Ujjawala Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), commonly known as the Ujjwala Scheme, is a flagship social welfare initiative launched by the Government of India in May 2016. It aims to provide Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections to women belonging to poor households, primarily in rural and underprivileged areas. The scheme seeks to replace traditional cooking methods that rely on firewood, coal, or dung cakes with clean, efficient and environmentally sustainable energy sources. Beyond improving health and environmental conditions, Ujjwala symbolises a wider commitment to gender empowerment, public health, and rural development.

Background and objectives

Before the implementation of the Ujjwala Scheme, a large section of India’s rural population continued to depend on solid biomass fuels for domestic cooking. This dependence contributed to indoor air pollution, respiratory diseases, deforestation, and a disproportionate burden on women and children, who often spent several hours daily collecting firewood. The scheme was introduced against this backdrop to address the interlinked challenges of health, environment and social equity.
The key objectives of the Ujjwala Scheme include:

• Providing clean cooking fuel to below poverty line (BPL) households.
• Reducing indoor air pollution and related health hazards.
• Empowering women by eliminating drudgery and saving time spent in fuel collection.
• Protecting the environment by reducing deforestation and carbon emissions.
• Promoting energy access and inclusivity across rural India.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) is the nodal implementing authority, and the scheme is executed through state-run oil marketing companies such as Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation.

Implementation and eligibility

The scheme identifies beneficiaries primarily through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. Eligibility is restricted to adult women belonging to BPL households not already possessing an LPG connection in their family name. Priority categories include households belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), and forest dwellers.
Each eligible household receives:

• A free LPG connection registered in the name of an adult woman.
• Financial assistance of ₹1,600 per connection to cover the security deposit for a cylinder, pressure regulator, hose, and installation charges.
• The option of purchasing a gas stove and first refill, often financed through interest-free loans from oil companies.

Implementation has been supported by an extensive awareness campaign, local distribution networks, and convergence with other welfare programmes to ensure inclusivity.

Phases and expansion

The scheme has been implemented in distinct phases to extend coverage and adapt to evolving needs:

• Phase I (2016–2019): Targeted the release of 5 crore LPG connections. The goal was achieved ahead of schedule, and the target was subsequently revised to 8 crore connections by 2020.
• Phase II (2021 onwards): Launched as Ujjwala 2.0, this phase extended benefits to migrant families and households excluded from the initial SECC list. It simplified documentation, introduced online self-declaration for proof of residence, and provided a free first refill and stove.

Through these expansions, the scheme has reached millions of rural women across India, contributing to a significant rise in LPG coverage—from around 62% in 2016 to over 99% in many states by 2022.

Socio-economic and health impact

The Ujjwala Scheme has generated measurable improvements across several domains:

• Health benefits: A reduction in household air pollution has contributed to lower incidence of respiratory and eye ailments among women and children. Studies have reported a decline in morbidity associated with exposure to smoke from solid fuels.
• Women’s empowerment: Registering LPG connections in women’s names has enhanced their decision-making role within households and given them direct access to government subsidies. Time saved from collecting firewood has been redirected toward income-generating or educational activities.
• Environmental advantages: Reduced reliance on biomass fuels has decreased deforestation and improved air quality. The adoption of cleaner fuels also supports India’s commitments under international climate agreements.
• Rural development: The expansion of LPG infrastructure has created employment opportunities in distribution, maintenance, and supply chain logistics in rural areas.

Challenges and criticisms

Despite its achievements, the Ujjwala Scheme has faced certain operational and behavioural challenges:

• Sustained usage: While initial connection uptake has been high, refilling rates have varied. Economic constraints, irregular supply, or cultural cooking preferences sometimes lead households to revert to traditional fuels.
• Affordability: The cost of subsequent refills, especially during periods of high global LPG prices, can deter consistent usage among low-income families.
• Infrastructure gaps: Remote areas occasionally face delays in supply or limited availability of distributors, affecting convenience.
• Awareness and behavioural change: Ensuring continuous use of LPG requires sustained awareness campaigns and behaviour modification efforts to highlight health and environmental benefits.

Government responses have included targeted subsidy support, additional free refills during crisis periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and efforts to improve last-mile delivery through rural LPG centres.

Governance, monitoring and evaluation

The scheme’s progress is tracked through data maintained by oil marketing companies and periodic evaluations conducted by the MoPNG and independent research organisations. Digital platforms enable transparent monitoring of connections, refills, and subsidy disbursement. Grievance redressal mechanisms and safety awareness programmes have also been introduced to ensure accountability and safe usage.
Periodic reviews have emphasised the importance of combining access with affordability and behavioural adaptation to sustain benefits. Continuous stakeholder engagement, including state governments, community leaders and non-governmental organisations, has helped address regional challenges.

Significance and legacy

The Ujjwala Scheme represents one of India’s most impactful social welfare programmes in the energy sector. By linking energy access with women’s empowerment, health improvement and environmental sustainability, it has transformed domestic energy use patterns in rural India. The scheme aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to clean energy (SDG 7), good health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5) and climate action (SDG 13).