EconomyInfrastructure
News 25 of 29

India Aims for 12 Crore PNG Connections by 2034, Mandates Surrender of LPG for Dual Holders

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
02 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:33 crore LPG connections1.5 crore PNG connections12 crore PNG target by 203425,000 km gas pipeline network10,500 km pipeline under construction60% LPG import dependency
Bodies:Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG)Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)GAILParliamentary Standing CommitteeICRARystad Energy
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.India targets 12 crore PNG connections by 2034-35, requiring a 24% CAGR from the current 1.5 crore connections.

2.A recent gazette notification mandates households cannot hold both LPG and PNG connections, forcing ~60 lakh households to surrender LPG.

3.The push aims to reduce reliance on LPG imports (60% dependency) routed through the Strait of Hormuz, diversifying to globally available LNG.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

India is strategically pivoting from LPG to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to reduce import dependence and enhance energy security. The government has mandated households with PNG connections to surrender LPG cylinders within three months, targeting 12 crore PNG connections by 2034. This shift addresses supply chain vulnerabilities and leverages global LNG availability.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total LPG Connections33 crore
Current PNG Connections1.5 crore
PNG Target by 203412 crore connections
Current Gas Pipeline Network25,000 km
Pipeline Under Construction10,500 km
India's LPG Import Dependency60% (until recently)
Domestic LPG Production12 million tonnes
Annual LPG Consumption34 million tonnes

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Total LPG Connections: 33 crore
  • ›Current PNG Connections: 1.5 crore
  • ›Target this Data: '12 crore PNG connections by 2034', 'Current PNG connections: 1.5 crore', 'LPG import dependency: 60%'.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: 'Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)', 'Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG)'.
  • ›Target this Policy: 'Gazette notification mandating surrender of LPG for PNG households'.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which regulatory body's Secretary, Anjan Kumar Mishra, stated that domestic natural gas production could cater to 30 crore PNG connections?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding India's push for Piped Natural Gas (PNG):

1. A recent government gazette notification mandates that households cannot hold both LPG and PNG connections.

2. India's current gas pipeline network spans about 25,000 kilometres, with an additional 10,500 kilometres under construction.

3. The primary reason for India's historical preference for LPG over PNG has been the ease of building an extensive pipeline network compared to cylinder delivery.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what is the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas's target for the number of PNG connections by 2034?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a primary strategic advantage of shifting from LPG to PNG for India's energy security, as highlighted in the article?

All 25 MCQs ▸
You finished this topic
Explore Related Topics
Related Current Affairs
Economy Current Affairs

21 GW Renewable Energy Faces Curtailment Due to Transmission Bottlenecks in India

India's renewable energy boom is hitting a critical bottleneck: lack of transmission infrastructure. Nearly 21 GW of capacity operates on temporary grid access, facing severe curtailment (up to 90-95% in some cases), threatening project viability, debt repayment, and potentially creating NPAs for banks that have deployed ₹5.08 lakh crore in the sector.

Economy Current Affairs

Govt Sets 63,810 Tonnes/Day LPG Production Target for 21 Refineries to Cut Import Dependence

India has, for the first time, fixed maximum LPG production targets for 21 refineries (63,810 tonnes/day) to build a domestic supply buffer after the 2026 West Asia crisis exposed the country's 64% import dependence. Reliance's DTA refinery gets the largest private quota (18,000 tonnes/day), while public sector units must produce 31,470 tonnes/day. The move creates a standing framework to prevent future shortages and rationing.

Science & Tech Current Affairs

₹1.27 Lakh Crore Semicon 2.0 Launched: India Targets Domestic Chip Design, 1 Lakh More Engineers

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated Semicon India 2026, highlighting India's progress in semiconductor manufacturing. The government launched Semicon 2.0 with ₹1.27 lakh crore outlay, shifting focus to domestic chip design, talent development, and supply chain localisation. This is critical for national security and tech self-reliance.

Economy Current Affairs

India's LNG Imports Rise 15.4% in May-July as US, Nigeria, Oman Offset Strait of Hormuz Crisis

India successfully diversified its LNG import sources during the Strait of Hormuz crisis, increasing imports by 15.4% in May-July 2026. The US became the top supplier, while imports from Qatar plummeted 91.3%, highlighting India's energy security strategy amid geopolitical turmoil.

Economy Current Affairs

Record Rs 70,278 Crore Toll Collection in FY26: Top 5 States Drive 14.45% Growth

National highway toll collections hit a record Rs 70,278 crore in FY26, up 14.45% from last year, reflecting increased economic activity and highway expansion. Five states (UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu) account for 49% of total collections. The article also highlights the shift to FASTag and the new Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system.

Economy Current Affairs

Kudankulam Nuclear Reactor Costs Surge 55%: Impact on India's Nuclear Expansion Plans

Cost of four under-construction nuclear reactors at Kudankulam has risen by 55% to ₹1,38,330 crore, driven by Russia-Ukraine war. This poses a challenge to India's ambitious nuclear expansion plans and could increase electricity tariffs, especially as the government opens the sector to private participation.

Economy Current Affairs

₹38,000 Cr Greenfield Shipyard in Thoothukudi: India's First Mega Shipyard

India's first mega greenfield shipyard is proposed at Thoothukudi with an investment of ₹38,000 crore. This project is a strategic move to boost domestic shipbuilding capacity, create a maritime manufacturing hub, and generate significant employment in southern Tamil Nadu.

Economy Current Affairs

US Diesel Export Ban Proposal: Global Supply Crisis & Impact on India's Net Exporter Status

A US proposal to restrict diesel exports, supported by President Trump, threatens to remove the single largest source (20%) of globally traded diesel from the market. For India, a net diesel exporter, this could mean higher export margins for refineries like RIL, though higher export taxes and domestic demand will limit gains.