Induction vs LPG, the short answer: induction is cheaper than an unsubsidised LPG cylinder only if the extra units on your electricity bill cost less than roughly ₹5.50–6 each. At ₹942 for a 14.2 kg cylinder (Delhi, 4 November 2026), the two are close to level around ₹6 a unit. Below that, induction wins; above ₹7–8 a unit, gas usually stays cheaper for the same cooking.
The real answer depends on two numbers only you know: what you pay for a cylinder and what your next electricity unit costs. This post shows how to work it out in two minutes, and where the maths ignores things that matter in a real Indian kitchen.
The two numbers that decide it
1. Your cylinder price. The domestic 14.2 kg cylinder was ₹942 in Delhi on 4 November 2026, unchanged since June 2026, according to Goodreturns' Delhi LPG page. Prices differ a little by city. If you receive a subsidy, use what you actually pay after it.
2. Your marginal electricity rate. Look at your bill, not an average. Most Indian tariffs are slab-based: the more units you use, the higher the rate for the extra units. Induction cooking adds units on top of what you already use, so they are charged at your highest slab, plus any electricity duty and surcharges. If your state gives free or subsidised units up to a limit, check whether induction would push you past it.
How much energy is in one cylinder?
A pilot study by the research group IRADe uses 50.4 MJ per kg of LPG, which makes one 14.2 kg cylinder about 716 MJ, or roughly 199 kWh of heat (IRADe electric cooking pilot note).
Not all of that reaches the pot:
- LPG stoves: India's standard for domestic gas stoves, IS 4246, requires each burner to be at least 68% thermally efficient (BIS). From 1 January 2026, BEE star labels for LPG stoves run from 1 star (68–70%) to 5 stars (76% and above) (The Tribune).
- Induction cooktops: about 85% efficient, according to ENERGY STAR; IRADe gives 80–90%.
So a cylinder on a BIS-minimum stove puts about 135 kWh of useful heat into your pans. Delivering the same heat with induction at 85% takes about 159 units of electricity. On a 5-star (76%) stove the cylinder does more work, so matching it takes about 178 units.
These are lab-style efficiencies. Real kitchens vary with pan size, lids, flame setting and how often the cooktop is left on, so treat every figure below as a rough guide, not a bill forecast.
The break-even electricity rate
Divide the cylinder price by the useful heat it gives, then multiply by induction's efficiency:
| Your LPG stove | Useful heat per cylinder | Units of induction to match | Break-even rate at ₹942 a cylinder |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIS minimum (68%) | about 135 kWh | about 159 units | about ₹5.90 a unit |
| 3-star (72%) | about 143 kWh | about 168 units | about ₹5.60 a unit |
| 5-star (76%) | about 151 kWh | about 178 units | about ₹5.30 a unit |
If your marginal rate is below the break-even figure, induction is cheaper for the same cooking. If it is above, LPG is cheaper. A newer, more efficient gas stove makes LPG harder to beat.
What one cylinder's worth of cooking costs on induction
Using the BIS-minimum stove case (about 159 units to replace one ₹942 cylinder):
| Your marginal rate | Induction cost for one cylinder's worth | Compared with ₹942 LPG |
|---|---|---|
| ₹4 a unit | about ₹640 | about ₹300 cheaper |
| ₹6 a unit | about ₹950 | roughly the same |
| ₹8 a unit | about ₹1,270 | about ₹330 dearer |
| ₹10 a unit | about ₹1,590 | about ₹650 dearer |
A household that uses one cylinder a month can read the right-hand column as a monthly difference. IRADe's field note estimated induction at around 120 units a month for that kind of household, lower than our heat-for-heat estimate, which would tilt things slightly towards induction. Check your own meter for a week once you start.
What the maths leaves out
- Upfront cost. You need the cooktop and induction-ready cookware. ENERGY STAR's simple check: if a magnet sticks to the base of a pan, it works on induction (ENERGY STAR). Many steel pressure cookers and kadhais already pass; most aluminium and clay pots do not.
- Power cuts and voltage. IRADe found induction met major cooking needs for 85% of households in Chhattisgarh but 65% in Rajasthan, where power quality was worse. If your area has frequent cuts, keep gas as backup.
- Speed. ENERGY STAR says boiling water on induction can take nearly half the time of gas. Faster boiling also means less heat in the kitchen in summer.
- Indian cooking styles. Phulkas puffed directly on a flame, roasting papad or brinjal, and round-bottomed kadhais need a flame or a flat-based alternative. Induction suits boiling, pressure cooking, dal, rice, tea and milk well.
- Sanctioned load. Most cooktops on sale are 1,200–2,200 W. Running one alongside a geyser or AC can trip an MCB on a small connection, so check your load before relying on it.
The practical answer for most homes
For many families the cheapest setup is both: induction for pressure cooking, boiling and tea, gas for rotis and tadka. That stretches the cylinder further and keeps you cooking during a power cut.
Induction alone makes the most sense if your marginal rate is low (roughly ₹5 or less), you have rooftop solar, your cylinder refills are slow or costly where you live, or you rent and want a portable second burner.
If you decide to buy, compare wattage, controls (push-button or touch), auto-off timers and warranty on our induction cooktop deals. Prices on Deals Basket come from our own checks of the exact listing; use the price tracker to see whether a deal price is actually lower than usual before you pay. For stove labels, our explainer on BIS, ISI and BEE star labels covers what each mark means.
Frequently asked questions
Is induction cheaper than LPG in India?
Only if your marginal electricity rate is below roughly ₹5.30–5.90 a unit at the November 2026 cylinder price of ₹942 in Delhi. Above about ₹7–8 a unit, LPG is usually cheaper for the same cooking.
How many units does an induction cooktop use per month?
It depends on how much you cook. Replacing one 14.2 kg cylinder heat-for-heat works out to roughly 160–180 units; IRADe's field note estimated about 120 units a month for a household using one cylinder.
How do I know if my utensils work on induction?
Hold a magnet to the base. If it sticks firmly, the pan will work on induction. Flat bases heat more evenly than curved ones.
Does a 5-star LPG stove change the answer?
Yes, slightly in favour of gas. A 5-star stove is at least 76% efficient against the 68% minimum, so the break-even electricity rate falls from about ₹5.90 to about ₹5.30 a unit.
