entral Government’s free LPG gas connection scheme

how to apply for the Central Government’s free LPG gas connection scheme – the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in 2025.

🏠 Scheme Name: Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a flagship welfare scheme of the Government of India launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016. The aim was to provide clean cooking fuel in the form of LPG connections to millions of poor households, particularly in rural and underdeveloped regions.

In 2025, the scheme continues under PMUY 2.0, with extended benefits and eligibility to cover even more categories.

2. 📖 Background & History

Before 2016, many poor families—especially in rural India—relied on traditional fuels like wood, cow dung, coal, and crop waste for cooking. These methods led to severe health hazards, especially for women and children, causing respiratory issues and indoor air pollution.

To address this, the government launched PMUY with a vision of “Har Ghar LPG, Har Ghar Swasthya.”

3. 🎯 Objectives of the Scheme

Provide free LPG connections to BPL families.
Reduce dependency on solid fuels.
Improve indoor air quality.
Promote women empowerment.
Ensure clean energy access for all.
Support environmental protection through reduced deforestation.

4. 🌟 Key Features and Benefits

Feature	Details
Free LPG Connection	Including security deposit waiver
Free Refill	First refill is free
Free Stove	Single burner LPG stove
Installation Kit	With safety pipe and regulator
Subsidy Support	Future refills at subsidized rates via DBT
Doorstep Service	Connection delivered to home
No Collateral or Fees	Entirely free for eligible families

5. 🔄 Latest Updates in PMUY 2.0 (2025 Edition)

75 lakh new LPG connections will be given under PMUY 2.0 Phase-III.
New beneficiaries include:
- Migrants without address proof
- Nomadic tribes
- Forest dwellers
- Street vendors
e-KYC made optional for rural applicants.
Self-declaration allowed in some states to fast-track delivery.
5-kg cylinder option added for affordability.
Paperless registration now available on https://www.pmuy.gov.in.

6. 👩‍👧 Eligibility Criteria (2025)

To apply for a free gas connection under PMUY 2025:

The applicant must be a woman above 18 years of age.
The household must not already have an LPG connection.
The family must be in BPL (Below Poverty Line) category OR:
- Registered under SECC 2011
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card holder
- SC/ST, Most Backward Class, or Tea-garden tribe
- Poor beneficiaries under PMAY-G, NFSA, or Ujjwala portal
- Forest dwellers, nomadic communities, or urban poor
Should have Aadhaar linked to bank account.
Valid ration card or family ID.

7. 📄 Required Documents

Document	Purpose
Aadhaar Card	Identity and biometric proof
Ration Card	Household verification
Bank Passbook	For Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
Photo	Recent passport-size
Age Proof	Voter ID, PAN, etc.
Caste/SECC Certificate	If claiming reservation
Address Proof	For non-ration card holders (optional)

8. 💻 Online Application Process

Step-by-Step Guide:

Visit the official website:
👉 https://www.pmuy.gov.in
Click “Apply for New LPG Connection”
Choose your preferred distributor:
- Indane: https://cx.indianoil.in
- Bharat Gas: https://my.ebharatgas.com
- HP Gas: https://myhpgas.in
Register using:
- Mobile Number
- Aadhaar Number
Fill in details:
- Name, Age, Address
- Ration Card Number
- Bank Account Details
Upload scanned documents.
Submit and note your Application Reference Number.
LPG distributor will verify and schedule home delivery.

9. 🏢 Offline Application Process

Visit your nearest LPG agency (HP/Bharat/Indane).
Request for PMUY application form.
Fill in manually:
- Name, Address, Age, Ration Card Number, Aadhaar
Attach photocopies of:
- Aadhaar
- Ration Card
- Bank passbook
- Photo
Submit the form. A field officer may visit to verify.
Within 7–10 days, connection will be issued.

10. 🛢️ How to Choose LPG Distributor

Check your location’s availability using the “Distributor Locator” tool.
Consider home delivery service, refill booking methods, and customer service.

11. 💸 Subsidy Mechanism (DBT Explained)

DBT = Direct Benefit Transfer
When you book a cylinder, you pay the market price.
After delivery, the subsidy amount is credited to your bank account.
Example:
- Market Price: ₹950
- Subsidy Credited: ₹200
- Net cost: ₹750

12. 🔍 Application Status Check

You can track your PMUY application via:

Indane: https://cx.indianoil.in/webcenter/portal/Customer
HP Gas: https://myhpgas.in
Bharat Gas: https://my.ebharatgas.com

Enter mobile number or reference ID to track.

13. 📳 Role of Aadhaar, Mobile & Bank Linkage

Aadhaar must be linked with:
- LPG connection
- Bank account
- Mobile number
This ensures:
- Seamless subsidy
- Avoids duplicate connections
- Tracks usage to prevent misuse

14. 🔐 LPG Safety Guidelines

Always switch off regulator when not in use.
Keep the cylinder upright.
Book refills only from authorized dealers.
Check delivery staff’s ID card.
Do not tamper with safety valve.

15. 🎯 Government Targets & Achievements

Year	Connections Distributed
2016	2 crore+
2017	5 crore+
2020	8 crore+
2023	9.5 crore
2025 Target	12 crore households

16. ⚠️ Common Issues & Solutions

Issue	Solution
Delay in connection	Contact distributor or PMUY helpline
Subsidy not credited	Ensure Aadhaar-bank linkage is active
Gas leakage	Call emergency helpline 1906
No delivery	Book refill via IVRS/SMS or App
Not listed in BPL	File grievance or visit local Panchayat

17. 📞 PMUY Helplines

PMUY Toll-Free: 1800-266-6696
LPG Emergency: 1906
Indane Customer Care: 1800-2333-555
BharatGas: 1800-22-4344
HP Gas: 1800-2333-555
Email: help@pmuy.gov.in

18. 👩‍🌾 PMUY for SC/ST & Minority Beneficiaries

Reserved allocations for SC/ST households.
Ministry provides regular circulars to states for inclusion.
Special camps in minority-dominated districts.

19. 👩‍⚕️ Impact on Women’s Health

Reduced eye, lung, and throat infections.
Saved 1–2 hours daily otherwise spent collecting firewood.
Increased focus on education, work, and family care.

20. 👥 NGO & Panchayat Involvement

NGOs assist in awareness drives.
Panchayats identify BPL families.
Village Level Workers (VLWs) help in form filling.

21. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I apply if my husband has LPG?
➡️ No. Only one connection per household.

Q2. Is it really free?
➡️ Yes, initial connection and refill is free.

Q3. Can I get 2nd cylinder?
➡️ Yes, you can request and pay for an additional cylinder.

22. ❌ Myths vs. Facts

Myth	Fact
PMUY is only for rural areas	It’s for both urban & rural
Only Hindus are eligible	Religion doesn’t matter
Only widows can apply	Any adult woman can apply
Connection has hidden charges	Fully free if eligible

23. 📢 Circulars & Notifications

Find latest updates at:

https://www.pmuy.gov.in/schemenotification.html

24. 🌿 Clean Fuel, Clean India

PMUY contributes to:

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao
Clean Energy Goals

25. 🚧 Challenges

Lack of awareness
Affordability of refills
Fake BPL data
Last-mile delivery issues

26. 💰 Budget & Funding

₹8,000 crore allocated in 2025 Budget.
Central Government bears full cost of subsidy.
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) provide delivery support.

27. 🌟 Success Stories

Rani from Uttar Pradesh: Started a small food business after getting LPG.
Lakshmi from Karnataka: Improved her daughter’s health by avoiding smoke cooking.
Rehana from Bihar: Saves 3 hours daily, now working in tailoring.

28. 📝 Grievance Redressal

Call helpline
Submit complaint at LPG distributor
Escalate to District Nodal Officer
Use PG Portal: https://pgportal.gov.in

29. 🎥 Video Guide (Coming Soon)

We’ll soon provide a step-by-step YouTube tutorial on how to apply.

30. 🧾 Final Summary

The PMUY Scheme 2025 is a bold initiative to bring clean energy to every Indian kitchen. It empowers women, protects health, and uplifts rural communities. With proper documentation and awareness, every eligible woman can get a free LPG connection and join the journey towards Swachh, Swasth, and Surakshit Bharat.