In a significant boost to clean energy access, the Indian government announced on Monday, September 22, 2025, the approval of an additional 2.5 million (25 lakh) LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for the ongoing financial year (2025-26). This latest expansion will bring the total number of connections provided through the successful scheme to an impressive 105.8 million (10.58 crore) since its inception.
The PMUY, initiated in 2016, aims to empower women from economically disadvantaged households by offering them free LPG connections. Beneficiaries receive a connection without bearing any costs for installation, the first gas cylinder refill, hose, regulator, or stove. These expenses are fully covered by the government and various oil marketing companies, ensuring that clean cooking fuel is accessible to those who need it most.
The scheme has seen remarkable success, with its initial phase delivering 80 million connections. A second phase, launched in August 2021, set new targets for 2022-2024, and by July of this year, over 103.3 million (10.33 crore) LPG connections had been successfully distributed nationwide. Further demonstrating its commitment, the government also approved a targeted subsidy of ₹300 for each 14.2 kg LPG cylinder in August, increasing the annual refill limit to nine per household.
Funding the Expansion
This newest round of connections will involve a government expenditure of ₹676 crore. This substantial allocation includes ₹512.5 crore dedicated to providing deposit-free connections, calculated at ₹2,050 per connection. Additionally, ₹160 crore is earmarked for the targeted subsidy introduced in August, with a further ₹3.5 crore allocated to cover essential project management and administrative expenses.