In a major step towards women empowerment, Government has approved the release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) during the Financial Year 2025-26. Extending his greetings to women beneficiaries on this occasion, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi stated in a post on X, “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 of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, stated, “With the onset of Navratri, the decision to provide 25 lakh deposit-free LPG connections under Ujjwala is yet another testimony of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment to treat women with the same respect accorded to Goddess Durga. This strengthens our resolve for the dignity and empowerment of mothers and sisters. Ujjwala has emerged as one of the most impactful social welfare schemes in India—transforming kitchens, safeguarding health, and brightening the future of families across the country.”

With this expansion, the total number of PMUY connections will rise to 10.58 crore. The Government has approved an expenditure of ₹676 crore for the release of these connections, which includes ₹512.5 crore for providing 25 lakh deposit-free connections at the rate of ₹2,050 per connection, ₹160 crore for targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder (for up to nine refills per year, proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg cylinders), and ₹3.5 crore towards project management expenses, transaction and SMS charges, Information, Education & Communication (IEC) activities, and administrative expenditure.

Under PMUY, beneficiaries receive a deposit-free LPG connection that covers the security deposit of cylinder, pressure regulator, suraksha hose, Domestic Gas Consumer Card (DGCC) booklet, and installation charges. In addition, the first refill and stove are also provided free of cost. Beneficiaries are not required to make any payment for the LPG connection, the first refill, or the stove, as these costs are borne by the Government of India and the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Beneficiaries have the flexibility to choose from a 14.2 kg single bottle connection, a 5 kg single bottle connection, or a 5 kg double bottle connection.

To further enhance transparency and ease of access, the process for obtaining an LPG connection under PMUY has been made fully streamlined and technology-enabled. Eligible adult women from poor households who do not have an existing LPG connection in their family can apply by submitting a simplified KYC application form and Deprivation Declaration, either online at http://www.pmuy.gov.in or at any LPG distributor of the public sector OMCs. Applications undergo system-driven de-duplication checks, followed by physical verification by OMC officials, before issuance of a Subscription Voucher and installation of the LPG connection at the applicant’s residence. Existing applicants with pending applications are required to undergo a revised eKYC process and submit details as per the updated proforma.

Launched in May 2016, PMUY initially targeted 8 crore deposit-free LPG connections, which was achieved in September 2019. To cover the remaining poor households, Ujjwala 2.0 was launched in August 2021 with a target of 1 crore additional connections, achieved by January 2022. Subsequently, the Government approved 60 lakh additional connections under Ujjwala 2.0, achieved in December 2022, and another 75 lakh connections, achieved by July 2024. As of July 2025, over 10.33 crore PMUY connections have been released across the country, making it one of the largest clean energy initiatives globally.

For more details, beneficiaries may visit the official PMUY portal www.pmuy.gov.in or approach their nearest LPG distributor of the public sector OMCs.

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