The Government on Saturday (March 28) categorically denied widely circulated claims suggesting that India has only “5-10 days of oil reserves left,” calling them misleading and baseless.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the country’s fuel supply situation remains “fully secure and under control,” with no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG across any region.
The clarification comes after several social media posts and videos triggered panic among citizens, prompting concerns over fuel availability.
The government expressed serious concern over what it described as a “deliberately mischievous, coordinated campaign of misinformation” aimed at creating panic among the public.
Officials noted that many viral posts used unrelated global visuals, misinterpreted government orders, or presented outdated information to falsely indicate scarcity.
“Such irresponsible actions are causing unnecessary anxiety among citizens,” the statement said, adding that spreading false information about essential commodities can attract legal consequences.
Reassuring citizens, the government highlighted that fuel availability remains uninterrupted across the country. Over one lakh fuel retail outlets are functioning normally, and no directive has been issued for rationing supply.
India’s strong refining capacity, being among the world’s top refiners and exporters, ensures that domestic demand is consistently met without disruption.
“Not a single outlet has been asked to ration fuel,” the ministry clarified.
🚨 Several social media posts are claiming that India has ‘only 5-10 days of oil reserves left’.#PIBFactCheck:
❌ This claim is #Misleading.
✅ There is No shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG anywhere in the country. The fuel supply situation remains stable, secure, and… pic.twitter.com/MyfohywBfQ
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) March 28, 2026
Refuting the core claim, the government stated that India currently has around 60 days of petroleum stock cover, with total reserve capacity extending up to 74 days.
This includes both commercial and strategic reserves, ensuring that even in case of global disruptions, domestic supply remains unaffected.
“Nearly two months of steady supply is available for every Indian citizen regardless of global developments,” the ministry emphasised.
Addressing concerns linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, the government said India has significantly diversified its crude sourcing.
At present, the country imports oil from over 41 countries, reducing dependence on any single region.
Officials also confirmed that crude supplies for the next 60 days have already been secured by Indian oil companies, eliminating any possibility of immediate shortages.
The government also dismissed fears regarding cooking gas availability, stating that LPG supply remains stable and sufficient.
Domestic production has increased substantially in recent years, reducing reliance on imports. Additionally, large consignments of LPG imports are already en route to meet demand.
Authorities noted that recent spikes in cylinder bookings were driven by panic ordering, but delivery systems have now stabilised.
Clarifying speculation about the promotion of piped natural gas (PNG), the government stated that its expansion is part of a long-term clean energy strategy and not a response to any shortage.
“LPG supply is secure. PNG is simply a more affordable and convenient alternative being promoted for the future,” the ministry said.
The government urged citizens to rely only on official sources for information and avoid sharing unverified content.
It reiterated that misinformation, especially related to essential commodities like fuel, can disrupt public order and lead to unnecessary panic buying.
