After GST Relief, Good News for Women: 2.5 Million New LPG Connections Under Ujjwala Scheme

With Navratri underway, the Indian government has announced a major benefit for women alongside the recent GST reforms. On September 22nd, the government approved the distribution of 2.5 million new LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for the current financial year 2025-26.

Key Highlights

• Total Connections Under PMUY: Will now reach 105.8 million

• Cost to Government: ₹676 crore

  • ₹512.5 crore for deposit-free connections (₹2,050 per connection)

  • ₹160 crore for cylinder subsidies announced in August

  • ₹3.5 crore for scheme management and other expenses

About the Ujjwala Scheme

• Launch Year: 2016

• Purpose: Provide LPG connections to women from poor families at no cost

  • Includes installation, first refill, hose, regulator, and stove

• Previous Impact:

  • First phase: 8 crore connections

  • Second phase: Launched in August 2021

  • As of July 2025: Over 103.3 million connections distributed

• Recent Updates:

  • Targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2-kg cylinder

  • Increased eligible refills to nine per year

This move will benefit millions of women, ensuring cleaner cooking fuel at home and reducing financial burden, especially during the festive season.