Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026 - West Bengal Women to Get ₹3,000 Per Month from June 1

West Bengal's newly formed BJP government has announced the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme under which women across all 23 districts of the state are set to benefit. Announced on May 11, 2026 during the very first cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, this scheme promises ₹3,000 per month directly in the bank accounts of eligible women through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). The rollout is expected from June 1, 2026.

This scheme comes as a major upgrade over the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, which used to give ₹1,500 per month to general category women and ₹1,700 to SC/ST women. With Annapurna Bhandar, every eligible woman gets the same ₹3,000 per month, no category-wise differences at all. Along with the money, the state government has also announced free travel for women on all state-run buses from the same date.

Annapurna Bhandar Scheme West Bengal 2026 - Full Details

Annapurna Bhandar (অন্নপূর্ণা ভান্ডার) was one of the biggest promises in BJP's election manifesto "Bhoroshar Shopoth" (Oath of Trust) ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections. BJP won 207 of 293 assembly seats, ending 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule. One of the first decisions of the new government was to move ahead with this scheme. CM Suvendu Adhikari directed officials at a meeting with MLAs and District Magistrates to start rolling out the scheme from June 1, 2026. BJP West Bengal also shared this announcement on their official X (formerly Twitter) handle, confirming the scheme would give ₹3,000 per month to eligible women of the state.

The scheme is also referred to as the Matri Shakti Bharosa Card Scheme in some government communications. The objective is simple - give women from low and middle-income families a steady monthly amount so they can handle daily household expenses like groceries, healthcare, children's education, and utility bills without depending on others. The money goes directly into the woman's own Aadhaar-linked bank account, giving her full financial control.

Key Benefits of Annapurna Bhandar Scheme

Here is what women in West Bengal can look forward to under this scheme. These are the major benefits being offered right now:

• ₹3,000 per month via DBT: The monthly amount will be transferred directly into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account - no queues, no ration shop visits, no middlemen involved.
• Equal benefit for all categories: Unlike the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme where SC/ST women got slightly more, every eligible woman under Annapurna Bhandar gets the same ₹3,000 - removing a long-standing disparity between categories.
• Free bus travel: All eligible women will get free travel on state-run government buses starting June 1, 2026.
• Statewide coverage: The scheme applies across all 23 districts of West Bengal - whether you live in a village in Murshidabad or a municipality in Kolkata, the benefit and eligibility are the same.

Scheme Highlights

Eligibility Criteria

The West Bengal government has not released the final official eligibility guidelines yet. However, based on the announcement and the existing Lakshmir Bhandar framework, these are the expected eligibility conditions that may apply when registration opens:

• Permanent resident of West Bengal: The applicant must be a permanent resident of West Bengal. Women from other states are not eligible for this scheme.
• Age between 25 and 60 years: Based on current information, the scheme is likely to cover women in the 25 to 60 age group.
• Name on West Bengal voter list: Applicants are expected to be listed in the West Bengal voter list as valid proof of state residency.
• Aadhaar-linked bank account: Since the benefit is transferred via DBT, an active bank account in the woman's own name and linked to Aadhaar is required.
• From low or middle-income family: The scheme is aimed at women from families with money problems, though specific income limits have not been announced yet.

One very important thing, CM Suvendu Adhikari has confirmed that no existing welfare scheme will be stopped. So, existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries may be automatically moved to Annapurna Bhandar once the scheme officially launches. No fresh application may be needed for those already receiving the older scheme's benefits. Wait for the official notification before filling any forms anywhere.

Documents Required

While the full official document list is yet to be announced, these are the documents expected to be needed during the application process:

• Aadhaar card - for identity verification and DBT account linking
• Voter ID card - as proof of West Bengal residency
• Ration card - to verify household details and address proof
• Bank passbook - with account number and IFSC code for DBT transfer setup
• Passport-size photograph - recent photo for registration records
• Aadhaar-linked mobile number - for OTP verification during application

How to Apply for Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Online

The online application portal has not been launched yet. Once the government opens registration, the process is expected to work like this through the official West Bengal government portal at wb.gov.in:

STEP 1 - Go to the official West Bengal government portal at wb.gov.in once the registration link is made live. Look for the "Apply for Annapurna Bhandar" option on the homepage or in the women welfare section of the site.

STEP 2 - Enter your active mobile number and complete OTP verification to securely log in to the application portal.

STEP 3 - Provide your Ration Card number to auto-fetch your registered family details from the government database. Then enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number for identity authentication.

STEP 4 - Carefully fill in all personal and family details exactly as they appear in your official documents. Any mismatch between your application and Aadhaar records could lead to rejection.

STEP 5 - Submit your bank account number and IFSC code so the ₹3,000 monthly amount can be directly credited to your account via DBT. Upload all required documents in the format and file size prescribed on the portal.

STEP 6 - Cross-check every detail carefully before clicking submit. After submitting, save the acknowledgement reference number shown on screen - this will help you track your application status later on.

How to Apply Offline

For women who find it difficult to apply online, the government is also expected to accept offline applications through the Duare Sarkar camp system and local offices. Here is how the offline process is likely to work:

STEP 1 - Go to your nearest Duare Sarkar camp, BDO (Block Development Office), SDO office, or Municipality office once offline registration begins in your area.

STEP 2 - Ask for the official Annapurna Bhandar Scheme application form from the help desk. Fill in all details in block letters so they clearly match your Aadhaar records without any errors.

STEP 3 - Attach self-attested copies of all required documents along with the completed application form. Hand over the full set at the designated submission counter of the office.

STEP 4 - Collect the acknowledgement slip from the official after submitting your form. Keep this slip safely as it will help you track your application status once the scheme goes live.

Annapurna Bhandar vs Lakshmir Bhandar - What Changed?

Many women are asking exactly how Annapurna Bhandar is different from the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme. Here is a clear comparison so you can see the full picture:

Other Schemes Announced Along with Annapurna Bhandar

At the same first cabinet meeting, the West Bengal BJP government also announced several other welfare measures that had been kept out of the state for years. Check out the full list of new schemes coming to West Bengal after the BJP win - including central schemes that will now be available to residents for the first time.

Some of the major central schemes now being rolled out in West Bengal include Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana for health insurance, PM Vishwakarma for artisans and craftspeople, PM Fasal Bima Yojana for farmers' crop insurance, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana 3.0 for subsidised cooking gas connections.

FAQ's

When will Annapurna Bhandar Scheme start?

As per the government announcement, the scheme is expected to launch from June 1, 2026. CM Suvendu Adhikari directed officials to begin implementation from this date after the first cabinet meeting on May 11, 2026.

Who can apply for Annapurna Bhandar Scheme?

Permanent women residents of West Bengal who are aged between 25 and 60 years and have an Aadhaar-linked bank account are expected to be eligible. Final eligibility criteria are yet to be officially notified by the state government.

How much money will women get under this scheme?

Eligible women will get ₹3,000 per month directly in their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer. This is the same amount for all - no difference between general, SC, or ST category women.

Will Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need to apply again?

Based on current government announcements, existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries may not need to apply fresh and could be automatically shifted to Annapurna Bhandar. However, wait for the official notification to confirm this before taking any action.

Is there any official website to apply for Annapurna Bhandar?

Not yet. The official application portal has not been launched as of May 2026. When registration opens, it is expected to be available on wb.gov.in. Avoid all private or unofficial websites claiming to offer registration right now.

Will Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme be stopped?

CM Suvendu Adhikari has confirmed that no existing welfare scheme will be discontinued. Lakshmir Bhandar will not be abruptly stopped - it is likely to be merged or upgraded into Annapurna Bhandar gradually.

Can women from other states apply for this scheme?

No. Annapurna Bhandar Scheme is only for permanent residents of West Bengal. Women residing in other states are not eligible for this scheme at all.