For millions of rural Indian women, the kitchen has long been a site of both responsibility and risk. Traditionally dependent on firewood, coal, or dung cakes for cooking, these women often faced hazardous indoor air pollution daily, leading to severe respiratory diseases, eye problems, and even premature deaths. According to the WHO, household air pollution from solid fuels is a leading cause of mortality in India.
In response, the Government of India launched the Ujjwala Yojana in 2016—an ambitious initiative to provide clean cooking fuel to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. Today, this scheme is widely recognised not only as a health intervention but also as a cornerstone for improving gender equality, financial inclusion, and rural development.
Bridging the Health Divide
One of the most immediate benefits of the Ujjwala Yojana has been its positive impact on women’s health. Traditional cooking fuels emit high levels of particulate matter and carbon monoxide, often in unventilated kitchens. These emissions are particularly dangerous for women and children, who spend the most time near cooking fires.
With the widespread distribution of subsidised LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connections, households have been able to transition to cleaner, safer kitchens. This has resulted in:
- Reduced cases of chronic bronchitis, asthma, and lung infections
- Lower incidence of burns and eye irritation
- A decrease in indoor air pollution levels across rural regions
The scheme is not merely about fuel—it’s about freedom from harmful smoke and the beginning of healthier living.
Midway Milestone: Reaching Millions of Homes
By 2022, over 90 million LPG connections had been distributed under the scheme, with a renewed push in Ujjwala 2.0 that includes additional support like free refills and stove kits. The initiative has helped bridge the urban-rural energy divide and brought dignity to millions of women.
At the heart of this transformation is the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which goes beyond utility to represent social upliftment through access to clean energy. It places women at the centre of policymaking, recognising their role not just as homemakers but as change agents.
Enabling Economic Mobility and Time Savings
Access to LPG does more than safeguard health—it also frees up time and energy. Women who previously spent hours gathering firewood now have more time for productive and income-generating activities. This shift has enabled many to:
- Pursue self-employment or small-scale businesses
- Enrol in skill development or microcredit programs
- Participate in SHGs (Self-Help Groups) and rural cooperatives
The PM Ujjwala Yojana is playing a pivotal role in this economic mobility. It’s not just about cooking gas—it’s about creating the conditions where rural women can contribute actively to the Indian economy while improving their quality of life.
Infrastructure, Innovation, and Behavioural Change
The success of the Ujjwala Yojana also lies in the creation of a last-mile delivery infrastructure. Thousands of new LPG distribution centres have sprung up in remote regions, many operated by women entrepreneurs. This has generated local employment and ensured regular fuel supply to rural households.
Additionally, behaviour-change communication—through community awareness campaigns, school interventions, and digital platforms—has helped overcome cultural resistance and myths around LPG usage.
The adoption curve has not been linear. Affordability of refills, initial hesitation, and awareness gaps have posed challenges. But the government has responded by offering additional subsidies, introducing refill insurance, and bundling Ujjwala with rural development programs to strengthen its reach and impact.
A Catalyst for Social Change
Beyond health and economics, the Ujjwala Yojana is fostering social empowerment:
- It gives rural women a stronger voice in household decisions
- Elevates their status by giving them control over a key domestic utility
- Encourages gender-sensitive policymaking at a national scale
As women gain more autonomy in household management, their participation in community decision-making also increases, whether in local governance, school committees, or development projects.
Lighting the Path Ahead
The Ujjwala Yojana is more than a welfare scheme—it is a blueprint for how targeted, gender-sensitive policies can drive multi-dimensional development. By linking energy access with health, economic opportunity, and women’s empowerment, the scheme is laying the groundwork for a cleaner, more equitable India.
As India accelerates its push toward sustainable development, the model of Ujjwala offers valuable lessons on inclusive growth. It proves that when women are at the centre of change, entire communities transform.
