Ujjwala Yojana: How India's Clean Energy Mission Empowered Millions of Women and Reduced Pollution

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has emerged as one of India’s most impactful social and environmental initiatives. Launched in 2016, the scheme aims to provide clean cooking fuel — Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) — to women from economically weaker households. Over the years, it has not only improved access to clean energy but also significantly contributed to women’s empowerment, public health, and environmental protection.

Transforming Access to Clean Energy

Before the launch of PMUY, millions of rural households in India depended on traditional fuels such as firewood, coal, and cow dung for cooking. These sources emitted harmful smoke, contributing to indoor air pollution and serious health risks. Ujjwala Yojana revolutionized this scenario by introducing LPG connections to poor families, enabling them to shift to a cleaner, safer, and more efficient cooking alternative.

As of 2023, the scheme has reached over one crore households, significantly boosting India’s LPG coverage to nearly 95%. This rapid expansion of clean fuel access marks a major step toward sustainable energy inclusion, especially in rural and remote regions. The use of LPG has tripled in many areas, reducing dependency on polluting fuels and aligning India’s energy goals with global sustainability standards.

Health and Environmental Benefits

The impact of Ujjwala Yojana on public health has been profound. Traditional biomass fuels release large amounts of carbon monoxide and particulate matter, which are known to cause respiratory diseases, eye irritation, and other health complications — especially among women and children. With the adoption of LPG under PMUY, indoor air pollution has drastically declined, improving overall household health and safety.

Moreover, this shift supports India’s environmental objectives by reducing the cutting of trees for firewood and lowering carbon emissions. The cleaner combustion of LPG helps India progress toward achieving its climate and air quality goals, as outlined under both national and international environmental commitments.

Empowering Women Through Energy Access

One of the most transformative aspects of the Ujjwala Yojana is women’s empowerment. The scheme directly benefits women by offering subsidized LPG connections in their names, making them the rightful owners of the fuel connection. This financial inclusion has given women greater control over household energy decisions.

The adoption of LPG also saves women hours of daily labor previously spent collecting firewood. This extra time allows them to focus on income-generating activities, education, or family well-being, thereby improving their quality of life. The scheme has, in many ways, become a symbol of dignity, empowerment, and progress for millions of women across rural India.

Strengthening Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Ujjwala Yojana plays a key role in advancing several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including clean energy access (SDG 7), gender equality (SDG 5), and good health and well-being (SDG 3). The government continues to enhance the program by targeting affordability and sustained usage, ensuring that beneficiaries can refill LPG cylinders at reasonable prices.

Future plans under the scheme include expanding LPG coverage further, strengthening supply chains in rural areas, and promoting awareness about the long-term benefits of clean cooking fuel. These steps aim to make the transition to clean energy permanent and inclusive.

A Catalyst for India’s Clean Energy Revolution

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has become more than just a subsidy program — it represents a national movement toward clean energy and social transformation. It has reduced the burden of indoor air pollution, improved women’s health, and promoted environmental conservation.

By combining energy access with empowerment, PMUY has set a global example of how public policy can drive both environmental and social progress. The initiative continues to strengthen India’s position as a leader in sustainable and inclusive development, moving the nation closer to its goal of universal access to clean and affordable energy.