New Delhi: India has temporarily turned to kerosene and other alternative fuels as a precautionary step to ease pressure on LPG supplies amid ongoing disruptions in energy markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
The move highlights concerns about India’s dependence on imported LPG, especially when geopolitical tensions threaten supply chains. However, experts say kerosene may not be a simple solution because its production and use in India have sharply declined over the past decade.
Kerosene Returns to Policy Discussions
Kerosene was once a common household fuel across India. During the 1990s and early 2000s, many families relied on kerosene stoves for cooking and used kerosene lamps for lighting, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
With the expansion of LPG connections, electricity access, and cleaner energy policies, kerosene gradually disappeared from daily household use.
Now, with energy supply concerns emerging due to global geopolitical tensions, the government has allowed kerosene to return as an emergency alternative fuel option.
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently assured Parliament that India currently has no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, aviation turbine fuel, or fuel oil, and that supply chains remain stable.
Government Steps to Reduce LPG Pressure
To reduce demand pressure on LPG, the government has introduced several temporary measures:
- Kerosene supply through retail outlets and the Public Distribution System (PDS)
- Fuel oil supply for industrial and commercial users
- Allowing hotels and restaurants to use coal, biomass, RDF pellets, and kerosene as alternate fuels for about one month
The Environment Ministry has advised State Pollution Control Boards to permit these alternate fuels during the current period of global energy uncertainty.
Sharp Decline in Kerosene Production and Use
Despite its reappearance in policy discussions, kerosene is no longer widely available at the scale it once was.
According to India Energy Statistics 2025 released by MOSPI, kerosene production has fallen dramatically in recent years.
- Production dropped 83% between FY2017 and FY2024
- Output declined from around 6 million metric tonnes (MMT) to just 1 MMT
Consumption has decreased even more sharply.
- Household consumption fell from 5.30 MMT in 2017 to just 0.30 MMT in 2024
- This represents a 94% decline in usage
The steep fall reflects India’s long-term shift toward cleaner cooking fuels such as LPG under government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
Many states have even declared themselves **“kerosene-free,” eliminating subsidised kerosene sales through ration shops.
Practical Challenges of Reviving Kerosene
Experts say the biggest challenge in bringing kerosene back is not just supply but infrastructure and usage habits.
Over the years, households, restaurants and hotels have moved away from kerosene-based systems. Many kitchens no longer have kerosene stoves or the necessary distribution channels.
As a result, while kerosene can still serve as an emergency backup fuel, it is unlikely to replace LPG on a large scale.
A Backup Rather Than a Long-Term Solution
India can still rely on kerosene in short-term emergencies, but the country’s energy landscape has changed significantly.
With production sharply reduced and consumption almost disappearing, kerosene today functions more as a contingency fuel rather than a core component of India’s cooking energy system.
The situation underscores the importance of diversified energy sources and resilient fuel supply chains in an increasingly uncertain global energy environment.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
