India fuel stocks: 60-69 days cover amid West Asia

Ministry flags “adequate” inventories, asks public to stay calm

India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry has repeatedly assured consumers and industry that the country’s fuel supply situation remains stable, even as the conflict in West Asia fuels anxiety about import disruptions. In inter-ministerial briefings and media interactions, the ministry said inventories of crude oil, LPG and LNG are adequate and that supply arrangements for around two months are in place. The government also urged citizens not to engage in panic buying at petrol pumps or stockpiling LPG cylinders.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said supplies of crude, petrol, diesel, LPG and natural gas remain stable. She added that some retail outlets were witnessing higher sales, but public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) were ensuring smooth supply. The ministry’s position is that there are no reports of “dry-outs” at retail outlets.

What officials said in briefings and public statements

At an inter-ministerial briefing, Sharma said the government has adequate stocks and has taken steps to ensure uninterrupted supplies. She said this reassurance has been repeated over recent months as similar questions about inventories surfaced. Sharma also said “rolling stocks” are tied up for around two months, and appealed to citizens to avoid panic buying.

In a separate statement dated April 1, 2026, the Central Government said domestic stocks cover about 60 days of consumption. It added that when combined with strategic underground reserves, India’s total holding capacity reaches an estimated 74 days. The government also said procurement for the next 60 days is already secured.

Minister Hardeep Puri’s inventory numbers and production push

Union petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri addressed concerns at the CII Annual Business Summit, saying fuel and cooking gas supplies remain stable. He said India holds crude oil and LNG reserves sufficient for 69 days, while LPG stocks can last 45 days. In the same remarks, he dismissed fears of any immediate supply disruption.

To strengthen cooking gas availability amid the Middle East tensions, Puri said LPG production was ramped up sharply from 35,000-36,000 tonnes per day to 54,000 tonnes per day. He also said there had been “no dryouts anywhere” and that the crisis had been managed responsibly.

Refineries and retail outlets: “maximum” or “optimal” capacity

The ministry’s key operational reassurance is that refineries are running at full levels. Sharma said refineries are operating at maximum capacity and later reiterated they are operating at 100 percent or even above capacity. The April 1, 2026 update also stated refineries were operating at more than 100 percent capacity to ensure steady supply.

On retail availability, the government said petrol pumps across the country are fully stocked and dispensing fuel. It also said not a single retail outlet has been asked to ration supply. A release referenced “1 lakh (100,000)-plus” retail fuel outlets being open and operating without interruption.

LPG, LNG, PNG and CNG: supply assurances and import dependence

Beyond petrol and diesel, officials also focused on cooking gas and natural gas availability. Sharma said LPG deliveries remain normal and noted that India’s import dependency is around 60 percent. She further said 100 percent supply of natural gas has been ensured for domestic consumers as well as the compressed natural gas (CNG) transport sector.

Another ministry update said commercial LPG supplies have been restored to 70% following a calibrated restoration process. On domestic output, the ministry’s statements pointed to higher production, with one update saying domestic LPG production increased by around 20 percent, while another said it had risen by nearly 40 percent.

Steps cited by the government to keep domestic supply steady

The government has pointed to additional measures aimed at protecting domestic availability of sensitive fuels. Sharma said an export levy has been imposed to ensure adequate availability of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and diesel in the domestic market. She also said there are sufficient quantities of petrol and diesel available.

Officials also highlighted diversification in crude sourcing, and a reference was made to relief from the US that allows transport of oil from Russia. The ministry’s broader message has been to rely on verified government communication and avoid reacting to rumours.

Fact-checks and misinformation: official pushback

As social media posts claimed India had “only 5-10 days” or “only 9 days” of reserves left, PIB Fact Check flagged these claims as misleading. The fact-check posts said there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG anywhere in the country and that the situation is stable, secure, and continuously monitored.

The same messaging repeated the government’s figures of around 60 days of current stock cover and about 74 days of total reserve capacity including strategic reserves. The ministry also described the rumours as a “deliberately mischievous, coordinated campaign of misinformation” intended to create unjustified panic.

Key figures at a glance

Timeline of public assurances (as stated)

Market impact: what matters for consumers and industry

For households, the repeated focus is on uninterrupted LPG delivery cycles and the appeal to avoid panic buying. For transport and city gas, the ministry’s statement that 100% natural gas supply is ensured for domestic and CNG consumers is aimed at preventing worries around fuel availability for vehicles and essential services.

For industry and aviation, the reference to an export levy for ATF and diesel is positioned as a domestic-supply protection measure. The messaging around refineries operating at full or above capacity signals the government’s effort to keep product availability stable at retail outlets and across OMC distribution networks.

Why these statements matter amid West Asia tensions

The immediate trigger for repeated official reassurance is the escalation of geopolitical conflict in West Asia and the risk that shipping, pricing, and supply chains could face disruption. In this context, the ministry has sought to prevent localised shortages that can arise from sudden spikes in retail demand, even when overall inventories are adequate.

The government’s consistent line across briefings is that inventories, procurement planning for the next two months, refinery throughput, and round-the-clock monitoring are intended to keep the fuel system functioning normally.

Conclusion

The Petroleum Ministry and the petroleum minister have said India has adequate crude oil, LPG and LNG inventories, with stock cover and reserves cited at roughly two months and refineries operating at full or above capacity. Officials have also asked citizens to avoid panic buying and to rely on verified updates. With empowered groups monitoring supply chains and OMCs tasked with uninterrupted distribution, the next set of signals to watch will be further official inventory updates and any changes to domestic supply measures such as export levies.