{"id":71622,"date":"2026-04-23T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/idronline.org\/?post_type=article&p=71622"},"modified":"2026-04-23T14:31:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T09:01:46","slug":"can-indias-kitchens-go-electric","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/idronline.org\/kn-in\/article\/advocacy-government\/can-indias-kitchens-go-electric\/","title":{"rendered":"Can India\u2019s kitchens go electric?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the past decade, India has made notable efforts in expanding access to clean cooking by shifting households away from biomass fuels to cleaner alternatives such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Key government initiatives, such as the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and the Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) have been central<\/a> to this transition. Between 2016 and 2024 alone, more than 100 million<\/a> LPG connections were distributed, making this one of the largest clean energy access efforts globally.<\/p>

Yet, access alone does not guarantee an inclusive transition. While many urban and affluent households are increasingly relying on LPG as their primary cooking fuel, a large share of rural and marginalised households continue to practise fuel stacking—using a combination of LPG and traditional fuels such as firewood. High refill costs, unreliable last-mile delivery, and inconsistent service often limit exclusive reliance on LPG.<\/p>

At the same time, the transition to LPG has raised concerns about India’s growing reliance on fuel imports. In 2015, India’s LPG import dependence was around 47 percent<\/a>. By FY 2024, domestic production met only about 35 percent<\/a> of the total 29.6 million tonnes of LPG consumed, with around 65 percent supplied through imports. This increasing reliance has implications for both fiscal stability and energy security, particularly during periods of global supply chain disruptions arising from extraordinary situations<\/a>, such as pandemics and geopolitical conflicts.<\/p>

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Together, these challenges point to a deeper issue: India’s clean cooking transition cannot rely on a single fuel if it is to be both equitable and resilient. As India plans the next shift in its kitchens, it will be important to ensure that this shift does not deepen existing vulnerabilities, but instead expands choice and strengthens resilience.<\/p>

The need for a multi-fuel cooking strategy<\/h3>

India’s cooking transition remains uneven, as access to LPG has not translated into sustained use. Thirty-seven percent<\/a> of households still rely on biomass due to affordability, accessibility, and reliability constraints. <\/p>

A more resilient and inclusive pathway lies in diversifying clean cooking options by integrating LPG, electricity, and other alternatives such as biogas into a flexible energy mix. This approach also aligns with India’s broader goals of improving energy security, reducing import dependence, and advancing climate commitments.<\/p>

Electric cooking is a critical piece of this transition. Globally, the International Energy Agency estimates that electricity could meet up to 75 percent<\/a> of cooking needs in emerging economies by 2050. In India, however, adoption remains at an early stage. Appliances such as induction cookstoves, electric pressure cookers, and rice cookers are largely concentrated among urban, affluent households, and typically play a secondary role. <\/p>

This uneven uptake also reflects differences in households’ ability to afford appliances and the reliability of electricity supply. Evidence suggests<\/a> that higher-income households, particularly in urban areas with more reliable electricity<\/a> supply, are significantly more likely to own modern electric appliances than marginalised households.<\/p>

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That this transition is gradual is not surprising. Changes in Indian kitchens have historically unfolded over time, shaped by diverse culinary practices, infrastructure constraints, and household preferences. The shift from biomass to LPG itself took years of sustained policy support<\/a>, behavioural change, and investments in supply chains. The transition to electric cooking is likely to follow a similar trajectory—incremental at first, but potentially transformative over time.<\/p>

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Schemes such as PM–Surya Ghar are expanding access to rooftop solar, creating opportunities for households to directly link electricity generation with end uses like cooking. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>

India has already begun laying the groundwork for this transition. Policy and programme-level signals supporting electric cooking are beginning to emerge. Initiatives such as the Go Electric campaign<\/a> promote electric alternatives across sectors, including cooking. The National Efficient Cooking Programme<\/a> aims to deploy millions of induction cooktops. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has introduced star labelling for induction hobs, helping consumers identify efficient products while nudging manufacturers towards better performance.<\/p>

At the same time, schemes such as PM–Surya Ghar<\/a> are expanding access to rooftop solar, creating opportunities for households to directly link electricity generation with end uses like cooking. Together, these efforts signal a shift towards integrating cooking into India’s broader electrification and energy transition agenda.<\/p>

However, early policy signals alone will not be enough. Ensuring an inclusive expansion will require addressing a set of persistent barriers, many of which are rooted in perception, affordability, and system readiness.<\/p>

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The transition to LPG has raised concerns about India’s growing reliance on fuel imports. | Picture courtesy: Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Why electric cooking remains out of reach<\/h3>

Electric cooking continues to remain out of reach for many households due to a combination of awareness, economic, and behavioural factors.<\/p>