Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026: ₹3,000 Monthly for West Bengal Women – Online Apply Now Open

The West Bengal government has officially launched the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026 (also called Annapurna Yojana or অন্নপূর্ণা ভান্ডার), replacing the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme with effect from 1 June 2026. The scheme provides a flat ₹3,000 per month — nearly double the previous ₹1,500–₹1,700 — directly to eligible women’s Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer. Approximately 2 crore women across West Bengal are expected to benefit. The online application portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in went live on 3 June 2026, and the 90-day enrollment window closes on 29 August 2026. Women aged 25 to 60 who are not income taxpayers and not in government employment can apply online or offline through Block Development Offices and government camps.

Based on official gazette notification No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026 by Government of West Bengal. Verified: June 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check

One key point that many applicants miss: the income tax exclusion applies to the entire household, not just the applicant herself. If any family member in the same household is an income taxpayer, the woman is ineligible — even if she personally earns nothing.

Important Dates

The 90-day enrollment window is strict — women who miss the 29 August 2026 deadline may lose the opportunity to register under this scheme. Apply early rather than waiting, as government portals typically experience high load in the final two weeks before major scheme deadlines.

Monthly Benefit and Payment Details

The ₹3,000 monthly benefit under Annapurna Yojana represents a doubling of what General category women received under Lakshmir Bhandar, and a ₹1,300 increase for SC/ST women. Importantly, this scheme removes the caste-based tiered structure — all eligible women receive the same ₹36,000 annually regardless of category. Payment is made directly to the Aadhaar-seeded bank account, so it is critical that your bank account is linked to your Aadhaar before applying. You can verify your Aadhaar-bank seeding status through the NPCI Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) portal or your bank branch.

Documents Required

The application form for Annapurna Yojana is a comprehensive 12-page Family Level Data Collection Form — significantly more detailed than the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar form. It collects information on the Head of Family and up to 5 family members, including Aadhaar numbers, bank accounts, EPIC details, income, property, and employment status. All fields are mandatory. The most common rejection reason is mismatch between the name/Aadhaar number on the form and official documents — fill in capital letters exactly as printed on your Aadhaar.

How to Apply Online

Online registration is available from 3 June 2026 at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in.

1. Visit the Official Portal: Go to socialsecurity.wb.gov.in and look for the “Annapurna Yojana Portal” section on the homepage, or click “Access Citizen Portal”.
2. Select Your District: You will be redirected to a page to select your district from the list.
3. Register with Mobile Number: Enter your active mobile number and complete OTP verification to create a new account.
4. Fill the Application Form: Enter all required personal and family details — name, date of birth, address, Aadhaar number, and bank account information — exactly as mentioned in your official documents.
5. Upload Required Documents: Upload scanned copies or clear photographs of all required documents as specified in the form.
6. Submit and Note Reference Number: Submit the form and save your application reference number for future status tracking.
7. Await Verification: Government officials will verify your application. Once approved, ₹3,000 will be credited monthly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account.

How to Apply Offline

Offline application forms have been available since 27 May 2026. The process involves four steps:

1. Get the Application Form: Collect the free 12-page form from your nearest Block Development Office (BDO), Municipality Office, Government Camp, or download from socialsecurity.wb.gov.in. The form is available in Bengali, Hindi, and English.
2. Fill the Form Carefully: Fill all details in capital letters. Ensure name, Aadhaar number, and bank details match your official documents exactly.
3. Attach Self-Attested Copies: Attach self-attested photocopies of all required documents along with the filled form.
4. Submit and Collect Receipt: Submit at your nearest Block Office, Municipality Office, or designated government service centre. Collect the acknowledgement receipt and keep it safe for status tracking.

Lakshmir Bhandar to Annapurna Yojana: What Existing Beneficiaries Must Know

If you are currently receiving Lakshmir Bhandar payments, here is what the transition means for you:

Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries should not assume auto-migration means no action is required. The government is conducting a 90-day verification exercise with strict eligibility checks. Submitting the updated family data form at your Block Development Office or through government camps proactively is strongly recommended to avoid any gap in payments during the transition period.

How to Check Application Status

• Online: Visit socialsecurity.wb.gov.in → Track Application → Enter your reference/acknowledgement number.
• Offline: Visit the Block/Municipal office where you submitted with your acknowledgement receipt.
• Aadhaar-Bank DBT Status: Check via NPCI BASE portal or your bank to confirm your account is seeded for DBT.
• Helpline: For Lakshmir Bhandar/Women & Child Development related queries: 033-23341563. A dedicated Annapurna Bhandar helpline number is being updated — check the official portal for the latest number.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly amount under Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026 and how is it paid?

Under the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026, eligible women receive a flat ₹3,000 per month — equivalent to ₹36,000 annually — directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer. There is no caste-based tier; all eligible categories receive the same amount, unlike the previous Lakshmir Bhandar scheme which paid ₹1,500 (General) and ₹1,700 (SC/ST). Ensure your bank account is individually held and Aadhaar-seeded before applying.

What is the last date to apply for Annapurna Yojana 2026?

The 90-day enrollment window opened on 1 June 2026 and closes on 29 August 2026. Online applications are accepted from 3 June 2026 at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in; offline applications were available from 27 May 2026 through Block Development Offices and government camps. Apply well before the deadline as portal load increases significantly in the final days.

Who is eligible for Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026?

Women aged 25 to 60 who are permanent residents of West Bengal, are not income taxpayers (and not from a household that pays income tax), and are not permanent/retired government employees or employees of government-aided educational institutions are eligible. The scheme targets approximately 2 crore economically weaker women across the state.

Do Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need to apply again for Annapurna Yojana?

Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries who were verified as eligible during the SIR 2026 database exercise will be auto-migrated. However, most will still need to submit the updated 12-page Family Level Data Collection Form to complete the transition. Around 30 lakh beneficiaries found ineligible during verification will not be migrated and must not expect ₹3,000 under the new scheme.

Is a ration card mandatory for Annapurna Bhandar Scheme?

Ration card linkage is mandatory under the Annapurna Yojana, unlike the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme which did not require it. A Digital Ration Card or Household ID is preferred, with BPL/AAY/PHH category cards being especially important. This is because the scheme combines cash transfer with a food subsidy component, tying benefits to the beneficiary’s ration card.

Can a woman with a government-aided school teacher husband apply for Annapurna Yojana?

The eligibility bars women who are themselves employed in government-aided educational institutions (teaching or non-teaching). The scheme does not explicitly bar applicants based on a spouse’s employment in such institutions — but if the household pays income tax as a result of that income, the household fails the non-taxpayer criterion. Each applicant’s eligibility is assessed on both her own employment status and the household’s tax status.

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

Annapurna Bhandar Scheme offers ₹3,000 flat monthly for all eligible women (no category-based tiers), mandatory ration card linkage, and additional benefits including Ayushman Bharat health cover (₹5 lakh) and PM Ujjwala 3.0 gas subsidies. Lakshmir Bhandar paid ₹1,500 (General) or ₹1,700 (SC/ST) with no ration card requirement and cash-only transfer. The new scheme applies stricter exclusion criteria including income taxpayers and government-aided institution employees.

What should I do if my Aadhaar is not linked to my bank account?

Link your Aadhaar to your bank account immediately at your bank branch or via net banking before applying. You can verify the seeding status through the NPCI Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) portal online or by visiting your bank. Without an active Aadhaar-bank linkage, the ₹3,000 DBT credit will fail even if your application is approved — making Aadhaar seeding the single most important pre-application step.