New Delhi: In a powerful testament to India's energy security and social welfare achievements, President Smt. Droupadi Murmu highlighted the transformative impact of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) during her address to the joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session 2026.
Crediting the "visionary leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the President underscored India's unique success in navigating global geopolitical challenges to ensure both the affordability and availability of energy for its citizens. "India was the only country where the prices of fuel came down even as they skyrocketed in most parts of the world," she noted, adding that India continues to supply LPG at the cheapest prices globally despite being a net importer.
The numbers tell a compelling story of scale and reach. From about 14 crore LPG connections in 2014, the nation has now crossed a monumental 33 crore active connections. The flagship Ujjwala scheme has been a cornerstone of this expansion, providing over 10.4 crore new connections, with 80% in rural areas, directly empowering sisters and mothers.
This massive rollout has had a profound impact on household economics and women's health. As a direct result, beneficiary families are now able to cook their daily meals for approximately ₹7 per day, liberating millions from the health hazards of smoky, traditional chulhas and reducing the drudgery of fuel collection.
The address also highlighted the expansion of the city gas distribution (CGD) network. Today, clean natural gas reaches households through 1.59 crore PNG connections and powers vehicles across 8,477 CNG stations. This infrastructure spans 307 Geographical Areas, covering nearly 99% of the country's mainland, supported by a robust network of 25,923 km of operational gas pipelines and 8 LNG terminals.
President Murmu's acknowledgment reinforces the Ujjwala Yojana as a pivotal scheme in India's journey towards energy independence, women's empowerment, and public health, setting a global benchmark for inclusive energy transition.