Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Is Increased to 25 Lakh New LPG Connections.

The Union Government has provided a big boost to its flagship clean cooking program, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) by authorizing 25 lakh more LPG connections to be released in the financial year of 2025-26. This growth has now seen the total amount of LPG connection that has been disseminated under the scheme since its inception in 2016 reach an incredible 10.58 crore households.

A Step toward Cleaner Kitchens.

PMUY, which was launched in the year 2016, was aimed at making a difference in the lives of women of the economically less fortunate families by substituting the smoky traditional fuels (firewood, dung cakes, and coal) with clean and safe liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The scheme is offering free LPG connections on behalf of women where the cost of installation, regulator, stove, and first refill are paid by the government and oil marketing companies (OMCs).

Phases and Growth

The scheme has been implemented in stages. Phase one accomplished the delivery of 8 crore connections, and phase two, which was the one that was introduced in August 2021, had new targets until 2024. More than 10.33 crore families had been already connected by July 2025, the majority of them in rural and semi-urban areas.

New Subsidy Measures

The government has also recently authorized Rs300/cylinder subsidy on PMUY recipients, to be used on as many as nine 14.2 kg cylinders annually. This action will likely alleviate financial strain and encourage the long-term adoption of LPG to avoid the reversion to the polluting renewable energy.

Financial Commitment

The most recent establishment of 25 lakh new connections has a financial cost of Rs676 crore. Out of this approximately Rs512.5 crore will be deposited towards deposit-free connections with the remaining belonging to subsidies and administrative expenses.

Social and Environmental Impact.

The influence of the scheme has been radical. PMUY has been very helpful in alleviating health risks especially respiratory diseases among women and children and this has been achieved by reducing indoor air pollution. It has also shortened the period used by women in gathering firewood so that they can have time to study, work and take care of their families. The scheme is green and contributes to the clean energy ambitions in India as it helps diminish deforestation and carbon emissions.