Annapurna Yojana in West Bengal has been officially launched and the first installment of payments has already started. On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched the scheme at Nabanna Sabhaghar and the government transferred ₹3,000 each directly into the bank accounts of 28.25 lakh women in the first phase. After applying and getting verified, your name goes into the Annapurna Yojana beneficiary list, and the government has now confirmed it will put this full list up on its website so anyone can check it.
The scheme was officially notified on 19 May 2026 by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal (Notification No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026). Applications opened from 27 May 2026 and the first installment started getting credited from June 3, 2026 for verified Annapurna Yojana beneficiaries, many of whom were migrated from the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.
Annapurna Yojana Beneficiary List 2026 - Current Status
At the launch programme, West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal said the government will publish the full list of Annapurna Yojana beneficiaries on the website of the department concerned so that anyone can see who is on it. This is being done to keep the whole scheme clear and to weed out any names that should not be there.
The list will be available through the official portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in. The government has also said the list will be refreshed every seven days as more applications get verified and new names get approved. So if your name is not there in the first round, it can still come in a later update.
As per official figures shared at the launch, Nadia district had the highest number of beneficiaries at around 2.60 lakh, followed by Murshidabad and West Midnapore. In total, money reached 28,25,769 women in the first phase, and the government expects the final count to grow to nearly 2 crore women once all eligible applicants are verified over the next three months.
How to Check Your Name in Annapurna Yojana List (Application Status Method)
Even though the public list is being put up on the website, the easiest way to know if you have been approved is to check your Annapurna Yojana application status on the official portal using your registered mobile number. Here is how to do it step by step.
STEP 1 - Open your browser and go to the official Annapurna Yojana portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in.
STEP 2 - Click on the "Application Status" option on the homepage.
STEP 3 - Enter your registered mobile number used at the time of applying for the scheme in the box provided.
STEP 4 - Complete the captcha verification shown on the screen and click the "Search" button.
STEP 5 - Your application status will appear on the screen. If it shows "Approved", your name is in the beneficiary list and you will start receiving ₹3,000 per month directly in your Aadhaar-linked bank account. If it shows "Pending" or "Under Verification", your application is still being reviewed by the local officials.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Yojana (also known as Annapurna Bhandar Scheme) |
| Launched By | Government of West Bengal |
| Department | Women and Child Development and Social Welfare |
| Beneficiaries | Women aged 25 to 60 years, permanent residents of West Bengal |
| Monthly Benefit | ₹3,000 per month via DBT |
| Launch Date | June 3, 2026 (formally launched at Nabanna) |
| 1st Phase Beneficiaries | 28,25,769 women |
| Application Mode | Online and Offline |
| List Update Cycle | Every 7 days |
| Grievance Helpline | 8282082820 (9 AM to 6 PM, Mon to Sat) |
| Official Website | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
| Beneficiary List Status | Being published on the official portal for full clarity |
How to Raise an Objection or Complaint About the List
One of the main reasons the government is putting the list online is so that people can flag mistakes. According to the government, anyone can lodge a complaint if they find a person who is not eligible sitting in the list. In the same way, if a woman is eligible but her name is missing, she can apply or raise her case.
In both situations, the government will run an inquiry and take the required steps. To make this easy, the government has started a public outreach drive called Apnar Sorkar Apnar Pashe along with a dedicated helpline and email.
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 to lodge your grievance.
How the Beneficiary Verification Works
To make sure no ineligible woman gets the monthly ₹3,000, the government has made a multi-step verification by officials compulsory. The process runs in a clear chain so that every approval is checked more than once before a name lands in the final list.
STEP 1 - The woman fills out the 12 page application form, either online at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in or offline at the BDO, SDO, DM, borough or municipality office.
STEP 2 - Extension officers at the block level verify the beneficiary details first. After this, the Block Development Officers (BDOs) re-verify the same details once more.
STEP 3 - Officials who do the verification have to sign off after their approval, and the final go-ahead comes from the District Magistrate before the name is locked into the beneficiary list.
Who Gets Automatically Added to Annapurna Yojana List
Not everyone needs to apply for the scheme. West Bengal government has confirmed that existing Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme beneficiaries who pass verification will be moved to Annapurna Yojana and are essentially already "in the list" without needing to do anything extra. That said, the government found lakhs of ineligible names in the old Lakshmir Bhandar list, which is why fresh forms were brought in. Women in the following categories will NOT be automatically migrated and will need to apply fresh or may be excluded:
- Deceased beneficiaries - Women who have passed away and whose names were still in the Lakshmir Bhandar database will be removed from the Annapurna Yojana list.
- Shifted or relocated beneficiaries - Women who have moved out of West Bengal or to a different address and not updated their records may be excluded from automatic migration.
- Deleted or absentee electors - Women whose names were removed from the electoral rolls or found to be absent during the SIR verification may not be migrated.
- Ineligible beneficiaries - Women found to be government employees, income taxpayers, or otherwise ineligible during the verification drive will not be included. Officials have said more than 30 lakh ineligible names could be weeded out from the old list.
Eligibility to Be in Annapurna Yojana Beneficiary List
Before you check whether your name is in the beneficiary list, it is good to confirm you meet all the basic eligibility conditions. Only women who meet all of these conditions can be approved under this scheme.
- Permanent resident of West Bengal - You must be a bonafide resident of West Bengal, proven by an Aadhaar card or Voter ID registered in the state.
- Age between 25 and 60 years - Women younger than 25 or older than 60 are not eligible under the current guidelines. Women above 60 may check if they qualify for the Old Age Pension Scheme instead.
- Not a government employee or pensioner - Regular state or central government employees, government pensioners, and staff of government-aided educational institutions are not eligible.
- Not an income taxpayer - Women who file income tax returns are excluded from the scheme.
- Aadhaar-linked bank account - You must have a bank account linked to your Aadhaar for DBT transfers to work.
What to Do If Your Name Is Not in Annapurna Yojana List
If your application status shows "Rejected" or your name does not appear even after the list is updated, do not panic. First, double-check your eligibility conditions, especially the age limit, residency requirement, and whether any household member is a government employee or taxpayer.
If you believe you are eligible but were wrongly left out, you can raise your case on the helpline 8282082820 or email asap@wb.gov.in, or visit your nearest Block Development Office (BDO) or Sub-Divisional Office (SDO). Carry your Aadhaar card, Voter ID, bank passbook, and ration card when visiting the office. Since the list is refreshed every seven days, your name can also show up in a later round once your verification is done, so it is worth checking again after a week.
Documents Needed for Annapurna Yojana Application
If you have not applied yet and want to make sure your name appears in the Annapurna Yojana beneficiary list, you need to apply through the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Application Form at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in. The form filling window stays open for three months, and officials are even visiting homes to help women who cannot step out. Keep these documents ready before starting your application.
You will need your Aadhaar card as the primary identity document, a Voter ID card for address and residency proof, a bank passbook showing the account linked to your Aadhaar, and a ration card. A passport-sized photograph may also be required for the offline application process at the BDO or SDO office.
FAQ's
Will the Annapurna Yojana Beneficiary List be made public?
Yes. The West Bengal government has confirmed it will publish the full list of beneficiaries on the website of the department concerned at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in. This is being done so anyone can check the list and flag wrong entries.
How often is the Annapurna Yojana List updated?
The government has said the beneficiary list will be updated every seven days as more applications get verified and new names get approved. So even if your name is missing now, it can appear in a later weekly update.
How do I check my name in Annapurna Yojana Beneficiary List?
Go to socialsecurity.wb.gov.in, click on Applicant Login or Check Application Status, enter your registered mobile number, complete the captcha, and submit. Your application status will show whether you have been approved as a beneficiary.
What is the Annapurna Yojana helpline number for complaints?
You can lodge a grievance by calling 8282082820 between 9 AM and 6 PM from Monday to Saturday, or by emailing asap@wb.gov.in. You can use this to report an ineligible name in the list or to flag that your eligible name is missing.
Do Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need to reapply to be in the Annapurna Yojana list?
Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries who were verified and found eligible are migrated to Annapurna Yojana. However, since fresh forms have been introduced after many ineligible names were found, beneficiaries are being asked to fill the new form so their eligibility is confirmed and their name stays in the list.
How much money was transferred in the first phase?
In the first phase launched on June 3, 2026, the West Bengal government transferred ₹3,000 each into the bank accounts of 28,25,769 women. Approved beneficiaries will keep getting ₹3,000 every month directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through DBT.
What is the official website for Annapurna Yojana West Bengal?
The official website for Annapurna Yojana West Bengal is socialsecurity.wb.gov.in, operated by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal.