As the population of the country continues to grow, the demand for residential property rises steadily. Consequently, providing housing for all has become a primary concern for the government. To facilitate homeownership, government housing schemes offer affordable housing options. These schemes categorize homes into Low-Income Group (LIG), Middle-Income Group (MIG), High-Income Group (HIG), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) flats. In this article, we will focus on HIG flats and explore the various government schemes that offer them.
LIG, MIG, HIG: Basic classification
The basic classification of the flats under government housing schemes is done on the basis of the gross income of the household. The carpet area and the amenities provided for each category varies.
| Type | Income (Rs) | Carpet area | Subsidy |
| LIG | 3 – 6 lakh | 90 sqm | 6.5% |
| MIG | MIG-I: 6 – 12 lakh
MIG-II: 12 – 18 lakh |
MIG-I: 110 sqm
MIG-II: 150 sqm |
None |
| HIG | Above 18 lakh | Above 150 sqm | None |
HIG flats: Key features
Designed for families with a gross annual income above Rs 18 lakhs, HIG (High-Income Group) flats feature larger carpet areas and upscale amenities. This category includes properties such as 3BHK apartments, duplexes, and bungalows. Additional amenities may include lift service, gyms, sports complexes, shopping centers, and car parking facilities.
HIG flats are available in both 2BHK and 3BHK layouts, with the 3BHK option being more popular among homebuyers. These flats offer significantly larger room sizes compared to LIG (Low-Income Group) and MIG (Middle-Income Group) quarters, and typically include a dedicated dining room. All bedrooms come with attached bathrooms. In the 3BHK variants, there are usually two balconies: one attached to the master bedroom and another to the living room.
Schemes offering HIG flats
HIG flats are available under the following government schemes:
Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) Scheme
To make homeownership more affordable in Maharashtra, MHADA’s housing scheme serves the residents of the state. To apply for a home loan under this scheme, you must be a Maharashtra resident over the age of 18 with a regular monthly income and a PAN card. If your household's monthly income is above Rs 75,000, you are eligible to apply for an HIG property under this scheme.
Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Housing Scheme
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY), the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) offers affordable housing to residents of Delhi who are above the age of 18. Several HIG quarters are available under this scheme for eligible applicants.
West Bengal Housing Board Scheme
Designed for residents of West Bengal, this scheme uses a lottery system for house allotments. To qualify for HIG properties under this scheme, your household's monthly income must exceed Rs 40,000.
Tamil Nadu Housing Board Scheme
This scheme is designed to cater to all income groups, including HIG. To qualify, applicants must be over 21 years old and must not own any property under a government housing scheme in Tamil Nadu or any other state.
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Ans 1. The full form of HIG is a high-income group. It includes households whose annual income is above Rs 18 lakh. People under this category are eligible for more carpet area and extra amenities like 3 BHK flats, duplexes, bungalows etc.
Ans 2. The dimensions of the majority of the rooms are significantly larger than LIG and MIG Flats. The living room is approximately 3,370 x 7,005 mm. The dimension of the kitchen is set to 3,085 x 3,000 mm. The dining room is comparatively larger at 3,820 x 4,170 mm.
Ans 3. 2 BHK (HIG FLAT) But in the HIG flats, there is also a dining room. There are two bedrooms- one is the master bedroom and the other bedroom which are comparatively bigger than LIG and MIG flats.
Ans 4. Eligibility criteria for MIG The annual income of the individual must range between Rs. 6 lakhs to Rs. 18 lakhs. The person must not own a house in his/her name.
Ans 5. A total of 274 apartments, comprising seven penthouses and 138 super High-Income Group (HIG) flats, featured in the Delhi Development Authority (DDA)'s new housing scheme, were successfully booked on Friday through the e-auction mode.