The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a flagship scheme launched by the Government of India, aimed at providing clean cooking fuel, particularly LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), to households that are still dependent on traditional fuels like firewood, coal, and cow-dung cakes. These traditional fuels are not only harmful to health but also lead to environmental degradation. Since its inception, the Ujjwala Yojana has been highly successful, benefiting millions of families across the country. In 2025, the scheme continues to make strides by offering free kitchen gas cylinders under specific conditions to eligible households, ensuring more families have access to cleaner, safer cooking fuel.
Features of PM Ujjwala Yojana
- Free LPG Connection: The primary objective of the scheme is to provide free LPG connections to eligible households. These connections are provided in the name of women heads of households, which helps in empowering women.
- Subsidized Cylinders: Beneficiaries under the Ujjwala Yojana are provided with subsidies for each cylinder refill, making it more affordable for them to continue using LPG regularly.
- Free Kitchen Gas Cylinders (2025 Update): Under the new provisions introduced in 2025, the government has expanded the benefits to include free LPG refills. Eligible families can now receive free kitchen gas cylinders as part of the initiative, ensuring that even after the initial free connection, households can continue to use LPG without worrying about the cost of refills.
- Health Benefits: By providing clean cooking fuel, PMUY helps in reducing indoor air pollution caused by traditional fuels, leading to better respiratory health for families, particularly women and children, who are most exposed to smoke from firewood.
- Environmental Impact: The shift from traditional fuels like firewood and coal to LPG reduces deforestation and lowers the carbon footprint, contributing to environmental conservation.
Eligibility Criteria for PM Ujjwala Yojana 2025
- To benefit from the PM Ujjwala Yojana 2025 and receive free kitchen gas cylinders, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria:
- BPL Households: Initially, the scheme was restricted to households identified as Below Poverty Line (BPL) under the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data. In 2025, the scheme has been expanded to include economically weaker sections (EWS) and households that fall under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
- Women Head of Household: The LPG connection is issued in the name of the woman who is the head of the household. This provision empowers women, giving them more control over household resources and decisions.
- No Previous LPG Connection: The applicant’s household should not have any existing LPG connection registered under her name.
Required Documents:
- Aadhar Card: The Aadhar card of the woman applicant and other household members.
- BPL or EWS Certificate: Proof of being a part of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) or Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category.
- Ration Card: The ration card, especially if the family falls under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
- Bank Account Details: A Jan Dhan or regular bank account in the name of the applicant to receive the subsidy directly.
Registration Process for PM Ujjwala Yojana 2025
1. Collect the Application Form
- Eligible women can collect the Ujjwala Yojana application form from their nearest LPG distributor or download it from the official website of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
2. Fill Out the Application Form
The application form requires basic details such as:
- Name of the applicant (woman head of the household)
- Aadhar number
- Address details
- Bank account information
- Identification as a BPL or EWS household (supported by relevant documents)
3. Submission of Documents
Along with the application form, the applicant must submit the following documents:
- Aadhar card
- BPL/EWS certificate
- Ration card
- Residential proof
- 4. Verification Process
- Once the application is submitted, the concerned authorities will verify the details. This involves checking the applicant’s eligibility, ensuring that the family does not already have an LPG connection, and verifying other supporting documents.
5. Issue of LPG Connection
- Once the verification is complete, the LPG connection will be issued to the eligible applicant under her name. The beneficiary will also be entitled to free kitchen gas cylinders as per the provisions of the scheme.
6. Gas Cylinder Refill
- Under the 2025 provisions, beneficiaries are entitled to receive a free kitchen gas cylinder for the first few refills. The government will bear the cost of these refills, ensuring that the families continue to use LPG as their primary cooking fuel.
FAQ
1. What is Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)?
- The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a scheme launched by the Government of India aimed at providing clean cooking fuel (LPG) to households living below the poverty line (BPL), especially in rural areas. The scheme primarily focuses on empowering women by providing them with a free LPG connection in the name of the female head of the family.
2. Who is eligible to apply for PM Ujjwala Yojana?
To be eligible for the PMUY, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant should be a woman.
- The applicant must belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) household.
- The household should not already have an LPG connection.
- The applicant must be over 18 years of age.
- The family should be identified in the SECC-2011 (Socio-Economic and Caste Census) database as eligible for the scheme.
- Additionally, priority is given to SC/ST households, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries, and other marginalized groups such as forest dwellers and economically weaker sections.
3. What documents are required to apply for the Ujjwala Yojana?
The following documents are necessary for applying to the scheme:
- Aadhaar Card of the applicant (female head of the household).
- Ration Card or proof of BPL status.
- Bank account details (preferably a Jan Dhan account) for receiving the subsidy.
- Passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
- Age proof (if not available on the Aadhaar card).
4. How can I apply for an LPG connection under PMUY?
Here’s the step-by-step process for applying
- Visit your nearest LPG distributor office (Indane, Bharat Gas, or HP Gas).
- Obtain the application form for the Ujjwala Yojana.
- Fill out the form with details such as name, address, Aadhaar number, and bank details.
- Attach the necessary documents mentioned above.
- Submit the completed application form and documents to the LPG distributor.
- After verification, the LPG connection will be issued in the name of the applicant, and subsidies for the first refill and stove will be provided.
5. Can I apply for the PMUY online?
- Yes, you can download the application form from the official website of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas or the respective LPG distributor’s website (Indane, Bharat Gas, or HP Gas). After filling it out, you must submit the form along with the required documents at the nearest LPG distributor’s office.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) continues to be a transformative initiative for millions of households across India. With the 2025 update offering free kitchen gas cylinders, the government is ensuring that more families can make the shift to clean cooking fuel without worrying about the financial burden of refills. The scheme not only improves the health and well-being of women and children but also contributes to environmental conservation by reducing reliance on traditional fuels.
