PM Ujjwala Yojana 2026: Free Gas Connection + Stove, Apply Online

Cooking on firewood, coal, and cow dung is still a daily reality for crores of Indian families — and it takes the biggest toll on women’s health. The PM Ujjwala Yojana 2026 exists to change exactly that: eligible women get a completely free LPG gas connection, a free stove, and a free first cylinder refill, with zero upfront payment. In this guide, I will explain who qualifies, the full benefit stack including the Rs 300 refill subsidy, the documents you need, and the exact steps to apply online at pmuy.gov.in.

What Is PM Ujjwala Yojana?

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a flagship welfare scheme of the Government of India, launched on May 1, 2016, by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Its goal is simple but powerful: replace unhealthy cooking fuels like firewood, coal, and dung cakes with clean LPG in poor households.

Why does this matter so much? Smoke from traditional chulhas causes serious lung disease, eye problems, and burn injuries — and women, who do most of the cooking, suffer the most. By giving free LPG connections to adult women of poor households, the scheme tackles a public health crisis while also empowering women with a safer kitchen.

The numbers tell the story of its scale. As of mid-2026, more than 10.58 crore LPG connections have been released under PMUY, and beneficiaries have consumed over 222 crore refills cumulatively. The government has approved Rs 12,000 crore for the LPG subsidy in FY 2026-27 alone, which shows how seriously this scheme is funded.

Here are the key facts at a glance:

Ujjwala 1.0 vs Ujjwala 2.0: What Changed?

The original scheme (2016) gave deposit-free connections to BPL households identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census. But crores of poor families were still left out because they were not on that list. Ujjwala 2.0, launched in August 2021, fixed this with a much simpler rule: any adult woman from a poor household can apply by submitting a self-declaration, without needing to be on a pre-approved list.

Here is a side-by-side comparison:

Benefits of PM Ujjwala Yojana 2026: The Full Stack

Most articles list only the free connection. But the real benefit stack under the PM Ujjwala Yojana 2026 is much bigger. Here is everything a verified beneficiary receives:

A few points worth highlighting:

• Zero upfront payment. The beneficiary does not pay anything for the connection, the first refill, or the stove. The government and oil marketing companies bear the cost.
• The Rs 300 refill subsidy is ongoing. For FY 2026-27, the government approved Rs 12,000 crore for this subsidy, capped at 9 refills per year per beneficiary. The amount is credited directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account after each qualifying refill.
• Cylinder size is your choice. You can opt for a 14.2 kg single-cylinder connection, a 5 kg single-cylinder connection, or a 5 kg double-cylinder connection, depending on what your distributor offers.
• The Rs 50 lakh insurance is automatic. Every LPG consumer in India is covered under the Public Liability Insurance policy for LPG accidents — this includes PMUY beneficiaries at no extra cost.

Who Is Eligible for PM Ujjwala Yojana 2026?

Eligibility under Ujjwala 2.0 is deliberately simple. You qualify if you meet all of these conditions:

• You are a woman aged 18 years or above. The connection is issued only in the name of an adult woman — never in a man’s name.
• No existing LPG connection in your household. If anyone in your family already has an LPG connection from any oil company (Indane, Bharat Gas, or HP Gas), you cannot get a second one under PMUY.
• You belong to a poor household. This is established through any of the following:
  • A BPL ration card, or
  • A self-declaration of deprivation in the prescribed format (this is the Ujjwala 2.0 simplification — no SECC list membership needed), or
  • Belonging to eligible categories such as SC/ST households, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana beneficiaries, Antyodaya Anna Yojana families, forest dwellers, or other economically weaker groups.
• You are an Indian citizen.
• You have not availed PMUY before. One connection per household, once only.

Special path for migrant workers: If you are a migrant without a permanent address or ration card in the state where you currently live, you can submit a self-declaration (Annexure I format) as proof of address and family composition. This was one of the most important Ujjwala 2.0 reforms.

Documents Required

Keep these ready before you start the application — it will save you a lot of back-and-forth:

• Aadhaar card of the applicant (mandatory for e-KYC)
• Aadhaar copies of adult family members listed in the ration card or family document
• Ration card issued by the state, or other state government document certifying family composition (migrants can use the Annexure I self-declaration instead)
• Bank account details — passbook copy or cancelled cheque showing account number, IFSC, and branch (needed for the DBT subsidy)
• Proof of address — only if your current address differs from the one on your Aadhaar
• Passport-size photograph of the applicant
• Active mobile number (for OTP verification)
• Deprivation declaration in the prescribed format

Important: make sure your bank account is NPCI-seeded for Aadhaar-based DBT payments. Without this seeding, the Rs 300 refill subsidy cannot reach your account even after you start booking refills. Most banks can do this seeding at the branch in a few minutes.

How to Apply Online at pmuy.gov.in (Step-by-Step)

The online process is straightforward. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Open the official portal. Go to pmuy.gov.in and click on the “Apply for New Ujjwala 2.0 Connection” option. Apply only on the official portal or the oil companies’ own websites — never through agents who demand money.

Step 2: Choose your oil company. Select your preferred LPG provider: Indane (Indian Oil), Bharat Gas (BPCL), or HP Gas (HPCL). Then choose “Ujjwala 2.0 New Connection” as the connection type.

Step 3: Accept the declaration. Tick the declaration checkbox confirming that the information you are about to provide is accurate.

Step 4: Find your distributor. Search for and select the LPG distributor nearest to your area from the online list.

Step 5: Fill the KYC application form. Enter your personal details — name, Aadhaar number, address, category, and mobile number. Migrants should use the self-declaration option for address proof here.

Step 6: Enter household details. Provide details of all household members above 18 years of age.

Step 7: Add bank account information. Enter your Aadhaar-linked bank account details for the DBT subsidy transfer.

Step 8: Choose cylinder and burner size. Select your cylinder preference (14.2 kg or 5 kg) and burner type (1-burner or 2-burner stove).

Step 9: Upload documents. Upload scanned copies of your Aadhaar, address proof, ration card or self-declaration, and photograph.

Step 10: Submit and save your reference number. Review everything, submit the application, and note down the registration/reference number. You will need it to track your application status.

Step 11: Complete e-KYC verification. This is mandatory. Either visit your distributor with your Aadhaar card for biometric fingerprint verification, or use face authentication on the UMANG app or your oil company’s app (IndianOil One, Hello BPCL, or HP Pay). Approval usually takes 24 to 48 hours after e-KYC.

Step 12: Receive your connection. Once approved, the distributor delivers the LPG connection, stove, and first free cylinder to your address. Timelines vary by district.

How to Apply Offline (Through LPG Distributor)

Prefer paper over portals? The offline route works just as well:

1. Visit your nearest Indane, Bharat Gas, or HP Gas distributor.
2. Ask for the PMUY KYC application form (it is free).
3. Fill in your details and attach photocopies of all required documents.
4. Submit the form at the distributor’s office.
5. Complete the Aadhaar biometric e-KYC at the distributor.
6. Wait for verification — typically 7 to 15 days — and receive your connection.

There is no application fee for submitting the form yourself. If you apply through a Common Service Centre (CSC), a small service charge may apply — that is the only legitimate charge in the whole process. Anyone demanding money to “get you approved” is running a scam.

e-KYC Process Explained

Aadhaar e-KYC is compulsory for every PMUY connection, and it is also required periodically for continued subsidy. You have two options:

• Biometric e-KYC at the distributor: Visit your LPG distributor with your Aadhaar card and complete fingerprint verification on their biometric device. This is the most common method.
• Face authentication via app: Use the UMANG app or your oil marketing company’s app (IndianOil One for Indane, Hello BPCL for Bharat Gas, HP Pay for HP Gas) and complete face authentication from your phone. This option became widely available during 2025-26 and is a lifesaver if visiting the distributor is difficult.

e-KYC approval typically takes 24 to 48 hours. If your e-KYC fails repeatedly, check that your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar and that your Aadhaar details (name, date of birth) match your application exactly — mismatches are the most common reason for failure.

How to Book Refills and Get the Rs 300 Subsidy

After your free first refill, subsequent refills work like any regular LPG connection — with one big difference: the subsidy.

• Book refills through your distributor, the oil company’s app, IVRS, or WhatsApp booking — whichever channel your provider supports.
• Pay the non-subsidised market price at the time of delivery.
• Rs 300 per cylinder is credited to your Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT after each qualifying refill, up to 9 refills per year in FY 2026-27.
• Keep NPCI seeding active. If you change your bank account, re-seed it for DBT immediately, or the subsidy will bounce back.

To stretch the subsidy further, many families combine PMUY with efficient cooking habits — using a pressure cooker, keeping the flame at the right level, and servicing the burner regularly. Every refill you save is money in your pocket.

Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected

• Existing LPG connection in the family. The system cross-checks across all three oil companies. Even a connection in a husband’s or father-in-law’s name in the same household disqualifies you.
• Name mismatch between Aadhaar and application. Spell your name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card.
• Bank account not NPCI-seeded. Your application may be approved, but the subsidy will never arrive.
• Applying twice. Duplicate applications get flagged and both can be held up.
• Paying agents. The application is free. Agents who charge “approval fees” are frauds — report them.

PM Ujjwala and Other Women-Focused Schemes

Ujjwala works best when combined with other government support for women. If you are planning your family’s finances, also look at the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana 2026 for your daughter’s future — it currently offers 8.2% interest, the highest among small savings schemes. For retirement security, the Atal Pension Yojana guarantees a monthly pension after age 60 with tiny monthly contributions. And if anyone in the family wants to start a small business, the PM Mudra Loan Yojana 2026 offers collateral-free loans up to Rs 20 lakh — you can estimate the EMI on our Mudra Loan EMI Calculator before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who can apply for PM Ujjwala Yojana 2026?
Any adult woman (18 years or above) from a poor household can apply, provided no LPG connection already exists in her household. Under Ujjwala 2.0, a self-declaration of deprivation is sufficient — you do not need to be on any pre-approved list.

Q2. Is the PM Ujjwala Yojana connection completely free?
The connection itself is completely free — security deposit, regulator, hose pipe, booklet, installation, first refill, and stove are all covered. Refills after the first one are paid at market price, but you receive a Rs 300 subsidy per cylinder (up to 9 refills per year) directly in your bank account.

Q3. Can I apply if my family already has an LPG connection?
No. A household with an existing LPG connection from any oil marketing company is not eligible for a PMUY connection. The system verifies this across Indane, Bharat Gas, and HP Gas databases.

Q4. Which documents are required to apply?
You need your Aadhaar card, ration card or family-composition document (or Annexure I self-declaration for migrants), bank account details, a passport-size photograph, an active mobile number, and a deprivation declaration. Aadhaar copies of adult family members are also required.

Q5. Can migrant women apply for PM Ujjwala Yojana?
Yes. Migrant applicants without a permanent address or ration card in their current state can submit the prescribed self-declaration (Annexure I) for address and family documentation requirements under Ujjwala 2.0.

Q6. How long does approval take, and is there any application fee?
e-KYC approval usually takes 24 to 48 hours; the full process including distributor verification typically takes 7 to 15 days. Submitting the application yourself is completely free — only CSC-assisted applications may carry a small service charge.

Final Words

The PM Ujjwala Yojana 2026 remains one of the most impactful welfare schemes in India — a free connection, free stove, free first refill, Rs 300 subsidy on every refill, and Rs 50 lakh accident insurance, all with zero upfront cost. If you are an eligible woman without an LPG connection, there is no reason to wait: gather your Aadhaar, ration card, and bank details, complete your e-KYC, and apply today on the official portal.

Found this guide helpful? Share it with women in your family and village who might qualify — many eligible families still do not know this scheme exists. And if you want to explore more government support, check our guides on Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana next.