PM Ujjwala Yojana – There’s a big and positive update for families relying on LPG cylinders for their cooking needs. The government has brought in a major change under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). Now, not just one, but two women living in the same household can apply for separate LPG connections with subsidy benefits. This is especially useful for large families or homes where more than one kitchen is being used.
Let’s break it down in simple terms so you can understand what’s new, who it helps, and how you can apply for it.
First, a Quick Recap – What is the Ujjwala Yojana All About?
Launched back in 2016, the PM Ujjwala Yojana was created to give free LPG connections to women from low-income families. The aim was to replace traditional cooking methods that used firewood or coal, which are not only harmful to health but also damaging to the environment. The scheme has already helped over 9 crore women get access to clean fuel.
What’s the New Rule in 2025?
Earlier, only one gas connection per household was allowed under the Ujjwala scheme. But from now on, two eligible women in the same home can each apply for a separate LPG connection with subsidy support.
This change mainly targets joint families or situations where more than one woman is managing a separate kitchen under the same roof. It could be a married daughter living with her parents, a daughter-in-law, or even a widow in a large family.
Who Can Apply for This Benefit?
This benefit is not open to everyone. There are some specific rules that need to be followed:
- Only adult women can apply.
- The applicants must be part of a low-income or BPL household.
- Both women should have separate cooking arrangements or kitchens.
- Both should have address proof showing they live in the same house.
- They must be related through family, like mother and daughter, daughter-in-law, or other close relations.
- Aadhaar must be linked with the household’s ration card.
- No one should already have a commercial gas connection.
- Valid ID and KYC documents are a must.
So, if your family fits into this category, you can definitely apply for a second gas connection.
How to Apply for the Second Connection
Here’s what you need to do if you or someone in your home is planning to apply:
- Visit your nearest gas agency — be it Indane, HP, or Bharat Gas.
- Fill out the Ujjwala Yojana form and submit it.
- Provide Aadhaar, ration card, and proof of address for both women.
- Explain why a second connection is needed — such as for a joint family or multiple kitchens.
- Wait for verification. Once approved, you’ll receive the second LPG connection and the starter kit.
You can also check your application status on the official MyLPG portal.
Why This New Rule is Helpful
The updated rule makes a lot of practical sense for families with multiple women who cook separately. Here’s how it helps:
- Two women in the same house can cook at the same time without waiting.
- It saves time and makes household management easier in big families.
- Women get more control and independence over their cooking needs.
- It pushes more people to shift from traditional stoves to cleaner fuel.
- With continued subsidy on refills, it stays affordable too.
A Quick Look at the Old vs. New Policy
| Feature | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Number of connections per household | One | Two (for eligible women) |
| Type of applicants | One woman | Two women like daughters or daughters-in-law |
| Requirement for second kitchen | Not allowed | Must be justified |
| Free subsidy benefit | Yes | Yes for both |
| Application method | Offline or online | Same |
Why the Government Made This Move
The goal here is pretty clear — the government wants to make clean cooking accessible to more people. At the same time, they want to empower women by giving them direct access to such schemes. This also supports the bigger mission of sustainable development and rural upliftment. With this update, over 1 crore families are expected to benefit in the first phase itself.
This update in the Ujjwala Yojana is a welcome step for many families across the country. It shows that the government is paying attention to practical household needs and is working towards providing better support. If you know someone who could benefit from this — maybe a widow or a daughter living in a joint family — let them know about this change.
Now with two women being allowed to get free gas connections in one home, cooking just got a lot easier for Indian households.