PMAY Gramin vs Urban: Difference, Eligibility, and Benefits Compared

What is PMAY Gramin and PMAY Urban?

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is India's largest housing scheme with two distinct components targeting different populations:

• PMAY-Urban (PMAY-U): Launched in June 2015, it targets urban households in cities and towns across India. It operates through Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), in-situ slum redevelopment, affordable housing partnerships, and beneficiary-led construction.

• PMAY-Gramin (PMAY-G): Launched in November 2016 (restructured from Indira Awaas Yojana), it targets rural households. It provides direct financial assistance for building pucca houses in rural areas.

Not sure which one applies to you? This guide compares both schemes to help you decide. Ready to apply? See our PMAY application guide.

Complete Comparison: PMAY Gramin vs Urban

Eligibility Comparison

PMAY-Urban Eligibility

Key conditions:

• No pucca house in any family member's name in India
• Aadhaar card mandatory
• Property in city/town/statutory area
• For EWS/LIG: house in female member's name (mandatory)

PMAY-Gramin Eligibility

• Household identified in SECC 2011 data as houseless or living in kutcha/dilapidated house
• Must not own a pucca house anywhere in India
• Priority categories: SC/ST, freed bonded labourers, minorities, single women, disabled persons
• Income not directly checked — selection is based on SECC deprivation parameters

Key conditions:

• Beneficiary cannot self-apply online — selected from government database
• Gram Sabha verification required
• House must be in woman's name or joint ownership (mandatory)
• Construction within stipulated timeline

Application Process Comparison

PMAY-Urban: Self-Application

1. Visit pmaymis.gov.in
2. Click "Citizen Assessment" → select component
3. Enter Aadhaar number for verification
4. Fill application form with income, property, and bank details
5. Submit and get Application Reference Number
6. Track status online

Alternatively, apply at Common Service Centres (CSC) for ₹25 + GST.

See complete PMAY application steps for detailed walkthrough.

PMAY-Gramin: Government-Selected

1. Government identifies beneficiaries from SECC 2011 data
2. Gram Sabha verifies the priority list
3. Eligible families register at Gram Panchayat
4. Block/District officials verify and approve
5. Sanction order issued
6. Financial assistance released in 3 installments tied to construction milestones
7. Check your name in the beneficiary list

Benefits Comparison

PMAY-Urban Benefits

• CLSS Subsidy: Up to ₹2.67 lakh interest subsidy on home loan, credited upfront to reduce EMI. Use our PMAY EMI calculator to estimate savings.
• Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP): Central assistance of ₹1.5 lakh per house for projects with at least 35% EWS houses
• In-Situ Slum Redevelopment: Uses land as a resource with private sector participation
• Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC): ₹1.5 lakh central assistance for EWS individuals constructing their own houses

PMAY-Gramin Benefits

• Financial Assistance: ₹1.20 lakh (plain areas) or ₹1.30 lakh (hilly/difficult/IAP areas)
• MGNREGA convergence: 90 days of unskilled labour wages additionally available
• Swachh Bharat Mission: ₹12,000 additional for toilet construction
• Total benefit possible: Up to ₹1.60–1.70 lakh including convergence benefits
• House design: Beneficiary can choose from approved house designs

Documents Required

Both schemes require similar base documents. See our complete PMAY documents checklist for details.

Common documents:

• Aadhaar card (mandatory)
• Bank account details
• Address proof
• Photographs

PMAY-Urban additional:

• Income certificate
• PAN card (for MIG categories)
• Property documents / sale agreement
• Affidavit of no house ownership

PMAY-Gramin additional:

• SECC data reference
• Job card (MGNREGA)
• Caste certificate (if applicable)

Which PMAY Scheme Should You Apply For?

Note: You cannot apply for both schemes. Your eligibility depends on where you reside — urban or rural.

Important Tips

1. Check your location classification — Census 2011 defines which areas are "urban." If your village was reclassified as urban, you fall under PMAY-U
2. Women ownership is mandatory in both — ensure property papers are in a woman's name
3. PMAY-G beneficiaries cannot self-apply — if you're not in the SECC list, approach your Gram Panchayat for inclusion in waiting lists
4. Income limits are for the entire household — not individual income
5. Check the beneficiary list before approaching any office

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I switch from PMAY-Gramin to PMAY-Urban or vice versa?

No. Your eligibility is determined by your residential location. If you live in an area classified as urban in Census 2011, you can only apply under PMAY-Urban. Similarly, rural residents can only benefit from PMAY-Gramin.

2. Which scheme gives more money — PMAY-Urban or PMAY-Gramin?

PMAY-Urban CLSS can provide up to ₹2.67 lakh in subsidy (for EWS/LIG). PMAY-Gramin provides ₹1.20–1.30 lakh plus convergence benefits. The effective benefit depends on your loan amount and income category.

3. Is PMAY-Gramin only for BPL families?

Not strictly BPL card holders, but beneficiaries are identified from SECC 2011 data based on housing deprivation parameters. The poorest and most vulnerable households are prioritized.

4. Can salaried people in cities get PMAY benefit?

Yes. PMAY-Urban covers salaried and self-employed individuals across EWS, LIG, MIG-I, and MIG-II categories — as long as household income is within ₹18 lakh per year and no family member owns a pucca house.

5. Do both PMAY schemes require Aadhaar?

Yes. Aadhaar is mandatory for both PMAY-Urban and PMAY-Gramin. It is used for identity verification and DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) of subsidies.

6. Can I get PMAY benefit if I already have a home loan?

Yes, under PMAY-Urban CLSS. If your loan was disbursed after the scheme launch date and you meet all eligibility criteria, your bank can submit a CLSS claim retrospectively.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. CitizenNest is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the Government of India. Verify details on PMAY-Urban or PMAY-Gramin official portals.