• The Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme, launched on January 5, 2015, marked its 10th anniversary as a groundbreaking initiative in energy efficiency. 

• Over the past decade, more than 36 crore LED bulbs have been distributed across the country, making energy-saving technologies accessible to households while addressing challenges such as high electrification costs and carbon emissions.

• It has resulted in Rs 19,153 crore in annual electricity savings, according to the Ministry of Power.

What is UJALA scheme?

• Energy efficiency assumes significance for the nation in the current environment of shortages and concerns over climate change. Lighting itself accounts for about 20 per cent of the total electricity consumption in India. 

• Most of the lighting needs in domestic and public sector are met by conventional lights, including highly inefficient incandescent bulbs in the domestic sector. LEDs provide better light output than conventional lights and are 88 per cent energy efficient as compared to incandescent bulbs. LED lights are 50 per cent energy efficient as compared to CFLs.

• A 7W LED bulb provides the same amount of light as a 14W Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and a 60W Incandescent Lamp (ICL), thereby saving nearly 90 per cent energy compared to ICLs and 50 per cent in the case of CFLs.

• In terms of energy consumption, an LED bulb uses only one unit of electricity when operated for 140 hours, whereas a CFL and an ICL consume 2 units and 9 units respectively over the same period. This translates into substantial cost savings, as the operating cost of an LED bulb is just Rs 4 for 140 hours, compared to Rs 8 for CFL and Rs 36 for ICLs.

• In 2014, the retail price of an LED bulb was approximately Rs 450-500, significantly higher than a CFL at Rs 100-150 and an ICL at Rs 10-15. 

• Consequently, the share of LEDs in the lighting market was less than one per cent in 2013-14. This high initial cost served as a major barrier to adoption, highlighting the need for an intervention to make LEDs affordable and accessible.

• Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) was launched on January 5, 2015 to revolutionise household lighting by providing affordable energy-efficient LED bulbs, tube lights, and fans to millions of Indian homes.

• The UJALA scheme enables consumers to purchase LED appliances at significantly reduced rates: Rs 70 per LED bulb, Rs 220 per LED tubelight, and Rs 1,110 per energy-efficient fan.

• It is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Ministry of Power.

• In a short span, the programme has evolved to be the world’s largest zero subsidy domestic lighting programme that addresses concerns like high electrification cost and high emissions that result from inefficient lighting.

Impact of UJALA scheme

• As of January 5, 2025, the UJALA scheme has distributed 36.87 crore LED bulbs, making it one of the most widely adopted initiatives in the country. 

• Its implementation across all states has brought about transformative changes, reduced annual household electricity bills, and enabled consumers to save money while improving their quality of life. 

• By ensuring transparency through e-procurement and fostering competition, the programme has significantly reduced transaction costs and time, leading to enhanced process efficiency. 

• The UJALA scheme has germinated the sale of 407.92 crore LED bulbs in the Indian market.

• Beyond economic benefits, the scheme has made notable contributions to environmental sustainability by reducing the nation’s carbon footprint. 

• These efforts have aligned with India’s larger goals of energy conservation and climate change mitigation.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)

• Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is a Super Energy Service Company (ESCO), which enables consumers, industries and governments to effectively manage their energy needs through energy efficient technologies. 

• EESL is implementing the world’s largest energy efficiency portfolio across sectors like lighting, buildings, electric mobility, smart metering, agriculture, etc at a scale which no organisation has been able to achieve.

• Founded in 2009, EESL is promoted by the ministry of power as a Joint Venture of four reputed public- sector undertakings NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation Limited, REC Limited and POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited.

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