India is preparing to actively promote the use of induction cooktops by integrating electric cooking with rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This strategic shift is being considered in response to rising concerns over Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply disruptions, particularly due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. As uncertainties grow following the conflict triggered by the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran, the Indian government is exploring alternatives to conventional cooking fuels. The broader objective is to transition households toward cleaner, more sustainable, and domestically generated energy sources, with solar-powered kitchens emerging as a key solution.
For decades, LPG cylinders have served as the primary cooking fuel across Indian households, forming the backbone of both urban and rural kitchens. However, the recent instability in global energy markets has highlighted the vulnerability associated with dependence on imported fuels. In this context, induction cooktops are gaining attention as a viable and forward-looking alternative, especially as India continues to expand its renewable energy capacity. At the center of this transformation lies the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a flagship initiative aimed at accelerating rooftop solar adoption across the country. Through this scheme, the government plans to incentivize households to install solar panels, enabling them to utilize solar-generated electricity for daily cooking needs instead of relying on LPG.
Since induction cooktops operate entirely on electricity, households equipped with rooftop solar systems can harness solar energy generated during daylight hours to prepare meals. This not only reduces dependence on LPG cylinders but, in some cases, may even eliminate the need for them altogether. Additionally, the scheme offers benefits such as free monthly electricity allowances and net metering, allowing households to export surplus power back to the grid. These provisions make electric cooking a financially attractive option over the long term, particularly for millions of families seeking to reduce recurring fuel expenses.
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2024 with an ambitious goal of installing rooftop solar systems in 10 million households nationwide. Under the scheme, each participating household is eligible to receive up to 300 units of free electricity every month. Furthermore, households can generate additional income by selling excess electricity to the grid. As per the latest available government data, approximately 2.4 million households had already adopted rooftop solar systems by December 2025, indicating steady progress toward the scheme’s targets.
India’s growing reliance on solar energy is also reflected in its ability to meet rising electricity demand. On April 25, the country recorded its highest-ever peak electricity demand of 25.61 gigawatts, with solar power contributing more than 21% of the total supply. This demonstrates the increasing importance of renewable energy sources in ensuring energy security and supporting large-scale electrification initiatives such as electric cooking.
At the policy level, discussions are currently underway within the government to promote induction cooktops as part of the solar initiative, particularly in light of ongoing volatility in global energy markets. Reports suggest that senior officials are evaluating strategies to accelerate the adoption of electric cooking technologies. According to insights shared with The Economic Times, policymakers believe that the current situation presents a timely opportunity to reduce reliance on conventional fuels and transition toward cleaner alternatives.
At present, India has over 330 million LPG consumers, including around 100 million beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which provides subsidized cooking gas connections to economically weaker sections. Despite this widespread usage, the penetration of electric cooking devices remains relatively low. A 2020 survey conducted by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) found that only about 5% of Indian households use electric cooking appliances. Within this segment, adoption is higher in urban areas at 10.3%, compared to just 2.7% in rural regions.
Among electric cooking devices, induction cooktops and rice cookers are the most commonly used, with induction cooktops accounting for nearly 40% of all electric cooking users. However, when viewed at a national level, this translates to only around 2% of total households using induction cooktops. The limited adoption has largely been attributed to cost barriers, as basic induction cooktops typically range between Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,000, while premium models can cost as much as Rs 35,000. Despite this, recent geopolitical developments, particularly the Iran conflict in 2026, have led to a noticeable increase in demand for induction cooktops, suggesting that adoption rates may already be rising.
To address affordability and supply challenges, the government is reportedly working on a two-pronged strategy. This includes boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities while simultaneously encouraging consumer adoption through targeted policy support. Measures under consideration include reducing taxes on induction cooktops and lowering customs duties on essential components to decrease production costs. Additionally, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has proposed cutting the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on such appliances from the current 18% to 5%, which would significantly reduce retail prices.
The Ministry has also engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Power to assess demand-supply dynamics in the induction cooktop market and identify immediate steps to stabilize pricing and ensure adequate availability. These coordinated efforts indicate a broader policy push aimed at making electric cooking both accessible and economically viable for a larger segment of the population.
In the backdrop of growing uncertainties surrounding LPG supply, India’s shift toward induction-based cooking powered by solar energy represents a significant transformation in its energy consumption patterns. By moving away from imported fossil fuels and embracing domestically generated renewable energy, the country is not only enhancing its energy security but also advancing its sustainability goals. If supported by robust policy measures and widespread adoption of rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, induction cooking has the potential to transition from a niche solution to a mainstream household practice across India. India is preparing to actively promote the use of induction cooktops by integrating electric cooking with rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This strategic shift is being considered in response to rising concerns over Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply disruptions, particularly due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. As uncertainties grow following the conflict triggered by the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran, the Indian government is exploring alternatives to conventional cooking fuels. The broader objective is to transition households toward cleaner, more sustainable, and domestically generated energy sources, with solar-powered kitchens emerging as a key solution.
For decades, LPG cylinders have served as the primary cooking fuel across Indian households, forming the backbone of both urban and rural kitchens. However, the recent instability in global energy markets has highlighted the vulnerability associated with dependence on imported fuels. In this context, induction cooktops are gaining attention as a viable and forward-looking alternative, especially as India continues to expand its renewable energy capacity. At the center of this transformation lies the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a flagship initiative aimed at accelerating rooftop solar adoption across the country. Through this scheme, the government plans to incentivize households to install solar panels, enabling them to utilize solar-generated electricity for daily cooking needs instead of relying on LPG.
Since induction cooktops operate entirely on electricity, households equipped with rooftop solar systems can harness solar energy generated during daylight hours to prepare meals. This not only reduces dependence on LPG cylinders but, in some cases, may even eliminate the need for them altogether. Additionally, the scheme offers benefits such as free monthly electricity allowances and net metering, allowing households to export surplus power back to the grid. These provisions make electric cooking a financially attractive option over the long term, particularly for millions of families seeking to reduce recurring fuel expenses.
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2024 with an ambitious goal of installing rooftop solar systems in 10 million households nationwide. Under the scheme, each participating household is eligible to receive up to 300 units of free electricity every month. Furthermore, households can generate additional income by selling excess electricity to the grid. As per the latest available government data, approximately 2.4 million households had already adopted rooftop solar systems by December 2025, indicating steady progress toward the scheme’s targets.
India’s growing reliance on solar energy is also reflected in its ability to meet rising electricity demand. On April 25, the country recorded its highest-ever peak electricity demand of 25.61 gigawatts, with solar power contributing more than 21% of the total supply. This demonstrates the increasing importance of renewable energy sources in ensuring energy security and supporting large-scale electrification initiatives such as electric cooking.
At the policy level, discussions are currently underway within the government to promote induction cooktops as part of the solar initiative, particularly in light of ongoing volatility in global energy markets. Reports suggest that senior officials are evaluating strategies to accelerate the adoption of electric cooking technologies. According to insights shared with The Economic Times, policymakers believe that the current situation presents a timely opportunity to reduce reliance on conventional fuels and transition toward cleaner alternatives.
At present, India has over 330 million LPG consumers, including around 100 million beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which provides subsidized cooking gas connections to economically weaker sections. Despite this widespread usage, the penetration of electric cooking devices remains relatively low. A 2020 survey conducted by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) found that only about 5% of Indian households use electric cooking appliances. Within this segment, adoption is higher in urban areas at 10.3%, compared to just 2.7% in rural regions.
Among electric cooking devices, induction cooktops and rice cookers are the most commonly used, with induction cooktops accounting for nearly 40% of all electric cooking users. However, when viewed at a national level, this translates to only around 2% of total households using induction cooktops. The limited adoption has largely been attributed to cost barriers, as basic induction cooktops typically range between Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,000, while premium models can cost as much as Rs 35,000. Despite this, recent geopolitical developments, particularly the Iran conflict in 2026, have led to a noticeable increase in demand for induction cooktops, suggesting that adoption rates may already be rising.
To address affordability and supply challenges, the government is reportedly working on a two-pronged strategy. This includes boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities while simultaneously encouraging consumer adoption through targeted policy support. Measures under consideration include reducing taxes on induction cooktops and lowering customs duties on essential components to decrease production costs. Additionally, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has proposed cutting the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on such appliances from the current 18% to 5%, which would significantly reduce retail prices.
The Ministry has also engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Power to assess demand-supply dynamics in the induction cooktop market and identify immediate steps to stabilize pricing and ensure adequate availability. These coordinated efforts indicate a broader policy push aimed at making electric cooking both accessible and economically viable for a larger segment of the population.
In the backdrop of growing uncertainties surrounding LPG supply, India’s shift toward induction-based cooking powered by solar energy represents a significant transformation in its energy consumption patterns. By moving away from imported fossil fuels and embracing domestically generated renewable energy, the country is not only enhancing its energy security but also advancing its sustainability goals. If supported by robust policy measures and widespread adoption of rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, induction cooking has the potential to transition from a niche solution to a mainstream household practice across India.
