Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Year-End Review 2025: Transitioning India’s Energy Landscape
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | SDG 13: Climate Action | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) | Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) | Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB)
The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) has completed 2025 with a focus on enhancing national energy security and accelerating the shift toward cleaner fuels. Under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), the number of beneficiaries reached 10.35 crore by December 2025, with an additional 25 lakh connections approved for the 2025-26 fiscal year to ensure universal clean cooking access.
Key infrastructure and upstream milestones include:
Gas Infrastructure: India’s gas pipeline network has expanded to over 25,400 km, driving the “One Nation–One Gas Grid” vision to increase natural gas in the energy mix.
Upstream Reforms: The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act and new Petroleum & Natural Gas Rules have been implemented to attract investment and simplify exploration and production (E&P) processes.
Fuel Retail Innovation: Retail outlets have been strengthened through the integration of digital payments, EV charging stations, and multi-fuel energy points to cater to diverse mobility needs.
Wayside Amenities: The APNA GHAR initiative was launched to strengthen amenities for truckers along major energy corridors, enhancing road safety and logistics efficiency.
LPG Affordability: Targeted subsidies of ₹300 per cylinder were maintained for Ujjwala beneficiaries to ensure sustained usage and mitigate global price shocks.
What is the “One Nation–One Gas Grid”? It is India’s strategic initiative to connect all major demand centers and regional gas grids into a unified national network. By ensuring the seamless flow of natural gas from import terminals and domestic production fields to industries and households across the country, the grid aims to increase the share of gas in India’s energy basket from 6% to 15% by 2030, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the industrial sector.
Policy Relevance and Future Roadmap
The 2025 review underscores India’s strategic resilience in balancing domestic affordability with global decarbonization commitments. By streamlining upstream regulations and expanding pipeline infrastructure, the government is reducing the “cost of energy” for the manufacturing sector, which is critical for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission. Furthermore, the simplification of the Ujjwala eligibility process through a “Single Deprivation Declaration” signals a shift toward more inclusive, data-driven social welfare administration.
What is to come:
Strategic Reserves: Expansion of Phase II Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) to enhance India’s buffer against global supply chain disruptions.
Green Hydrogen Integration: Phased blending of green hydrogen into city gas distribution networks and the establishment of dedicated “Hydrogen Valleys” near industrial clusters.
Biofuel Mandates: Accelerated implementation of the E20 (20% Ethanol blending) target by 2025-26, supported by an expanded nationwide retail network.
Digital Upstream Monitoring: Deployment of AI-driven tools for real-time monitoring of oil and gas exploration blocks to optimize yield and safety.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How will the successful integration of EV charging and hydrogen dispensing at traditional retail outlets transform the fiscal sustainability of public sector oil marketing companies in a post-fossil fuel economy?
Follow the full news here: Year End Review 2025: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas