Former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Thursday, 1 October 2026, called for continued regulatory reforms, market-oriented policies, and stronger institutional capacity to reinforce India's energy security and advance the country's vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Speaking at the 20th Foundation Day of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) in New Delhi, Gauba said India's petroleum and natural gas sector is operating in an increasingly complex global environment.

A Sector Under Pressure

Gauba underscored that geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, and growing energy-security risks are making resilient energy systems more critical than ever. He traced the evolution of India's energy-sector regulation from colonial-era legislation and foreign ownership at the time of Independence, through decades of state control and administered pricing, to progressive liberalisation since the late 1990s. That liberalisation, he noted, ended a four-decade-long nomination monopoly and dismantled the administered pricing mechanism.

PNGRB's Role and Regulatory Legacy

Against this historical backdrop, Gauba described the establishment of PNGRB in 2006 as an important institutional milestone aimed at promoting fair competition, strengthening investor confidence, and protecting consumer interests. He highlighted the board's role in developing the regulatory framework for natural gas pipelines, noting that the adoption of common carrier and contract carrier principles has supported open access to pipeline infrastructure and helped promote competition in the downstream energy market. He observed that the impact of regulation is not always immediately visible, but predictable regulatory frameworks are essential for creating well-functioning markets, attracting investment, and strengthening public confidence.

Diversification and Domestic Capacity: The Core Argument

With India's energy requirements expected to expand alongside urbanisation, industrialisation, and rising living standards, Gauba stressed the urgent need to diversify and expand domestic energy capacity. He called for faster development of domestic exploration and production, particularly in frontier and deep-water areas, supported by technology, private investment, and the capabilities of public-sector enterprises. This comes amid India's sustained effort to reduce dependence on imported crude, which continues to strain the current account.

Accelerating the Gas Economy Transition

Gauba also underlined the need to accelerate India's transition towards a gas-based economy. He said this would require an integrated and economically viable natural gas value chain, including the strengthening of the National Gas Grid, better utilisation of pipelines and LNG terminals, and expansion of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network. He further called for regulatory reforms to reduce unnecessary frictions and ensure the framework keeps pace with emerging areas such as hydrogen, syngas, and carbon dioxide pipelines — sectors that remain largely outside current regulatory architecture.

What Comes Next

The remarks signal a clear policy direction at a moment when India is recalibrating its energy strategy ahead of its 2047 centenary milestone. Regulators, investors, and policymakers will be watching whether PNGRB's next phase of reforms matches the ambition outlined at its own anniversary event.