Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) Benefits and Full Details as of July 21, 2025
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a flagship social welfare scheme launched by the Indian government on May 1, 2016, aimed at providing clean cooking fuel to women from below poverty line (BPL) households. As of today, July 21, 2025, the scheme continues to empower women, improve health outcomes, and promote environmental sustainability by distributing free LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connections. Below are the full details of its benefits, eligibility, application process, and recent updates.
Objectives of PMUY
The scheme has three core goals:
- Health Protection: Reduce health risks like respiratory diseases caused by indoor air pollution from traditional fuels (firewood, coal, cow-dung cakes).
- Women Empowerment: Provide access to clean and efficient cooking fuel, freeing women from the burden of collecting firewood.
- Environmental Conservation: Lower deforestation and air pollution by promoting LPG over biomass fuels.
Key Benefits of PMUY
The Ujjwala Yojana offers a range of benefits to eligible households:
- Free LPG Connection: Beneficiaries receive a deposit-free LPG connection, including:
- A 14.2 kg cylinder (or 5 kg cylinder in some cases).
- A pressure regulator.
- A safety hose.
- A booklet with safety instructions.
- Subsidy on Refills: As of 2025, beneficiaries get a subsidy of Rs. 300 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per year, credited directly to their bank accounts.
- Free First Refill and Stove: The first LPG refill and a gas stove (hotplate) are provided at no cost.
- Financial Assistance: The government covers:
- Rs. 1,600 per connection for a 14.2 kg cylinder setup.
- Rs. 1,150 for a 5 kg cylinder setup.
These benefits make clean cooking fuel both accessible and affordable for economically disadvantaged families.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the scheme, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Gender and Age: Must be a woman aged 18 or older.
- Household Status: Must belong to a BPL household or fall under categories like:
- Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST).
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) beneficiaries.
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries.
- Most Backward Classes (MBC).
- Tea and Ex-Tea Garden tribes.
- Forest dwellers.
- Residents of islands or river islands.
- Households listed in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011.
- No Existing LPG Connection: The household must not already have an LPG connection.
- Bank Account: The applicant needs a savings bank account for subsidy transfers.
Application Process
Eligible women can apply through two simple methods:
- Online Application:
- Visit the official PMUY website (pmuy.gov.in).
- Click “Apply for New Ujjwala 2.0 Connection.”
- Choose an LPG distributor (e.g., Indane, Bharatgas, HP Gas).
- Enter details like Aadhaar number, bank account info, and address.
- Submit the application online.
- Offline Application:
- Visit the nearest LPG distributor.
- Fill out the PMUY application form (available at the distributor).
- Submit it with required documents:
- Aadhaar card (or other ID proof for Assam and Meghalaya).
- BPL ration card or state-issued family composition document.
- Bank account details.
- Passport-size photograph.
After submission, a pre-installation inspection may occur. Once approved, the LPG connection is delivered and installed.
Recent Updates (as of July 21, 2025)
The scheme has evolved to reach more beneficiaries and improve affordability:
- Expanded Coverage: An additional 75 lakh connections are being distributed from 2023-24 to 2025-26, bringing the total to 10.35 crore beneficiaries.
- Higher Subsidy: The subsidy increased from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 per 14.2 kg cylinder in 2023, easing the cost of refills.
- Migrant-Friendly: Ujjwala 2.0 allows migrant workers to apply with a self-declared address, removing the need for extensive address proof.
- Budget Support: Rs. 1,650 crore has been allocated to sustain this expansion.
Impact and Importance
The Ujjwala Yojana has transformed lives across India:
- Health Benefits: Reduced smoke exposure has lowered respiratory illnesses among women and children.
- Time Savings: Women save hours previously spent gathering fuel, enabling other productive pursuits.
- Environmental Gains: The shift to LPG has cut deforestation and emissions.
With over 10 crore connections distributed by 2025, PMUY is one of the world’s largest social welfare programs, reflecting the government’s commitment to clean energy access.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, as of July 21, 2025, continues to provide free LPG connections, subsidized refills, and stoves to BPL women, improving their health, empowerment, and environment. With an expanded reach and increased subsidies, it remains a vital initiative for rural India. Eligible women can easily apply online or offline to access these life-changing benefits.
For more information, visit pmuy.gov.in or contact your nearest LPG distributor.