Not 9, just 4 subsidised LPG refills for Ujjwala beneficiaries now? Here's what govt says

The government has slashed the number of subsidised LPG cylinders from nine to four under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). The Centre did not explicitly announce it, but the information was mentioned in a press release by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas on 7 June.

The statement in the press note read, “A PMUY beneficiary will additionally receive the direct benefit transfer of ₹300 a cylinder on the first four refills each year — broadly the average annual consumption of a typical Ujjwala household, about four refills a year...”

The development came amid the ongoing war in West Asia, which has impacted global oil and gas supply.

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

Change in Ujjwala subsidy: A timeline

Last year, the number of subsidised LPG cylinder refills for Ujjwala beneficiaries was reduced from 12 to 9. Now, the number stands at four.

In May 2022, the government introduced a targeted subsidy of ₹200/- per 14.2 kg cylinder, up to 12 refills per annum (and proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg connections), for PMUY consumers.

In October 2023, the government increased the targeted subsidy to ₹300 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per annum, as per a press release by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas in July 2025.

"After a targeted subsidy of Rs. 300/cylinder to PMUY consumers, Government of India is providing 14.2 Kg LPG cylinders at an effective price of ₹553 per cylinder in Delhi," a press note read.

Later, in August 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to nine refills per year (and proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg cylinder) to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana during FY 2025-26 at an expenditure of ₹12,000 crore.

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

"To shield PMUY beneficiaries from the impact of sharp fluctuations in international prices of LPG and to make LPG more affordable to PMUY consumers, thereby ensuring sustained usage of LPG by them, government started a targeted subsidy of ₹200/- per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per annum (and proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg connections) to the PMUY consumers in May 2022. In October 2023, Government increased targeted subsidy to ₹300 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per annum (and proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg connections)," the cabinet had said.

On 7 June this year, the ministry said a beneficiary of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana pays an effective ₹642 for a 14.2 kg cylinder, and the general consumer in Delhi pays ₹942, against a cost to supply that has now risen to over ₹1,600.

The government also stressed that LPG consumers continue to get a large indirect subsidy even after the ₹29 per cylinder price increase, with the subsidy amounting to about ₹700 for non-Ujjwala users and ₹1,000 for Ujjwala beneficiaries.