West Bengal just made history. On July 1, 2026, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari officially launched the Annapurna Yojana at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, and the energy in that stadium said it all. Around 1.2 crore women across the state will now receive Rs 3,000 every month directly into their bank accounts. This is not just a scheme. This is a promise fulfilled by the new BJP government that took office in May 2026, replacing the TMC-era Lakshmir Bhandar program with something far bigger and more transparent.
Annapurna Yojana Launch: What Happened at Netaji Indoor Stadium
The launch event on July 1, 2026 was nothing short of a mega public confluence. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari addressed hundreds of beneficiaries who had gathered from multiple districts across West Bengal. Moreover, the event was not just symbolic. Funds were directly transferred to the bank accounts of thousands of women right there at the event, marking the formal and official rollout of the Annapurna Yojana DBT scheme.
In addition, CM Adhikari made a strong statement during the event. He revealed that a survey had found 27 lakh beneficiaries of the old Lakshmir Bhandar scheme were not even on the voter list. Furthermore, he pointed out that funds were fraudulently distributed to people, including some who were already dead. Therefore, the new government decided to build Annapurna Yojana from the ground up with strict verification and a clean beneficiary list.
Annapurna Yojana Benefits: Rs 3,000 Per Month for 1.2 Crore Women
The Annapurna Yojana targets women between the ages of 25 and 60 years. Additionally, the scheme uses the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method, meaning the money goes straight into the woman’s bank account with zero middlemen involved. This approach ensures transparency and eliminates the possibility of fraud that plagued the previous scheme.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has earmarked a massive Rs 36,000 crore for this initiative. Out of nearly 1.5 crore applications received, around 1.2 crore were verified as genuine, including approximately 5 lakh tribal women. Consequently, this makes Annapurna Yojana one of the largest women-focused financial assistance programs in India’s recent history.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Yojana |
| Launched By | CM Suvendu Adhikari |
| Launch Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Monthly Assistance | Rs 3,000 |
| Eligible Women | 1.2 crore |
| Age Group | 25 to 60 years |
| Total Budget | Rs 36,000 crore |
| Transfer Method | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Tribal Women Included | Approximately 5 lakh |
Annapurna Yojana vs Lakshmir Bhandar: What Changed and Why
Many people are comparing the new Annapurna Yojana with the old Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, and honestly, the differences are significant. The Lakshmir Bhandar program had nearly 2.4 crore beneficiaries, but as CM Adhikari revealed, a large portion of those were fake or unverified. However, under Annapurna Yojana, the government conducted thorough verification before finalizing the list.
Moreover, the monthly payout under Annapurna Yojana is considerably higher, giving eligible women stronger financial footing. Additionally, the new scheme brings in a more structured DBT process, which makes fund disbursement faster and more reliable. On the other hand, women who were genuine Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries have already been migrated to Annapurna Yojana automatically, so they do not need to apply again.
Furthermore, new applications were accepted starting May 2026, giving more women across West Bengal the chance to benefit. The government also confirmed that this enrollment process will continue for 90 days starting June 1, 2026, covering every municipality through both online and offline modes.
Who is Eligible for Annapurna Yojana in West Bengal
Understanding eligibility is very important before applying or checking your status. Therefore, here is a clear breakdown of who qualifies and who does not qualify for the Annapurna Yojana scheme.
Women between 25 and 60 years of age who are permanent residents of West Bengal are eligible. Additionally, women who applied between May 2026 and were verified through the official portal also qualify. However, income taxpayers, government employees, regular salaried individuals, and pensioners are not eligible for this scheme.
Interestingly, applicants under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) process or those under judicial review in the SIR process will remain eligible for benefits. Consequently, this ensures that even women in sensitive legal situations are not left behind.
How to Check Annapurna Yojana Beneficiary Status Online
Checking your beneficiary status is simple and takes just a few minutes. Moreover, the West Bengal government has made the process completely online through the Social Security Portal. Here is exactly how you can check your status step by step.
First, visit the official West Bengal Social Security Portal at https://socialregistry.wb.gov.in/. Next, click on the Citizen Access section, which will redirect you to the citizen login page. After that, select your district and enter your registered mobile number. The portal will then send a One Time Password (OTP) to your phone. Additionally, you will need to enter a captcha to complete the login. Once you log in successfully, go to the Application Status section on your dashboard. Finally, the portal will display your complete beneficiary status and application details.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit https://socialregistry.wb.gov.in/ |
| Step 2 | Click on Citizen Access section |
| Step 3 | Select district and enter mobile number |
| Step 4 | Enter OTP sent to your phone |
| Step 5 | Add captcha and log in |
| Step 6 | Go to Application Status on dashboard |
| Step 7 | View your beneficiary status and details |
Annapurna Yojana Rollout: What Comes Next
The launch on July 1 was just the beginning. Meanwhile, the government confirmed that funds were already transferred to lakhs of beneficiaries in June 2026 as well, ahead of the official launch event. Consequently, the reach of this scheme is expected to expand significantly in the coming phases.
Moreover, the enrollment and verification process will run across every municipality in West Bengal through both online and offline channels. Therefore, women in rural areas or those without internet access will not be excluded. In addition, the 90-day window gives enough time for eligible women who missed the initial phase to still join the scheme and start receiving Rs 3,000 every month.
Overall, the Annapurna Yojana represents a major shift in how West Bengal handles women’s financial empowerment. Furthermore, with Rs 36,000 crore committed and 1.2 crore verified beneficiaries already on board, this scheme has the scale, the intent, and the infrastructure to genuinely change lives across the state.
Conclusion: Annapurna Yojana is a New Beginning for Women in West Bengal
The launch of Annapurna Yojana on July 1, 2026 is clearly more than just a government scheme. It is a turning point for over 1.2 crore women across West Bengal who will now receive Rs 3,000 every month directly in their bank accounts. Moreover, the strict verification process and transparent DBT method ensure that the right women get the right support, without any fraud or manipulation.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has made it clear that this government prioritizes accountability over numbers. Therefore, even though the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme had more registered beneficiaries, Annapurna Yojana focuses on genuine, verified women who truly need financial support. Consequently, this approach builds trust between the government and its citizens.
In addition, the 90-day enrollment window and both online and offline registration modes ensure that no eligible woman is left behind, whether she lives in a city or a remote village. So if you or someone you know is eligible, do not wait. Additionally, check your beneficiary status today at the official West Bengal Social Security Portal and make sure you receive every rupee you deserve.
FAQs
Annapurna Yojana is a Direct Benefit Transfer scheme launched by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on July 1, 2026. Under this scheme, around 1.2 crore eligible women between the ages of 25 and 60 years receive Rs 3,000 per month directly into their bank accounts.
Eligible women receive Rs 3,000 per month under the Annapurna Yojana scheme. The money is transferred directly to their bank accounts through the DBT method with no middlemen involved.
Income taxpayers, government employees, regular salaried individuals, and pensioners are not eligible for the Annapurna Yojana scheme. However, applicants under the CAA process or judicial review in the SIR process remain eligible.
You can check your status by visiting the West Bengal Social Security Portal at https://socialregistry.wb.gov.in/. Click on Citizen Access, enter your district and mobile number, submit the OTP and captcha, then check the Application Status section on your dashboard.
Annapurna Yojana replaces the TMC-era Lakshmir Bhandar scheme with a higher monthly payout of Rs 3,000, stricter beneficiary verification, and a fully DBT-based process. The previous scheme had nearly 2.4 crore beneficiaries, many of whom were found to be fake or unverified during a government survey.
Overall, Annapurna Yojana is a bold, well-funded, and people-first initiative that sets a strong example for women-focused welfare programs across India. Without a doubt, this is just the beginning of a better and more financially secure future for the women of West Bengal.
