Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) provides deposit-free LPG connections to women from poor households, aiming to promote access to clean cooking fuel. The initial target was 5 crore (50 million) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections for women from below poverty line (BPL) households identified through the SECC 2011 survey. By replacing traditional biomass-based cooking methods with LPG, the scheme improves health outcomes, reduces indoor air pollution, lessens drudgery for women, and contributes to environmental sustainability. PMUY is a key intervention for advancing gender equality, poverty reduction, and universal access to modern energy in India.
Target Beneficiaries and Scheme Features
PMUY exclusively targets women from BPL households, with a special focus on:
- SC/ST households (Marginalized Groups)
- Forest dwellers
- Most backward classes
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families
- Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme (PMAY) beneficiaries
- Tea and ex-tea garden tribes
- Isolated (River island) populations and people in difficult terrain (e.g., Aspirational Districts).
- Migrant households
Initial implementation relied on the SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census) 2011 data, which was later supplemented with other inclusion criteria. The scheme provides deposit-free LPG connections, along with additional support for the stove and first refill, to remove initial cost barriers. An additional subsidy is also provided for subsequent refills to ensure sustained LPG usage.
As several eligible households without LPG connections were left out of the SECC list, the scheme was expanded in March 2018 to include women from seven additional categories: (1) SC/ST households, (2) PMAY (Rural) beneficiaries, (3) AAY, (4) forest dwellers, (5) MBC, (6) tea & ex-tea garden tribes, and (7) residents of islands/river islands. The target was revised to 8 crore (80 million) connections, with beneficiaries still required to meet the 14-point exclusion criteria used in the SECC.
Despite this expansion, some poor families remained excluded. Hence, in December 2018, the Government made the 14-point exclusion criteria a standalone eligibility basis, leading to the successful release of 8 crore (80 million) LPG connections by 7th September 2019. The scheme remained inoperative from September 2019 to August 2021.
Following the Budget 2021 announcement, Ujjwala 2.0 was launched on 10th August 2021 with the same eligibility norms but extended coverage to poor migrant women based on self-declaration of family composition and address.
Subsequently, on 22nd September 2025, release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections under PMUY was approved. To simplify and reduce paperwork, eligibility was streamlined to a single category:
- Adult women from poor households based on submission of a Deprivation declaration (earlier called 14-point declaration).
Total beneficiaries: 10.33 crore (103.3 million) LPG connections provided since inception.
INR 17010 crore (USD 2.05 billion) for release of 10.35 crore (103.5 million) connections by the Government.
a. INR 12800 crore (USD 1.54 billion) - 8 crore connections (80 million connections)
b. INR 1600 crore (USD 192 million) - 1 crore connections (10 million connections) (Ujjwala 2.0)
c. INR 960 crore (USD 115 million) - Additional 60 lakh connections
d. INR 1650 crore (USD 198 million) - Additional 75 lakh connections
Benefits per connection - Rs 1600 (USD 19.2) {Later revised to Rs 2200 (USD 26.4)} which Security deposit Cylinder, Pressure regulator and cost towards Suraksha Hose, DGCC charges.
Additional cost of LPG Stove and First refill borne by Oil Marketing Companies OMCs. supports Book and installation
Multi-sectoral:
- The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) is responsible for formulating policy decisions and overseeing the overall implementation of the scheme.
- The scheme is implemented by MoPNG through the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies, IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL.
- At the district level, Ujjwala Committees have been constituted to monitor implementation and ensure that LPG connections are released only to eligible households.
- The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) is entrusted with verifying and endorsing the reimbursement claims submitted by the OMCs.
Monitoring of PMUY is conducted using identified output/outcome indicators and the scheme's Management Information System (MIS). A Project Management Information System (PMIS) portal was maintained for this purpose until March 2024.
Currently, a Common LPG Database Platform (CLDP) is maintained, which is also used to monitor the scheme's progress. This platform is also being used for de-duplication (to eliminate multiple connections) and to monitor domestic LPG subsidy and consumption. Additionally, the scheme's performance is reviewed through periodic meetings with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Furthermore, district-level Ujjwala committees have been formed to oversee the implementation of PMUY and ensure that only eligible households receive connections.
Various assessment studies on PMUY have highlighted its multifaceted impact, indicating significant health benefits (such as reduction in Household Air Pollution (HAP) and improvement in women’s health); social benefits (including enhanced women’s empowerment and time savings); and environmental benefits (such as reduced deforestation and lower carbon emissions).
The following are some of the key studies and their findings:
Clean Fuel for Cooking: Solution to Achieve Better Air Quality (Palit et al., 2021)
This brief highlights that the successful implementation of PMUY has a direct impact on both household and ambient air pollution.
Ujjwala, V2.0 - What should be done next? (Tripathi and Sagar, 2019)
Owing to its potential to significantly reduce toxic emissions, PMUY may also be regarded as a pollution abatement and public health initiative, with the potential to prevent millions of premature deaths
M/s Research and Development Initiative Pvt. Ltd. – Impact Study of PMUY (submitted to the Ministry, April 2023)
This study, submitted to the Ministry, found that 51.90% of respondents reported health improvements after adopting LPG. Additionally, 51.44% stated that LPG use kept their homes clean and smoke-free. Other reported benefits included cost savings (40.97%), fewer doctor visits (32.33%), reduced space requirements (26.04%), and greater convenience during the rainy season (24.20%).
Evaluation of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in Six States of India (Tripathi & Sutaria, 2023)
This study clearly demonstrates the health benefits of PMUY-distributed LPG fuel for household respondents, especially for the primary persons responsible for cooking.
Behavioral inertia: Traditional cooking practices are deeply embedded in cultural traditions and difficult to change.
Supply chain issues: Remote locations and far flung areas face delivery delays as viability of LPG logistics is a consistent issue there.
National Level:
SDG 1: No Poverty
- Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable
- Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims and the poor and the vulnerable
- Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, basic services, and appropriate new technology.
- Indicator 1.4.1: Proportion of population living in households with access to basic services.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from air pollution.
- Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through public services, infrastructure, and social protection.
- Indicator 5.4.1: Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age, and location.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
- Indicator 7.1.2: Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology.
SDG 1: No Poverty
- Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable
- Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims and the poor and the vulnerable
- Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, basic services, and appropriate new technology.
- Indicator 1.4.1: Proportion of population living in households with access to basic services.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from air pollution.
- Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through public services, infrastructure, and social protection.
- Indicator 5.4.1: Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age, and location.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
- Indicator 7.1.2: Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology.
Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) provides deposit-free LPG connections to women from poor households, aiming to promote access to clean cooking fuel. The initial target was 5 crore (50 million) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections for women from below poverty line (BPL) households identified through the SECC 2011 survey. By replacing traditional biomass-based cooking methods with LPG, the scheme improves health outcomes, reduces indoor air pollution, lessens drudgery for women, and contributes to environmental sustainability. PMUY is a key intervention for advancing gender equality, poverty reduction, and universal access to modern energy in India.
Target Beneficiaries and Scheme Features
PMUY exclusively targets women from BPL households, with a special focus on:
- SC/ST households (Marginalized Groups)
- Forest dwellers
- Most backward classes
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families
- Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme (PMAY) beneficiaries
- Tea and ex-tea garden tribes
- Isolated (River island) populations and people in difficult terrain (e.g., Aspirational Districts).
- Migrant households
Initial implementation relied on the SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census) 2011 data, which was later supplemented with other inclusion criteria. The scheme provides deposit-free LPG connections, along with additional support for the stove and first refill, to remove initial cost barriers. An additional subsidy is also provided for subsequent refills to ensure sustained LPG usage.
As several eligible households without LPG connections were left out of the SECC list, the scheme was expanded in March 2018 to include women from seven additional categories: (1) SC/ST households, (2) PMAY (Rural) beneficiaries, (3) AAY, (4) forest dwellers, (5) MBC, (6) tea & ex-tea garden tribes, and (7) residents of islands/river islands. The target was revised to 8 crore (80 million) connections, with beneficiaries still required to meet the 14-point exclusion criteria used in the SECC.
Despite this expansion, some poor families remained excluded. Hence, in December 2018, the Government made the 14-point exclusion criteria a standalone eligibility basis, leading to the successful release of 8 crore (80 million) LPG connections by 7th September 2019. The scheme remained inoperative from September 2019 to August 2021.
Following the Budget 2021 announcement, Ujjwala 2.0 was launched on 10th August 2021 with the same eligibility norms but extended coverage to poor migrant women based on self-declaration of family composition and address.
Subsequently, on 22nd September 2025, release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections under PMUY was approved. To simplify and reduce paperwork, eligibility was streamlined to a single category:
- Adult women from poor households based on submission of a Deprivation declaration (earlier called 14-point declaration).
Behavioral inertia: Traditional cooking practices are deeply embedded in cultural traditions and difficult to change.
Supply chain issues: Remote locations and far flung areas face delivery delays as viability of LPG logistics is a consistent issue there.
Access to adequate housing
National Level:
Multi-sectoral:
- The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) is responsible for formulating policy decisions and overseeing the overall implementation of the scheme.
- The scheme is implemented by MoPNG through the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies, IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL.
- At the district level, Ujjwala Committees have been constituted to monitor implementation and ensure that LPG connections are released only to eligible households.
- The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) is entrusted with verifying and endorsing the reimbursement claims submitted by the OMCs.
Total beneficiaries: 10.33 crore (103.3 million) LPG connections provided since inception.
INR 17010 crore (USD 2.05 billion) for release of 10.35 crore (103.5 million) connections by the Government.
a. INR 12800 crore (USD 1.54 billion) – 8 crore connections (80 million connections)
b. INR 1600 crore (USD 192 million) – 1 crore connections (10 million connections) (Ujjwala 2.0)
c. INR 960 crore (USD 115 million) – Additional 60 lakh connections
d. INR 1650 crore (USD 198 million) – Additional 75 lakh connections
Benefits per connection – Rs 1600 (USD 19.2) {Later revised to Rs 2200 (USD 26.4)} which Security deposit Cylinder, Pressure regulator and cost towards Suraksha Hose, DGCC charges.
Additional cost of LPG Stove and First refill borne by Oil Marketing Companies OMCs. supports Book and installation
Monitoring of PMUY is conducted using identified output/outcome indicators and the scheme’s Management Information System (MIS). A Project Management Information System (PMIS) portal was maintained for this purpose until March 2024.
Currently, a Common LPG Database Platform (CLDP) is maintained, which is also used to monitor the scheme’s progress. This platform is also being used for de-duplication (to eliminate multiple connections) and to monitor domestic LPG subsidy and consumption. Additionally, the scheme’s performance is reviewed through periodic meetings with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Furthermore, district-level Ujjwala committees have been formed to oversee the implementation of PMUY and ensure that only eligible households receive connections.