AI SummaryZupda Vijlikaran Yojana offers free household electricity connections to BPL and low-income families across Gujarat. State government data shows that more than 10.09 lakh households received free electricity connections under this scheme up to November 2025, and ₹1,617 lakh was set aside for the 2025-26 financial year to continue the work.
Zupda Vijlikaran Yojana is also known as the Hut Electrification Scheme or Jhopadi Electrification Scheme. Energy and Petro Chemicals Department, Government of Gujarat handles this scheme. It started in 1996-97 under the Gujarat Electricity Board, and now the four state power distribution companies, DGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL and UGVCL, provide the connections to eligible families.
Zupda Vijlikaran Yojana - Introduction
Zupda Vijlikaran Yojana helps poor families who live in huts, jhopadis and small houses in villages, cities and towns of Gujarat get a single point household electricity connection at no cost. The local body prepares the list of eligible families from the BPL list of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, and also includes poor families who are not in the BPL list but fall within the income limit.
A decade back the annual income limit for this scheme was only ₹27,000. The government has increased it steadily over the years, and in 2018 the limit was revised to ₹1.20 lakh for rural areas and ₹1.50 lakh for urban areas. This change has helped thousands more families qualify for a free electricity connection.
As per the latest government data available up to November 2025, more than 10.09 lakh jhopadis have been electrified under the scheme so far. In the last five years the state spent ₹8,499 lakh to give free connections to 1,52,466 households, and during 2024-25 alone 25,939 connections were provided at a cost of ₹1,617.03 lakh. The scheme remains open for new beneficiaries in 2026, and eligible families can apply through their local body at any time.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Zupda Vijlikaran Yojana |
| Also Known As | Hut Electrification Scheme / Jhopadi Electrification Scheme |
| State | Gujarat |
| Started In | 1996-97 |
| Nodal Department | Energy and Petro Chemicals Department |
| Beneficiaries | BPL and low-income families |
| Income Limit | ₹1.20 lakh rural, ₹1.50 lakh urban |
| Benefit | Free household electricity connection |
| Application Mode | Offline |
| Connections Given | Over 10.09 lakh (up to November 2025) |
| Official Website | guj-epd.gujarat.gov.in |
Benefits
Main benefit of Zupda Vijlikaran Yojana is a free household electricity connection. The family does not pay any connection fee or installation charges, because the state government bears the cost as a grant.
- Free single point electricity connection for the house with no connection or installation cost for the family
- Coverage for both rural and urban areas, including villages, cities, towns and suburbs of Gujarat
- Support for poor families who are not in the BPL list but stay within the set income limit
Eligibility
To get the benefit of this scheme, the family should meet these conditions:
- Applicant should be a permanent resident of Gujarat
- Family should be a BPL family or a poor family not included in the BPL list
- Total family annual income should not exceed ₹1.20 lakh for rural areas and ₹1.50 lakh for urban areas, as per the state government rules
- Eligibility depends only on BPL or low-income status, not on caste or profession
Application Process
There is no online application option for Zupda Vijlikaran Yojana. The process is offline and works through the local body of the area. A person can follow these steps:
STEP 1 - For rural areas, visit the Taluka Development Officer or the Taluka Panchayat office. For urban areas, visit the municipality or the municipal corporation office of the city or town.
STEP 2 - Collect the prescribed application form from the office and fill in all the required details. Attach self-attested copies of the required documents with the form.
STEP 3 - Submit the completed application to the office. The local body checks the details, prepares the beneficiary list and sends it to the concerned power distribution company, DGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL or UGVCL, depending on the area.
STEP 4 - Power distribution company verifies the list and provides the free household electricity connection. Keep the acknowledgment or receipt given at submission with the date and reference number for future use.
Documents
Applicants should keep these documents ready while applying:
- Allotment order of land or ready-made house received under a government housing scheme for poor families
- Valid identity card and identity proof of the applicant
- BPL card or income certificate to show the family income is within the limit
- Recent passport-size photographs
Related Schemes
Gujarat runs a similar scheme called Kutirjyoti Yojana for Scheduled Tribe families living in tribal areas. Find full details of Kutirjyoti Yojana on the website.
References
Official guidelines of Zupda Vijlikaran Yojana on Energy and Petrochemicals Department website
View scheme details on Mari Yojana portal
FAQ's
Who is eligible for Zupda Vijlikaran Yojana?
BPL and poor families in Gujarat with a total family annual income up to ₹1.20 lakh in rural areas and ₹1.50 lakh in urban areas can apply for this scheme.
What benefit is provided under this scheme?
Eligible families get a free household electricity connection. No connection fee or installation charges are taken from the family.
What documents are required to apply?
A valid identity card, BPL card or income certificate, recent passport-size photographs, and the housing allotment order if the family received a home under a government housing scheme.
Will applicants receive cash instead of the electricity connection?
No. This scheme gives only a free electricity connection and no cash is transferred to the family.
Can applicants apply for this scheme online?
No. Applications are accepted offline through the Taluka Panchayat office in rural areas and the municipality or municipal corporation office in urban areas.
Is Zupda Vijlikaran Yojana available across all of Gujarat?
Yes. The scheme is available in all districts and covers both rural and urban areas of the state.
Does my caste or profession determine eligibility?
No. Eligibility depends only on the BPL or low-income status of the family and the income limit fixed by the state government.
Can families with income above the set limit apply?
No. Families above the income limit of ₹1.20 lakh in rural areas and ₹1.50 lakh in urban areas do not qualify for this support.
Where do applicants submit the application?
Submit the application at the Taluka Development Officer or Taluka Panchayat office in rural areas, and at the municipality or municipal corporation office in urban areas.
Which department runs Zupda Vijlikaran Yojana?
This scheme is handled by the Energy and Petro Chemicals Department and the connections are given by the state power distribution companies DGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL and UGVCL.