Unintended Beneficiaries of Clean Energy: Are Policy Gaps in India’s Ujjwala Yojana Undermining SDG Progress?

The current study investigates the unintended beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), a government initiative designed to promote clean cooking fuel among economically disadvantaged households in India, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 5, and 7. While PMUY has expanded LPG access, concerns have emerged about inclusion errors, where non-targeted households receive benefits. Using National Sample Survey (NSS) data, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is applied to create a wealth index to identify unintended beneficiaries. Bivariate analysis reveals leakage patterns, highlighting households marginally above the poverty line and those exploiting program loopholes. The study contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by addressing clean energy adoption and its health impacts, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by assessing the program's targeting of women, and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by promoting equitable access to clean fuel. Findings offer critical insights for refining policy mechanisms and improving the efficiency of welfare programs like PMUY.

Keywords: Unintended beneficiaries, SDG, PMUY, Clean energy, NSS.