West Bengal residents are now in line to benefit from several major central government schemes that were not available in the state for years. After BJP's historic win in the May 2026 West Bengal assembly elections, where the party won 207 out of 294 seats, the new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in on May 9, 2026, at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. At the very first cabinet meeting on May 11, 2026, the new government announced six landmark decisions aimed at bringing "Asol Poriborton" (real change) to Bengal which includes the immediate rollout of Ayushman Bharat Yojana and the launch of the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme for women from June 1, 2026.
For years, many central welfare schemes could not be run in West Bengal because of differences between the state government and the central government. The previous TMC government had blocked several schemes citing PM branding requirements, central control, and the existence of similar state-run schemes. Now, with a change in government, all those schemes are rolling out in full. The Centre also announced the release of around ₹2,700 crore in pending funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission as a first signal of faster implementation ahead.
Ayushman Bharat Yojana - Free Health Cover Up to ₹5 Lakh per Family
West Bengal was the last remaining state in India where Ayushman Bharat Yojana (also called PM Jan Arogya Yojana or AB-PMJAY) was not available. CM Suvendu Adhikari officially announced the rollout of Ayushman Bharat as one of the first six decisions of the new government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed this on social media, saying West Bengal residents will now have access to the world's largest healthcare scheme. Under Ayushman Bharat, eligible families get free health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh per year for treatment at government and empanelled private hospitals across India.
West Bengal families listed in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data and those below the poverty line will be eligible. The scheme covers over 1,900 treatment packages including surgeries, daycare procedures, and critical illness treatment. The key difference from the previous Swasthya Sathi scheme is portability, Ayushman Bharat coverage is valid across the entire country, which is a much bigger benefit for families whose members work in other states. The Matri Shakti Bharosa Card being rolled out for women also integrates with Ayushman Bharat, giving cardholders access to the full ₹5 lakh health cover in one go.
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme - ₹3,000 per Month for Women from June 1, 2026
One of BJP's big promises in the Sankalp Patra (manifesto) for West Bengal was a ₹3,000 per month cash transfer for women, first announced as the Matrishakti Bharosa Card scheme. After the government was formed, this scheme has been officially confirmed under the name Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, ratified in the May 11, 2026 cabinet meeting, with a confirmed launch date of June 1, 2026. This is double the ₹1,500 per month that women were getting under the TMC's Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The money will be transferred directly to eligible women's bank accounts every month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Women who had already filled out "trust forms" during the election campaign with the Matrishakti Bharosa Card are having their details moved over to the official Annapurna Bhandar database. The scheme is expected to cover around 2.21 crore women in West Bengal, which is roughly the same base as the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. Along with the ₹3,000 monthly cash, the government has also announced free travel for women on all state-run WBTC buses from June 1. Additional benefits tied to the scheme include a ₹21,000 one-time grant for pregnant mothers and ₹50,000 educational help for young women completing their graduation.
The eligibility criteria are expected to cover women aged 21 to 60 years who are permanent residents of West Bengal with a family income below ₹2.5 lakh per year. Government employees are expected to be excluded.
| Scheme Name | Key Benefit | Status (May 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Ayushman Bharat (AB-PMJAY) | Free health insurance up to ₹5 lakh per year per family | Officially announced, rollout started |
| Annapurna Bhandar (Matrishakti Bharosa) | ₹3,000 per month cash transfer for women + free bus travel | Launching June 1, 2026 |
| Yuva Shakti Bharosa | ₹3,000 per month for unemployed youth | Announced, official launch expected June 2026 |
| VB-G RaM G (MGNREGS) | 100 days guaranteed wage employment for rural households | Funds expected to resume soon |
| PM Awas Yojana Gramin | ₹1.20 lakh to ₹1.30 lakh for pucca house construction | Resuming with new government |
| Jal Jeevan Mission | Tap water pipe connection to every rural home | ₹2,700 crore released by Centre |
| 7th Pay Commission | Salary revision for West Bengal state government employees | Promised within 6 months |
| PM SHRI Schools | Upgraded school infrastructure and facilities | Expected rollout |
Yuva Shakti Bharosa - ₹3,000 Monthly for Unemployed Youth
BJP's manifesto also promised a monthly allowance of ₹3,000 for unemployed youth in West Bengal through the Yuva Shakti Bharosa scheme which is double the ₹1,500 per month that was being paid under the TMC's Banglar Yuva Sathi scheme. The Banglar Yuva Sathi scheme had already started disbursing payments from April 1, 2026, but with the government change, the new Yuva Shakti Bharosa Card is expected to replace it with the higher amount. Along with the ₹3,000 monthly allowance, BJP's manifesto also promised a one-time educational grant of ₹15,000 for students preparing for competitive exams and age relaxation of up to five years for candidates who faced issues due to earlier recruitment problems in the state.
As of mid-May 2026, the official portal and application process for Yuva Shakti Bharosa have not been opened yet. The government is expected to announce registration details in June 2026. Youth who were already registered under the Banglar Yuva Sathi scheme will likely be moved over automatically.
MGNREGS / VB-G RaM G - Rural Employment Back in Bengal
Rural employment is another very important area where West Bengal had been facing problems. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), which has since been updated to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (VB-G RaM G), had its funds stopped for West Bengal back in March 2022 due to alleged irregularities in implementation. The central government had found pending liabilities of about ₹3,082 crore against the state at that time.
With the change in government, the central government is now expected to move quickly on resuming rural job guarantee funds for West Bengal. This directly affects lakhs of poor rural households who depend on these 100 days of guaranteed wage employment every year. Local panchayat offices and the MGNREGA portal at nrega.nic.in can be checked for job card registrations and work applications resume fully in the state.
PM Awas Yojana Gramin - Housing for the Poor
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) gives eligible poor rural families financial help to build a pucca (permanent) house, ₹1.20 lakh in plain areas and ₹1.30 lakh in hilly or difficult terrain. This scheme was not running smoothly in West Bengal earlier. With the new government in place, both new beneficiaries will be added to the list and those already on the waiting list from earlier surveys are expected to get their house allotments processed faster. Eligible residents can check their name in the PMAY-G beneficiary list at pmayg.nic.in or visit their gram panchayat office.
Jal Jeevan Mission - Piped Tap Water for Every Home
Under Jal Jeevan Mission, the central government funds piped tap water connections to every rural household. West Bengal had used only about 53 per cent of its central allocation of ₹24,645 crore between 2019-20 and 2023-24, mainly due to delays in submitting proposals and preparing documents. With the new BJP government at the state level, the Centre has already announced the release of around ₹2,700 crore in pending funds, which gives the new administration fiscal room to speed up work on the ground. Many rural areas in West Bengal still rely on wells, ponds, or carrying water from far away, tap water connections are expected to pick up pace quickly now.
7th Pay Commission for State Employees
BJP's Sankalp Patra also promised to implement the 7th Pay Commission recommendations for West Bengal state government employees within six months of coming to power. State government employees have been waiting for this revision for a long time. Central government employees and employees of most other states have already received the benefits of the 7th Pay Commission since 2016. West Bengal state employees will now be able to expect the same, with the government having committed to a six-month timeline from the date of swearing in (May 9, 2026).
PM SHRI Schools and Education Schemes
BJP's manifesto also promised to bring the PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme to West Bengal. Under PM SHRI, selected government schools are upgraded with better infrastructure, smart classrooms, labs, and libraries. There is also free financial support promised for female students. These education schemes are expected to improve school quality across the state, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. PM Fasal Bima Yojana, PM Vishwakarma Yojana, and PM Matsya Sampada Yojana are among other central schemes that are also expected to see better implementation in West Bengal with the new government in place.
Which Schemes Are Coming First
Based on what has already been confirmed, Ayushman Bharat is already being rolled out as the first major scheme. Annapurna Bhandar (the women's ₹3,000 monthly scheme) is set to launch on June 1, 2026, and will be one of the earliest direct-benefit schemes to reach people's bank accounts. Yuva Shakti Bharosa for unemployed youth is also expected around June 2026. Infrastructure-heavy schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission and PM Awas Yojana Gramin will take a little longer as they need ground-level surveys and coordination.
How to Check If You Are Eligible
For most central government schemes, eligibility is tied to existing databases like the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 list, ration card data, or Aadhaar-linked records. Here is how residents of West Bengal can check and apply once these schemes are active:
- Ayushman Bharat - Visit pmjay.gov.in or call the Ayushman Bharat helpline at 14555 to check if your family is eligible. You can also visit your nearest government hospital or Common Service Centre (CSC) to get your Ayushman card made once the state enrollment ramps up.
- Annapurna Bhandar (Women's Scheme) - Wait for the official portal to open. Women who already filled in trust forms during the campaign should check if their details have been captured. Do not apply on any unofficial website.
- PM Awas Yojana Gramin - Check your name in the PMAY-G beneficiary list at pmayg.nic.in or visit your gram panchayat. Those who were already surveyed but not yet allotted a house will be given priority in the new phase.