- Government sanctions release of 25 lakh more free LPG connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
- It focuses on the poor women beneficiaries
- With this increase, the number of PMUY connections will become 10.58 crore
The Government of India has sanctioned the release of 25 lakh more free LPG connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in the current financial year, as per the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The total PMUY connections would increase to 10.58 crore after this addition.
For this, an outlay of ₹676 crore has been sanctioned, of which ₹512.5 crore for giving 25 lakh deposit-free connections at ₹2,050 each, ₹160 crore for a targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder (for up to nine refills a year, proportionately for 5 kg cylinders), and ₹3.5 crore for project management and other costs.
Under PMUY, the beneficiaries are given a deposit-free LPG connection that includes the security deposit of cylinder, pressure regulator, 'suraksha' hose, DGCC booklet, and installation fees.
The initial refill and stove are also given free, with costs being met by the Government of India and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
There is also a choice of a 14.2 kg single bottle, 5 kg single bottle, and 5 kg double bottle connection for the beneficiaries.
The procedure for availing an LPG connection under PMUY has been made technology-enabled and streamlined.
Poor household adult women who are not having the facility of an existing LPG connection can apply by filling up a simplified KYC application form and Deprivation Declaration either online or through any public sector OMC distributor.
Applications are subjected to system-driven de-duplication checks followed by physical verification by OMC officials prior to issuing the connection and installation. Those applicants who already have pending applications must undergo a new eKYC process.
PMUY, launched in May 2016, was aimed at 8 crore connections, which was met in September 2019. Ujjwala 2.0 was launched in August 2021 to issue another 1 crore connections, which were reached by January 2022.
Additional expansions were 60 lakh connections reached in December 2022 and 75 lakh by July 2024. Up to July 2025, more than 10.33 crore PMUY connections have been issued, the world's largest clean energy program.
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri announced that clearance for 25 lakh new connections is a testament to the relentless government emphasis on the welfare of women and the success of PMUY in enhancing household health, safety, and access to clean cooking fuel.
