Free Gas Cylinder Scheme 2026: This Holi, residents of Delhi are in for a joyous treat and significant savings. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in a historic decision at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, approved the free gas cylinder scheme. Under this scheme, poor families and ration card holders in Delhi will receive one free gas cylinder each twice a year—on the occasion of Holi and Diwali.
This move was one of the key promises made during the assembly elections, and the government has now implemented it. This new initiative will directly benefit millions of families in Delhi, especially women from economically weaker sections.
₹853 will be deposited directly into their bank accounts
The Delhi government has clarified that this scheme will be based on the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model, rather than distributing cylinders through the traditional method of distribution. This means that an amount equivalent to the current price of the cylinder will be transferred directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. According to the Cabinet decision, an amount of ₹853 will be deposited into the account of each eligible family.
The Chief Minister announced that this amount will be credited to the beneficiaries’ accounts before the Holi festival so that they can celebrate the festival without any financial hardship. The government has allocated an initial budget of ₹242 crore for this scheme, while the full-year operational expenditure is estimated to be approximately ₹300 crore.
Who will benefit
The government has set clear criteria for availing this scheme so that the assistance reaches the right people in need. The first requirement is that the beneficiary must have a valid Delhi ration card. This scheme is primarily designed for the economically weaker section (EWS) and low-income families.
In an important clarification, the Chief Minister said that families with pipeline natural gas (PNG) connections will not be excluded from this benefit; they will also be provided cash assistance equivalent to the cost of the cylinder. For this, the beneficiaries’ bank accounts must be linked to Aadhaar so that there are no obstacles in the DBT process.
A major gift will be given twice a year
This scheme is not a one-time relief; the government has designated it for two major festivals of the year. Delhi ration card holders will receive money for one free cylinder each on Holi and Diwali. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stressed in a press conference that her government is committed to fulfilling every promise made in its election manifesto.
Following the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, this free gas cylinder scheme will prove to be a major economic relief for Delhi’s middle and poor classes, reducing the impact of rising inflation on their kitchen budgets.
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