🌸 Ujjwala Yojana – A Simple Guide to Free LPG Connection for Women

 Cooking is an important part of every household, especially in rural areas. But for many years, women in villages and poor homes have used firewood, cow dung, or coal for cooking. This creates a lot of smoke, which is dangerous for health, especially for women and children.

To solve this problem and improve the lives of poor women, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) — a scheme that provides free LPG gas connections to women from poor families.

In this blog post, we’ll explain everything about Ujjwala Yojana in simple words – what it is, who can apply, how to apply, documents required, and the benefits of the scheme.

---

🔥 What is Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)?

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a central government scheme launched on 1st May 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The scheme provides free LPG gas connection, free first refill, and free stove to women from below poverty line (BPL) families.

The aim is to:

• Replace traditional fuels (like firewood and cow dung)

• Protect the health of women and children

• Reduce indoor air pollution

• Promote clean cooking fuel in rural areas

---

🎯 Objectives of the Ujjwala Yojana

The main goals of this scheme are:

1. ✅ Empower poor women by giving them clean fuel

2. ✅ Protect families from smoke-related diseases

3. ✅ Save time and effort used in collecting wood

4. ✅ Promote women’s health and safety

5. ✅ Make villages smoke-free

6. ✅ Reduce air pollution and deforestation

---

👩 Who Can Apply?

✅ Eligibility Criteria for PM Ujjwala Yojana:

1. Applicant must be a woman

2. Age should be 18 years or above

3. Must belong to a poor household

4. Should not already have an LPG connection in the family

5. Must be listed in Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data or meet other poverty criteria

6. Must have a BPL ration card or Antyodaya card

The scheme is also available for:

• SC/ST families

• Most backward classes (MBC)

• Forest dwellers

• People from tea gardens, islands, and river islands

• Poor families under PMAY or NFSA

---

📄 Documents Required

To apply for Ujjwala Yojana, you need the following documents:

1. Aadhaar card of the woman

2. BPL Ration Card or proof of BPL status

3. Bank passbook (Jan Dhan or any bank account)

4. Passport-size photograph

5. Age proof (can be from Aadhaar or any ID)

6. KYC form (available at LPG center)

Make sure the bank account is in the name of the applicant woman.

---

🛠️ What Does the Government Provide?

Under the Ujjwala Yojana, eligible women receive:

1. ✅ Free LPG connection

2. ✅ Free first LPG cylinder refill

3. ✅ Free LPG stove (chulha)

4. ✅ Free regulator and pipe

5. ✅ Safety training and manual

In Ujjwala 2.0 (launched in 2021), beneficiaries also get a free second cylinder refill and help in documentation.

---

🖥️ How to Apply for Ujjwala Yojana?

You can apply both offline and online.

---

Option 1: Offline Application

1. Visit the nearest LPG distributor (HP, Indane, or Bharat Gas)

2. Ask for the PMUY application form

3. Fill the form with:

   • Name, age, address

   • Ration card number

   • Bank account details

4. Submit the form along with required documents

5. The distributor will verify your details and install the connection at your home

---

Option 2: Online Application

1. Visit the official Ujjwala Yojana website: https://www.pmuy.gov.in

2. Click on Apply for New Connection

3. Select your gas provider (HP Gas, Indane, or Bharat Gas)

4. Fill in the online application form

5. Upload scanned copies of documents

6. Wait for verification – the distributor will contact you for connection installation

---

🧾 Cost and Charges

The Ujjwala Yojana provides free connection and first refill, so the applicant does not pay anything initially.

However, for next refills, the woman has to pay as per regular LPG refill rates. You can book via:

• Call center

• SMS

• Online app

• Distributor’s office

Refills are available in both 14.2 kg and 5 kg cylinder sizes for convenience.

---

🎁 Benefits of Ujjwala Yojana

✅ 1. Clean and Smoke-Free Cooking

No more smoke from wood and cow dung – protects lungs and eyes.

✅ 2. Health Improvement

Reduces risk of asthma, TB, heart disease, and burn injuries.

✅ 3. Women Empowerment

Saves time and effort; improves quality of life for women.

✅ 4. Environmental Protection

Reduces use of wood and coal – helps in saving forests.

✅ 5. Ease of Access

Free home delivery and refills available through local distributors.

✅ 6. Support During Crisis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government gave free refills to PMUY beneficiaries.

---

📊 Achievements So Far

• Over 9 crore LPG connections given under Ujjwala Yojana

• Women in over 700 districts have benefited

• LPG usage in rural areas has increased rapidly

• Ujjwala Yojana has been praised globally for improving women’s lives

---

🧑‍🍳 Real Story: How It Changed Lives

Savitri Devi, a 35-year-old woman from Bihar, used to cook with wood and cow dung. She would cough daily and had frequent headaches. After getting a free gas connection under Ujjwala Yojana, her kitchen became smoke-free. She now cooks easily, saves time, and has better health.

---

🔄 Ujjwala Yojana 2.0 – What’s New?

In August 2021, the government launched Ujjwala 2.0 with more benefits:

• Free refill and free stove

• Easier application process

• No proof of address required for migrants

• Faster service and installation

• Focus on reaching remote and backward areas

Ujjwala 2.0 is helping even migrant and nomadic women.

---

📞 Contact and Helpline

• Ujjwala Yojana Official Website: https://www.pmuy.gov.in

• Toll-Free Helpline: 1800-266-6696

• Visit your nearest HP, Bharat Gas, or Indane distributor

• Call local Common Service Centre (CSC) for help

---

✅ Conclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is more than just a gas connection — it is a symbol of respect, health, and empowerment for women. It has changed the lives of crores of women by making cooking safe, easy, and healthy.

If you or someone you know is eligible, don’t wait. Apply today and give your family a smoke-free future. Share this blog with friends, family, and villagers who can benefit from this scheme.

---

“Ujjwala Yojana – Clean Kitchen, Healthy Life, Happy Family.”

---

Would you like this blog in Hindi, or want a social media post or pamphlet for your CSC center or awareness campaign?

Let me know — I'm happy to help!