West Bengal has launched one of its most ambitious women welfare programs in recent years. The Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026 promises to deliver ₹3,000 every month directly into the bank accounts of eligible women across the state. If you are a woman living in West Bengal, or someone helping a family member understand this scheme, this guide covers everything you need to know — from eligibility and documents to the application process and status check.
What Is the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026?
The Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, also referred to as Annapurna Yojana or Annapurna Bhandar Prokolpo, is a state government welfare initiative in West Bengal. It was officially approved during the first cabinet meeting of the newly elected West Bengal government held on May 11, 2026, and was formally announced through a government notification issued on May 19, 2026.
The scheme is managed by the Women and Child Welfare Department of West Bengal. Its primary goal is to provide direct financial support to women from non-government, non-taxpayer households, helping them manage daily expenses, healthcare, and household needs without depending entirely on family income.
The scheme replaces the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, which provided a lower monthly benefit ranging from ₹1,500 to ₹1,700. The Annapurna Bhandar Scheme doubles this benefit to a flat ₹3,000 per month for all eligible women, regardless of their caste category.
The Chief Minister of West Bengal has directed officials to implement the scheme starting June 1, 2026. Applications for the scheme have been accepted from May 27, 2026, and the government has given a window of 90 days — until August 25, 2026 — for women to complete their enrollment.
Key Highlights of the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026
The following table summarizes the most important details of this scheme at a glance:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Bhandar Scheme / Annapurna Yojana |
| State | West Bengal |
| Launched By | West Bengal State Government |
| Nodal Authority | Women and Child Welfare Department |
| Monthly Benefit | ₹3,000 per month |
| Transfer Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked account |
| Launch Date | June 1, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Women aged 25–60 years, permanent WB residents |
| Application Start | May 27, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | August 25, 2026 (90 days) |
| Application Mode | Online and Offline |
| Official Portal | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
Why Was the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Launched?
The West Bengal government recognised that the rising cost of living has made it increasingly difficult for women from middle and lower-income households to manage basic expenses. The earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, while helpful, provided a benefit that no longer matched the financial demands of a household in 2026.
The Annapurna Bhandar Scheme was designed as a higher-tier replacement. The flat ₹3,000 monthly benefit removes the earlier tiered structure, which meant different amounts for different social categories. Under this scheme, every eligible woman gets the same amount — making the benefit simpler, more transparent, and more equitable.
The money is also intended to reduce dependence on informal moneylenders and give women greater control over household finances, especially for healthcare and education-related expenses.
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, every applicant must check whether she meets the eligibility requirements set by the West Bengal government.
To be eligible for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, an applicant must:
- Be a woman (only women are eligible under this scheme)
- Be a permanent resident of West Bengal
- Be between 25 years and 60 years of age
- Have an Aadhaar-linked active bank account for receiving DBT payments
These women are not eligible for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme:
- Women who pay income tax
- Permanent or retired government employees
- Women receiving a regular salary or pension from the state government, central government, panchayats, statutory bodies, municipalities, or government-aided educational institutions
- Women employed in teaching or non-teaching roles at any government-aided educational institution in West Bengal
If you fall into any of the above categories, you will not be able to receive the monthly ₹3,000 benefit under this scheme.
What Happens to Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Beneficiaries?
If you are already receiving monthly payments under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, you do not need to apply fresh in most cases. The West Bengal government has decided to automatically migrate all existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries to the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme.
However, some beneficiaries will not be migrated and will lose access to the scheme. These include women who were identified as ineligible during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026 process — specifically those marked as deceased, absent, shifted, or duplicate in voter records, as well as those found to be non-Indian citizens.
The government has reported that approximately 30 lakh out of the 2.20 crore Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries have been removed from the new list due to ineligibility. The expected total beneficiary count under the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme stands at around 2 crore women across West Bengal.
If you are an existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiary, make sure your Aadhaar-linked bank account is active and functioning. The Annapurna Bhandar payment will go directly to the bank account linked with your Aadhaar. If that account is closed or inactive, you must update it before the June 1, 2026 rollout.
Monthly Benefit and Payment Method
The Annapurna Bhandar Scheme provides a monthly cash benefit of ₹3,000, paid through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. This means the money is sent directly from the government to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account, without any middlemen involved.
This approach was specifically chosen to eliminate the possibility of the benefit being misused or intercepted. All payments are routed through the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) infrastructure.
Women who receive the benefit annually will get ₹36,000 per year, which is a significant improvement from the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme’s annual benefit of ₹18,000 to ₹20,400.
Documents Required for Annapurna Bhandar Application
The following documents are required to apply for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme:
- Aadhaar Card (linked to your current mobile number)
- Voter ID Card (to establish West Bengal residency)
- Proof of residence in West Bengal
- Bank account passbook or statement (the account must be linked with Aadhaar)
- Passport-size photographs
Make sure that all documents are valid and clearly readable. Any mismatch between the name on your Aadhaar and your bank account can delay or reject your application. If your Aadhaar is not linked to your bank account, do that first before applying.
How to Apply for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Online
The online application process is straightforward. Follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: Visit the official portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in.
Step 2: Register on the portal using your mobile number. You will receive an OTP for verification.
Step 3: Once logged in, click on the “New Application” or “Apply Online” option.
Step 4: Fill in the application form with your personal details, family information, bank account details, and other required fields.
Step 5: Upload the required documents, including your Aadhaar card, Voter ID, and bank passbook.
Step 6: Review all the information carefully before submitting.
Step 7: Submit the form and save the Application Reference Number. You will need this number to check your application status later.
How to Apply for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Offline
Women who are not comfortable applying online can apply offline using one of these methods:
Step 1: Visit your nearest local block office, municipal office, or gram panchayat office in West Bengal.
Step 2: Collect the Annapurna Yojana application form. Forms are also available for download from the official portal in English, Bengali, and Hindi.
Step 3: Fill the form accurately. Write your name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card, and use DD/MM/YYYY format for date of birth.
Step 4: Attach self-attested copies of required documents.
Step 5: Submit the completed form at the office and collect the acknowledgement receipt.
The government has also announced that teams under Block Development Officers (BDO) will visit homes door-to-door to assist applicants. Additionally, elected MLAs have been directed to help women fill and submit their forms. A special “Janakalyan Shibir” will be organised across the state from June 15 to 17, 2026, where applicants can directly submit their forms.
How to Download the Annapurna Yojana Application Form
The Annapurna Bhandar application form is available in three languages: English, Bengali, and Hindi.
To download it online, go to the official portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in and click on the “Download Annapurna Yojana Form” option. You can also collect the physical form from your nearest block office or panchayat office.
How to Check Your Annapurna Bhandar Application Status
After submitting your application, you can check its current status in two ways:
Online: Visit the official portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in. Click on the “Track Application” option. Enter your Application Reference Number to view the current status of your application.
Offline: Visit your local block or municipal office with your acknowledgement receipt. The staff can look up your application and inform you of its status.
Application status can show as Pending, Under Verification, Approved, or Rejected. If your application is rejected, the reason will usually be communicated to you, and you may be able to reapply after correcting the issue.
How to Update Your Bank Account for Annapurna Bhandar DBT
Since all payments under the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme are made via DBT to the Aadhaar-linked bank account, it is essential that your linked account is active. If the account linked to your Aadhaar is closed, inactive, or incorrect, your payment will fail.
To check which bank account is currently linked to your Aadhaar for DBT, follow these steps:
- Visit the official NPCI website.
- Navigate to the “Customer” section and select the “Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE)” option.
- Click on “Aadhaar Mapped Status.”
- Enter your Aadhaar number and the captcha, and click “Check Status.”
- Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Your currently linked bank account details will be displayed on screen.
If you need to change or update this account, use the “Aadhaar Seeding/Deseeding” option on the same NPCI portal to link your new bank account with Aadhaar. Once updated, the new account will be used for receiving all future DBT payments.
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme vs Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme: Key Differences
| Parameter | Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme | Annapurna Bhandar Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Benefit | ₹1,500 to ₹1,700 | ₹3,000 (flat for all) |
| Annual Benefit | ₹18,000 to ₹20,400 | ₹36,000 |
| Age Limit | 25 to 60 years | 25 to 60 years |
| Caste-Based Difference | Yes (tiered amounts) | No (same for all) |
| Transfer Mode | DBT | DBT |
| Current Status | Being discontinued | Active from June 1, 2026 |
| Existing Beneficiaries | Auto-migrated to Annapurna Bhandar | Receiving new ₹3,000 benefit |
The primary distinction is not just the increased amount — it is also the removal of the tiered structure. All eligible women now receive the same flat amount of ₹3,000, eliminating the disparity that existed between general category and SC/ST category beneficiaries under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026
Q1. What is the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme? It is a West Bengal government welfare scheme that provides ₹3,000 per month to eligible women via Direct Benefit Transfer to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. It replaced the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme from June 1, 2026.
Q2. Who is eligible for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme? Women aged between 25 and 60 years who are permanent residents of West Bengal and are not income taxpayers or government employees are eligible.
Q3. How much money will I receive monthly? Eligible women will receive ₹3,000 per month, amounting to ₹36,000 per year.
Q4. When did the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme start? The scheme officially launched on June 1, 2026. Applications began from May 27, 2026.
Q5. Do Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need to apply again? Most existing beneficiaries will be automatically migrated. However, they must ensure their Aadhaar-linked bank account is active to receive payments without interruption.
Q6. What is the last date to apply for Annapurna Bhandar? The application window is 90 days from May 27, 2026, making the last date August 25, 2026.
Q7. Where can I apply offline? You can apply at your local block office, gram panchayat office, or municipal office. Government-organised camps and door-to-door BDO teams are also available to assist.
Q8. What is the official website for the scheme? The official portal is socialsecurity.wb.gov.in.
Q9. Can I apply if I am a government employee? No. Government employees, retired employees, and those receiving pensions from government bodies are not eligible.
Q10. What happens if my DBT payment fails? If the payment fails, it is usually due to an inactive Aadhaar-linked bank account. You should update your Aadhaar-bank mapping on the NPCI website and ensure the account is active.