PM Modi’s Ujjwala at 10 marks shift from access to empowerment, says education minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Ten years on, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana stands as one of the most visible expressions of a larger shift, where women are not seen as beneficiaries of policy, but as its starting point.

Launched on this day in 2016, the programme embodied the governance principle that meaningful development must begin with improving the daily lives of women, especially in rural areas.



Also Read: Social justice ministry spends Rs 2,042 crore on educational schemes in FY-26

This emphasis on women-centric development has shaped policy across sectors. But the PM Ujjwala Yojana stands out as a first-of-its-kind, largest clean cooking energy transitions undertaken anywhere in the world - often called the Blue Flame Revolution.

In April 2015, LPG coverage was 56.2%. National Family Health Survey- 4 showed that only 44% of households used clean cooking fuel as their primary source. Electricity had reached villages, but clean cooking remained out of reach for many homes.

Ujjwala addressed this concern. Its design was simple: a deposit-free LPG connection in the name of a woman from a low-income household.

The first target of 5 crore connections was achieved in August 2018; the expanded target of 8 crore was completed by September 2019. Ujjwala 2.0, launched in August 2021, added flexibility for migrant households, simplified documentation, and provided a free first refill and a stove. As of March 1, the scheme has benefitted about 10.56 crore women.

Alongside connections, the delivery system expanded steadily. Total LPG connections in India rose from 14.52 crore in 2014 to 32.83 crore by November 2024. LPG distributors nearly doubled, with most new additions in rural areas. Public sector oil marketing companies also played a critical role in expanding LPG infrastructure, particularly in eastern and under-served regions. The JAM trinity-Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile-enabled targeted subsidy transfer directly into beneficiary bank accounts, ensuring that benefits reached without leakages.

The shift is now moving beyond access towards fairness in outcomes. Expansion in LPG coverage is advancing towards energy justice, ensuring access and equity in distribution. Ujjwala is not just about connections; it addresses a long-standing imbalance.

The health impact reinforces this transformation. Household air pollution has long been a silent risk, particularly for women and children. The transition to clean cooking has reduced this exposure, improved respiratory health and overall well-being. Field studies show that areas with higher Ujjwala coverage have lower levels of indoor air pollution.

Equally significant is the effect on time. Reduced time spent on fuel collection and cooking creates space - limited, but meaningful. When these gains accumulate, women participate more in economic activities, thus lending them a stronger voice within the household. This is where access begins to translate into empowerment. Reduced time pressure and improved household well-being are supporting greater continuity in education, particularly for young girls.

As Ujjwala enters its second decade, the nature of the challenge has evolved. The focus now is on ensuring sustained use.

Consumption levels have increased from just over three refills a year in 2019-20 to nearly five on a prorated basis in 2025-26. Yet, some households continue to use a mix of LPG and traditional fuels.

This is a natural phase in any large transition and reflects the realities of energy use. Affordability remains central. Government support has been calibrated through targeted subsidies, alongside efforts to strengthen delivery systems, expand smaller cylinder options, and improve awareness. The objective is clear: the transition must be sustained.


Also Read: Is a college education still worth it in India?

Equally important is the behavioural shift in habit, mindset, and aspiration. This opens the pathway for the next stage of clean cooking transitions, including the gradual adoption of induction-based cooking.

The government's commitment to women's empowerment has been both legislative and programmatic. In September 2023, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was enacted, overcoming long years of political inertia. The gender budget has risen from 5.46% of the budget in 2014-15 to 8.86%t in 2025-26.

The task ahead is to ensure that this shift becomes universal and irreversible. Because when dignity enters the kitchen, it does not remain confined there, it expands into health, education and opportunity.

The author is education minister.