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Housing Schemes

EWS, LIG and MIG Flats: Income Limits and Who Qualifies

Under PMAY-U 2.0, EWS means household income up to ₹3 lakh, LIG ₹3–6 lakh and MIG ₹6–9 lakh a year. Housing boards such as MHADA and DDA set their own limits.

AS

Written by Aarav Sharma

Published 8 October 2026·6 min read

On this page9 sections
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LIG flats are homes meant for low-income group households. Under PMAY-Urban 2.0, LIG means annual household income from ₹3 lakh up to ₹6 lakh, EWS up to ₹3 lakh and MIG from ₹6 lakh up to ₹9 lakh. Housing boards and development authorities selling their own flats often use higher limits, so the band that applies depends on who is selling the flat.

Key facts

Category PMAY-U 2.0 annual household income PMAY-U 2.0 help available
EWS (Economically Weaker Section) Up to ₹3 lakh BLC, AHP, ARH, ISS
LIG (Low Income Group) ₹3 lakh up to ₹6 lakh ISS; ARH
MIG (Middle Income Group) ₹6 lakh up to ₹9 lakh ISS
HIG (Higher Income Group) Not a PMAY-U 2.0 category Used by state boards only

Income means household income from all sources. A household under PMAY-U 2.0 is husband, wife and unmarried children. No member may own a pucca house anywhere in India. For the scheme as a whole, see our PMAY and government housing schemes page.

What EWS, LIG, MIG and HIG mean

These labels began as income bands for public housing. Colonies such as the LIG flats in many housing board layouts took their names from the category the flats were first built for. The label on an old colony tells you nothing about who can buy a resale flat there today. Resale is usually open to anyone once the board’s lock-in and transfer conditions have been met.

For a new allotment, the label decides which flats you may apply for. Your income is checked against the limit in that scheme’s brochure, and you have to prove it.

PMAY-U 2.0 income bands by vertical

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) guidelines define the three bands in para 3.3. They also let states and union territories change the EWS limit to suit local conditions, with MoHUA’s agreement. The LIG and MIG limits have no such clause.

ItemDetails
Beneficiary-led construction (BLC)is for EWS families building on their own land.
Affordable housing in partnership (AHP)gives central assistance only for EWS flats. A project can mix EWS, LIG and MIG units, but at least 25% must be EWS to qualify.
Affordable rental housing (ARH)covers EWS and LIG families, working women and industrial workers.
Interest subsidy scheme (ISS)is the only route for LIG and MIG buyers who want to own. It covers home loans up to ₹25 lakh for homes worth up to ₹35 lakh, sanctioned and disbursed on or after 1 September 2024.

Our guide to the four PMAY-U 2.0 verticals compares them in detail.

How state boards set their own limits

A housing board or development authority selling flats from its own stock can set its own income bands. The table shows three examples checked on 16 September 2026. Other states and boards differ.

Seller EWS LIG MIG HIG
MHADA: MMR, PMRDA, NMRDA, NIT areas Up to ₹6 lakh Up to ₹9 lakh Up to ₹12 lakh Above ₹12 lakh
MHADA: other areas Up to ₹4.5 lakh Up to ₹7.5 lakh Up to ₹12 lakh Above ₹12 lakh
CIDCO, Navi Mumbai (August 2026 scheme) Up to ₹6 lakh Non-EWS: above ₹6 lakh
DDA Jan Sadharan Awaas Yojana 2025 Up to ₹10 lakh family income No income test for other categories in this scheme

MHADA lets a lower group apply upwards: an EWS applicant can apply for EWS, LIG, MIG and HIG flats, but an HIG applicant only for HIG. MHADA also says its 20% scheme, PMAY and first-come-first-served flats may carry their own criteria. DDA counts the income of the applicant and spouse, and places no bar on owning property in Delhi for this scheme. Details for each are in our guides to the MHADA lottery and the DDA housing scheme.

Proving income: certificates and affidavits

  1. Check the brochure for the financial year it wants income proof for.
  2. For PMAY-U 2.0, sign the self-undertaking in Annexure 2A (BLC), 2B (AHP) or 2C (ISS). It declares your household income and that no family member owns a pucca house.
  3. For an ISS loan, give the lender a self-certificate or affidavit of income, as para 5.4.2 of the guidelines allows.
  4. For a board lottery, collect what the brochure lists. MHADA accepts income tax returns or a Tehsildar income certificate. CIDCO accepts the ITR of all family members, a Tehsildar certificate or an employer certificate. DDA wants a family income certificate for EWS that can be verified with the issuing authority.
  5. If both spouses earn, get proof for both.
  6. Keep Aadhaar ready for every family member. PMAY-U 2.0 links beneficiaries through Aadhaar or an Aadhaar Virtual ID.

Before you apply, use the home affordability calculator to check the price you can carry after the subsidy.

Carpet-area limits by category

Scheme or seller Carpet area
PMAY-U 2.0 EWS house (BLC, AHP) 30 to 45 sq m
PMAY-U 2.0 ISS (all bands) Up to 120 sq m
PMAY-U 2.0 affordable house definition Up to 60 sq m in metros, 90 sq m elsewhere, value up to ₹45 lakh
CIDCO EWS 1 BHK, August 2026 scheme 27.10 to 27.56 sq m RERA carpet area

Board flats are sized by the board. Check the RERA carpet area on the project listing, not only the usable area in the advertisement.

Common reasons applications fail the income test

ItemDetails
Only one spouse’s income shownwhen the scheme counts the whole household.
Proof for the wrong year, or a certificate the issuing office cannot verify.
Applying under PMAY-U 2.0 as LIG for an AHP flat, where central assistance goes only to EWS buyers.
A pucca house in any family member’s nameanywhere in India.
A government housing allotment in the last 20 years, which bars PMAY-U 2.0 benefit.
Reusing a certificate across schemes.CIDCO’s August 2026 booklet, for example, does not accept a PMAY-U 2.0 certificate for its PMAY(U) EWS homes. Our CIDCO lottery guide explains why.

Frequently asked questions

What is the income limit for LIG flats?

Under PMAY-U 2.0, LIG means annual household income from ₹3 lakh up to ₹6 lakh. MHADA uses up to ₹9 lakh in large urban regions and up to ₹7.5 lakh elsewhere.

What is the EWS income limit under PM Awas Yojana?

Up to ₹3 lakh a year under PMAY-U 2.0. States can redefine it with MoHUA’s agreement.

Can an LIG family buy an EWS flat?

Not if the scheme sets an EWS income ceiling below your income. Under MHADA’s rules, the lower group can apply upwards, not the other way round.

Is there an HIG category in PMAY?

No. PMAY-U 2.0 covers EWS, LIG and MIG households with income up to ₹9 lakh. HIG flats are sold by state boards and authorities.

Does income mean my salary alone?

PMAY-U 2.0 counts household income from all sources. DDA counts the applicant and spouse; check each brochure.

Can I buy a flat in an old LIG colony if I earn more?

Resale flats in such colonies are generally open to any buyer once the allotment’s lock-in and transfer conditions are met. Check the board’s transfer rules for that property.

Sources

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