Only 23% of rural Indian households use LPG exclusively, CEEW finds

Affordability and patchy last-mile delivery are limiting sustained LPG use in rural India. CEEW says 73% of households used LPG in the past 90 days, but only 47% of rural users received doorstep delivery; it recommends a roughly Rs 200 increase in PMUY refill subsidy.

— Source publishedTue, 8 Sept, 2026, 09:07 IST·First seen Tue, 8 Sept, 2026, 09:18 IST·Source ET Small Business

What happened

LPG (India) · CEEW studies find refill affordability, weak doorstep delivery and informal LPG sales constrain sustained clean-cooking adoption. The group

Key facts

  • 73% of rural households used LPG in the previous 90 days
  • 23% of rural households use LPG exclusively
  • 47% of rural LPG users receive doorstep delivery
  • At Rs 400 per 14.2 kg cylinder, at least 80% would switch exclusively to LPG
  • Median willingness to pay: Rs 500
  • Subsidised PMUY refill rate: Rs 642
  • Urban informal retail cost: Rs 803; informal price: Rs 1,040
  • Proposed PMUY subsidy increase: about Rs 200 per cylinder

Why this matters

LPG companies should pursue partnerships with rural logistics networks, fintech/payment players, and government programs to expand delivery access and support a roughly Rs 200 PMUY refill-subsidy increase.