10.4 Crore Ujjwala Households Drive Record Rise in LPG Usage

India is seeing a sharp rise in LPG usage among lower-income households as beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) increase refill frequency, signalling a deeper shift from access to sustained clean-fuel adoption.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said on January 14, 2026 that the average annual LPG consumption of PMUY households has risen to 4.85 cylinders per year, compared with around 3 cylinders in the early phase of the scheme.

Puri said the focus is now moving beyond new connections to consistent usage, which is increasingly viewed as the real success metric for clean-cooking programs.

LPG network expands; PMUY nears saturation target

Puri said India’s total LPG coverage has expanded to around 33 crore connections, with PMUY accounting for about 10.41 crore households.

The government has stated a PMUY saturation target of around 10.60 crore connections, indicating the scheme is nearing coverage goals.

Refill data signals stronger usage behaviour

Government data highlighted by the minister suggests refill volumes have increased significantly, pointing to higher real adoption of LPG for daily cooking.

Key indicators include:

• Cumulative PMUY refills: about 276 crore delivered to date
• Daily PMUY refills (FY25): around 13.6 lakh refills per day on average
• Total national scale: India delivers over 55 lakh cylinders daily across consumer categories

Higher average consumption suggests more households are using LPG more regularly rather than treating it as a backup fuel.

₹300 subsidy supports affordability and adoption

The government currently provides PMUY beneficiaries a ₹300 subsidy per 14.2 kg cylinder, for up to nine refills per year, the minister said.

This targeted support significantly lowers the effective refill cost for eligible households, making LPG more affordable in comparison with traditional cooking fuels.

Cleaner cooking outcomes: health and productivity impact

PMUY has been positioned as both an energy access and public welfare intervention, aimed at supporting the shift away from traditional biomass-based cooking (such as firewood and dung cakes).

Public health experts widely acknowledge that clean cooking fuels can reduce exposure to indoor smoke and improve household well-being, though outcomes depend on consistent usage and affordability.

Summary

India’s LPG usage is rising as PMUY households increase average annual consumption to 4.85 cylinders, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on January 14, 2026. India has around 33 crore LPG connections, with PMUY covering about 10.41 crore households, nearing a saturation target of 10.60 crore. Refill data indicates stronger behavioural adoption, supported by a ₹300 subsidy per cylinder for up to nine refills annually.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the current target for PMUY connections?

The government has stated a PMUY saturation target of around 10.60 crore connections, with about 10.41 crore already covered as of January 2026.

Q2: How much does a PMUY LPG refill cost now?

PMUY beneficiaries currently receive a ₹300 subsidy per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to nine refills per year, lowering the effective refill price. Actual consumer price can vary by state and local delivery conditions.

Q3: What does “4.85 cylinders per year” mean?

It is an average usage estimate across PMUY households. The rise suggests a larger share of beneficiaries are using LPG more consistently rather than relying mainly on traditional fuels.

Q4: What is PMUY 2.0?

PMUY 2.0 expanded support for beneficiaries, including simplified access norms and additional support measures to reduce upfront entry barriers.

Q5: Why is usage important, not just connections?

Because clean cooking outcomes depend on regular LPG usage. Higher refill frequency indicates households are using LPG more consistently.