Syllabus:

GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. 

Context: 

Recently, the Union Government sanctioned the release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) during the ongoing financial year (2025-26). 

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

• PMUY is a scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for providing LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.

Features: 

• Under PMUY, beneficiaries receive a deposit-free LPG connection.
• Connections are issued on the name of women beneficiaries.

Eligibility: 

• The applicant should be women above the age of 18 years.
• The applicant must be a rural inhabitant carrying a BPL card.
• The women applicant should have a saving bank account in any nationalized bank across the country to receive subsidy amount.
• The applicant's household should not already own an LPG connection.

Ujjwala 2.0: 

• The Government launched in August 2021 with the target of releasing 1 crore additional PMUY connections, which was achieved in January 2022. 
• Simplified Application: A special provision was made for migrant families, allowing them to avail a new LPG connection through a self-declaration instead of requiring Proof of Address and Ration Card.
• Initial Support: Provision of a free first refill and stove.
• Digital Verification: e-KYC through Aadhaar authentication.

Achievements

• Total Connections: With the latest round of disbursal, the total number of connections distributed under PMUY scheme has reached 10.58 crore. As on 1st March 2025, the total number of active domestic LPG consumers in India stands at 32.94 crore.
• Global Recognition: The scheme has been applauded by the International Energy Agency (IEA) as a "major achievement" in improving the environment and health of women.
• Per capita LPG consumption: It has increased from 3.01 cylinders in FY 2019–20 to 3.95 cylinders in FY 2023–24, and further to 4.43 cylinders in FY 2024–25 (as of 1 March 2025).
• High Refill Rates: As of July 2025, the total number of active PMUY connections is over 10 crores, with billions of LPG refills delivered, demonstrating a shift to clean cooking fuel. 
• Affordability of LPG: To make LPG affordable to poor families, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have introduced 5 Kg refill option to Ujjwala beneficiaries where in Ujjwala beneficiary can swap 14.2 Kg cylinder with 5 Kg refill and vice versa.

Key Benefits

Health Improvement: Shift from traditional fuels to LPG has reduced indoor air pollution, improving respiratory health, particularly among women and children.

• As per the study concluded in Odisha, 44% of the sample households reported a decrease in respiratory-related illnesses, highlighting the positive health outcomes associated with the programme. 

Reduced Drudgery: LPG has decreased the time and effort spent on collecting traditional fuels, allowing women to use their free time in multiple spheres for enhanced economic productivity.

Environmental Conservation: Reduced dependency on wood and biomass has contributed to decreased deforestation and environmental protection.

• PMUY reduced firewood use among BPL households by 2.2 percentage points, a statistically significant impact at the 1% level, contributing to lower deforestation and cleaner energy use.

Better Nutrition: Easier cooking with LPG has enabled families to prepare a variety of nutritious meals, supporting better overall health.

Sources: 

https://www.newsonair.gov.in/govt-decides-to-provide-25-lakh-additional-lpg-connections-under-pradhan-mantri-ujjwala-yojana/#:~:text=Talking%20to%20the%20media%2C%20Petroleum,will%20rise%20to%2010.58%20crore. https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/pradhan-mantri-ujjwala-yojana#tab=tab-5 https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154355&ModuleId=3#:~:text=Various%20independent%20studies%20and%20reports,meals%2C%20supporting%20better%20overall%20health