West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme: Online Portal, Apply & Registration

Annapurna Bhandar Scheme is a newly announced women’s welfare scheme of the West Bengal Government under which eligible women beneficiaries are expected to receive ₹3,000 monthly financial assistance through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system from 3 June 2026. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries do not need a fresh application, according to current government announcements.

Introduction of the West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme: A Brief Insight

Annapurna Bhandar Scheme is a newly announced women’s welfare scheme of the West Bengal Government under which eligible women beneficiaries are expected to receive ₹3,000 monthly financial assistance through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. The scheme was officially announced on 11 May 2026 during the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed BJP Government in West Bengal, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

The West Bengal Government has confirmed that the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme will be rolled out from 3 June 2026. Along with this major financial assistance announcement, the Government has also announced a free bus travel facility for women on state-run transport services from the same date. Due to this large-scale welfare announcement, the Annapurna Bhandaar Scheme has quickly become one of the most discussed women’s assistance schemes in West Bengal.

The term “Annapurna” is associated with nourishment and household welfare, and the scheme mainly aims to provide direct financial support to women beneficiaries for managing household expenses and improving financial security. According to current announcements, the scheme may cover more than 2.21 crore women beneficiaries across West Bengal through the DBT-based financial assistance system.

One of the biggest highlights of the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme is that existing beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme may not need to submit fresh applications. According to current government announcements, eligible existing beneficiaries are expected to automatically receive upgraded ₹3,000 monthly assistance through the existing database and DBT framework. This is one of the most important reasons why the scheme is receiving massive public attention.

Under the previous Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme framework, General category women beneficiaries used to receive ₹1,500 per month while SC/ ST beneficiaries used to receive ₹1,700 per month. Under the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, the proposed assistance amount is expected to become uniform at ₹3,000 per month for all eligible women beneficiaries according to current cabinet-related announcements.

There is also a major public discussion regarding the Matrishakti Bharosa Card Scheme because both schemes are currently being linked with similar women’s financial assistance promises and ₹3,000 monthly support announcements. Since an official detailed clarification regarding the final naming and implementation structure is still awaited, many beneficiaries are searching both scheme names simultaneously.

The scheme was launched on 3 June 2026, and online registration is now available through the Family Level Data Collection Portal.

Annapurna Bhandaar Scheme has emerged as one of the biggest women’s welfare announcements in West Bengal because it combines direct financial assistance, DBT support, and additional transport-related benefits under a large-scale state welfare framework. Readers who want to explore more central and state government schemes related to women’s welfare, pension, financial assistance, healthcare, subsidy, and social security can also visit our All Welfare Scheme List of West Bengal Government section for the latest scheme-related updates and information.

Latest Portal Update: The West Bengal Government has temporarily withdrawn the Citizen / Family Login facility from the Social Registry Portal. As a result, new online applications and the Annapurna Yojana Status Check Online facility are currently unavailable. Applicants who need information regarding their application or beneficiary status should contact their nearest BDO (rural areas) or SDO (urban areas) office until the online services are restored. This page will be updated immediately after the Government reactivates the portal.

Latest Update on West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme

• • 10 April 2026: BJP released its Sankalp Patra (Election Manifesto) in Kolkata. The promise of Rs. 3,000 per month for women – initially termed “Matrishakti Bharosa Card” in the manifesto – was one of the key welfare commitments. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the manifesto.
  • 23 and 29 April 2026: West Bengal Assembly Elections held in two phases.
  • 4 May 2026: Results declared. BJP won at least 124 seats in the 294-seat assembly, ending 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule. Source: Election Commission of India.
  • 9 May 2026: The BJP Government was formally sworn in. Suvendu Adhikari took the oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
  • 11 May 2026: First Cabinet Meeting held at Nabanna (state secretariat), Kolkata. Annapurna Bhandar Scheme was officially announced with a confirmed launch date of 1 June 2026. Free bus travel for women on all state-run transport was also announced from the same date. CM Adhikari confirmed that no existing welfare scheme would be discontinued.
  • 18 May 2026: Cabinet approved the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme and the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme portal has been officially renamed to Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Official Website, confirming the transition from the previous government scheme to the new scheme under the BJP Government. Eligible women in West Bengal can now visit the updated portal for scheme-related information. The official scheme launch remains scheduled for 1 June 2026. The registration process, eligibility guidelines, and application portal are expected to be activated before the launch date.
  • 19 May 2026: Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal, issued official Notification No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026. This notification confirms the official scheme name as Annapurna Yojana – replacing the earlier working name “Annapurna Bhandar Scheme.” Women beneficiaries and applicants should use the name Annapurna Yojana in all official correspondence and applications going forward.
  • 19 May 2026 – Official Notification Confirmed: Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare officially notified the scheme as Annapurna Yojana vide Notification No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026. Monthly assistance of Rs. 3,000 confirmed through DBT from 1 June 2026. Finance Department concurrence obtained vide U.O. No.7 dated 17.5.2026.
  • 26 May 2026: The government announced that Annapurna Yojana application forms will be released on Wednesday. Applications can be submitted both online through socialregistry.wb.gov.in and offline through the nearest BDO or SDO office.
  • 27 May 2026: The Official Annapurna Application Form is released by the West Bengal Government which can be downloaded from its official website or from below :-
    • English Application Form of Annapurna Bhandar Scheme West Bengal.
    • Bengali Application Form of Annapurna Bhandar Scheme West Bengal.
    • Hindi Application Form of Annapurna Bhandar Scheme West Bengal.
  • 3 June 2026: West Bengal Government launched the Family Level Data Collection Portal at socialregistry.wb.gov.in. New applicants can now register online using mobile OTP verification and submit family-level information, including Aadhaar details, bank account information, ration card details, income details, assets, government scheme benefits, and family member details.
  • 1 July 2026: The West Bengal government transferred Rs. 3,000 directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of over 1.1 crore eligible women through DBT. The payment was announced at a programme held at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata. Of approximately 1.6 crore total applications received, 26 lakh were rejected primarily because applicants could not be verified as Indian citizens or their names were deleted from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026 process without a pending CAA tribunal case. Around 24 lakh applications remain pending verification for the next payment cycle. Beneficiaries who have not yet received payment should verify that their Aadhaar is seeded with their bank account and that DBT services are active.
  • Portal Update: The West Bengal Government has temporarily disabled the Citizen / Family Login module on the Social Registry Portal. Because of this, applicants are presently unable to submit fresh online applications or use the Annapurna Status Check Online feature. Beneficiaries seeking updates on their application are advised to visit the concerned BDO or SDO office until the online facility becomes available again.

Family Level Data Collection Portal for Annapurna Bhandar Scheme

The Government of West Bengal has activated the Family Level Data Collection Portal for Online Registration under the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme. Eligible women can access the portal through mobile OTP login and complete the application process digitally without visiting government offices during the initial registration stage.

The portal collects complete family-level information, including Aadhaar details, bank account information, ration card details, income details, assets, government scheme benefits, and family identity information before final submission.

Applicants can complete registration through the following sections available on the portal:

• Basic Information
• Ration Card / Food Subsidy Details
• Assets Information
• Income and Profession Details
• Identity Documents
• Government Scheme Benefits
• Family Identity Details
• Declaration and Consent

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

Annapurna Bhandar Scheme provides monthly financial assistance and additional welfare support to eligible women beneficiaries across West Bengal through a structured DBT-based payment system.

• Eligible women receive Rs. 3,000 financial assistance every month directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank account
• Monthly assistance reaches beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) without any intermediary
• The bank account must be in the beneficiary’s own name for receiving DBT payment
• Existing Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme beneficiaries receive upgraded assistance automatically without submitting a fresh application
• Women in the general category receive Rs. 1,500 more per month compared to the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar assistance
• SC and ST category women receive Rs. 1,300 more per month compared to the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar assistance
• Monthly assistance starts from 1 June 2026 for all eligible women across West Bengal
• Women beneficiaries under appeal before the SIR Tribunal or with applications pending under the Citizenship Amendment Act continue receiving assistance till final disposal of their case
• New eligible applicants can submit online applications through the Family Level Data Collection Portal at socialregistry.wb.gov.in
• Women in both rural and urban areas of all 22 districts of West Bengal receive equal benefits under the scheme

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The monthly financial assistance of Rs. 3,000 will be provided to only those women beneficiaries who fulfil the below-mentioned eligibility criteria of Annapurna Bhandar Scheme of the West Bengal Government.

• Applicant should be a permanent resident of West Bengal
• The applicant should be a woman beneficiary
• The age of the applicant must be between 25 and 60 years
• The applicant should possess an Aadhaar-linked bank account for DBT transfer
• Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries may automatically become eligible for upgraded ₹3,000 assistance
• Women belonging to economically weaker sections may receive priority
• Applicant may need valid identity and residence proof documents
• Additional eligibility conditions may be notified officially before the scheme rollout on 3 June 2026

Who Is Not Eligible Under Annapurna Bhandar Scheme?

West Bengal Government has clearly outlined certain categories of women who will not receive benefits under Annapurna Yojana. Applicants falling under these categories should not apply to avoid rejection.

• Women serving as permanent or retired Government employees and currently receiving a regular salary or pension are not eligible
• Women who file Income Tax returns or pay Income Tax are not eligible
• Women who are not permanent residents of West Bengal will be excluded from the scheme benefits
• Annual family income exceeding the government-prescribed limit will make the applicant ineligible
• Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries found dead, shifted, deleted, identified as absentee electors, or declared ineligible during government verification will be removed from the beneficiary list

Important: Applicants are advised to check their eligibility carefully before applying to avoid rejection and unnecessary delays.

Documents Required to be Attached

Applicants are required to keep all important identity, bank account, and family-related documents ready before starting the online registration process. The following documents and information may be required during registration and verification.

• Aadhaar Card
• Bank Passbook
• Mobile Number Linked with Aadhaar
• West Bengal Residence Proof
• Ration Card
• Income Certificate, wherever required
• Recent Passport Size Photograph
• Lakshmir Bhandar Registration Details for existing beneficiaries, wherever applicable

Important: Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries may not need to submit fresh documents according to current government announcements. Official detailed guidelines are still awaited.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

Government of West Bengal confirmed on 26 May 2026 that Annapurna Yojana application forms will be released. Applications are accepted through both online and offline modes. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries do not need to apply again and will be automatically migrated. Only new eligible women who were not previously receiving Lakshmir Bhandar benefits need to apply fresh.

Online Application Process of Annapurna Bhandar Scheme

Step 1: Visit the official Family Level Data Collection Portal at socialregistry.wb.gov.in.

Step 2: Click on Citizen / Family Login available under the Public Access section.

Step 3: Select your district and enter your registered mobile number.

Step 4: Request OTP and complete mobile number verification.

Step 5: Fill the Basic Information section, including name, date of birth, gender, social category, Aadhaar number, voter details, and contact information.

Step 6: Enter Aadhaar-seeded bank account details, including IFSC code and account number.

Step 7: Complete the Ration Card and Food Subsidy section.

Step 8: Provide information related to assets, income, profession, identity documents, and government scheme benefits.

Step 9: Add all family members under the Family Identity section and verify the information carefully.

Step 10: Complete the Declaration and Consent section and submit the application online.

Step 11: Save the acknowledgement details for future verification and status tracking.

Offline Application Process of the Annapurna Bhander Scheme

Step 1: Visit the nearest Block Development Officer (BDO) office for rural areas or the nearest Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) office for urban areas. Women within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation jurisdiction must visit the nearest KMC office.

Offline Application Form of Annapurna Bhandar Scheme can also be downloaded from here :-

• Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Application Form in English.
• Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Application Form in Bengali.
• Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Application Form in Hindi.

The official application form of the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme is also available on the official website in English and Hindi.

Step 2: Collect the Annapurna Yojana application form from the BDO, SDO, or KMC office. The form is available free of cost.

Step 3: Fill the application form carefully with all required personal, residential, Aadhaar, and bank account details. Attach self-attested copies of all required documents, including Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, bank passbook, residence proof, and age proof.

Step 4: Submit the completed application form along with all attached documents at the same BDO, SDO, or KMC office where it was collected.

Step 5: The BDO verifies and recommends eligible applications to the District Magistrate in rural areas. The SDO handles the same process for urban areas outside the KMC jurisdiction. Within the KMC area, authorised KMC officers complete the verification and recommend applications to the KMC Commissioner for sanction.

Step 6: The District Magistrate acts as the final sanctioning authority for all districts. The Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation acts as the final sanctioning authority within the KMC area.

Step 7: After final sanction, Rs. 3,000 monthly financial assistance starts transferring directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary through DBT from the next payment cycle.

Important: Women must ensure their Aadhaar-linked bank account is active and in their own name before applying. Aadhaar bank account can be verified and updated through the NPCI BASE Portal without visiting any bank branch. Do not share Aadhaar details or bank account information on any unofficial website claiming to offer early registration under Annapurna Yojana.

Application Verification and Sanctioning Process

As per Official Notification No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026, all applications go through a structured verification and approval process.

• Applications are verified by Government officials authorised for this purpose
• In rural areas, Block Development Officers (BDOs) recommend eligible applicants online to the District Magistrate for sanction
• In urban areas outside KMC, Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) recommend eligible applicants to the District Magistrate for sanction
• Within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation jurisdiction, KMC officers complete the process and recommend it to the KMC Commissioner for sanction
• District Magistrates act as sanctioning authorities across all districtsThe
• Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation acts as the sanctioning authority within the KMC area
• An enquiry report of all sanctioned cases is uploaded on the Annapurna Yojana Portal after approval

Difference Between the Lakhshmi Bhandar and the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme

Annapurna Bhandar Scheme is being seen as an upgraded women’s financial assistance framework compared to the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme in West Bengal.

According to current cabinet-related announcements, the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme may work as an upgraded and expanded women’s financial assistance framework in West Bengal.

How to Check Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Application Status

Women who have submitted their application on socialregistry.wb.gov.in can check their application status by following the steps below.

Step 1: Open socialregistry.wb.gov.in on your phone or computer and click on Citizen/Family Login under Public Access.

Step 2: Select your district from the dropdown, enter the mobile number used during application, and complete OTP verification to log in.

Step 3: The dashboard after login displays the current status of your submitted application. Status can show as submitted, under verification, approved, or rejected. The dashboard shows one of three statuses:

• Application Approved: Your application has cleared verification. Rs. 3,000 will be credited to your Aadhaar-linked single-holder bank account on the next disbursement date. If approved but payment has not arrived, check that your Aadhaar is seeded to your bank account and the account is active.
• Application Rejected: Your application did not pass verification. The portal may not show the full reason. Visit your nearest BDO office (rural areas), SDO office (urban areas), or KMC municipal office (within Kolkata Municipal Corporation limits) with your Temporary Application ID to find the specific reason. The officer will advise whether you can reapply before 25 August 2026.
• Payment Failure: Your application was approved, but Rs. 3,000 could not be credited. This usually happens when Aadhaar is not seeded to the bank account, the account is inactive, or a joint account was submitted. Visit your bank branch to get Aadhaar seeding done on your active single-holder account. Then go to the BDO or SDO office with your Application ID and updated passbook.

Step 4: If the status shows under verification, the BDO in rural areas or the SDO in urban areas is reviewing the application. No action is needed from the applicant at this stage.

Step 5: If login is not working, use the Forgot Password option at socialregistry.wb.gov.in/forget-password to reset access using the registered mobile number.

Important: The mobile number used to check status must be the same number used during application submission.

Important Update: If you are searching for the Annapurna Status Check Online or Online Annapurna Yojana Status Check facility, please note that the West Bengal Government has temporarily removed the Citizen / Family Login option from the Social Registry Portal. Therefore, applicants cannot currently view their application status online. Until the portal is restored, the latest status can only be obtained from the concerned BDO (rural areas) or SDO (urban areas) office.

How to Correct Mistakes in the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Application

After submitting the application on socialregistry.wb.gov.in, some applicants face issues due to incorrect information. Below is guidance for the most common correction queries.

Spelling Mistake in Name or Details

Applicants who entered incorrect name spelling or wrong personal details must visit the nearest BDO office in rural areas or the SDO office in urban areas. Carry the correct Aadhaar Card and supporting documents. The officer will verify the documents and initiate corrections on the portal.

Voter ID Not Available

Voter ID is mandatory under the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme.

Head of Family Details Incorrectly Filled

Under the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, all eligible women in a household receive Rs. 3,000 per month individually, but the application is submitted through a single application by the Head of the family. The most senior eligible woman in the household should be the Head of Family. All other eligible women are added as family members in the same application. If the Head of Family details were incorrectly filled, visit the nearest BDO or SDO office with your Aadhaar Card and the correct documents to request correction.

Who Should Be Head of Family

The most senior eligible woman in the household should be set as Head of Family in the application. Each eligible woman in the family receives Rs. 3,000 per month individually through her own Aadhaar-linked bank account. The bank account of each eligible woman must be in her own name for DBT payment.

Address Mismatch in Documents

If the address entered in the application does not match the Aadhaar Card address, verification may get delayed or rejected. The address on the portal must match exactly with the Aadhaar Card. To correct this, visit the nearest BDO or SDO office with the correct address proof and Aadhaar Card.

Important: All corrections must be completed before the 90-day enrolment window closes on approximately 25 August 2026. Applicants should not delay correction requests.

How to Check Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Payment Status

After submitting the application, payment under the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme follows a step-by-step process before Rs. 3,000 reaches the bank account.

Step 1: After online or offline application submission, the concerned BDO in rural areas or SDO in urban areas conducts field verification of the application and submitted documents.

Step 2: After verification, the District Magistrate or KMC Commissioner reviews and approves eligible applications. A district-wise beneficiary list is prepared after this approval.

Step 3: Once the beneficiary list is finalised, the Government releases the Rs. 3,000 monthly payment through DBT directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of each approved beneficiary.

Step 4: To know whether your application has been verified, approved, or included in the beneficiary list, visit or contact the nearest BDO office in rural areas or SDO office in urban areas with your Aadhaar Card and application reference number.

Step 5: After payment is released, log in to socialregistry.wb.gov.in with your mobile number to verify payment status. If payment shows as released but has not reached the bank account, verify the Aadhaar-linked bank account status through the NPCI BASE portal.

Important: Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries who were automatically migrated can check their Rs. 3,000 payment status by logging in to socialregistry.wb.gov.in directly.

Application Rejected or Payment Failure: What to Do Next

If your status shows Rejected or Payment Failure, act before the 25 August 2026 deadline.

If Status Shows Rejected

The government confirmed five reasons behind the 26 lakh rejections:

• Citizenship or residency not verified: Visit BDO (rural) or SDO (urban) with Aadhaar, Voter ID, ration card, and proof of long-term West Bengal residency. If eligible, reapply with correct documents before 25 August 2026.
• Name deleted from voter rolls during SIR 2026: If you have a pending CAA tribunal case, the government has confirmed you remain eligible. Carry your CAA receipt and tribunal acknowledgement to BDO or SDO office immediately. If no CAA case, ask the officer about electoral roll restoration options.
• Government employee or pensioner in family: No appeal route exists under current scheme rules.
• Income tax return filed: No appeal route exists under current scheme rules.
• Document error or mismatch: Wrong Aadhaar number, wrong bank account, wrong IFSC, joint account submitted, or name mismatch. Visit BDO or SDO office with your Temporary Application ID and correct documents. Officers can fix errors through administrative login subject to government guidelines.

Do not submit a second application while your first is still under review or correction. Duplicate entries create system conflicts and delay your case.

You can reapply online at socialregistry.wb.gov.in, at BDO or SDO offices, at municipality offices, or at Janakalyan Shibir camps running across all districts before 25 August 2026.

Before reapplying, verify your Aadhaar is seeded to your bank account at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. DBT payments only reach Aadhaar-linked single-holder accounts. If seeding is missing, visit your bank branch. It is free and activates in 2 to 3 working days.

If Status Shows Payment Failure

1. Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and check whether your Aadhaar is seeded to your bank account.
2. If seeding is missing, visit your bank branch with your Aadhaar card and passbook. Ask them to seed your Aadhaar to your active single-holder account. It is free and takes 2 to 3 working days.
3. After seeding, visit your BDO or SDO office with your Application ID and updated passbook so the records are corrected at their end.

Ensure the account is single-holder and in your own name. Joint accounts do not receive Annapurna Yojana payments.

Important Links Available

• West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Official Portal – Apply and Register Online.
• West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Application Form in English.
• West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Application Form in Bengali.
• West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Application Form in Hindi.
• Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Application Status Check Online.
• West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Guidelines.
• Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, West Bengal.
• NPCI BASE Portal – Check and Update Aadhaar-Linked Bank Account for DBT.

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, West Bengal
  Bikash Bhaban, North Block,
  10th Floor, Salt Lake,
  Kolkata 700091
• For rural area queries: Contact the nearest Block Development Officer (BDO) office
• For urban area queries: Contact the nearest Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) office
• Within the KMC area: Contact the nearest Kolkata Municipal Corporation office

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme?

Ans. Annapurna Bhandar Scheme is a newly announced women’s welfare scheme of the West Bengal Government under which eligible women beneficiaries are expected to receive ₹3,000 monthly financial assistance through the DBT system.

Q. When was the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme officially announced?

Ans. The scheme was officially announced on 11 May 2026 during the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed West Bengal BJP Government.

Q. When will the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme start?

Ans. According to current government announcements, the scheme is expected to be implemented from 3 June 2026.

Q. How much financial assistance will beneficiaries receive?

Ans. Eligible women beneficiaries are expected to receive ₹3,000 per month through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Q. Will existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need a fresh application?

Ans. According to current government announcements, existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries may not need to apply again and may automatically receive upgraded assistance.

Q. Will the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme stop after the Annapurna Bhandar launch?

Ans. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has stated that no existing welfare scheme will be discontinued. However, a detailed implementation framework is still awaited.

Q. What additional benefit was announced along with the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme?

Ans. Free bus travel facility for women on state-run transport was also announced from 1 June 2026.

Q. Is Annapurna Bhandar different from the Matrishakti Bharosa Card Scheme?

Ans. Annapurna Bhandar Scheme and Matrishakti Bharosa Card were associated with similar women-centric financial assistance announcements during the election period. However, beneficiaries should rely only on official notifications and registration portals issued by the Government of West Bengal.

Q. How many women beneficiaries may receive benefits under the scheme?

Ans. The existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiary base includes around 2.21 crore women, according to current government-related reports.

Q. Has the Lakshmir Bhandar Portal been renamed to Annapurna Bhandar Portal?

Ans. Yes. As of 18 May 2026, the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme Portal operated by the previous Trinamool Congress Government has been officially renamed to Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Portal by the new BJP Government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. This confirms the formal transition from the old scheme to the new Annapurna Bhandar Scheme.

Q. What is the difference between the Lakshmir Bhandar and the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme?

Ans. The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme was introduced by the Trinamool Congress Government under CM Mamata Banerjee, which provided Rs. 500 per month to general category women and Rs. 1,000 per month to SC/ST women. Annapurna Bhandar Scheme is the new scheme announced by the BJP Government under CM Suvendu Adhikari, which proposes Rs. 3,000 per month for all eligible women in West Bengal. The portal for the old scheme has now been officially renamed to Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Portal.

Q. Can applications be submitted offline for Annapurna Yojana?

Ans. Yes. The government confirmed on 26 May 2026 that applications can be submitted both online and offline through the nearest BDO or SDO office.
Q. What is the Family Level Data Collection Portal?

Ans. Family Level Data Collection Portal is the official online platform launched by the Government of West Bengal for beneficiary registration, family data collection, and online application submission under the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme.

Q. Can applicants apply through socialregistry.wb.gov.in?

Ans. Yes. Eligible women can submit online applications through socialregistry.wb.gov.in using mobile OTP verification.

Q. What information is required during online registration?

Ans. Applicants need to provide Aadhaar details, Aadhaar-seeded bank account details, ration card information, voter card details, income information, government scheme details, and family member information.

Q. Can applicants save the application before final submission?

Ans. Yes. The Family Level Data Collection Portal provides a draft-saving facility before final submission.
Q. How can applicants check their Annapurna Bhandar Scheme application status?

Ans. Applicants can check their application status by logging in to socialregistry.wb.gov.in with the mobile number used during application submission. After OTP verification, the dashboard shows the current application status including whether it is under verification, approved, or rejected. For login issues, use the Forgot Password option at socialregistry.wb.gov.in/forget-password.

Q. How can mistakes in the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme application be corrected?

Ans. Applicants who made mistakes such as spelling errors, wrong Voter ID details, incorrect Head of Family, or address mismatch must visit the nearest BDO office in rural areas or SDO office in urban areas with the correct Aadhaar Card and supporting documents. The concerned officer will verify the documents and initiate the correction on the portal. All corrections must be completed before the 90-day enrolment window closes on approximately 29 August 2026.

Q. Who should be the Head of Family in the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme application?

Ans. The most senior eligible woman in the household should be set as the Head of Family in the application on socialregistry.wb.gov.in. All other eligible women in the household are added as family members in the same application. Each eligible woman receives Rs. 3,000 per month individually through her own Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Q. How can beneficiaries check their Annapurna Bhandar Scheme payment status?

Ans. Payment under the scheme follows a structured process: application submission, BDO or SDO field verification, District Magistrate approval, beneficiary list finalisation, and then DBT payment release. To know the current status of the application and when the payment will be released, visit the nearest BDO office in rural areas or the SDO office in urban areas with your Aadhaar Card and application reference number. After payment is released, log in to socialregistry.wb.gov.in to verify the credit in the Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.