Introduction
Launched on May 1, 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has completed 9 successful years in 2025. One of the flagship welfare schemes of the Modi Government, PMUY aimed to provide clean cooking fuel (LPG) to women from below poverty line (BPL) households. Over the years, it has become a symbol of women empowerment, public health improvement, and sustainable development.
As a UPSC aspirant, this topic is highly relevant for Prelims, Mains GS Paper II & III, and Essay.
As a UPSC aspirant, this topic is highly relevant for Prelims, Mains GS Paper II & III, and Essay.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) – 9 Years of Empowering Women & Clean Energy
Objective of PMUY
.To provide clean fuel (LPG) to rural and poor households
.To reduce health hazards caused by indoor air pollution
.To protect the environment by reducing by dependency on firewood and biomass
.To empower women, especially in rural india, by reducing drudgery and time spent on cooking.
Key Features of PMUY
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Feature
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Details
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Launch Date
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May 1, 2016
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Nodal Ministry
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Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
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Target Beneficiaries
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Women of BPL households, later expanded to other categories
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Financial Assistance
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₹ 1600 per LPG connection (one-time)
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Initial Target (2016-2019)
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5 crore connections (achieved in 2018)
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Revised Target (PMUY 2.0)
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10 crore total connections |
Modi cabinet 3.0 https://www.thebriefdesk.com/2025/06/modi-30-cabinet-full-list-key.html
Evolution of PMUY: From 2016 to 2025
Phase 1 (2016-2019)
. Initial target: 5 crore LPG connections to BPL families
. Achieved in advance by August 2018.
. Selection of beneficiaries based on SECC 2011 data
Phase 2 (PMUY 2.0 – 2021 onwards)
. Launched on August 10, 2021 from Mahoba, Uttar pradesh.
. Added 1 crore more beneficiaries, including migrants and non- SECC poor
. Provide free first LPG refill and stove
To
. Over 10.35 crore LPG connections distributed as of may 2025
. Scheme coverage expanded to Scheduled Castes, Tribes, Forest Dwellers
. Focus on sustainable refill usage and behavioural change.
Achievements in 9 years
Metric |
Data (as of 2025) |
Total LPG connections distributed |
10.35 crore |
% of rural households with LPG |
Increased from 62% (2016) to almost 100% |
States with maximum coverage |
UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh |
No. of LPG distributors onboarded |
Over 25,000 |
Drop in biomass usage |
Decreased by over 30% in rural India |
Women Empowerment Through PMUY
. LPG connections are issued in the name of women, ensuring their own.
. Saved up to 1.5 hours/ day of cooking and firewood collection time.
. Contributed to better health outcomes: Reduction in eye diseases, respiratory issues , and burn injuries.
. Enabled more time for education, economic activities, and family care.
Environmental Impact
. Reduced deforestation due to lower firewood usage.
. Decrease in carbon emissions and indoor air pollution.
. A study by CEEW found PMUY contributed to up to 20% drop in particulate matter in rural homes.
Challenges & Criticisms
Despite its achievements, PMUY has faced some issues:
Refill Cost and Usage Drop
. Many beneficiaries don’t regularly refill due to the high cost of cylinders.
. Surveys indicate only 3-4 refills/year by some families.
Behavioural Barriers
. Some families still use chulhas alongside LPG.
. Traditional cooking practices are hard to replace without awareness.
Infrastructure Gaps
. Remove villages face irregular LPG supply.
. Safety norms and distributor accountability are not uniformly enforced.
Government’s Response
. Subsidy Support: Government provides a direct benefit transfer (DBT) for refills.
. Use of social media, community outreach, and local influencers.
. supply Chain expansion: Adding new distributors and improving last - mile connectivity introducing of 5 kg mini cylinders for affordability
Kesavananda Bharati case : https://www.thebriefdesk.com/2025/06/kesavananda-bharati-case-foundation-of.html
Conclusion
After 9 years, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana stands as a transformative program that has reshaped rural India’s cooking practices. While challenges persist in sustaining LPG usage, the policy intent and outreach are commendable. As India marches towards the goal of clean energy and gender equity, PMUY remains a vital pillar.
