New Delhi: The Union Cabinet approved a targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg LPG cylinder for up to nine refills per year for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries in 2025-26, entailing an expenditure of ₹12,000 crore.
The decision will benefit about 10.33 crore PMUY connections across the country as on July 1, 2025. The subsidy will also be proportionately applied for 5 kg cylinders, and the cost will be borne by the Government of India.
PMUY, launched in May 2016, provides deposit-free LPG connections to adult women from poor households. The connection includes the security deposit of the cylinder, pressure regulator, Suraksha hose, Domestic Gas Consumer Card booklet, and installation charges. Under the existing Ujjwala 2.0 scheme, the first refill and stove are provided free of cost to beneficiaries.
India meets about 60 per cent of its LPG requirement through imports. The targeted subsidy aims to shield PMUY consumers from fluctuations in international LPG prices and to ensure sustained usage of LPG.
The targeted subsidy was first introduced in May 2022 at ₹200 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills annually, and was increased to ₹300 per cylinder in October 2023.
Average per capita consumption of PMUY households has risen from about three refills in 2019-20 and 3.68 refills in 2022-23 to 4.47 refills in 2024-25.
