Impact of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana on Behavioral Changes among Rural Women

Abstract: Women play multiple roles within households and communities, making them central to societal development. Despite this, rural women in India often remain marginalized, particularly in terms of health, economic opportunities, and decision-making autonomy. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), launched by the Government of India, aims to empower women by providing subsidized Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections to households Below the Poverty Line (BPL). The transition from traditional biomass fuels to LPG has substantial implications for women’s health, time use, and economic productivity. This study assesses the impact of PMUY on the behavioral and lifestyle changes of rural women in two villages of Pusa Block, Samastipur district, Bihar. A sample of 100 women beneficiaries was selected using random sampling techniques. Findings reveal that PMUY had a medium level of impact on 65%, a high impact on 25%, and a low impact on 10% of respondents. The scheme significantly enhanced health awareness, reduced drudgery, and encouraged cleaner cooking practices among rural women. Keywords: PMUY, Rural Women, LPG Adoption, Behavioral Change, Women Empowerment. Title: Impact of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana on Behavioral Changes among Rural Women Author: Runi Kumari, Dr. Kusum Kumari, Dr. Vidisha Mishra, Dr. Shweta Priyadarshini, Dr. Renu Kumari, Dr. Sangeeta Rani International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online) Vol. 14, Issue 1, January 2026 - March 2026 Page No: 39-42 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 20-January-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18312794 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/impact-of-pradhan-mantri-ujjwala-yojana-on-behavioral-changes-among-rural-women