG supply chain efficiency during the current energy crisis, with customers being encouraged to book through official channels rather than panic buying. BPCL in April 2026 encouraged customers to book LPG through official online channels as per normal requirement and avoid panic booking, emphasizing that deliveries are being carried out smoothly despite supply concerns.
HPCL has warned customers about scammers attempting to imitate LPG delivery messages, advising consumers to verify that messages come from the official sender name 'VM-HPGASc-S' and contain a 4-digit OTP. According to Goodreturns, HPCL representatives will never ask for OTPs over phone calls, WhatsApp messages, or suspicious links. BPCL has encouraged customers to book LPG through official online channels and avoid panic booking, emphasizing that deliveries are being carried out smoothly despite supply concerns. The company specifically advises customers to book Bharat Gas LPG cylinders only as per normal requirement, avoid queuing at LPG distributorships, and avoid panic booking and unnecessary stocking.
