How to Apply for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana?

If you have been planning to build a house or buy one over the past few years, chances are that you have heard about the PMAY or Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana scheme. Launched in 2015 by the Government of India, it is an affordable housing scheme by nature which aims to build more than 20 lakh houses by the end of 2022. 

The scheme in itself is an ambitious project, and since its inception, it has surely garnered some success.

If you wish to apply for the scheme, then this article is for you as we will be discussing exactly that.

What Is PMAY or Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Scheme?

Historically, India has been one of the hubs of affordable housing schemes since its independence. If you take a look at the various schemes which have been nurtured over the years, it becomes clear that the government has always put the impetus on constructing affordable housing. However, one of the key determinants of the PMAY or Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Scheme is the fact that it is distinctly different in its approach as compared to its predecessors.

For example, as compared to Nehru’s 5th Five-Year-Plan, which was only successful in constructing 67,000 houses, the PMAY scheme has already approved the construction of more than 1.7 lakh houses as per a 2019 report. 

At its essence, the PMAY scheme is designed in the form of a subsidiary program wherein the program beneficiary is given a subsidiary of upto ₹2.67 lakhs on the interest rate of home loans in India. Through this subsidy, not only does the program enable the beneficiary to construct a home of their choice but also actively protects them from burnout in cash reserves. 

The PMAY is divided into two main subsections, the PMAY-U or Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for Urban population and PMAY-R or Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for the Rural population. While the main focus of this scheme is to empower the lower-income group citizens of this country, it is unique in approach as it also accepts and approves applications from middle-income and mid-upper-income citizens.

Each of the categories of the PMAY scheme has four pillars, each of which are as detailed below:

1. In-Situ Development

 

Under this pillar of the PMAY scheme, the government aims to redevelop acquired land and mainly targets slum dwellers. The scheme allows for the creation of better homes in slum areas such that they have proper sanitation facilities along with providing an allowance of upto ₹1 lakh to those who want to further improve their own homes. The aim of this pillar is to overall uplift the standard of living for millions of slum dwellers in India. 

2. Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme or CLSS

 

Under this pillar of the scheme, the government provides a subsidy of upto 6.5% on the interest rate of home loans offered via various financial institutions and non-banking financial institutions in India. This pillar essentially targets first-time homeowners, as it reduces the interest payment they need to make, thus making the overall loan cheaper. 

3. Affordable Housing in Partnership

 

This pillar of the scheme is mostly a joint venture between the state and central governments. The government, in this case, will partner with local authorities to develop affordable housing and later distribute them among all beneficiaries with a particular focus on the economically weaker sections of the society. 

4. Enhancement and Construction of Houses

 

For beneficiaries who are not eligible for applying under any of the above-mentioned pillars, the government will provide a subsidy of ₹1.5 lakh to each beneficiary under this pillar, such that they can either construct new houses or further develop an existing one. 

Irrespective of the pillar you fall under, you will need to register for the PMAY scheme by visiting this website to avail any of the benefits. Once you have successfully registered your application, a unique application number will be designated to you, and when the upcoming PMAY list is published, you need to check your name via this application number.

PMAY Scheme Eligibility Criteria

Now that you have the basic details of the PMAY scheme present with you, mentioned below is a list of the most significant eligibility criteria you need to adhere to. 

• You belong to the EWS or Economically Weaker Section; that is, the net annual income of your family does not exceed ₹3 lakhs.
• You belong to LIG or Lower Income Group; which means that the net annual income of your family is between ₹3 lakhs and ₹6 lakhs.
• You belong to MIG I or Middle Income Group Category 1, and your family’s net annual income is between ₹6 lakhs and ₹12 lakhs.
• You belong to the MIG II or Middle Income Group Category 2, and your family’s net annual income is between ₹12 lakhs and ₹18 lakhs.
• You are a permanent resident of India.
• You have your identification documents or KYC documents present, that is, Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID Card.
• You are above the legal age of 23 years and below the age of 70 years.
• You or your immediate family does not own any proper homes anywhere in the country, or you are not subsequently registered under any other government housing schemes.

How to Apply for the PMAY Scheme? 

Once you have met the eligibility criteria stated above, follow the below-mentioned steps to apply for the PMAY scheme. 

a. Online Process

 

• Identify your PMAY category.
• Visit the official website of PMAY by clicking here. 
• Navigate to the button that reads “Citizen Assessment.” 
• Click on this button; you will be redirected to a different page, wherein you need to initiate the application process by sharing your Aadhar Card details. 
• Continue the application process by sharing your personal information, income information, bank account details, and contact details. 
• Cross-check all the details and click on the submit button. 

Once you have successfully completed the application, take note of the unique application number assigned to you, as you will require it to track your application via the “Citizen Assessment” tab.

b. Offline Process

 

If you are unable to complete the application online and wish to do it offline, you need to visit a state-run Common Service Centre and fill out the application by paying a small fee of ₹25 plus GST. Kindly note that no private organizations, financial institutions, and non-banking financial institutions are allowed to accept offline PMAY applications. 

c. Slum Dweller

 

If you are a slum dweller and you wish to apply for the PMAY scheme, follow the below-mentioned steps. 

• Visit the official website of PMAY by clicking here. 
• Navigate to the button that reads “Citizen Assessment”, under which you need to select the “For Slum Dweller” button. 
• Click on this button; you will be redirected to a different page, wherein you need to initiate the application process by sharing your Aadhar Card details. 
• Continue the application process by sharing your personal information, income information, bank account details, and contact details. 
• Cross-check all the details and click on the submit button.

d. Other 3 Components Category 

 

 

If you want to avail subsidy under the “other three components category” of the PMAY scheme, follow the below-mentioned steps. 

• Visit the official website of PMAY by clicking here. 
• Navigate to the button that reads “Citizen Assessment”, under which you need to select the “Benefit Under Other 3 Components” button. 
• Click on this button; you will be redirected to a different page, wherein you need to initiate the application process by sharing your Aadhar Card details. 
• Continue the application process by sharing your personal information, income information, bank account details, and contact details. 
• Cross-check all the details and click on the submit button. 

Conclusion:

The PMAY scheme orchestrated by the Government of India is truly a savior for the millions of first-generation homeowners of India. Now that you know how to apply for the scheme go ahead and initiate the application process today.