The LPG cylinder test due date is stamped on every domestic cylinder, but many people read it as an expiry date. It is not. Indian Oil has clarified that LPG cylinders have no expiry date, only a date by which they are due for testing. Here is how to read the code in a minute.
Quick answer
- What it is: the next statutory testing date, not an expiry date
- Format: a letter and a year, for example A-25
- A: January to March; B: April to June
- C: July to September; D: October to December
- Where: on one of the side collars of the cylinder
How to read the LPG cylinder test due date
The code has two parts. The letter shows the quarter of the year. The number shows the year.
| Letter | Quarter | Months |
|---|---|---|
| A | First | January to March |
| B | Second | April to June |
| C | Third | July to September |
| D | Fourth | October to December |
So a cylinder marked D-27 is due for testing between October and December 2027. TotalEnergies explains the same format on its page about how to check your LPG cylinder due date, using A-25 as its example. Some markings show the full year, such as A 2017, in the example quoted by Factly.
Where to find the code
According to TotalEnergies, the test due date is stamped on one of the cylinder’s three side collars, also called shrouds. Turn the cylinder slowly and look for a letter followed by digits. Because the metal can be dirty, wipe it with a dry cloth first.
Do this when the delivery person arrives, not later. Then you can raise any concern on the spot.
Expiry date versus test due date
A viral message often claims that a cylinder past its date will explode. Factly reported that Indian Oil has said there is no expiry date for LPG cylinders, only a test due date. The company also said no LPG accidents were ever reported because of an expired test date, as quoted in the Factly fact check.
However, that does not mean you should ignore the code. Periodic testing is a statutory safety check. A cylinder that is past its date should go back for testing before it is refilled and reused.
What to do if the date has passed
Cylinders due for testing are not supposed to reach homes. Distributors are told to check this before delivery, according to the Factly report. So if you receive one that is already past its date, you can ask the delivery person to take it back and bring a replacement. Factly notes that this is rare.
- Check the code before the delivery person leaves.
- If the quarter and year have already passed, say so politely.
- Ask for a replacement cylinder.
- If the agency refuses, contact your distributor or oil company’s helpline.
Also, note that a cylinder lying idle at home past its date is tested when it returns to circulation. So you do not need to panic over a full cylinder in your kitchen.
Other safety checks for your cylinder
The test code is only one part of safe use. Also check that the seal is intact and the rubber washer is present. Then keep the cylinder upright and away from heat. If you smell gas, do not switch on any electrical device. Open windows and call your distributor.
Booking rules matter too. Our guide to LPG cylinder booking rules in India explains the gap between refills, OTP delivery and e-KYC. If you use a gas geyser, read the gas geyser safety checklist as well.
FAQ
Does an LPG cylinder have an expiry date?
No. Indian Oil has said LPG cylinders have no expiry date, only a test due date, as reported by Factly.
How do I read the LPG cylinder test due date code?
The letter is the quarter and the number is the year. A means January to March, B April to June, C July to September and D October to December. So A-25 means due in the first quarter of 2025.
What should I do if my cylinder is past its test due date?
Ask the delivery person to take it back and bring a replacement. Check the code before accepting the cylinder.