The Annapurna Yojana (also called Annapurna Bhandar Scheme) is currently the most talked-about government welfare programme in West Bengal. Launched officially on June 3, 2026, by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, this flagship scheme provides ₹3,000 every month directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of eligible women across the state. Moreover, it completely replaces the old Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme and nearly doubles the monthly benefit for most beneficiaries. However, today many applicants are seeing statuses like “Under Verification” or “Rejected,” causing widespread concern. Here is everything you need to know about the Annapurna Yojana latest news, August payment update, and how to check your status right now.
Annapurna Yojana 2026 Overview and Key Details
West Bengal’s new government wasted no time after the 2026 assembly elections. Consequently, in the very first cabinet meeting held on May 11, 2026, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari formally cleared the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme. Furthermore, the official government notification (No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026) came out on May 19, 2026, and the application window opened on May 27, 2026.
Additionally, the scheme targets nearly 2 crore women across all 23 districts of West Bengal. In terms of financial outlay, the state government has allocated a massive ₹36,000 crore in the 2026-27 state budget to fund this programme. Therefore, the scale of this scheme is truly unprecedented for a state-level welfare initiative in India.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Yojana (Annapurna Bhandar Prakalpa) |
| Launched By | Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal |
| Official Launch Date | June 3, 2026 |
| Monthly Benefit | ₹3,000 per month (₹36,000 annually) |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Target Beneficiaries | Approx. 2 crore eligible women |
| Age Eligibility | 25 to 60 years |
| Application Deadline | August 25, 2026 |
| Budget Allocation | ₹36,000 crore (2026-27) |
| Replaces | Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme |
Annapurna Yojana Payment History: June and July 2026 Installments
The first DBT installment under Annapurna Yojana reached beneficiaries on June 3, 2026. In that first round, over 28.25 lakh women received ₹3,000 directly into their accounts. Moreover, the launch event took place at Nabanna, the state secretariat, where CM Suvendu Adhikari formally initiated the transfer.
Subsequently, the second installment landed on July 1, 2026. This time, the government significantly expanded the beneficiary base, with more than 1.3 crore eligible women receiving ₹3,000 through the DBT system. Additionally, the announcement for the July payment was made at a grand programme held at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata. The numbers clearly show how fast the scheme is scaling up, and consequently, hopes are high for even broader coverage in August.
| Installment | Payment Date | Beneficiaries Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Installment | June 3, 2026 | 28.25 lakh women |
| 2nd Installment | July 1, 2026 | Over 1.3 crore women |
| 3rd Installment | August 2026 (Expected) | Targeting up to 2 crore women |
Annapurna Yojana Today’s News: Verification Issues and Under Inquiry Status
BREAKING Today, July 18, 2026, one of the biggest concerns among Annapurna Yojana applicants is the appearance of “Under Verification” or “Rejected” status on the official portal. However, officials clarify that this does not necessarily mean permanent rejection.
According to today’s reports, the state administration runs an extremely strict software-based filtering process to ensure that only genuinely eligible women receive the ₹3,000 benefit. Therefore, any discrepancy in Aadhaar details, bank seeding, or electoral records can temporarily push an application into “Under Verification” status. Meanwhile, the government insists that no eligible applicant will lose their benefit permanently due to a technical mismatch.
Important Update (July 18, 2026): In South 24 Parganas district alone, nearly 1 lakh applicants have not yet received their payment. However, the district administration has confirmed that data verification is in progress and payments will reach eligible accounts as soon as the process is complete.
Moreover, a senior state minister addressed the nation on July 17, 2026, with a key announcement: some names will be removed from the beneficiary list before the August installment. On the other hand, the minister also reassured applicants that those with genuine eligibility will remain protected. Furthermore, additional review camps and help desks will assist applicants to resolve status issues before the August 25 deadline.
Annapurna Yojana Eligibility Criteria 2026
Not every woman in West Bengal automatically qualifies for Annapurna Yojana. Therefore, it is important to understand the eligibility conditions clearly before applying. Additionally, the government has removed around 30 lakh names from the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar database because those individuals did not meet the updated criteria.
| Eligibility Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | Between 25 and 60 years |
| Gender | Women only |
| Residency | Permanent resident of West Bengal |
| Electoral Roll Status | Active on West Bengal voter list |
| Citizenship | Indian citizen (verified via SIR 2026) |
| Bank Account | Aadhaar-linked bank account with active DBT |
| Excluded Category | Permanent government employees, pension recipients |
| Previous Scheme | Lakshmir Bhandar recipients auto-migrated after verification |
In addition, women whose names were identified as deceased, shifted, duplicate, deleted, or having citizenship-related issues during the SIR 2026 verification exercise were removed from the beneficiary list. However, such applicants can still apply fresh or reapply through the official portal before August 25, 2026.
How Annapurna Yojana Replaced Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
Previously, West Bengal ran the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme since August 2021. Under that programme, SC/ST women received ₹1,700 per month, while women from general categories received ₹1,500 per month. However, with Annapurna Yojana taking over, the benefit structure has changed dramatically.
Moreover, the new scheme pays a flat ₹3,000 per month regardless of caste or category, which is a major shift toward equal treatment. Consequently, general category women who earlier received ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 per month now receive double or even triple the amount. Furthermore, existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are being automatically migrated to Annapurna Yojana after verification, so most women do not need to reapply from scratch.
Annapurna Yojana Application Process: How to Apply Before August 25
If you have not yet applied or need to reapply, the application window remains open until August 25, 2026. Therefore, do not delay if you believe you are eligible. Moreover, you can apply through both online and offline modes, making the process accessible even to women in remote areas.
Additionally, the government organized Janakalyan Shibir mega-outreach camps across West Bengal, where dedicated Annapurna Yojana submission counters and bank-seeding help desks operate to assist applicants. Furthermore, Block Development Officers and MLAs have been assigned specific responsibilities to help women fill forms and complete the verification process at the grassroots level.
| Application Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| Offline Form Available From | May 27, 2026 |
| Online Portal Active From | June 3, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | August 25, 2026 |
| Official Portal | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
| Documents Needed | Aadhaar card, Aadhaar-linked bank passbook, voter ID |
However, the government has strongly warned citizens to avoid unofficial or fake “apply-now” websites that have emerged as phishing scams. Therefore, always use only the official portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in for form downloads, application tracking, and status checks.
How to Check Annapurna Yojana Status Online in 2026
Checking your Annapurna Yojana status is straightforward if you follow the official process. Moreover, the beneficiary list updates every seven days, so check back regularly if your status shows “Under Verification.”
To check your status, visit the official portal and log in using your registered mobile number and OTP. Alternatively, you can enter your unique Application Reference Number to see whether your profile shows as “Beneficiary Active.” Furthermore, if your Aadhaar is not yet seeded to your bank account, complete the NPCI Aadhaar Seeding process immediately to avoid payment delays.
Annapurna Yojana August 2026 Payment: What to Expect
Looking ahead to the August 2026 installment, the government aims to push the coverage further toward the target of 2 crore women. However, the minister’s statement on July 17 makes one thing clear: stricter verification means some names will drop off the list before August payment release.
Therefore, if your application status currently shows “Under Inquiry” or “Under Verification,” the administration advises visiting your nearest Janakalyan Shibir camp or contacting your local Block Development Office immediately. Additionally, ensure your Aadhaar-linked bank account has active DBT services enabled, as inactive DBT is one of the most common reasons payments fail to reach accounts.
Pro Tip: Women who submitted their Annapurna Yojana application online on June 3, 2026, using the old format must submit a fresh application in the newly introduced format. The old June 3 application format is no longer valid.
Government’s Anti-Corruption Steps Under Annapurna Yojana
One of the most talked-about aspects of Annapurna Yojana is its zero-middleman policy. Unlike earlier schemes where agents and local political workers often siphoned funds, Annapurna Yojana transfers every rupee directly into verified Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. Moreover, the government runs a multi-layered verification process that includes electoral record screening, Aadhaar-bank validation, and biometric authentication.
Additionally, the software-driven filtering process catches duplicate, deceased, or deleted entries before any payment goes out. Consequently, nearly 30 lakh ineligible entries from the Lakshmir Bhandar database were removed before the scheme’s first payment in June 2026. Furthermore, strict action will continue to prevent fake applications and fraudulent claims in subsequent months.
Final Words
If you have applied for Annapurna Yojana 2026, there is no need to worry if your application is still under verification. The government is reviewing applications in phases, and many eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive their payments after the verification process is completed. The most important thing is to make sure your Aadhaar, bank account, and DBT details are correct so that your payment is not delayed.
The August update is expected to be important as the government continues adding eligible beneficiaries while removing ineligible entries from the list. Keep checking your application status through the official portal and avoid relying on rumours or unofficial websites. We will keep this article updated with the latest Annapurna Yojana news, payment updates, verification announcements, and other important developments so you always have the most recent information in one place.
Read more of this article: Annapurna Yojana Payment Not Received? 8 Reasons & Easy Fixes…
This article is based on official government announcements, ministerial statements made at the Rath Yatra programme in Cooch Behar, and publicly available notifications issued by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal.
