India is really struggling with worries about LPG Shortage - its availability, prices & getting hold of it when you need it. LPG shortages have been a really big deal in 2026, and it's all down to the usual suspects : global politics getting all hot & heavy, prices going through the roof & people locally running out.
This article gives you the lowdown on the LPG crisis in India , including the numbers to back it all up - here we go with LPG prices in India , the black market & all that jazz , and how you go about booking a gas cylinder.
LPG Crisis in India: What in the world is happening in 2026?
The Indian LPG crisis is basically just a casualty of the supply chain going haywire , and it all comes down to one thing - it's that war in the Middle East. India really relies on the Middle East for LPG - they're the ones who bring it into the country.
According to the latest reports , India imports a bunch of its LPG needs from the Middle East - and if that's the route gets blocked , then LPG becomes pretty hard to come by.
Key Factor Behind of this :
- LPG shipments stuck in Strait of Hormuz because of US and Iran War.
- Commercial cylinders hanging off the shelve.
- Anyone trying to get one is getting ripped off on transport & procurement costs.
And lets not forget the numbers - LPG usage went down by over 17% in March 2026 compared to the same time last year - so yeah it's pretty serious.
Check Current Situation on LPG Shortage in India
The LPG shortage in India is far from uniform - it varies significantly from one area to the another.
1. Domestic LPG Supplies
The government has shifted its focus to getting household cooking gas to every doorstep and it's working pretty well in urban areas such as Delhi, where officials insist that there isn't any major issue for domestic consumers when it comes to getting a steady supply.
2. Commercial LPG Shortages
Sadly the real impact of the shortage is being felt by those in the commercial sector:
- Restaurants who have to close up shop early, or offer reduced menus due to lack of cylinders.
- Hotels that have had to turn away guests because they can't get gas.
- Street food vendors who are struggling to keep their businesses afloat.
All across cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune, businesses are being forced to scale back their operations because they just can't get hold of the cylinders they need.
Some areas are reporting that even registered businesses are having a hard time getting their hands on cylinders through official channels.
LPG Gas Cylinder Price Today
The LPG price has gone up due to all the volatility in global energy markets.
Domestic LPG Cylinder Price (14.2 kg)
Delhi: it now costs a whopping ₹913 per cylinder and the price has gone up by ₹60 all by itself in March 2026
Commercial LPG Cylinder Price (19 kg)
Delhi: ₹1,884.50 per cylinder
What's Happening with Prices
- Domestic LPG prices went up by a whopping ₹6
- Commercial LPG prices have gone up anywhere up to ₹144 in some parts recently
All these price hikes are directly linked to the fluctuations in international crude oil prices and all the associated supply disruptions.
LPG Cylinders Selling for Sky High Prices on the Black Market
One of the really disturbing things that have come out of the LPG shortage is the rise of black marketeers cashing in on the crisis.
Reports have been coming in that show:
- Domestic cylinders which normally cost around ₹913 are being flogged for up to ₹2,000
- Commercial cylinders which are officially priced between ₹1,800 and ₹1,900 are being sold for ₹4,000-₹5,000
In places where the shortage is at its most acute:
Commercial LPG cylinders have even reached ₹4,500 in backstreet markets
The authorities have been cracking down on hoarding and illegal resale of LPG cylinders by raiding markets and arresting suspects in several cities.
The black market trade is basically being driven by:
- A massive mismatch between the supply and demand for LPG.
- People panicking and buying up all they can get their hands on.
- Poor monitoring of LPG distribution in local areas.
Why India Is Running Out of LPG Shortage
The LPG shortage in India is a perfect storm of international and domestic issues:
1. Global Politics Causing Chaos
The conflict in the Middle East has caused a major disruption to the supply routes.
Shipping just isn't happening fast enough in some of the key oil corridors.
2. We Are Too Dependent On Importing LPG
The fact that India has to import so much of its LPG makes us really vulnerable to any global shocks.
3. Demand Has Just Gone Up
- At this time of year (during the wedding season or winter) there is always a bit more demand.
- But there's also been an increase in the number of urban households using LPG.
4. Logistics Are Breaking Down
There's just too much congestion at the ports and the cylinders aren't being transported quickly enough.
5. The Government Is Prioritizing Household Use
The way this is all being handled is that household LPG supply is taking priority over commercial use, and that's leading to shortages in places like the hospitality sector.
How to Book Gas Online Know A Step-by-Step Guide
Booking LPG gas cylinders online has finally become super easy for everyone across all the big oil companies.
Step 1: Booking Your Gas Online.
- Just head on over to the official LPG provider website.
- Log in using the mobile number you used when you first registered.
- Click "Book Cylinder" then confirm your booking and payment - job done.
- Now you can track the status of your delivery as it gets close.
How to Book Indian Oil Gas Online?
If you use Indian Oil Corporation (Indane LPG) here's how to book online:
The Online Way
- Go to here https://cx.indianoilcgd.com/
- then after logging in click on "Book refill" and pay online.
- Mobile App Time.
- Alternatively you can use the IndianOil ONE app.
Booking Indane Gas on WhatsApp
Indian Oil have also made it possible to book your LPG refill on WhatsApp which is super convenient.
- WhatsApp Number: 7588888824 send it a message saying "REFILL" and it will know you're a registered customer - simple.
- You can also check your booking status and track your delivery from your phone.
- Toll-Free Number for Indane Gas Booking.
- 1800 2333 555 - this is a 24/7 number for customer support.
- You can use it to book an LPG refill , to complain about anything or to check your subsidy details.
How to Book Bharat Gas Online (BPCL)
If you use Bharat Petroleum (Bharat Gas) here's what you need to do.
Book Your Bharat Gas Online
- Go to https://my.ebharatgas.com.
- Either use your LPG ID or your mobile number to log in.
- Then click on "Book Refill" and pay online.
Other Options
- You can also use the BharatGas app on your phone.
- or the IVRS to book your LPG refill by using your registered number.
Benefits of Booking Gas Online
You get:
- 24/7 access to the website to order your gas.
- Instant confirmation of your booking.
- A whole range of digital payment options.
- A way to track your delivery in real-time.
- less reliance on the local agent.
Govt Response to LPG Shortage
The Indian government have taken a number of steps to stop the LPG shortage
- they've made sure that domestic LPG supply gets priority.
- they are monitoring to stop hoarding and black marketing.
- they've arranged to import more LPG (well over 92,000 metric tonnes is already on the way).
- they've also extended the booking cycle to try and manage the demand.
Oh and a word of warning - the authorities have said to ignore all the rumours and panic buying , especially in the big cities.
The Impact of LPG Crisis on Households and Businesses
Life in the Households
- Prices went up, but not by a ton.
- Even in city centres, there wasn't too much of a problem with getting LPG delivered.
Then There Are the Businesses
- Places like restaurants & dhabas really got hit hard.
- Without commercial LPG to rely on, they had to scale back operations and at the same time, the costs just went up & up for them.
The Economy: Paying the Higher Price
- You could see the strain on the economy from miles away.
- Both the food delivery & hospitality sectors were feeling the pinch.
Conclusion LPG Crisis in India
The LPG crisis in India in 2026 - it was a right old mess. Global politics, supply chain problems and people wanting LPG all played a role. Domestic LPG delivery was okay, but businesses on the other hand were really struggling to get hold of the stuff and they were having to pay way over the odds for it when they could.
In The Capital of Delhi, a domestic cylinder will set you back around ₹913 and for a commercial one, it's just over ₹1,884. And for those who cant wait, black market prices are going through the roof because there just isn't enough to go round.
If you are a consumer, the advice is to steer clear of dodgy middlemen and only use official booking channels to get hold of LPG. You'll probably be hearing all about how the situation is supposed to get back to normal when the world outside of India stops having its issues.