The Delhi High Court on 14 October 2026 issued notices to the Centre, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and public‑sector oil companies. The notices seek a response to a public interest litigation (PIL) that challenges the mandatory Aadhaar biometric authentication for consumers buying subsidised LPG refills.
Key Developments
- The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma granted the respondents two weeks to file their replies.
- The next hearing is scheduled for 18 November 2026.
- PIL petitioner Pulkit Luthra, who has a visual disability, argues that iris‑scanning and other biometric steps are impractical for persons with visual impairments.
- The Attorney General R. Venkataramani defended the mandate, stating it prevents misuse of subsidies and that provisions for disabled users will be addressed.
- Senior advocate Zoheb Hossain contended that the government’s order contravenes the Supreme Court judgment on Aadhaar and lacks statutory backing under the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
Important Facts
The challenge is directed at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas’s communication dated 17 September 2026 to Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation. A subsequent press release on 19 September 2026 outlined the authentication requirements. The petitioner claims the rule affects roughly 3.16 crore LPG consumers and exceeds the scope of the Aadhaar Act.
Exam Relevance
This case touches upon several UPSC‑relevant themes:
- Technology and Welfare Delivery: Use of biometric authentication in subsidy schemes raises questions about inclusivity and data privacy.
- Legal Framework: Interaction between statutory provisions (Aadhaar Act) and executive orders, and the role of the judiciary in safeguarding rights of persons with disabilities.
- Policy Implementation: The balance between preventing subsidy leakage and ensuring accessibility for vulnerable groups, a recurring topic in GS‑2 and GS‑3.
- Disability Rights: Alignment with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and the principle of ‘reasonable accommodation’ (GS‑4).
Way Forward
While the court awaits replies, the following steps could shape the outcome:
- The Centre may propose alternative verification methods (e.g., OTP‑based authentication) for visually impaired users.
- Legislative clarification could be sought to amend the Aadhaar Act, explicitly covering subsidy‑related biometric mandates.
- Stakeholders, including oil companies and consumer groups, should prepare data on the impact of the current system on the PwD community.
- Future policy designs must balance fraud prevention with universal accessibility, a key consideration for UPSC aspirants studying governance and welfare delivery.