The West Bengal Government’s new flagship welfare scheme Annapurna Yojana, also known as Annapurna Bhandar Prakalpa, has transformed the lives of lakhs of women. After its official launch on 3 June 2026, eligible women under this scheme receive Rs 3,000 every month directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Moreover, this scheme replaces the earlier Laxmi Bhandar Scheme and provides equal financial support to all eligible women. Additionally, this scheme aims to strengthen the financial security of women from economically vulnerable households and help them with grocery expenses, healthcare, children’s education, electricity bills, and medicines. If you are a woman aged 25 to 60 in West Bengal, this complete guide is for you.
What is Annapurna Yojana West Bengal 2026
Annapurna Yojana, also known as Annapurna Bhandar Prakalpa, is a women’s welfare scheme implemented by the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department of West Bengal. Furthermore, the scheme takes its name from the Hindu goddess Annapurna, the goddess of nutrition and food, and is based on the concept of household food security and economic stability.
In the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections, BJP won 207 out of 293 seats, ending the 15-year TMC rule. In its inaugural manifesto, BJP had promised an enhanced women welfare scheme called Matri Shakti Bharosa Scheme. Moreover, after assuming power on 9 May 2026, the new government officially notified the Annapurna Yojana on 19 May 2026 and formally launched it on 3 June 2026. Consequently, the first installment was credited to the accounts of more than 28 lakh women on 3 June 2026.
Subsequently, approximately 1.3 crore eligible women received ₹3,000 through DBT in the second installment on 1 July 2026. Therefore, this scheme has become one of the largest direct cash transfer programs in India.
Annapurna Yojana Benefits and Financial Assistance
The financial assistance eligible women receive under the Annapurna Yojana is a huge relief to them and their families. Moreover, this money is directly deposited into their bank accounts, without any middlemen. Each eligible woman receives ₹3,000 per month, which is directly credited to their Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT. This translates to a total financial assistance of ₹36,000 per year, which significantly helps with their daily expenses.
Earlier, under Laxmi Bhandar, the general category received Rs 1,500 and SC/ST received Rs 1,700. But now, under the Annapurna Yojana, all eligible women receive a uniform Rs 3,000, without any category distinction. Furthermore, this financial assistance helps women manage grocery expenses, healthcare bills, children’s school fees, medicines, electricity bills, and daily household expenses. Additionally, along with the Annapurna Yojana, the West Bengal government has also activated free travel in government buses for all women from June 1, 2026, which is applicable on WBTC, NBSTC, SBSTC, CTC, and other state transport corporation buses.
Annapurna Yojana Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, it is very important to understand who is eligible for this scheme and who is not. Therefore, the complete eligibility is clearly explained below. First of all, the applicant must be a woman and a permanent resident of West Bengal. Moreover, both her Voter ID and Ration Card must have an address in West Bengal. Along with this, the age of the applicant should be between 25 to 60 years.
Additionally, only women with a BPL, AAY, or PHH ration card are eligible. APL ration card holders or those without a ration card are not eligible. Furthermore, the beneficiary’s bank account must be solely in their name, meaning a joint account is not acceptable, and the account must be Aadhaar-linked and DBT-active.
However, some women are not eligible for this scheme. Women who are in permanent employment with the Central Government, State Government, any statutory body, PSU, panchayat, municipality, or government-aided educational institution or are drawing a regular salary or pension cannot apply. Furthermore, women who pay Income Tax also do not qualify. Only permanent residents of West Bengal will get this benefit. Consequently, Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries who are identified as dead, shifted, deleted, or absentee electors during SIR 2026 will not be migrated to the Annapurna Yojana.
However, those whose names have been deleted from the voter rolls but have applied for citizenship under the CAA and whose cases are pending will continue to get the benefits of the scheme till the cases are disposed of.
Annapurna Yojana Online Application Process (Step-by-Step)
- Step 1: The registration window is open from May 27, 2026, to August 25, 2026 (90 days). Complete your application before the deadline.
- Step 2: Open the official website socialsecurity.wb.gov.in on your mobile phone or computer.
- Step 3: Click on the “Access Citizen Portal” option available on the homepage.
- Step 4: Select your District from the dropdown menu.
- Step 5: Enter your registered mobile number and complete the OTP verification process.
- Step 6: After verification, the Family Level Data Collection Form will open.
- Step 7: Enter the Head of Family details, including:
- Full Name
- Aadhaar Number
- Date of Birth
- Residential Address
- Step 8: Fill in the details of all remaining family members accurately.
- Step 9: Upload all the required documents in the prescribed format.
- Step 10: Carefully review all the information entered to ensure there are no errors.
- Step 11: Click the “Submit” button to complete your application.
- Step 12: After successful submission, an Application ID will be generated.
- Step 13: Save the Application ID by taking a screenshot or writing it down, as it will be required to check your application status in the future.
Annapurna Yojana Offline Application Process (Step-by-Step)
- Visit your nearest Block Development Office (BDO), SDO Office, Municipality Office, authorized government registration camp, or Janakalyan Shibir.
- Collect the official Annapurna Yojana Application Form from the office or camp.
- Alternatively, download the application form from the official portal.
- Choose the application form in your preferred language (English, Hindi, or Bengali).
- Carefully fill in all the required details, including:
- Full Name
- Aadhaar Number
- Date of Birth
- Residential Address
- Bank Account Details
- Ration Card Number
- Double-check all the information before submission to avoid errors or incomplete details that may lead to rejection.
- Make photocopies of all the required supporting documents.
- Self-attest each photocopy by signing it.
- Attach all the self-attested documents with the completed application form.
- Submit the application form and documents to the designated government official at the office or camp.
- Verify that all required documents have been accepted during submission.
- Collect the acknowledgment receipt after submitting your application.
- Keep the acknowledgment receipt safely, as it will be required to track your application status and for future reference.
How to Check Annapurna Yojana Application Status
- Visit the official Annapurna Yojana portal.
- Log in using your registered mobile number and OTP.
- Enter your Application Reference Number.
- Click on the Check Status or Submit button.
- View your application status on the screen.
- Confirm whether your status shows “Beneficiary Active”.
- If your status is not available online, visit your nearest BDO Office or Municipality Office.
- Provide your Application ID to the concerned official and request your application status.
Annapurna Yojana vs Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
The biggest difference between Annapurna Yojana and Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is the monthly benefit amount. Earlier, under Lakshmir Bhandar, general category women used to get Rs 1,500 and SC/ST women used to get Rs 1,700. However, now under Annapurna Yojana, all eligible women get the same Rs 3,000, irrespective of their category. Moreover, Lakshmir Bhandar was launched in 2021 while Annapurna Yojana was launched in 2026. Additionally, the verification process is more strict in Annapurna Yojana and Aadhaar-linked verification is mandatory. Therefore, it is clearly visible that Annapurna Yojana is a major upgrade of Lakshmir Bhandar which provides equal and dignified financial support to every eligible woman.
How to Avoid Annapurna Yojana Fraud
After the scheme went live, many fraud cases have been reported in West Bengal. Therefore, keep some important things in mind for your safety. Applying for the Annapurna Yojana is 100% free. Anyone demanding any money is a fraud and should be reported to the police immediately. Moreover, apply only on socialsecurity.wb.gov.in and avoid applying on any other website. Additionally, do not share your Aadhaar OTP with anyone, even if they pretend to be a government official over the phone. Furthermore, fraudulent registration links are circulating on fake WhatsApp PDFs and YouTube videos, so stay away from these and seek information only from official sources. No agent or middleman will apply for you, so go directly to BDO or SDO office and apply yourself.
FAQs
Annapurna Yojana, also called Annapurna Bhandar Prakalpa, is a women’s financial assistance scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal on 3 June 2026. Under this scheme, eligible women aged between 25 and 60 years receive Rs 3,000 per month directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scheme is implemented by the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department and aims to empower women financially across the state.
Women aged between 25 and 60 years who are permanent residents of West Bengal, hold a BPL, AAY, or PHH ration card, do not pay Income Tax, and are not in any permanent government employment or receiving any government pension are eligible for Annapurna Yojana. Additionally, the bank account must be solely in the woman’s name, Aadhaar-linked, and DBT-active.
The official application window for Annapurna Yojana runs from 27 May 2026 to 25 August 2026, which is a 90-day enrollment period. Both online applications through socialsecurity.wb.gov.in and offline applications through BDO, SDO offices, and government registration camps are accepted within this period. Apply early to avoid last-minute portal congestion.
All eligible Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are automatically migrated to Annapurna Yojana after verification. They do not need to submit a fresh application. However, beneficiaries who were identified as dead, shifted, deleted, or absentee electors during SIR-2026 will not be migrated. Beneficiaries with pending appeals before the SIR Tribunal or under the Citizenship Amendment Act will continue receiving benefits until their cases are resolved.
No, applying for Annapurna Yojana is completely free of cost. The government has made the entire registration process free for all applicants. Anyone asking for money to help you register is committing fraud. Always apply only through the official portal socialsecurity.wb.gov.in or visit your nearest BDO or SDO office directly.
Conclusion
Annapurna Yojana West Bengal 2026 is one of the state’s largest women-centric financial assistance schemes, providing ₹3,000 per month directly to eligible beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). With a yearly benefit of ₹36,000, the scheme aims to strengthen the financial independence of women and help them manage essential household expenses. If you meet the eligibility criteria, complete your application before the deadline and ensure that your Aadhaar, bank account, and required documents are updated. For the latest announcements, application status, and official updates, always rely on the government portal and avoid unofficial websites or fraudulent registration offers.
SEE ALSO: Annapurna Yojana Launched in West Bengal: ₹3,000 Monthly DBT Starts for 1.2 Crore Women
