PM Ujjwala Scheme, launched with the tagline “Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan” (Clean Fuel, Better Life), is one of the flagship initiatives introduced by the Government of India to empower women and improve public health by providing access to clean cooking fuel in rural households.

Here we will explore the key components of the PM Ujjwala Scheme , including its launch, benefits, eligibility, and impacts.

What is the PM Ujjwala Scheme?

PM Ujjwala Scheme is a government welfare program launched on May 1, 2016 under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to help families living below the poverty line, with a special focus on women in rural areas. PM Ujjwala Scheme aims to provide LPG connections to these families, replacing harmful traditional fuels like firewood, coal, and dung. By promoting the use of clean cooking fuel, PM Ujjwala scheme works to improve health and protect the environment. It plans to benefit 5 crore families, creating a smoke-free environment and reducing the health risks, especially for women and children, who are most affected by indoor air pollution from traditional cooking methods.

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PM Ujjwala Scheme 2.0

Ujjwala Scheme 2.0, an extension of the original PM Ujjwala Yojana, was introduced to reach more households and continue the mission of providing clean cooking fuel to underprivileged families. Launched in 2021, the extended version of the scheme focuses on increasing the number of LPG connections to reach additional households that still rely on traditional fuels. Ujjwala 2.0 further prioritizes providing LPG connections with free stoves and refills to economically disadvantaged communities.

PM Ujjwala Scheme 2.0 Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the PM Ujjwala Scheme 2.0, the applicant must meet the following conditions:

• The applicant must be a woman who has reached the age of 18 years.
• The household should not have any other LPG connection from any Oil Marketing Company (OMC).
• The woman applicant must belong to any of the following categories:
  • Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST)
  • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) beneficiaries
  • Most Backward Classes (MBC)
  • Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households
  • Tea and Ex-Tea Garden tribes, Forest Dwellers
  • People residing in Islands and River Islands
  • Enlisted under SECC Households (AHL TIN)
  • Any poor household as per the 14-point declaration.

How to Apply for PM Ujjwala Scheme 2.0?

Applicants can apply for the PM Ujjwala Scheme 2.0 by:

• Visiting any distributor of their choice and submitting the application in person.
• Submitting a request through the official online portal.

PM Ujjwala Scheme 2.0 Documents Required

To complete the application, the following documents are needed:

• Know Your Customer (KYC) form.

• Aadhaar Card of the applicant (for identity and address proof), though this is not mandatory for residents of Assam and Meghalaya.

• Ration Card issued by the State (or other state government documents certifying family composition) or Self-Declaration for migrant applicants.

• Aadhaar details of the beneficiary and adult family members as mentioned in the family document.

• Bank Account Number with IFSC code.

• Supplementary KYC to confirm the family’s status.

These documents must be submitted to ensure a smooth application process.

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PM Ujjwala Yojana Achievements

PM Ujjwala Yojana has successfully released a total of 103,346,386 LPG connections, significantly improving access to clean cooking fuel for rural and underprivileged households.

Under Ujjwala 2.0, 23,489,757 new connections have been provided, continuing the scheme’s efforts to promote health, environmental sustainability, and women’s empowerment by replacing traditional cooking methods with cleaner alternatives.

PM Ujjwala Scheme Benefits

PM Ujjwala Yojana brings multiple benefits, including:

• Health Benefits: By replacing traditional cooking fuels with LPG, the scheme significantly reduces indoor air pollution, which is a leading cause of respiratory illnesses, particularly among women and children.

• Empowerment of Women: The scheme places the LPG connection in the name of the woman of the household, empowering women by giving them control over cooking fuel. It also reduces their time spent on gathering firewood, allowing them to engage in more productive activities.

• Environmental Impact: The reduction in the use of firewood helps prevent deforestation and lowers carbon emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability.

• Economic Benefits: The scheme offers economic savings by reducing the costs associated with traditional cooking fuels and providing the option for EMIs (Equated Monthly Installments) to pay for the stove and refills.

PM Ujjwala Gas Subsidy Amount

The Government of India provides cash assistance for PMUY connections, with ₹2,200 for a 14.2 kg cylinder connection and ₹1,300 for a 5 kg cylinder. This subsidy covers:

• Security Deposit of Cylinder: ₹1,850 for 14.2 kg cylinder / ₹950 for 5 kg cylinder
• Pressure Regulator: ₹150
• LPG Hose: ₹100
• Domestic Gas Consumer Card: ₹25
• Inspection/ Installation/ Demonstration Charges: ₹75

Additionally, all PMUY beneficiaries will receive a free LPG refill and stove (hotplate) with their deposit-free connection from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).

Subsidy for North Eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipur):

The Government of India provides special subsidies for PMUY connections in North Eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipur). The subsidy includes:

• Rs. 2000 for a 14.2 kg cylinder
• Rs. 1150 for a 5 kg cylinder
• Rs. 200 for the pressure regulator

PM Ujjwala Scheme Extended for How Many Years?

PM Ujjwala Yojana was originally targeted to provide 5 crore LPG connections by 2019. However, in response to the evolving needs and challenges, the government decided to extend the scheme. The revised version, Ujjwala 2.0, continues to expand the reach, with a renewed focus on achieving cleaner cooking standards across more rural households. The extension allows the government to provide even more connections and ensure that no one is left behind in the journey toward a smoke-free India.

PM Ujjwala Scheme FAQs