Not 9, just 4 subsidized LPG refills for Ujjwala beneficiaries now? Here's what the government says

The government has reduced the number of subsidized LPG cylinders from nine to four under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). The center did not specifically announce this, but the information was mentioned in a press release from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on June 7.

The statement in the press release reads: “In addition, the PMUY recipient will receive a direct benefit transfer from ₹300 cylinder for the first four fills each year – roughly the average annual consumption of a typical Ujjwala household, about four fills per year…”

The development came amid an ongoing war in West Asia that has affected global oil and gas supplies.

As per the latest information, the subsidy for Ujjwala customers is limited to ₹300 per cylinder for the first four cylinders per year, reflecting an average consumption of 4-5 cylinders per year.

Last year, the number of subsidized LPG refills for Ujjwala beneficiaries was reduced from 12 to 9. Now the number is four.

In May 2022, the government introduced a special purpose subsidy from ₹200/- per 14.2 kg bottle, up to 12 refills per year (and pro rata for 5 kg connection), for PMUY consumers.

In October 2023, the government increased the special purpose subsidy to ₹300 for a 14.2 kg bottle for up to 12 refills per year, according to a July 2025 Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas press release.

“After targeted subsidy of Rs 300/bottle to PMUY consumers, Government of India provides 14.2 kg LPG cylinders at effective cost ₹553 per cylinder in Delhi,” the press release said.

Later, in August 2025The union cabinet approved the special-purpose subsidy from ₹300 per 14.2 kg bottle for up to nine refills per year (and pro rata for 5 kg bottle) to Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries during FY 2025-26 for expenditure of ₹12,000 million crowns.

The Cabinet then said that India imports about 60% of its LPG requirement. In particular, the prices of petroleum products in India are linked to the corresponding prices in the international market

“To protect PMUY beneficiaries from the impact of sharp fluctuations in international LPG prices and to make LPG more affordable for PMUY consumers, thereby ensuring their continued use of LPG, the government has launched a targeted subsidy ₹200/- per 14.2 kg bottle for up to 12 refills per year (and pro rata for 5 kg connection) to PMUY consumers in May 2022. In October 2023, the government increased the targeted subsidy to ₹300 per 14.2 kg bottle for up to 12 refills per year (and pro rata for 5 kg connections),” the cabinet said.

On the 7th June this year, the ministry said the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries are paying effective ₹642 per 14.2 kg cylinder and is paid by a common consumer in Delhi ₹942, at a cost of supplies which now exceeded ₹1,600.

The government also emphasized that LPG consumers continue to receive a large indirect subsidy even after it ₹29 per cylinder price increase, with a subsidy of approx ₹700 for non-Ujjwala users and ₹1,000 for Ujjwala beneficiaries.