NEW DELHI
India has achieved a historic milestone in public health and convenience, with clean cooking gas now reaching nearly every household across the nation. The Parliament was informed that the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has successfully expanded to include approximately 10.56 crore connections as of March 1, 2026.
This massive rollout has transformed lives, especially for women in rural areas who previously relied on smoky, unhealthy firewood. Before this program began, only about 62 percent of Indian homes had access to LPG. In states like Maharashtra and Gujarat, millions of families have made the switch, supported by a government approval for an additional 25 lakh connections this year to clear any remaining waiting lists.
It isn’t just about handing out cylinders; it’s about making sure people actually use them. Data shows that families are refilling their tanks more often, jumping from roughly three refills a year to nearly five. To keep costs down for poor families, the government provides a direct subsidy of Rs. 300 per cylinder.
To support this growth, oil companies have built a massive network of over 25,000 distributors, with the vast majority located in rural villages. With over 200 bottling plants now keeping the supply steady, the days of waiting weeks for a gas refill are fading into the past. This shift ensures that millions of families can finally enjoy a cleaner, safer, and faster way to cook their daily meals.
Clean cooking gas reaches nearly every home
