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India's LPG Crisis: 60% Import Dependency, 20.5 MMT Imports in 2024 Amid West Asia Conflict and PMUY's 33 Crore Connections

EconomyIntl. RelationsSocial IssuesHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
19 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:60% LPG import dependency20.5 MMT LPG imports (2024)Over 90% imports from West Asia33 crore LPG connections10 crore PMUY households55 lakh cylinders daily
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What This Article Covers

1.India's LPG supply is under threat as attacks on West Asia's South Pars and Ras Laffan gas facilities disrupt 90% of imports routed via Strait of Hormuz.

2.Despite PMUY's success (10 crore households), India's structural challenge is 60% import dependency, with 20.5 MMT imported in 2024, leading to supply prioritization for households over commercial use under the Essential Commodities Act.

3.The crisis reveals policy trade-offs, creating informal markets and urban food insecurity, while long-term solutions require infrastructure for global sourcing and a shift to PNG, biogas, and electric cooking.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

Attacks on key gas fields in West Asia have exposed India's critical LPG import dependency (60%), threatening household supply and raising energy security concerns. The crisis tests the government's subsidy-driven PMUY scheme (33 crore connections) and highlights the need for long-term diversification and alternative fuels.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

India's LPG Import Dependency60% of consumption
LPG Imports (2024)20.5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT)
Share of Imports from West AsiaOver 90%
Total LPG Connections in IndiaAround 33 crore
Households under PMUYOver 10 crore
Daily Cylinder DeliveryOver 55 lakh
PNG Connections in IndiaAround 1.36 crore

1-Minute Revision

  • ›India's LPG Import Dependency: 60% of consumption
  • ›LPG Imports (2024): 20.5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT)
  • ›Target this Data: 60% LPG import dependency and 20.5 MMT imports in 2024.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) directed by the Union Government.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Prioritization of LPG under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

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

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which government scheme, mentioned in the article, is primarily aimed at providing access to clean cooking fuel?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding India's LPG sector as per the article:

1. Over 90% of India's LPG imports are sourced from West Asian suppliers.

2. India's LPG import dependency stands at about 40% of its total consumption.

3. The average annual consumption among PMUY beneficiary households has been declining steadily.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, approximately how many LPG connections are there in India today?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a major unintended consequence of the government's directive to prioritize household LPG consumption over commercial use, as discussed in the article?

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