Key Highlights
- PMUY beneficiaries will receive a subsidy of ₹300 per cylinder on the first four refills annually.
- The annual subsidy benefit amounts to ₹1,200 per beneficiary.
- Domestic LPG cylinder prices were increased by ₹29 on June 7, 2026.
- Ujjwala beneficiaries effectively pay ₹642 for a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder.
- The actual supply cost of a domestic LPG cylinder has crossed ₹1,600.
- The government claims it absorbs nearly ₹1,000 per cylinder for Ujjwala beneficiaries.
- Eligible women from poor households can apply online or through LPG distributors.
Government Clarifies Ujjwala LPG Subsidy Structure, Limits ₹300 Benefit to First Four Refills Each Year
New Delhi, June 9, 2026: The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has clarified the subsidy structure under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), stating that eligible beneficiaries will receive a subsidy of ₹300 per LPG cylinder on the first four refills every financial year.
The clarification comes shortly after the government approved a ₹29 increase in domestic LPG cylinder prices, marking the second price hike in recent months amid rising global energy costs. While the ministry has not formally announced a reduction in subsidized cylinders, its latest statement indicates that Ujjwala households will receive subsidy support on only the first four refills annually, aligning with average household consumption patterns.
Annual Subsidy Benefit Fixed at ₹1,200
According to the ministry, Ujjwala beneficiaries will continue to receive ₹300 per cylinder for the first four LPG refills every year, resulting in a total annual subsidy of ₹1,200.
The move follows a previous policy adjustment in 2025 when the number of subsidized LPG refills available to PMUY beneficiaries was reduced from 12 to nine. The latest clarification suggests a further tightening of subsidy coverage while maintaining support for low-income households.
Government officials noted that the revised structure reflects actual consumption trends, as many PMUY households use approximately four to five cylinders annually.
LPG Prices Rise Amid Global Energy Market Volatility
The announcement comes at a time when domestic LPG prices are under pressure due to higher international energy costs. Following the latest revision, the price of a 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi has risen to ₹942 for regular consumers.
However, PMUY beneficiaries continue to pay an effective price of ₹642 after accounting for the subsidy.
The ministry highlighted that the actual cost of supplying a domestic LPG cylinder has exceeded ₹1,600, meaning the government and oil marketing companies continue to absorb a significant portion of the expense.
Officials stated that non-Ujjwala consumers receive an indirect subsidy of nearly ₹700 per cylinder, while Ujjwala beneficiaries receive support worth approximately ₹1,000 per cylinder when direct and indirect subsidies are combined.
India Among Countries with Lower LPG Costs
The government also emphasized that Indian households continue to enjoy relatively lower cooking gas prices compared to several neighboring and developed countries.
According to ministry data, the effective LPG price for Ujjwala beneficiaries stands at ₹642 per cylinder, compared with approximately ₹1,046 in Pakistan, ₹1,207 in Nepal, ₹1,225 in Bangladesh, ₹1,241 in Sri Lanka, and over ₹1,700 in countries such as the United States and Australia.
Officials argued that despite recent price hikes, India’s LPG subsidy framework continues to provide substantial support to economically vulnerable households.
Eligibility Criteria for PMUY
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is designed to provide clean cooking fuel access to women from economically weaker households.
To qualify, the applicant must be:
- A woman aged 18 years or above.
- A member of a poor household.
- From a family that does not already possess an LPG connection in the name of any household member.
Eligible applicants must submit identity, address, family composition, and bank account documents during the application process.
Application Process Remains Open
The government has confirmed that eligible applicants can continue to apply for PMUY benefits through both online and offline channels.
Applicants may submit forms through the official PMUY portal or visit Common Service Centres (CSCs) and LPG distributor outlets. The scheme continues to offer free LPG connections, including a cylinder, regulator, hose pipe, first refill, and a two-burner stove without any installation charges.
Focus on Clean Cooking Fuel Access
Launched to promote clean cooking fuel adoption and reduce dependence on traditional fuels such as firewood and coal, PMUY has emerged as one of India’s largest social welfare initiatives.
Officials stated that despite rising global LPG prices and increased supply costs, the government remains committed to supporting low-income households through targeted subsidies and direct benefit transfers.
As international energy markets continue to face uncertainty, policymakers are expected to closely monitor subsidy expenditures while ensuring affordable access to cooking fuel for millions of Ujjwala beneficiaries across the country.
