Good news for women across West Bengal - the first payment under Annapurna Yojana has now been sent. On June 3, 2026, CM Suvendu Adhikari formally launched the scheme at Nabanna and the government transferred ₹3,000 each directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of 28,25,769 women in the first phase through DBT. So the much-awaited Annapurna Yojana 1st installment is no longer a date to wait for, it has already started reaching beneficiaries.
This is the first payment under the new scheme that replaces the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, and the amount has been doubled to ₹3,000 per month for every eligible woman. If your name is in the verified list and your bank account is linked with Aadhaar, the first installment should already be in your account or will land in the next payment cycle.
Annapurna Yojana 1st Installment Date and Payment Details
There was some confusion earlier about whether the money would come on June 1 with the launch or on a later date. It is now settled. Annapurna Yojana was formally launched and the first installment of ₹3,000 started getting credited from June 3, 2026. At the launch programme, the government confirmed money had reached 28.25 lakh women, with Nadia district topping the list at around 2.60 lakh beneficiaries, followed by Murshidabad and West Midnapore. Free travel for women on state-run buses, another promise made along with this scheme, began from June 1, 2026.
The payment goes straight into the woman's own bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer, so there is no need to visit any office, ration shop, or stand in any queue to collect it. As long as your account is active and properly linked with Aadhaar, the ₹3,000 is credited automatically. The government has also said payments will keep going out on a rolling basis as more applications get verified, with the beneficiary list refreshed every seven days.
Who Got the First Installment on June 3
Not every applicant got the money on day one. The first installment on June 3 mainly went to women whose names had already cleared the verification process. Here is who was included in the first cycle:
- Migrated Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries: Women who were already getting Lakshmir Bhandar money and have been verified and moved to Annapurna Yojana got the first installment without applying again.
- Verified new applicants: New applicants whose forms were checked and approved by the District Magistrate or KMC Commissioner before the payment cycle were included.
- Women with Aadhaar-linked bank accounts: Only beneficiaries whose bank accounts are active and correctly linked with Aadhaar received the DBT credit on time.
Installment Date Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Yojana (Annapurna Bhandar Scheme) |
| Launched By | CM Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal BJP Government |
| Scheme Launch Date | June 3, 2026 (at Nabanna) |
| 1st Installment Date | June 3, 2026 (already credited) |
| 1st Phase Beneficiaries | 28,25,769 women |
| Installment Amount | ₹3,000 per month |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Free Bus Travel | From June 1, 2026 |
| Status Helpline | 8282082820 (9 AM to 6 PM, Mon to Sat) |
| Official Website | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
How to Check Your Installment Status by Helpline
Along with the launch, the government started a public outreach drive called Apnar Sorkar Apnar Pashe with a dedicated helpline and email so women can check their status or raise any problem. You can call the helpline number 8282082820 between 9 AM and 6 PM from Monday to Saturday, or send an email to asap@wb.gov.in. Use this if you want to know whether your name is approved, if your installment has not come even after approval, or if you want to report a wrong entry in the list. Officials have said anyone can flag an ineligible name, and any eligible woman whose name is missing can raise her case for a fresh inquiry.
How to Make Sure Your Installment Is Not Delayed
If you want the ₹3,000 to keep reaching your account on time, there are a few simple things you should check right now. A small mistake in your bank or Aadhaar details is the most common reason payments get stuck, so go through these steps carefully.
STEP 1 - Confirm that your bank account is active and is in your own name. Joint accounts or accounts in someone else's name will not receive the DBT payment.
STEP 2 - Make sure your Aadhaar is properly linked and seeded with your bank account. You can check this at your bank branch or through your bank's net banking and mobile app, since DBT works only on Aadhaar-seeded accounts.
STEP 3 - Check your application status on the official portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in using your registered mobile number, or call the helpline 8282082820. If it shows "Approved", you are set for the payment. You can also see how to check your name in the Annapurna Yojana beneficiary list for full details.
STEP 4 - If your status is still "Pending" or "Under Verification", wait for the local officials to finish the enquiry. Once approved, you will be included in the next available payment cycle even if you missed the June 3 batch, since the list is updated every seven days.
About the 12-Page Application Form
Some people raised worries that the long 12-page application form could leave out genuine women because of all the documents and details asked for. Replying to this, CM Suvendu Adhikari said government staff will personally help women fill out the form, even visiting homes for those who cannot step out, so nobody who is eligible should get left behind because of the form's length.
The government has also put strong checks in place to stop ineligible people from grabbing the benefit, with multi-step verification by block officers, BDOs and the District Magistrate before any name is approved. Officials have said more than 30 lakh ineligible names could be weeded out from the old Lakshmir Bhandar list, and the state has stressed that it wants clear and clean delivery so that only genuine women get their installment on time. You can read the full Annapurna Bhandar Scheme application form guide for step-by-step help.
FAQ's
Has the Annapurna Yojana 1st installment been sent?
Yes. The first installment of ₹3,000 started getting credited from June 3, 2026, and the government confirmed money reached 28,25,769 women in the first phase directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through DBT.
How can I check my installment status?
Check your application status on socialsecurity.wb.gov.in using your registered mobile number, or call the helpline 8282082820 between 9 AM and 6 PM from Monday to Saturday. You can also email asap@wb.gov.in for any grievance.
How much is the installment amount?
The installment is ₹3,000, which is the fixed monthly benefit under Annapurna Yojana. Every eligible woman gets the same amount, with no category-wise difference between general and SC/ST women.
Will I get the installment if I was a Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiary?
Yes, if your name was verified and migrated from Lakshmir Bhandar to Annapurna Yojana, you are included for the installment without applying again. Just make sure your bank account is active and Aadhaar-linked.
How is the installment paid?
The installment is paid through Direct Benefit Transfer straight into the woman's own Aadhaar-linked bank account. There is no need to visit any office or collect the money in cash.
What should I do if my installment did not come on June 3?
First check your application status on socialsecurity.wb.gov.in or call the helpline 8282082820. If it shows "Pending" or "Under Verification", wait for the local officials to complete the process, since the list is updated every seven days. If approved but still not paid, visit your nearest BDO or SDO office with your Aadhaar card, bank passbook, and voter ID to get it sorted.
What is the official website to check Annapurna Yojana installment status?
The official website is socialsecurity.wb.gov.in, run by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal. You can check your application and payment status there using your registered mobile number, or call the helpline 8282082820.