LPG Coverage Reaches Near-Universal Levels Under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
New Delhi, March 23 – India has achieved near-universal LPG coverage thanks to the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), with approximately 10.56 crore connections established as of March 1, 2026, according to a statement made to Parliament on Monday. Maharashtra currently has 52.60 lakh PMUY connections, while Gujarat boasts 43.92 lakh connections.The government recently approved the release of an additional 25 lakh LPG connections during the 2025-26 financial year to address pending applications and further saturate LPG access across the country. As of March 1, 2026, Maharashtra received approximately 0.48 lakh new connections, and Gujarat approximately 0.87 lakh.
Prior to the launch of PMUY, LPG coverage in India was around 62 percent. Data indicates a significant shift in consumption patterns among PMUY beneficiaries, which comprise over 80 percent of rural households. The average number of 14.2 kg LPG cylinders taken per year has increased from 3.68 in FY 2021-22 to 4.80 in FY 2025-26.
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have invested in improving the distribution infrastructure for domestic LPG. As of March 1, 2026, India has 25,605 LPG distributorships, with 17,677 located in rural areas, supported by 214 LPG bottling plants operated by OMCs.
Between April 2016 and February 2026, 8,037 new distributorships were commissioned to enhance LPG access in rural and remote regions, with 7,444 (93 percent) serving rural areas.
To ensure affordability and sustained LPG usage for PMUY consumers, the government is providing a targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 9 refills (and proportionately for 5 kg connections) during FY 2025-26. Furthermore, ‘Saksham’ remains the annual flagship program of Oil Industry Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), focused on promoting energy conservation and sustainability.
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