What is Ujjwala Yojana?
Historical Background
Key Points
11 points- 1.
The primary provision of Ujjwala Yojana is the financial assistance provided to BPL households for obtaining an LPG connection. This includes a subsidy that significantly reduces the upfront cost of the connection, making it affordable for poor families. For example, instead of paying the full price of around ₹3,200 for a new connection, beneficiaries only pay a fraction of that amount.
- 2.
The scheme prioritizes women as beneficiaries. The LPG connection is issued in the name of the adult woman of the household, empowering her and improving her social standing. This ensures that the benefits of the scheme directly accrue to the women in the family.
- 3.
Ujjwala Yojana initially focused on BPL households identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011. This ensured that the benefits reached the most deserving and economically vulnerable sections of society. The SECC data provided a reliable basis for identifying eligible beneficiaries.
- 4.
The scheme has been expanded to include other categories of women, such as those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Forest Dwellers, Most Backward Classes (MBC), and Tea Garden Tribes. This broadened the scope of the scheme to cover a wider range of vulnerable populations.
- 5.
The government provides financial support not only for the initial connection but also for the purchase of the first LPG cylinder and stove. This helps families overcome the initial financial burden and encourages them to adopt LPG as their primary cooking fuel. This support is crucial for ensuring sustained usage.
- 6.
Ujjwala Yojana promotes the use of smaller 5 kg LPG cylinders, making them more accessible and affordable for poor households. These smaller cylinders reduce the financial burden on families and make it easier for them to manage their cooking fuel expenses. This is particularly helpful for migrant workers and those with limited incomes.
- 7.
The scheme has led to a significant increase in LPG coverage across India, particularly in rural areas. Before Ujjwala, LPG penetration in rural areas was low, but the scheme has helped bridge this gap, bringing clean cooking fuel to millions of households. This has contributed to improved health outcomes and reduced deforestation.
- 8.
One of the key objectives of Ujjwala Yojana is to reduce indoor air pollution, which is a major health hazard in rural areas. By replacing traditional cooking fuels with LPG, the scheme helps reduce respiratory illnesses, eye problems, and other health issues caused by smoke and fumes. This has a direct impact on the health and well-being of women and children.
- 9.
The scheme also contributes to environmental conservation by reducing the demand for firewood, which leads to deforestation. By promoting LPG as a clean cooking fuel, Ujjwala Yojana helps protect forests and biodiversity. This aligns with India's broader efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.
- 10.
The success of Ujjwala Yojana depends on the availability and affordability of LPG refills. The government has taken steps to ensure that LPG is readily available in rural areas and that refill prices are kept under control. This is essential for ensuring sustained usage and preventing beneficiaries from reverting to traditional cooking fuels.
- 11.
The government has introduced various initiatives to promote the adoption of LPG, such as awareness campaigns, distribution camps, and customer service centers. These efforts help educate people about the benefits of LPG and provide support to beneficiaries. This is crucial for ensuring the long-term success of the scheme.
Recent Developments
5 developmentsIn 2021, the government launched Ujjwala 2.0, aiming to provide an additional 1 crore LPG connections to low-income families who were not covered under the first phase. This expansion focused on migrant workers and those living in remote areas.
As of 2023, over 9 crore LPG connections have been provided under the Ujjwala Yojana, making it one of the largest clean energy access programs in the world. This has significantly improved the lives of millions of women and their families.
In 2024, the government announced a subsidy of ₹300 per LPG cylinder for up to 12 refills per year for Ujjwala beneficiaries. This measure aimed to cushion the impact of rising LPG prices on poor households and encourage continued usage.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has been actively promoting the adoption of LPG through awareness campaigns and distribution camps in various states. These efforts aim to educate people about the benefits of LPG and provide support to beneficiaries.
There have been ongoing efforts to improve the supply chain and distribution network of LPG in rural areas to ensure that refills are readily available and accessible to Ujjwala beneficiaries. This includes setting up more distribution points and streamlining the delivery process.
This Concept in News
1 topicsFrequently Asked Questions
61. Many government schemes aim to reduce poverty. What makes Ujjwala Yojana specifically important for women's health and empowerment, beyond just providing financial relief?
Ujjwala Yojana directly addresses the health issues caused by indoor air pollution from traditional cooking fuels like firewood, dung cakes, and coal, which disproportionately affect women and children. By providing access to LPG, it reduces respiratory illnesses, eye problems, and other health hazards. Furthermore, the LPG connection is issued in the name of the adult woman of the household, enhancing her decision-making power and social standing within the family. This direct targeting and empowerment aspect is what differentiates it.
2. Ujjwala Yojana initially targeted BPL households identified through the SECC 2011 data. Why is this selection criterion important, and what are its limitations?
Using SECC 2011 data provided a structured and relatively objective way to identify the most economically vulnerable households, ensuring that the scheme's benefits reached those who needed them most. However, the SECC data is over a decade old, and many families' economic situations may have changed since then. This means some deserving families might be excluded, while others who have improved their economic status might still be benefiting. The expansion to include other categories like SC/ST and AAY beneficiaries attempts to address these limitations.
3. What is the most common MCQ trap related to the financial provisions of Ujjwala Yojana, especially concerning the subsidy?
A common trap is to present options that confuse the subsidy for the initial connection with the subsidy for subsequent refills. While Ujjwala provides a significant subsidy for the initial LPG connection and sometimes for the first cylinder and stove, the subsidy on refills is a separate, later development (like the ₹300 per cylinder subsidy announced in 2024) and is often conditional (e.g., up to 12 refills per year). MCQs might try to trick you into thinking the initial connection subsidy applies to all refills.
Exam Tip
Remember: Initial connection = big subsidy. Refills = smaller, conditional subsidy (if any).
4. How does Ujjwala 2.0 differ from the original Ujjwala Yojana, and why was the expansion necessary?
Ujjwala 2.0 aimed to reach the low-income families that were not covered under the first phase, with a special focus on migrant workers and those living in remote areas. The expansion was necessary because the initial scheme, while successful, still left out a significant portion of vulnerable populations. Migrant workers, for example, often lack the necessary documentation to qualify under the original criteria. Ujjwala 2.0 simplified the enrollment process and targeted these underserved groups more effectively.
5. What are some of the practical challenges in ensuring the sustained usage of LPG by Ujjwala beneficiaries, even after they receive the initial connection?
Even with a subsidized initial connection, the cost of refilling LPG cylinders can still be a barrier for poor households. Fluctuations in LPG prices, coupled with limited income, can force families to revert to cheaper, traditional fuels. Also, the availability and accessibility of refill cylinders in remote areas can be problematic due to logistical challenges and infrastructure limitations. Awareness campaigns and continued financial support, like the ₹300 subsidy, are crucial to address these challenges.
6. Ujjwala Yojana is linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Which specific SDGs does it directly contribute to, and how might an MCQ test this?
Ujjwala Yojana directly contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by reducing indoor air pollution and related health issues, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering women and improving their social standing, and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by providing access to clean cooking fuel. An MCQ might present a scenario and ask which SDG is *most directly* addressed by Ujjwala, requiring you to prioritize based on the scheme's primary objectives. Be wary of options that are tangentially related but not central to the scheme's core purpose.
Exam Tip
Focus on the *primary* impact: Health (SDG 3), Gender (SDG 5), Clean Energy (SDG 7). Don't pick SDGs that are only indirectly affected.