Annapurna Yojana is a newly launched women’s financial assistance scheme of the Government of West Bengal under which eligible women beneficiaries will receive ₹3,000 every month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scheme officially replaces the earlier proposed “Annapurna Bhandar Scheme” framework and aims to strengthen women’s empowerment and socio-economic support across the state from 1 June 2026.
West Bengal Annapurna Yojana Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Yojana |
| Earlier Known As | Annapurna Bhandar Scheme / Annapurna Bhandar Prakalpo |
| Implemented By | Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare |
| Official Notification Number | 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026 |
| Notification Date | 19 May 2026 |
| Launch Date | 1 June 2026 |
| Financial Assistance | ₹3,000 Per Month |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Bank Account Requirement | Aadhaar-linked Bank Account in Beneficiary’s Own Name |
| Eligible Age Group | 25 to 60 Years |
| Eligible Beneficiaries | Women Residents of West Bengal |
| Existing Beneficiaries | Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme beneficiaries will be migrated automatically |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Portal | West Bengal Annapurna Yojana Portal |
| Application Status Portal | Track Application Status |
| Official Department Website | WCDSW Department Portal |
Introduction of West Bengal Annapurna Yojana: A Brief Insight
Annapurna Yojana is a newly notified women’s financial assistance scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal to provide assured monthly support of ₹3,000 to eligible women beneficiaries across the state. The scheme was officially introduced through Notification No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026 dated 19 May 2026 issued by the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Bikash Bhaban, Salt Lake, Kolkata.
Before official notification, the scheme was widely discussed under the earlier working names “Annapurna Bhandar Scheme” and “Annapurna Bhandar Prakalpo”. After the formation of the new government in West Bengal, the administration formally notified the scheme as “Annapurna Yojana” and announced implementation from 1 June 2026. The initiative focuses on women’s empowerment, household financial stability, and socio-economic upliftment through direct monthly cash assistance.
Under the notified structure, eligible women between 25 to 60 years of age will receive ₹3,000 every month directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT. The notification clearly states that women working in permanent government employment receiving a salary or a pension and women paying Income Tax, are not eligible under the scheme.
One of the biggest operational features of Annapurna Yojana is the automatic migration of existing Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme beneficiaries. Women already receiving assistance under Lakshmir Bhandar generally will not need to submit fresh applications again. However, the notification also specifies certain excluded categories, such as dead, shifted, deleted, and specific elector-related cases identified during the SIR-2026 verification process. At the same time, beneficiaries who filed appeals before the SIR Tribunal or submitted applications under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act will continue receiving assistance till final disposal of their cases.
The government has also established a detailed administrative verification and sanction mechanism for new applications. In rural areas, Block Development Officers (BDOs) will verify and recommend applications to the District Magistrate, while urban applications will be processed through Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs). Within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area, authorised KMC officers will handle the verification and recommendation process before final sanction by the KMC Commissioner.
Readers who searched earlier for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme should understand that the officially notified name is now Annapurna Yojana. Existing beneficiaries may also compare the revised structure with the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, especially because the monthly financial assistance has now increased significantly under the new framework.
On 1st of June 2026, the West Bengal Government is also going to launch the Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women in the state, in which women beneficiaries can travel free of cost within state-run buses.
Apart from this women’s assistance programme, beneficiaries can also explore pension schemes, financial assistance programmes, social security initiatives, scholarship schemes, and welfare programmes available under our West Bengal Government Schemes List.
Latest Update on West Bengal Annapurna Yojana (May 2026)
- 11 May 2026: West Bengal BJP Government held its first Cabinet Meeting at Nabanna Secretariat, Kolkata, under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The Cabinet officially announced the Annapurna Yojana 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.
- 18 May 2026: The earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme portal was officially renamed to Annapurna Yojana Portal, confirming the transition from the old scheme to the new scheme.
- 19 May 2026 – Official Notification Released: Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal, issued Official Notification No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026. The notification confirms the official scheme name as Annapurna Yojana, monthly assistance of Rs. 3,000 through DBT to the Aadhaar-linked bank account in the beneficiary’s own name from 1 June 2026. Finance Department concurrence obtained vide U.O. No.7 dated 17.5.2026. Online application facility launches on Annapurna Yojana Portal from 1 June 2026.
Important: Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be migrated automatically and do not need to submit fresh applications. New eligible women can apply through socialsecurity.wb.gov.in from 1 June 2026.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
Annapurna Yojana has been launched by the Government of West Bengal to provide assured monthly financial assistance to eligible women beneficiaries across the state for socio-economic support and financial empowerment.
- Eligible women beneficiaries will receive ₹3,000 financial assistance every month
- Financial assistance will be transferred directly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Amount will be credited into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary
- Monthly assistance will start from 1 June 2026
- Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be migrated under Annapurna Yojana
- Women beneficiaries will receive regular financial support for household and personal expenses
- The scheme aims to strengthen the socio-economic empowerment of women in West Bengal
- New eligible applicants can apply through the Annapurna Yojana Portal
- Applications will be processed through government verification and the sanction mechanism
- Women beneficiaries under the appeal process before the SIR Tribunal or Citizenship (Amendment) Act applications will continue receiving assistance till disposal of their cases
Who Is Not Eligible Under Annapurna Yojana?
Official Notification No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026 clearly lists the following categories of women who cannot receive benefits under Annapurna Yojana.
- Women employed in permanent government service receiving regular salary or pension under the Union Government, State Government, any statutory body, government undertaking, panchayat, municipal body, local body, or teaching and non-teaching employment under State Government-aided educational institutions
- Women who pay Income Tax
- Women who are not permanent residents of West Bengal
- Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries identified as dead during SIR-2026 verification
- Beneficiaries identified as shifted, deleted, or absentee electors during SIR-2026
- Beneficiaries deleted from the 2nd list after publication of the draft list or deleted after adjudication
- ASDD cases found during voter slip distribution
Important: Beneficiaries who filed an appeal before the SIR Tribunal or have applications pending under the Citizenship Amendment Act will continue receiving financial assistance under Annapurna Yojana till final disposal of their cases. Names of dead and shifted beneficiaries will be deleted from the list regularly going forward.
Annapurna Yojana vs Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
Annapurna Yojana has replaced the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar assistance structure with significantly higher monthly financial support for eligible women beneficiaries in West Bengal.
| Feature | Lakshmir Bhandar | Annapurna Yojana |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Assistance for General Category | ₹1,500 | ₹3,000 |
| Monthly Assistance for SC/ST Category | ₹1,700 | ₹3,000 |
| Additional Monthly Increase | Not Applicable | Up to ₹1,500 More |
| Application Requirement for Existing Beneficiaries | Required during original launch | Automatic migration for existing beneficiaries |
| DBT Transfer | Available | Available |
| Official Portal | Lakshmir Bhandar Portal | Annapurna Yojana Portal |
| Launch Year | 2021 | 2026 |
Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries generally will not need to submit fresh applications again because the government has already announced automatic migration under Annapurna Yojana, except for excluded categories mentioned in the official notification.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
Women applicants must fulfil the prescribed conditions under Annapurna Yojana before receiving monthly financial assistance from the Government of West Bengal.
- The applicant should be a woman residing in West Bengal
- Applicant must be aged between 25 to 60 years
- The applicant should possess an Aadhaar-linked bank account in her own name for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Women already receiving benefits under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme are eligible for migration under Annapurna Yojana
- Applicant should not be employed in permanent government service, receiving a regular salary or pension
- Women working under the Union Government, State Government, statutory bodies, government undertakings, Panchayats, Municipal Bodies, local bodies, or aided educational institutions are not eligible
- Applicant should not be an Income Tax payer
- New applicants must complete the online application and verification process through the Annapurna Yojana Portal
- Applications will be verified by authorised government officials before final approval
- Final sanction of eligible applications will be provided by the concerned District Magistrate or Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC)
Documents Required to be Attached
Women applying under Annapurna Yojana should keep all important identity, residence, and bank-related documents ready before submitting the online application through the official portal.
- Aadhaar Card
- Aadhaar-linked bank account details
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Voter ID Card
- Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
- Residence proof of West Bengal
- Age proof document
- Income-related declaration, if required during verification
- Bank passbook copy
- Ration Card, if asked during the verification process
Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are expected to be automatically migrated under Annapurna Yojana, while new applicants can apply through the official online portal after commencement of the registration process.
Government officials may also ask for additional documents during the field verification or the enquiry process before final approval of the application.
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
The Government of West Bengal will start the online registration process for Annapurna Yojana from 1 June 2026. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be migrated automatically under the new scheme, while new eligible women applicants will be able to submit fresh applications through the official social security portal.
Step 1: Visit the official West Bengal Annapurna Yojana Portal at https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login.
Step 2: Complete the online application form by entering Aadhaar details, personal information, residence details, and Aadhaar-linked bank account information carefully.
Step 3: Upload the required documents prescribed under Annapurna Yojana guidelines.
Step 4: Submit the online application form and keep the application acknowledgement or reference number safe for future tracking.
Step 5: Authorised government officials will conduct an enquiry and verification process for the submitted applications.
Step 6: In rural areas, the Block Development Officer (BDO) will verify and recommend eligible applications to the District Magistrate.
Step 7: In urban areas, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) will process and recommend eligible applications online for sanction.
Step 8: Within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area, the verification and recommendation process will be completed by authorised KMC officials.
Step 9: Final sanction of eligible applications will be provided by the concerned District Magistrate or the Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
Step 10: After approval, ₹3,000 monthly financial assistance will be transferred directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary through DBT.
Important Links Available
- West Bengal Annapurna Yojana Official Portal – Apply Online.
- West Bengal Annapurna Yojana Guidelines.
- Annapurna Yojana Application Status Check Online.
- Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department – West Bengal.
- West Bengal Government Official Portal.
- NPCI BASE Portal – Check and Update Aadhaar Linked Bank Account for DBT.
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
Women facing issues related to the Annapurna Yojana application, eligibility, DBT payment, or scheme queries can contact through the following official channels.
| Authority | Contact Details | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, West Bengal | Bikash Bhaban, North Block, 10th Floor, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091 wcdsw.wb.gov.in | Official scheme notification, policy queries, and clarification |
| Annapurna Yojana Portal | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in | Online application, status tracking, and beneficiary services |
| Block Development Officer (BDO) | Nearest BDO office in your block | Rural area application verification and recommendation |
| Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) | Nearest SDO office in your subdivision | Urban area application verification and recommendation |
| District Magistrate Office | Concerned District Magistrate’s office | Final sanctioning authority for all districts |
| KMC Commissioner’s Office | Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Kolkata | Final sanctioning authority within KMC jurisdiction |
Important: Department address Bikash Bhaban, North Block, 10th Floor, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091 is confirmed from Official Notification No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026 dated 19 May 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is Annapurna Yojana?
Ans. It is a monthly financial assistance scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal for eligible women beneficiaries across the state.
Q. How much financial assistance will beneficiaries receive?
Ans. Eligible women will receive ₹3,000 every month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Q. From when will the new benefits start?
Ans. Monthly financial assistance under the scheme will start from 1 June 2026.
Q. What is the prescribed age limit for beneficiaries?
Ans. Women aged between 25 to 60 years are eligible for financial assistance.
Q. Will existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need to apply again?
Ans. No, existing beneficiaries will be migrated automatically under the new scheme.
Q. Can government employees receive benefits under this scheme?
Ans. No, women working in permanent government employment receiving regular salary or pension are not eligible.
Q. Are Income Tax payers eligible for monthly assistance?
Ans. No, women paying Income Tax are not eligible under the scheme.
Q. How will the money be transferred to beneficiaries?
Ans. The assistance amount will be credited directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary through DBT.
Q. From where can new applicants submit applications?
Ans. Eligible applicants can apply online through the West Bengal Social Security Portal from 1 June 2026.
Q. Which authority will approve beneficiary applications?
Ans. District Magistrates will act as sanctioning authorities in districts, while the Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation will handle approvals within the KMC area.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare 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.