New Delhi, March 7 (NationPress) Despite a recent increase of Rs 60 in domestic LPG prices, India still maintains one of the most affordable LPG cylinder prices in the region, as reported by government sources on Saturday.

Recent data indicates that cooking gas in India is considerably less expensive compared to neighboring nations such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

Currently, the cost of a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder for beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in Delhi stands at approximately Rs 613 as of March 2026.

In contrast, the same cylinder is priced at about Rs 1,046 in Pakistan, Rs 1,241 in Sri Lanka, and around Rs 1,207 in Nepal.

Officials highlighted that this pricing reflects the government's commitment to keeping cooking fuel affordable for households, even amid fluctuations in global energy prices.

The Rs 60 increase in domestic LPG prices has led to perceptions of a significant burden on consumers.

However, officials emphasize that this adjustment must be understood within the broader context of global LPG price trends and India's reliance on imports.

India imports over 60% of its LPG needs, with domestic prices aligned to international benchmarks, such as the Saudi Contract Price.

International LPG prices have experienced considerable volatility in recent years. Government sources noted that the Saudi Contract Price surged from approximately $415 per metric tonne in 2020-21 to $712 per metric tonne in 2022-23.

Despite the steep rise in global prices during this timeframe, the government has ensured that the full impact on domestic consumers is minimized.

To support this endeavor, the government provided compensation of around Rs 22,000 crore to oil marketing companies for the financial year 2022-23 to mitigate losses from selling LPG below international prices.

Officials noted that these companies also faced significant losses in 2024-25, estimated at around Rs 40,000 crore, while the government sanctioned Rs 30,000 crore in compensation to maintain a steady supply.

Even after the latest price adjustment, domestic LPG cylinders continue to be sold below market-aligned prices.

In March 2026, the market-determined price for a 14.2 kg cylinder in Delhi was projected at about Rs 987, whereas consumers were paying around Rs 853, which is nearly Rs 134 less than the market price.

Although calculations indicated that a price hike of approximately Rs 134 per cylinder was warranted, the government approved only a Rs 60 increase, absorbing the remainder of the cost to shield consumers.