The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the continuation of the targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg LPG cylinder – for up to nine refills per year (and proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg cylinders) – for beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) during FY 2025-26. The decision entails an expenditure of ₹12,000 crore.
About Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Launched in May 2016, under the scheme each PMUY beneficiary, adult women from poor households, receives a deposit-free LPG connection, which includes the security deposit for the cylinder, pressure regulator, Suraksha hose, Domestic Gas Consumer Card (DGCC) booklet, and installation charges. Under the existing modalities of Ujjwala 2.0, the first refill and stove are also provided free of cost. Beneficiaries are not required to pay for the connection, first refill, or stove – these costs are borne by the Government of India and the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). As of July 1, 2025, there are about 10.33 crore PMUY connections nationwide.
Targeted Subsidy for PMUY Consumers
India imports about 60% of its LPG requirement. To shield PMUY beneficiaries from the impact of sharp fluctuations in international LPG prices and to make LPG more affordable, the government introduced a targeted subsidy of ₹200 per 14.2 kg cylinder (for up to 12 refills per year, and proportionately for 5 kg connections) in May 2022. In October 2023, the subsidy was increased to ₹300 per 14.2 kg cylinder.
Improved LPG Consumption by PMUY Households
Average per capita consumption (PCC) of PMUY consumers has steadily increased. From about three refills per household in 2019-20, it rose to 3.68 refills in 2022-23, and further to around 4.47 refills during FY 2024-25.