Number of beneficiaries covered under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
The Government of India has informed the Rajya Sabha that the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has reached a major milestone, with 10.58 crore LPG connections provided to eligible beneficiaries as of 1 July 2026. The information was shared by the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Suresh Gopi, in response to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha on 20 July 2026.
PMUY Coverage Expands Further
Launched in May 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana aims to provide deposit-free LPG connections to adult women from economically weaker households, encouraging a transition from traditional biomass fuels to clean cooking energy.
For the financial year 2025–26, the Government approved the distribution of 25 lakh additional LPG connections. According to the Ministry, the target has been achieved, bringing the cumulative number of PMUY beneficiaries to 10.58 crore.
The continued expansion of PMUY reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring wider access to clean cooking fuel, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Positive Impact on Health and Indoor Air Quality
The Ministry highlighted that PMUY has significantly improved the quality of life for millions of households by reducing dependence on firewood, crop residues, and dung cakes for cooking. The shift to LPG has contributed to lower exposure to harmful indoor smoke, particularly benefiting women and children, who traditionally spend more time near cooking areas.
According to a recent evaluation of the scheme:
- 74.27% of surveyed beneficiaries reported a reduction in indoor air pollution after switching to LPG.
- Around 80.78% experienced reduced cough and breathlessness.
- Many beneficiaries also reported improvements in eye irritation, smoke inhalation, headaches, and dizziness, indicating better overall respiratory health.
These findings suggest that increased LPG adoption has contributed to healthier household environments and reduced smoke-related illnesses.
Research Supports Environmental Benefits
The Government also cited findings from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), which estimated that without PMUY, annual average ambient PM2.5 levels across major Indian states in 2019 would have ranged between 5–16 μg/m³. With PMUY implementation, the estimated levels were significantly lower, ranging from 4–8 μg/m³, indicating positive effects on both household and ambient air quality.
An independent evaluation conducted by IIT Kanpur across six states further reinforced these findings. The study observed that indoor air quality during cooking hours was nearly twice as good in households using LPG compared to households relying primarily on traditional biomass-based cooking methods. The researchers concluded that regular LPG usage under PMUY delivers substantial health benefits for primary cooks.
Nationwide LPG Safety Campaign
In addition to expanding LPG access, the Government has intensified efforts to improve consumer safety.
During 2024–25, Oil Marketing Companies conducted a nationwide LPG safety awareness campaign under the theme “Khushiyan Ab Teen Guna.” The campaign focused on educating consumers about the safe handling and use of LPG through door-to-door outreach, mass media awareness, LPG Panchayats, school-based safety clinics, and social media campaigns.
Key achievements of the campaign include:
- More than 12.12 crore free basic safety inspections conducted at consumers’ homes.
- Over 4.65 crore LPG safety (Suraksha) hoses replaced at discounted rates.
- Extensive use of audio-visual educational materials to spread safety awareness.
- Special focus on PMUY beneficiaries and low-income households to encourage safe LPG usage and proper maintenance of connections.
Strengthening Clean Energy Access
A decade after its launch, PMUY continues to play an important role in expanding access to clean cooking fuel across India. The Government’s latest figures indicate sustained progress in increasing LPG coverage while complementing the initiative with health-focused outcomes and large-scale safety interventions.
With 10.58 crore LPG connections, measurable improvements in indoor air quality, and nationwide consumer safety campaigns, PMUY remains a key component of India’s efforts to promote cleaner household energy, improve public health, and enhance the quality of life for economically weaker families.
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