Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): A Comprehensive Guide for 2026 Exams

For competitive exams of Bank, Insurance, SSC & Regulatory Bodies, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a perpetual “hot topic.” Since its launch in 2016, it has redefined energy access in rural India. In late 2025 and early 2026, new cabinet decisions regarding subsidies and additional connections have made it even more relevant for your current affairs section.

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1. The Timeline: PMUY 1.0 to 2.0

The scheme was launched in two distinct phases to ensure saturation:

• Ujjwala 1.0 (Launched May 1, 2016): Launched from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. The initial target was to provide 5 crore LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, later revised to 8 crore.
• Ujjwala 2.0 (Launched August 10, 2021): Launched from Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh. It focused on migrants and those left out of the first phase, offering a “deposit-free” connection and, for the first time, a free first refill and a free gas stove (hotplate).

Understanding specific differences between the two phases of the Ujjwala Yojana is crucial. While both phases aim for “Clean Fuel,” the second phase removed the biggest barrier: Documentation.

PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) 1.0 vs. 2.0: Comparison Table

Feature	PMUY 1.0 (Launched 2016)	PMUY 2.0 (Launched 2021)
Launch Date	May 1, 2016	August 10, 2021
Launch Location	Ballia, Uttar Pradesh	Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh
Initial Target	5 Crore (later 8 Crore)	Additional 1.6 Crore (Total target now ~10.58 Cr)
Primary Beneficiary	Women from BPL households	Women from Poor/Migrant households
Selection Data	Based strictly on SECC 2011 data	Expanded to SC/ST, PMAY-G, AAY, & Self-Declaration
Documentation	Required Ration Card & Address Proof	No Ration Card/Address Proof needed for migrants
Freebies	Deposit-free connection only	Deposit-free connection + Free 1st Refill + Free Stove
Financial Support	₹1,600 per connection	₹1,600 per connection (additional items free)

2. Latest Updates (As of January 2026)

Keep these specific 2025-2026 figures in mind for your upcoming exams:

• Total Connections: As of January 2, 2026, the government has expanded the target to cover over 10.58 crore households.
• Recent Extension: In late 2025, the Union Cabinet approved an additional 25 lakh connections for FY 2025-26 to reach universal coverage.
• Subsidy Update: For the financial year 2025-26, the government is providing a targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 9 refills per year.

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3. Key Features and Eligibility

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).
• Tagline: “Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan” (Clean Fuel, Better Life).
• Financial Support: Cash assistance of ₹1,600 per connection for a 14.2 kg cylinder. This covers the security deposit of the cylinder, pressure regulator, hose, and domestic gas consumer card.
• Eligibility: 1. Only adult women (18+) from poor households can apply. 2. No existing LPG connection in the same household. 3. Must belong to categories like SC/ST, PMAY (Gramin), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), forest dwellers, or most backward classes.

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4. 10 Practice MCQs for OICL AO & RRB Clerk

Q1. In which city was Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) 1.0 officially launched in 2016?

A) Mahoba, UP

B) Ballia, UP

C) Patna, Bihar

D) Ranchi, Jharkhand

Answer: B) Ballia, UP

Q2. What is the current targeted subsidy amount per 14.2 kg cylinder for PMUY beneficiaries for FY 2025-26?

A) ₹200

B) ₹250

C) ₹300

D) ₹400

Answer: C) ₹300

Q3. Under Ujjwala 2.0, the subsidy of ₹300 is applicable for up to how many refills per year?

A) 12 refills

B) 9 refills

C) 6 refills

D) Unlimited refills

Answer: B) 9 refills (Note: This was adjusted from 12 in earlier years for FY 2025-26).

Q4. Which of the following is provided FREE of cost specifically under the Ujjwala 2.0 phase but was not part of the initial 1.0 deposit-free scheme?

A) Security Deposit

B) First Refill and Stove

C) Gas Hose

D) Consumer Card

Answer: B) First Refill and Stove

Q5. What is the tagline of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana?

A) Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas

B) Swachh Bharat, Shrestha Bharat

C) Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan

D) Har Ghar Gas, Har Ghar Bijli

Answer: C) Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan

Q6. Which ministry is responsible for the implementation of PMUY?

A) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

B) Ministry of Rural Development

C) Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

D) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Answer: C) Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Q7. As per the January 2026 updates, what is the total number of connections targeted under PMUY after the latest extension?

A) 8 Crore

B) 10 Crore

C) 10.35 Crore

D) 10.58 Crore

Answer: D) 10.58 Crore

Q8. Who is the primary eligible beneficiary for a PMUY connection? A) Any head of a BPL family

B) Adult female member of the household

C) Senior citizen of the household

D) Any member belonging to SC/ST

Answer: B) Adult female member of the household

Q9. Which data set was primarily used to identify beneficiaries in the first phase of PMUY?

A) Census 2011

B) SECC 2011 (Socio-Economic and Caste Census)

C) NFHS-4

D) PLFS 2017

Answer: B) SECC 2011

Q10. What is the financial assistance provided by the Central Government per connection (14.2kg) under the PMUY scheme?

A) ₹1,000

B) ₹1,200

C) ₹1,600

D) ₹2,000

Answer: C) ₹1,600