In the wake of the ongoing geopolitical crisis in West Asia, India is witnessing a notable surge in demand for induction cooktops. This trend is primarily driven by public concerns over potential disruptions in the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a widely used cooking fuel across the country. As the West Asia conflict raises uncertainties around energy imports, many Indian households are exploring alternatives to LPG, with induction cooktops emerging as a popular choice. Despite this growing interest, the widespread adoption of electric cooking devices remains limited due to infrastructural, economic, and policy challenges.
E-commerce platforms have reported increasing sales of induction cooktops, reflecting the public’s anxiety over steady LPG availability. Though prices of these cooktops have risen somewhat in recent weeks, many models remain accessible on major online marketplaces. For instance, on Amazon, a Pigeon 1,800-watt induction cooktop is currently retailing for ₹1,499, a slight increase from the previous week but still well below its maximum retail price. Similarly, other brands such as Cadlec and iBELL have seen comparable price hikes, yet their products remain competitively priced and available in various cities.
Despite this growing market activity, only a small fraction of Indian households currently use induction cooktops or other forms of electric cooking. According to Milind Deore, Secretary of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, as of 2024, merely about 5% of Indian households had “electric penetration” in their kitchens. This figure underscores the deep-rooted reliance on LPG and traditional cooking fuels across the country, particularly in low- and middle-income segments.
One significant barrier to the widespread adoption of electric cooking appliances is the inadequate electrical infrastructure in many Indian homes. Research presented by Rudrodip Majumdar, an assistant professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, highlights these challenges. A household survey conducted among 910 low- to medium-income families revealed that many kitchens lack the necessary electrical load capacity to support induction cooktops. The survey found that approximately 13% of households did not have even a basic 5-ampere plug, while 64% had only one 15-ampere plug, which is insufficient for most induction cooktops. Additionally, 47% of households lacked any plugs rated between 15 and 20 amperes, which are essential for operating electric cooking appliances safely and effectively.
The infrastructural limitations translate into practical hurdles for consumers considering a switch to electric cooking. Even if there were programs to aggregate demand and reduce prices by 50%, the upfront cost of setting up an induction cooking system remains prohibitive for many households. High installation costs, coupled with the need for electrical upgrades in homes, act as significant deterrents.
Beyond infrastructure and cost, other user experience factors also hinder adoption. Induction cooktops, particularly single-unit models, typically have longer cooking times compared to traditional LPG stoves. While double-unit induction cooktops, which allow cooking multiple dishes simultaneously and reduce overall cooking time, are available, they come with steep price tags—often exceeding ₹8,000—and have high power requirements, sometimes above 3 kilowatts. This makes them inaccessible to many consumers, especially those in economically constrained segments.
From a policy perspective, experts and researchers have pointed out the risks of India’s heavy dependence on LPG, which exposes consumers to price fluctuations tied to the international oil market. Presenters from the International Institute for Sustainable Development warned in 2024 that without comprehensive government support and policies promoting electric cooking, Indian consumers will remain vulnerable to global energy market volatility. They emphasize that LPG growth, while currently dominant, may not be sustainable or affordable in the long term given this exposure.
Interestingly, a survey conducted by these researchers noted that most urban households that have switched to electric cooking did so not primarily as a permanent replacement for LPG but as a “back-up” option. Often, these are young professionals who have recently moved into new residences and face difficulties obtaining timely LPG connections. For such consumers, induction cooktops offer a convenient interim cooking solution, but widespread permanent adoption remains limited.
The current situation points to a complex interplay of economic, infrastructural, and policy factors shaping India’s cooking fuel landscape. While the West Asia crisis and the resulting LPG supply anxieties have triggered a short-term spike in demand for induction cooktops, significant challenges remain before electric cooking can become mainstream. Overcoming electrical infrastructure limitations in homes, reducing the cost of induction devices, and formulating supportive policies will be key to