To millions of households in India, the mere preparation of a meal was a dangerous thing to do. Smokes of traditional chulhas, which used firewood, coal, and cakes of cow-dung were dangerous to health, especially to women and children.
To address this dire problem, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas released the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in 2016 one of the revolutionary programs focused on the health protection of women and empowering households by supplying clean cooking fuel.
Its initial stage was an enormous success in meeting its target set of 8 crore LPG connections and increasing the LPG coverage of the country to more than 99%. In this heritage, the government has come up with Ujjwala 2.0 to continue offering this lifeline to an even greater number of homes, and particularly migrant families.
This will be a comprehensive guide that will take you through all you should know about Ujjwala 2.0 such as its advantages and eligibility, as well as the step-by-step process of applying to it.
What is Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana 2.0 (Ujjwala 2.0)?
The second phase of the PMUY flagship initiative is called Ujjwala 2.0 and it was introduced to give an extra 1.6 crore LPG connections. Introduced by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi it streamlines the enrolment process and meets the requirements of a broader group of the population, particularly migrant families who might lack the standard documentary evidence of address.
The central focus has been the same, to substitute the unclean, traditional cooking fuels with safe and efficient Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and hence make a difference in the quality of life of the most vulnerable households of India.
Key Benefits of an Ujjwala 2.0 Connection
The scheme is designed to be a significant financial support for eligible families. Here’s a breakdown of what you receive:
- Substantial Financial Assistance: The Government provides direct cash assistance to cover the full cost of a new LPG connection.
- For a 14.2 kg cylinder: ₹1,600 assistance.
- For a 5 kg cylinder: ₹1,150 assistance.
This assistance covers all the essential start-up costs, including the security deposit for the cylinder, pressure regulator, LPG hose, and installation charges.
- Additional Free Benefits: On top of the cash assistance, every PMUY beneficiary receives their first LPG refill and a brand-new stove (hotplate) completely free of cost from the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
Who is Eligible for Ujjwala 2.0?
The applicant needs to fulfill the following criteria in order to be eligible to a connection under Ujjwala 2.0:
- The applicant must be an adult woman (18 years or older).
- The woman must belong to a household falling under one of these categories:
- Scheduled Caste (SC) Households
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) Households
- Beneficiary of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin)
- Most Backward Classes (MBC)
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiary
- Tea Garden Tribes & Ex-Tea Garden Tribes
- Forest Dwellers
- People residing on Islands and River Islands
- Identified poor household as per the SECC (AHL TIN) data
- Any poor household as per a 14-point self-declaration
- Crucially, there must be no existing LPG connection in the applicant’s household.
How to Apply for Ujjwala 2.0: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for your Ujjwala 2.0 connection is a straightforward process, available both online and offline.
Offline Application Process (Most Common)
Step 1: Obtain the Form
The downloaded required forms are available on the official PMUY site or you can directly grab the forms at your nearest distributor of LPG. The key forms are:
- KYC Form
- Supplementary KYC Document & Undertaking
- Annexure I: For migrant families (self-declaration for address)
- Annexure II: Safety check form
Step 2: Fill Out the Form
Fully complete the application form with proper personal information, bank account number and choice of distributors of LPG.
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
Attach the required documents (listed in detail below) to the application form.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Submit the completed application form along with all supporting documents to your chosen LPG distributor.
Online Application Process
Although the main approach is offline, it is possible to start the process online through downloading the forms and learning about the requirements using the official portals of the three large OMCs:
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
- Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
Documents Required for Ujjwala 2.0 Application
Having the correct documents is key to a smooth application process. Here’s what you will need:
- Proof of Identity & Address: Aadhaar is the primary document. If the connection address is the same as on your Aadhaar, it serves as both Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA).
- Proof of Family Composition/BPL Category:
- State-issued Ration Card.
- For migrant applicants, a self-declaration as per Annexure I is acceptable.
- Any equivalent document issued by a State Government department certifying family composition.
- Bank Account Details: Your bank account number and the IFSC code for the subsidy transfer.
- Aadhaar of Family Members: Aadhaar numbers of the beneficiary and other adult family members listed in the family composition document.
- Passport-sized photograph.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is eligible for Ujjwala 2.0?
A poor household adult female and does not already have an LPG connection. She has to fall in one of the eligibility groups such as SC/ST, PMAY-G, AAY, etc.
Q2. What is the most important document needed?
The most important document is aadhaar. Having an address that is an identity and address, your current address and Aadhaar are similar thereby making the process much easier.
Q3. What if I don’t have an Aadhaar card?
You will be required to submit a different identifying (such as voter ID) and address (such as a ration card or a self declaration of migrants) document.
Q4. Can a woman from a household with no other adult members get a connection?
It is possible to provide a connection to a woman who is the only adult in a family.
Q5. Is Aadhaar authentication (e-KYC) mandatory?
Yes, e-KYC verification is the e-KYC based on Aadhaar. This will normally be done by the LPG distributor in the application submission.
Q6. What type of ration card is needed?
Any of the ration cards issued by a state that contributes to determining your family set up and fits into any of the eligible categories (as AAY) is acceptable.
Q7. How is a “poor household” defined under the scheme?
The household may be regarded as poor based on the available data (such as SECC) or it may be based on a 14-item self-declaration form offered by the distributor of the LPG.
Ujjwala 2.0 is not a mere scheme, but a movement towards a much healthier, safer and more empowered India by giving access to clean energy. You should start by taking a step today towards a smoke-free kitchen, in case you believe that you are eligible.