West Bengal Annapurna Yojana: Benefits, Eligibility & Application Process

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 3 June 2026.

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 3 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. Annapurna Yojana Form can be collected from the SDO or BDO Office.

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.
• 26 May 2026: The Government of West Bengal announced that Annapurna Yojana application forms will be released on Wednesday. Eligible women can submit applications both online through the Annapurna Yojana Portal and offline through their nearest BDO or SDO office.
• 27 May 2026: The West Bengal Government released the Official Application Form of Annapurna Yojana in English and Hindi. Our Readers can download it from here :-
  • English Application Form of Annapurna Yojana West Bengal.
  • Bengali Application Form of Annapurna Yojana West Bengal.
  • Hindi Application Form of Annapurna Yojana West Bengal.
• 3 June 2026 – New Family Level Data Collection Portal Launched: The Government of West Bengal launched the official Family Level Data Collection Portal at socialregistry.wb.gov.in for Annapurna Yojana. Eligible women can now submit online applications directly through this portal using their mobile number and OTP login. The portal collects complete family-level data, including basic information, ration card details, assets, income, identity documents, government schemes, and family identity before final submission.

Important: Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be migrated automatically and do not need to submit fresh applications. New eligible women can apply through socialregistry.wb.gov.in from 3 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 3 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.

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 accepts Annapurna Yojana applications through both online and offline modes. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be migrated automatically and do not need to apply again. New eligible women can apply through either of the following routes.

Online Application Process

Government of West Bengal launched the official Family Level Data Collection Portal at socialregistry.wb.gov.in for Annapurna Yojana online applications. Eligible women can apply through the following steps.

Step 1: Visit the official Family Level Data Collection Portal at socialregistry.wb.gov.in also called the Annapurna Yojana Online Application Portal and click on Public Access, then select Citizen/Family Login for citizens applying for themselves and family members.

Step 2: Select your district from the dropdown menu. District selection is mandatory before login. Enter your registered mobile number and click Request OTP. Enter the 6-digit OTP received on your mobile number to log in.

Step 3: After login, the Family Data Collection form opens. Fill in the Basic Information section including name as per Aadhaar or official ID, date of birth, gender, social category, Aadhaar-linked mobile number, Voter Card details including EPIC number, assembly constituency, and part number, and Aadhaar Card number.

Step 4: Enter bank account details, including IFSC code, bank name, and Aadhaar-seeded bank account number for DBT transfer of Rs. 3,000 monthly assistance.

Step 5: Fill in the Ration Card and Food Subsidy details, Assets information, and Income/Profession details in the respective sections of the portal.

Step 6: Upload Identity Documents in the Identity Docs section. Fill in the Government Schemes details and Family Identity information in the respective sections.

Step 7: Add family members by clicking Add Member wherever applicable. Review all filled details carefully.

Step 8: Complete the Declaration and Consent section and submit the final application. Keep the application reference number for future tracking.

Step 9: Authorised government officials will conduct verification. In rural areas, the Block Development Officer (BDO) will verify and recommend eligible applications to the District Magistrate. In urban areas, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) will process and recommend applications. Within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area, authorised KMC officials handle verification and recommendation.

Step 10: After final sanction by the concerned District Magistrate or Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Rs. 3,000 monthly financial assistance will be transferred directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.

Important: Only one account or application can be linked to a single mobile number. Women must ensure their Aadhaar-seeded bank account is active and in their own name before applying. Aadhaar bank account can be verified and updated through the NPCI BASE Portal.

Offline Application Process

Step 1: Collect the Application Form of Annapurna Yojana from the nearest BDO office in rural areas or the nearest SDO office in urban areas. Within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area, collect the form from the nearest KMC office. Or download it directly from the Official Website. Annapurna Yojana Application Form is available in both English and Hindi.

You can also download the Annapurna Prakalpa Application Form from here :-

• Annapurna Yojana English Application Form
• Annapurna Yojana Bengali Application Form
• Annapurna Yojana Hindi Application Form

Step 2: Fill the application form carefully with all required personal, residential, Aadhaar, and bank account details.

Step 3: Attach all required documents, including Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, bank passbook copy, residence proof, age proof, and passport-size photograph.

Step 4: Submit the completed application form along with all documents at the BDO office for rural areas, SDO office for urban areas, or KMC office within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation jurisdiction.

Step 5: The BDO or SDO or KMC official will conduct field verification and enquiry of the submitted application.

Step 6: After verification, the BDO or SDO recommends eligible applications to the District Magistrate. Within KMC jurisdiction, the KMC Commissioner approves eligible applications.

Step 7: After final sanction, Rs. 3,000 monthly financial assistance will be transferred directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary through DBT.

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.

How to Check Annapurna Yojana Application Status

After submitting the application on socialregistry.wb.gov.in, women can track their application status through the following steps.

Step 1: Visit socialregistry.wb.gov.in and click on Citizen/Family Login. Select your district, enter your registered mobile number, and log in through OTP.

Step 2: After logging in, your application dashboard shows the current status, whether the application is submitted, under verification, approved, or rejected.

Step 3: If status shows under verification, the BDO in rural areas or the SDO in urban areas is currently reviewing your application. No action is required from your side at this stage.

Step 4: If any discrepancy is found during verification, visit the nearest BDO or SDO office with your Aadhaar Card and application reference number for clarification.

Important: Use the same mobile number that was used during the application to log in. For login issues, use Forgot Password at socialregistry.wb.gov.in/forget-password.

How to Correct Mistakes in the Annapurna Yojana Application

Many women face issues after submitting their application on socialregistry.wb.gov.in. The following guidance covers the most common correction queries.

Spelling Mistake in Name or Personal Details

If a spelling mistake was made in the name or any personal detail, visit the nearest BDO office in rural areas or SDO office in urban areas with the correct Aadhaar Card and supporting documents. The BDO or SDO officer will initiate the correction on the portal after document verification.

Voter ID Not Available

Voter ID is not mandatory for Annapurna Yojana. Applicants without a Voter ID can use an Aadhaar Card as primary identity proof. If Voter ID details were incorrectly entered, visit the nearest BDO or SDO office with your Aadhaar Card for correction.

Head of Family Details Incorrectly Filled

All eligible women in a household receive Rs. 3,000 per month individually under Annapurna Yojana but the application is submitted through a single application by the Head of Family on socialregistry.wb.gov.in. The Head of Family fills the application with details of all family members. If the Head of Family was incorrectly set during the application, visit the nearest BDO or SDO office with your Aadhaar Card and correct supporting documents to request correction before the application is processed.

Who Should Be Head of Family

The most senior eligible woman in the household should be the Head of Family in the application. All other eligible women in the same family are added as family members in the same application. Each eligible woman in the household receives Rs. 3,000 per month individually; the benefit is not limited to one woman per family. The bank account entered for each eligible woman must be in her own name and linked to her Aadhaar Card for individual DBT payment.

Address Mismatch in Documents

If the address in the application does not match the Aadhaar Card address, the application may face verification issues. Ensure the address entered matches exactly with the Aadhaar Card address. For correction, visit the nearest BDO or SDO office with the correct address proof for verification and updation on the portal.

Important: All corrections must be completed within the 90-day enrolment window ending approximately 29 August 2026. Do not delay correction requests.

How to Check Annapurna Yojana Payment Status

Payment under Annapurna Yojana follows a structured process application submission, BDO/SDO verification, beneficiary list preparation, and then DBT payment release.

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

Step 2: After successful verification, the District Magistrate or KMC Commissioner approves eligible applications and finalises the district-wise beneficiary list.

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

Step 4: To know the current status of your application and when payment will be released, 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, verify the credit at socialregistry.wb.gov.in by logging in with your mobile number. If payment is not received despite approval, ensure your Aadhaar-seeded bank account is active and correctly linked through the NPCI BASE portal.

Important: Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries who were auto-migrated can check their payment status directly at socialregistry.wb.gov.in after login.

Important Links Available

• West Bengal Annapurna Yojana Family Level Data Collection Portal, Apply Online.
• West Bengal Annapurna Yojana Application Form English.
• West Bengal Annapurna Yojana Application Form Bengali.
• West Bengal Annapurna Yojana Application Form Hindi.
• 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 the following official channels.

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 3 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 a 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 Family Data Collection Portal from 3 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.
Q. What is the Family Level Data Collection Portal for Annapurna Yojana?

Ans. The Family Level Data Collection Portal is the official online application portal launched by the Government of West Bengal at socialregistry.wb.gov.in for Annapurna Yojana. Eligible women can submit their applications online through this portal using their mobile number and OTP login.

Q. How can women apply online for Annapurna Yojana?

Ans. Women can apply online by visiting the official Family Level Data Collection Portal at socialregistry.wb.gov.in, selecting their district, logging in with their registered mobile number and OTP, and filling the complete family data collection form, including basic information, Aadhaar details, bank account details, ration card details, assets, income, and identity documents before final submission.

Q. What details are required to fill in the online application form?

Ans. The online application form on the Family Level Data Collection Portal requires basic information including name as per Aadhaar, date of birth, gender, social category, Aadhaar-linked mobile number, Voter Card details, Aadhaar number, Aadhaar-seeded bank account details with IFSC code, ration card and food subsidy details, assets, income and profession details, identity documents, government scheme details, and family identity information.

Q. Can one mobile number be used for multiple applications?

Ans. No. Only one account or application can be linked to a single mobile number on the Family Level Data Collection Portal.

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.