New Delhi [India], April 30 (ANI): The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), the flagship government scheme aimed at promoting clean cooking fuel among economically disadvantaged households, will mark its ninth anniversary on May 1, 2025. Since its inception in May 2016, the scheme has transformed the lives of millions by providing deposit-free LPG connections to adult women from poor families, advancing health, environmental sustainability, and women’s empowerment across India.
As of March 1, 2025, the country boasts 32.94 crore active domestic LPG consumers, with 10.33 crore beneficiaries falling under the PMUY umbrella, according to the Ministry of Energy and Environment. The scheme, widely recognized for replacing harmful traditional fuels such as firewood and cow dung cakes, is credited with delivering widespread health and environmental benefits, particularly in rural areas.
A ministry statement highlighted that 8.34 crore PMUY beneficiaries had availed at least one refill between April 2022 and March 2024, indicating sustained LPG usage.
The program was further bolstered by the launch of Ujjwala 2.0 in August 2021, with an initial target of 1 crore new connections, which was met by January 2022. Following this, an additional 60 lakh connections were distributed by December 2022. The Government then approved 75 lakh more connections for the FY 2023–24 to 2025–26 period, achieving this target by July 2024.
To ensure inclusivity, especially for migrant families, PMUY allows new LPG connections via self-declaration, eliminating the requirement for proof of address or a ration card.
As part of the expansion strategy, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have significantly increased their network of LPG distributors. Since April 2016, 7,959 new distributorships have been established—93% of which serve rural areas. In total, the number of LPG distributors has surged from 13,896 in April 2014 to 25,481 in April 2024, representing an 83% growth, with rural distributorships rising by 161% in the same period.
According to the ministry, PMUY is the largest program globally to provide domestic LPG at an effective cost of Rs 35 per kg to over 10.33 crore households. By contrast, the effective LPG cylinder prices as of January 1, 2025, are Rs 1,094 in Pakistan, Rs 1,231 in Sri Lanka, and Rs 1,206 in Nepal.
As a result of government interventions to enhance accessibility and affordability, annual per capita LPG consumption by PMUY beneficiaries has grown steadily—from 3.01 cylinders in 2019–20 to 4.43 cylinders as of March 2025.
Independent studies have emphasized the program’s positive impact on women’s health, reduced labor, time-saving, environmental conservation, and improved household nutrition. The top-performing states include Uttar Pradesh (1.85 crore connections), West Bengal (1.23 crore), Bihar (1.16 crore), Madhya Pradesh (88.4 lakh), and Rajasthan (73.83 lakh).
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have lauded PMUY for its contribution to cleaner household energy. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol described it as a “major achievement,” emphasizing that access to LPG is not just an energy issue but a social and economic imperative. The WHO, in its 2018 report, noted India’s commendable progress in tackling air pollution, highlighting PMUY’s role in empowering over 37 million women in just two years.
As PMUY enters its tenth year, it continues to stand as a symbol of progress, equity, and sustainable development, reshaping rural India one clean kitchen at a time.
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