PM Ujjwala Yojana – Here’s some great news for families in India – especially those living in joint households or with multiple women handling cooking duties. The central government has announced a major change in the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), allowing two women from the same household to get their own individual LPG connections. This is a big shift from the earlier rule where only one connection was allowed per household.
Let’s break it all down in a simple way so you know who benefits, how to apply, and what this new rule actually means for your home.
What Is PM Ujjwala Yojana?
Launched in 2016, the PM Ujjwala Yojana is a central government scheme aimed at providing free LPG gas connections to women from financially weaker backgrounds. The main goal has always been to reduce the use of traditional cooking methods like wood or coal and move towards a cleaner, safer way of cooking.
Over time, this scheme has helped more than 9 crore women get access to gas stoves and LPG cylinders, improving their health and saving them time in daily chores.
What’s New in 2025?
Until now, only one woman per household could get a subsidized gas connection under this scheme. But with the new change in 2025, two eligible women living in the same house can now apply separately and get their own LPG connections.
This is a big help for joint families, homes with multiple kitchens, and families where more than one woman is responsible for cooking.
Key points about this change:
- Two adult women from the same home can now apply.
- Both women will get individual connections and their own gas cylinders.
- The scheme is specially helpful for widows, married daughters living with parents, and large families with separate kitchens.
- The usual government subsidies for refills will continue.
Who Can Benefit from This Change?
While the new rule opens doors for many, not everyone can apply. Here are the key eligibility points:
- Only adult women can apply for the connection.
- Applicants must be from below poverty line (BPL) or low-income families.
- Both women should have different cooking needs or kitchens, and they must justify this.
- They must live at the same address.
- Married daughters, daughters-in-law, and widows staying in the same house are eligible.
- Aadhaar must be linked with the household’s ration card.
- Applicants should not have any existing commercial LPG connection.
- Basic documents like ID proof, address proof, and household declaration are required.
How to Apply for the Second LPG Connection
If you or someone in your family meets the criteria, here’s how to go about it:
- Visit your nearby LPG distributor – whether it’s Indane, HP Gas, or Bharat Gas.
- Ask for the PMUY application form and fill in the required details.
- Submit Aadhaar cards, ration card, and address proof for both applicants.
- Clearly mention why a second connection is needed (like separate cooking arrangements).
- Wait for verification. If all is clear, you’ll get a second gas connection and a free LPG kit.
You can track your application status on the official MyLPG website or through your gas agency.
Why This Is a Game-Changer
This isn’t just about getting an extra gas cylinder. Here’s why this update is so important:
- It makes life easier in large households by allowing two women to cook separately at the same time.
- It helps save time and effort, especially when there’s more than one kitchen.
- It promotes cleaner fuel use and reduces dependency on traditional fuel sources.
- It’s a step forward in empowering women, giving them more control over household resources.
- It increases coverage of subsidies, making LPG more affordable.
What’s Different Compared to Before?
Here’s a quick look at the difference between the older policy and the updated one:
| Feature | Earlier Policy | New 2025 Policy |
|---|---|---|
| LPG connections per household | One | Two for eligible women |
| Who could apply | One woman only | Two women (if eligible) |
| Need for separate kitchens | Not required | Must be justified |
| Documents needed | Basic | Additional details |
| Free refill support | Available | Available for both |
Why This Change Matters
This update shows the government’s continued push for gender equality, rural development, and clean energy use. By giving more women access to individual LPG connections, it’s helping improve their health, reduce their workload, and increase their role in managing household needs independently.
Over 1 crore families are expected to benefit from this in the first phase alone. It’s a step in the right direction, making the PMUY scheme more flexible and practical for Indian households.
If your household meets the criteria, it’s time to make the most of this opportunity and get your second LPG connection.