A nationwide shortage of LPG cylinders has led to a sharp and sudden spike in demand for induction cooktops across India, as households search for reliable alternatives for daily cooking. The surge has been so intense that quick commerce platforms and retail outlets in several neighbourhoods of major cities are rapidly running out of stock. Retail sellers report unusually high sales volumes, with many stores moving between 50 and 70 induction units per day as panic-driven purchases accelerate.
The situation has unfolded against the backdrop of escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, which has disrupted global supplies of oil and natural gas. India, heavily dependent on energy imports, is facing an LPG supply crunch that has pushed cylinder prices sharply upward and triggered widespread anxiety. Consumers are increasingly purchasing induction cooktops and electric hobs as practical substitutes for gas-based cooking.
Demand for electric cooking appliances has overwhelmed both online and offline supply chains. Quick commerce services in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata have reported stockouts of induction cooktops in multiple neighbourhoods. Traditional brick-and-mortar appliance retailers are also experiencing shortages as inventory is depleted faster than it can be replenished.
The government has attempted to calm public concerns by stating that there is no severe national crisis and that domestic LPG production has been increased to stabilise supply. Despite these assurances, rising fuel prices and delays in refill bookings have fueled uncertainty and prompted precautionary buying among consumers.
To prevent hoarding and stabilise availability, authorities have invoked the Essential Commodities Act. However, public anxiety continues to drive demand for electric cooking alternatives. Checks across major cities on platforms such as Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart show that induction cooktops are unavailable in numerous serviceable locations.
In Bengaluru, key neighbourhoods including MG Road, Ashok Nagar, SG Palya, and CV Raman Nagar reported no available stock. Mumbai’s Powai area saw complete sellouts, while Juhu was left with only limited inventory. In Delhi, areas such as Greater Kailash I, Greater Kailash II, and Kalkaji showed out-of-stock listings. Similar shortages were reported in Kolkata’s Behala and Chennai’s Kodambakkam. Some pockets, including Whitefield and Bellandur in Bengaluru and Kakkanad in Kochi, continued to show limited availability.
The surge is not restricted to appliances alone. Induction cooktops require compatible cookware, leading to a parallel rise in demand for induction-friendly utensils such as flat-base pots and pans. These items are also running out of stock across multiple localities as consumers prepare for prolonged gas shortages.
The pattern of bulk purchases reflects widespread concern about cooking disruptions if LPG supplies remain constrained. Many households are attempting to secure backup cooking solutions as cylinder prices have risen sharply, with black market rates reportedly increasing by ₹500 to ₹2,000 above regular prices.
The shortage has also affected small food vendors and street businesses that depend on LPG for daily operations. Many such vendors, who often rely on unofficial LPG sources instead of costlier commercial cylinders, are facing steep price increases. In parts of Delhi and Noida, black market LPG cylinder prices have reportedly surged to between ₹2,000 and ₹3,000.
Physical retail stores are experiencing the same surge in demand as online platforms. A retailer in South Delhi’s Kalkaji area reported that more than 50 induction cooktops were sold in a single day, leaving the store with very limited remaining inventory. Store staff indicated that several nearby outlets had already exhausted their stocks.
In Mumbai’s Juhu locality, another retailer reported sustained high demand, particularly for lower-priced models that sold out quickly. Sales volumes have reached as many as 70 units per day, with many customers purchasing multiple cooktops as a precautionary measure.
Despite official reassurances, visible signs of public concern persist. Restaurants and eateries in cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai are struggling to secure LPG refills, with some experiencing supply delays lasting several days.
Paying guest accommodations in Bengaluru have begun restricting meal services and reducing the preparation of gas-intensive dishes such as dosa, poori, and chapati due to shortages of commercial LPG cylinders.
Energy market observers warn that if geopolitical tensions continue and supply disruptions persist, prices may climb further and availability could tighten. As a result, households are conserving LPG usage and increasingly turning to induction cooktops, which are themselves becoming scarce due to unprecedented demand.
