India's LPG Sector
Pahal Scheme and Energy Access
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is the primary cooking fuel for approximately 340 million households in India, making its supply security a direct welfare and food security issue. The government has actively promoted LPG access through several flagship schemes.
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): Launched May 2016; provides free LPG connections to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. Target: 80 million connections by 2020 (later expanded to 90 million+). Nodal ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
- Pahal (DBTL — Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG): Replaced the earlier subsidy system; LPG subsidy transferred directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of consumers. World's largest cash transfer scheme by beneficiary count at launch.
- As of FY25, approximately 340 million LPG connections exist in India (across urban and rural households).
- Three public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) distribute LPG: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL).
- LPG prices are deregulated for market-priced cylinders above the subsidised quota; subsidised cylinders (14.2 kg) are provided at controlled rates.
● Tracked since March 09, 2026 · last seen April 11, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
See it in today’s brief.
Daily current affairs with every static concept explained in place.
Read the daily brief