New Delhi | Dec 4, 2025 |Sky Link Times
In a major boost to clean cooking fuel access and women’s welfare, the Central Government has approved the release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for the financial year 2025–26. The decision aims to clear pending applications and move closer to achieving complete saturation of household LPG coverage, the government said in a statement on Thursday.
The announcement was made by Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
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Simplified Eligibility to Speed Up Access
To ensure faster and wider coverage, the government has also simplified the eligibility criteria. Under the revised rules, “adult women from poor households based on submission of a Deprivation Declaration” will now be eligible for PMUY connections.
This move is expected to remove documentation hurdles and help marginalised families — especially in rural and remote areas — gain immediate access to clean cooking fuel.
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched in May 2016 to provide deposit-free LPG connections to adult women from economically weaker households, replacing traditional polluting fuels like wood, cow dung, and crop residue.
Over 10.33 Crore Connections Already Provided
As of November 1, 2025, the PMUY scheme has already delivered around 10.33 crore LPG connections across the country, making it one of the world’s largest clean-fuel welfare programs.
With the approval of 25 lakh additional connections, the government aims to bridge the remaining gap in LPG access and achieve near-universal clean cooking fuel penetration.
Rs 300 Subsidy per Cylinder to Continue
To ensure affordability and sustained usage, the government continues to provide targeted LPG subsidies for PMUY beneficiaries.
The subsidy was introduced in May 2022 at Rs 200 per cylinder
It was later increased to Rs 300 per 14.2 kg cylinder
For FY 2025–26, beneficiaries will receive:
Rs 300 per cylinder
Up to nine refills per year
Pro-rated subsidy for 5 kg LPG cylinders
This financial support helps shield poor households from rising fuel costs and promotes the continued use of LPG instead of traditional cooking fuels.
Health, Environment and Women Empowerment Benefits
According to the government, multiple independent studies have confirmed the transformational impact of PMUY, particularly on rural women.
Key benefits include:
Sharp reduction in indoor air pollution
Lower respiratory and eye-related health risks
Improved safety inside homes
Reduced drudgery of collecting firewood
Significant time savings for women, allowing them to focus on income-generating activities, education, and family care
The shift to LPG has also contributed to environmental protection by lowering dependence on biomass fuels.
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Consumption Monitoring and Transparency
The government closely monitors LPG usage through:
Management Information Systems (MIS)
Consumption data of the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell
Oil Marketing Companies’ reports
This helps track refill patterns, subsidy usage, and overall scheme performance.
Towards Universal Clean Cooking Fuel Access
With the approval of 25 lakh new LPG connections, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to:
Women-centric welfare
Public health improvement
Energy access equality
Sustainable development
The expansion is expected to benefit millions of poor families across India in the coming year.
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