India has increased the price of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders by ₹993 [1], marking the steepest hike ever recorded for the fuel.

This surge impacts thousands of businesses and food vendors across the country. The price jump follows a period of instability in global energy markets, placing significant financial pressure on the commercial sector during a time of geopolitical volatility.

The price adjustment became effective on May 1, 2024 [1]. In New Delhi, the cost for a single 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has reached ₹3,071.50 [1]. This increase represents the third consecutive month that prices have risen [3].

Authorities said the spike is due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The crisis has disrupted international supply chains and pushed the costs of crude oil higher, forcing the Indian government to adjust domestic pricing to reflect global market conditions [2, 4].

While the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said maritime operations for fuel remain stable [5], the economic impact on consumers is evident. Data shows that LPG consumption in India dropped to a 21-month low in March 2024 [6] as prices climbed.

The record-breaking hike has triggered political backlash within the country [4]. Critics said the rapid escalation of fuel costs burdens small-scale entrepreneurs who cannot easily pass these costs on to customers.

“India has increased the price of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders by ₹993, marking the steepest hike ever recorded.”

The record price hike underscores India's vulnerability to geopolitical shocks in the Middle East, a primary region for its energy imports. By allowing global crude oil volatility to flow directly into commercial LPG pricing, the government is shifting the burden of supply chain disruptions onto small businesses, which may lead to higher food and service costs for the general public.