In a significant move to further empower women, the Government has sanctioned the release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for the financial year 2025-26.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to women beneficiaries through a post on X, stating:
“On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, I extend my best wishes to all mothers and sisters joining the Ujjwala family. This step not only brings them joy during this sacred festival but also strengthens our resolve towards women empowerment.”
Announcing the decision earlier today, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, remarked:
“With the onset of Navratri, the provision of 25 lakh deposit-free LPG connections under Ujjwala reflects Prime Minister Modi’s dedication to honoring women with the same reverence as Goddess Durga. This reinforces our commitment to ensuring the dignity and empowerment of mothers and sisters. Ujjwala has become one of India’s most impactful social welfare schemes—transforming kitchens, protecting health, and shaping brighter futures for families.”
With this expansion, the total number of LPG connections under PMUY will increase to 10.58 crore.
The Government has allocated ₹676 crore for the implementation of this phase, which includes:
- ₹512.5 crore for 25 lakh deposit-free LPG connections at ₹2,050 per connection,
- ₹160 crore for a targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder, applicable for up to nine refills annually (proportionately adjusted for 5 kg cylinders),
- ₹3.5 crore for project management, transaction and SMS charges, Information, Education & Communication (IEC) activities, and administrative costs.
What Beneficiaries Receive
Under PMUY, beneficiaries are given a deposit-free LPG connection, which includes:
- Security deposit for the cylinder,
- Pressure regulator,
- Suraksha hose,
- Domestic Gas Consumer Card (DGCC) booklet, and
- Installation charges.
Additionally, the first refill and stove are provided free of cost, with no payment required from the beneficiary. These expenses are covered by the Government of India and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
Beneficiaries may opt for:
- A 14.2 kg single cylinder connection,
- A 5 kg single cylinder, or
- A 5 kg double bottle connection, based on their needs.
Streamlined and Technology-Enabled Process
To improve transparency and accessibility, the application process under PMUY has been fully digitized and simplified. Eligible adult women from poor households without an existing LPG connection in their family can apply by submitting a simple KYC form and a Deprivation Declaration, either:
- Online at www.pmuy.gov.in, or
- At any public sector OMC LPG distributor.
Applications go through a system-driven de-duplication check, followed by physical verification by OMC officials. Once approved, a Subscription Voucher is issued, and the LPG connection is installed at the applicant’s residence.
Applicants with pending applications must complete a revised eKYC and submit details as per the updated proforma.
Background and Progress of PMUY
Launched in May 2016, PMUY initially aimed to provide 8 crore deposit-free LPG connections, a target achieved by September 2019. To reach additional underserved households, Ujjwala 2.0 was introduced in August 2021, targeting 1 crore more connections, achieved by January 2022.
Subsequently:
- 60 lakh connections were added by December 2022,
- Another 75 lakh connections were completed by July 2024.
As of July 2025, over 10.33 crore LPG connections have been released under PMUY across India, making it one of the largest clean energy initiatives in the world.
