By SK Jabedul Haque | Published on CurrentAffair.Today | Govt Schemes
What is Ujjwala Yojana 3.0?
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) 3.0 is the third phase of India's flagship clean cooking fuel programme, launched on 17 September 2023 at Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh. It aims to provide free LPG connections to 75 lakh new beneficiaries between 2023 and 2026, targeting women from poor households who still rely on biomass fuels such as wood, dung cakes and coal for cooking.
Key Benefits:
- ✅ Free LPG connection — cylinder, stove, regulator and first refill
- ✅ ₹1,600 subsidy deposited directly in the beneficiary's bank account
- ✅ Choice of 14.2 kg or 5 kg cylinder
- ✅ Target: 75 lakh new connections (2023–2026)
- ✅ Over 10.27 crore total connections provided since 2016
Related: Explore other Central Government welfare schemes — PMJDY (zero-balance bank account), Lakshmir Bhandar (₹1,500–₹1,700/month for WB women), and Karmashree Scheme (guaranteed rural employment).
Latest Updates — Ujjwala Yojana 2026
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date (Phase 3) | 17 September 2023 |
| Target Beneficiaries | 75 lakh new connections (2023-2026) |
| Subsidy Amount | ₹1,600 per connection (DBT to bank account) |
| Cylinder Options | 14.2 kg or 5 kg |
| Stove Included | Yes — single-burner stove |
| First Refill | Free (new in Phase 3) |
| Total Connections (All Phases) | 10.27 crore |
Evolution of Ujjwala Yojana (All Three Phases)
| Phase | Year | Target | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMUY 1.0 | 2016 | 5 crore BPL women | 8 crore connections |
| PMUY 2.0 | 2021 | 1 crore | 1.6 crore connections |
| PMUY 3.0 | 2023–26 | 75 lakh | Ongoing |
Eligibility Criteria
Primary Requirements
- ✅ Female applicant — the woman of the household
- ✅ Age 18 years or above
- ✅ No existing LPG connection in the household (any company)
- ✅ Belongs to a poor household (SECC-2011 or equivalent)
- ✅ Valid address proof in the same area
Priority Categories
- SC/ST households
- PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) beneficiaries
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card holders
- Forest dwellers
- Tea garden workers and their families
- Migrant workers
- Island and river island inhabitants
- Women from poor households not covered in earlier phases
Not Eligible
- ❌ Households already having an LPG connection
- ❌ Income tax payers
- ❌ Government employees
- ❌ Households with members earning above income limits
Documents Required
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | Identity and address proof — mandatory |
| Ration Card / BPL Card | Proof of economic status |
| Bank Passbook | For ₹1,600 subsidy via DBT — must be Aadhaar-linked |
| Passport-size Photo | Recent photograph |
| Mobile Number | For SMS updates and OTP verification |
| Caste Certificate | If applicable — for SC/ST priority |
How to Apply — Step by Step
Method 1: Online (MyLPG Portal)
- Visit mylpg.in and find the Ujjwala Yojana 3.0 section
- Select your LPG provider — Indane (IOCL), Bharat Gas (BPCL) or HP Gas (HPCL)
- Fill the form: name as per Aadhaar, address, mobile number, ration card and bank account details
- Upload Aadhaar card, ration card, bank passbook and passport photo
- Submit and note your reference number for status tracking
Method 2: Offline (LPG Distributor)
- Locate your nearest LPG distributor via mylpg.in or by searching locally
- Ask for the Ujjwala Yojana 3.0 application form (free of charge)
- Fill all details, attach self-attested document copies and a passport-size photo
- Submit the completed form at the distributor's office and collect an acknowledgement receipt
- Field verification is conducted and the connection is delivered within 7–15 days
Method 3: Common Service Centre (CSC)
- Visit any nearby CSC centre
- The CSC operator fills the online form with biometric Aadhaar verification
- Application is submitted instantly with confirmation slip
Financial Benefits Breakdown
| Component | Amount / Status |
|---|---|
| Cylinder Security Deposit (14.2 kg) | ₹1,450 — covered by government |
| Regulator Security Deposit | ₹150 — covered by government |
| Installation Charges | Free |
| Single-Burner Stove | Free |
| First Refill (14.2 kg) | Free (Phase 3 only) |
| Total Subsidy Deposited | ₹1,600 to bank account |
| Ongoing Subsidy (PAHAL) | ₹200–₹300 per refill (12 cylinders/year via DBT) |
Ujjwala 1.0 vs 2.0 vs 3.0 — Key Differences
| Feature | Ujjwala 1.0 | Ujjwala 2.0 | Ujjwala 3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2016 | 2021 | 2023 |
| First Refill Free | No | No | Yes |
| 5 kg Cylinder Option | No | No | Yes |
| Migrant Workers Included | No | Partial | Yes |
| Subsidy (Connection) | ₹1,600 | ₹1,600 | ₹1,600 |
Programme Impact (2016–2026)
| Metric | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Total LPG Connections Provided | 10.27 crore |
| National LPG Household Coverage | ~99.8% (2024) |
| Women Directly Benefited | 10+ crore |
| Time Saved Daily (per woman) | 2–3 hours (no more firewood collection) |
| Health Benefit | Significant reduction in indoor air pollution |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I apply if I already have an LPG connection?
No. The scheme is exclusively for households that do not currently have any LPG connection from any provider.
Q2: Is the first cylinder really free under Ujjwala 3.0?
Yes. Ujjwala 3.0 includes a free first refill (14.2 kg) — this was not the case in Phases 1 and 2.
Q3: How long does it take to get the connection?
Typically 7 to 15 days after successful field verification by the LPG agency.
Q4: Can I choose the 5 kg cylinder?
Yes. Ujjwala 3.0 offers both 14.2 kg and 5 kg cylinder options based on your household requirement.
Q5: My name is not in SECC-2011 — can I still apply?
Yes. You can apply with a self-declaration of poor household status along with Aadhaar and address proof. The agency will verify on a case-by-case basis.
Q6: Can migrant workers apply?
Yes. Ujjwala 3.0 specifically includes migrant workers. A self-declaration of current address is accepted alongside your Aadhaar card.
Q7: How do I check my application status?
Visit mylpg.in and enter your reference number. You can also call the PMUY helpline at 1800-2333-555.
Helpline Numbers
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| MyLPG Portal | mylpg.in |
| Indane (Indian Oil) | 1800-2333-555 |
| Bharat Gas (BPCL) | 1800-22-4344 |
| HP Gas (HPCL) | 1800-2333-555 |
| LPG Emergency | 1906 |
Related Government Schemes
- PMJDY (Jan Dhan) — Zero-balance bank account with ₹2 lakh accident insurance
- Lakshmir Bhandar — ₹1,500–₹1,700/month for eligible women in West Bengal
- Karmashree Scheme — 50–100 days guaranteed rural employment
- Samudra Sathi — ₹10,000 for marine fishermen during fishing ban
Financial Planning Tools
- SIP Calculator — Start investing your household savings
- PPF Calculator — Long-term tax-free savings planning
- Personal Finance — Money management guides for Indian households