The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a flagship social welfare scheme launched in May 2016 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG). Its primary objective is to provide clean cooking fuel in the form of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) to women from rural and economically deprived households.
Before this scheme, many households relied on firewood, coal, cow-dung cakes, and other traditional fuels, which posed serious health hazards and contributed to environmental degradation.
PMUY aims to improve women’s health, reduce indoor pollution, and save time that was otherwise spent collecting firewood, allowing women to engage in productive activities.
Why was PMUY Introduced?
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was introduced for various reasons:
| Aspect | Key Details |
| Health Concerns | Indoor air pollution from biomass fuels causes respiratory illnesses, eye irritation, and chronic health problems. PMUY provides cleaner and safer LPG fuel. |
| Women Empowerment | LPG connections are issued in the name of women, promoting financial independence and giving them control over household cooking resources. |
| Environmental Benefits | Reduced use of firewood and solid fuels aids forest conservation and lowers the carbon footprint. |
| Economic and Social Benefits | Time saved from fuel collection can be used for income generation, education, family care; improves school attendance for children. |
What are the Key Features of PMUY?
The key features of the PMUY are as follows:
- Free LPG Connection: Beneficiaries receive a deposit-free LPG connection, which includes a cylinder, pressure regulator, and hose.
- Subsidy Support: BPL households receive a financial support of Rs. 1,600 for a 14.2 kg cylinder or Rs. 1,150 for a 5 kg cylinder.
- First Refill and Stove: The first refill and stove (hot plate) are provided free of cost under Ujjwala 2.0.
- Women-Centric Ownership: Only adult women from eligible households can apply. Male members are excluded.
- Targeted Outreach: Priority is given to states with lower LPG coverage relative to the national average.
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Who is Eligible for PMUY?
Eligibility is restricted to adult women from rural and deprived households. The categories include:
- Households listed under SECC 2011
- SC/ST households, PMAY beneficiaries, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries
- Forest dwellers, Most Backward Classes (MBC), Tea and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes, and people living on river islands
- Women not falling under the above categories can claim eligibility under poor households using a 14-point declaration
Exclusion: Male members cannot apply for PMUY.
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What are the Phases of PMUY?
The different phases of the PMUY are as follows:
| Phase | Duration | Key Details | Benefits |
| Phase I | 2016–2020 | – Launched on 1st May 2016 in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh by PM Narendra Modi – Target: 8 crore LPG connections to deprived households by March 2020 | – LPG coverage increased from 62% in 2016 to 99.8% in 2021 – 8th crore connection handed over on 7th September 2019 in Aurangabad, Maharashtra |
| Ujjwala 2.0 | 2021–Present | – Announced in Union Budget 2021-22 – Release 1 crore additional LPG connections, prioritizing migrant families | – Extended to 1.6 crore connections by December 2022 – Free stove and first refill provided along with the connection |
What are the Benefits of PMUY?
The benefits of the PMUY are as follows:
- Health Improvement: Reduces respiratory and eye diseases caused by smoke
- Women Empowerment: Promotes ownership of household cooking fuel
- Time Savings: Women save hours previously spent collecting firewood
- Economic Benefits: More time for income-generating activities
- Environmental Conservation: Reduces deforestation and carbon emissions
- Financial Support: Subsidies and financial aid make LPG affordable for BPL households
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What are the Challenges Faced by PMUY?
The challenges faced by PMUY are as follows:
| Challenge | Key Details |
| Limited Refill Usage | – Out of 9.58 crore PMUY households, 1.18 crore bought no refills, and 1.51 crore bought only one refill – Average refill consumption for PMUY households: less than 4 cylinders, compared to 6.67 cylinders for non-PMUY households |
| Rising LPG Prices | – Subsidized cylinder prices rose from ₹495.64 (Jan 2018) to ₹903 (Mar 2023) – Non-subsidized cylinders increased by 49% to ₹1,103 (Mar 2023) – High costs driven by global crude oil prices, import charges, GST, bottling, and distribution costs |
| Sustaining Usage | – Rural beneficiaries may revert to traditional cooking fuels due to high refill costs – Lack of awareness about health and environmental benefits sometimes reduces adoption |
How is the Price of LPG Determined in India?
LPG pricing is based on the Import Parity Price (IPP) formula, which considers:
- International LPG prices (Saudi Aramco pricing)
- Ocean freight and customs duties
- Port charges and insurance
- Domestic bottling, transportation, and marketing costs
- Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Prices are revised monthly and largely uniform across PSU suppliers like Indian Oil, BPCL, and HPCL.
Key Takeaways
| Feature | Details |
| Launched | May 1, 2016 |
| Launch Place | Ballia, Uttar Pradesh |
| Ministry | Petroleum & Natural Gas |
| Objective | Provide LPG to women from deprived households |
| Phases | PMUY Phase I, Ujjwala 2.0 |
| Coverage | Over 10 crore connections (2025) |
| Benefits | Free LPG connection, first refill & stove, subsidy on refills |
| Eligibility | Adult women from BPL/eligible households |
| Exclusions | Male members cannot apply |
| Challenges | Low refill rates, rising LPG prices, sustaining usage |
Questions Based on Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
- When was the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana launched?
a) 2014
b) 2015
c) 2016
d) 2017
e) 2018 - Who is eligible to apply for PMUY?
a) Any adult male
b) Adult woman from a deprived household
c) Any family member
d) Only government employees
e) Children above 18 - Under PMUY, which phase provides first refill and stove free of cost?
a) Phase I
b) Ujjwala 2.0
c) Phase III
d) Pilot phase
e) None - Which ministry manages PMUY?
a) Ministry of Health
b) Ministry of Finance
c) Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
d) Ministry of Rural Development
e) Ministry of Women & Child Development - Which of the following is a major challenge of PMUY?
a) Excess LPG consumption
b) Limited refill usage
c) High employment
d) Too many connections
e) Low cylinder prices - What was the LPG coverage in India at the start of PMUY in 2016?
a) 50%
b) 62%
c) 75%
d) 80%
e) 99% - Which of the following costs are included in LPG price calculation?
a) Ocean freight
b) Education tax
c) Road toll
d) Hospital fees
e) None - How many PMUY connections were released under Phase I by March 2020?
a) 5 crore
b) 6 crore
c) 8 crore
d) 10 crore
e) 12 crore - Which of the following is not a beneficiary category under PMUY?
a) SC/ST households
b) Forest dwellers
c) Male household head
d) Tea and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes
e) AAY beneficiaries - What is the main objective of PMUY?
a) Provide free electricity
b) Provide LPG connections to rural women
c) Provide free education
d) Build roads in villages
e) Provide health insurance
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Answer Key
| Question No. | Answer |
| 1 | c) 2016 |
| 2 | b) Adult woman from a deprived household |
| 3 | b) Ujjwala 2.0 |
| 4 | c) Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas |
| 5 | b) Limited refill usage |
| 6 | b) 62% |
| 7 | a) Ocean freight |
| 8 | c) 8 crore |
| 9 | c) Male household head |
| 10 | b) Provide LPG connections to rural women |
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