Annapurna Yojana, also known as Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, is a women's financial assistance scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal. It provides ₹3,000 per month to eligible women aged between 25 and 60 years through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
West Bengal government has launched Annapurna Yojana 2026 to support the socio-economic upliftment of women across the state. The scheme officially started on 1st June 2026 and replaces the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, with the application forms released on 27th May 2026.
Annapurna Yojana - Introduction
The Annapurna Yojana is run by the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department of West Bengal. It gives assured monthly financial support to women who live in the state, with the money credited directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary.
Under this scheme, a woman receives ₹3,000 every month, which comes to ₹36,000 in a year. This regular income helps women meet their basic needs and reduces their dependence on family members for daily expenses.
Existing beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme are automatically moved to Annapurna Yojana based on the set criteria, so that there is no gap in their monthly support. New applications are accepted through the official portal from 1st June 2026.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Yojana (Annapurna Bhandar Scheme) |
| Level | State |
| Target Beneficiaries | Women aged 25 to 60 years |
| Beneficiary State | West Bengal |
| Department | Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department |
| Benefit Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Monthly Amount | ₹3,000 |
| Official Launch Date | 1st June 2026 |
| Official Website | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
Benefits
The scheme provides direct financial support to eligible women to improve their quality of life and give them more control over their own money.
- Monthly Stipend: Eligible women receive ₹3,000 every month, which adds up to ₹36,000 in a year.
- Direct Transfer: The money is sent through DBT directly into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account, so there is no middleman.
- Easy Migration: Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are moved to this scheme automatically without any fresh paperwork.
Eligibility
The applicant must meet the following criteria to get the benefit of this scheme:
- The applicant must be a woman and a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- The age of the applicant must be between 25 and 60 years.
- The applicant must not hold permanent government employment or receive a regular salary or pension from the Union or State government, statutory bodies, panchayats, municipalities, or government-aided institutions.
- The applicant must not be an income tax payer.
Application Process
New applicants can apply online through the official West Bengal Social Security portal, or they can fill the physical form available at local government offices.
STEP 1 - Visit the official Annapurna Yojana citizen portal or the social security portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in.
STEP 2 - Select your district and enter your registered mobile number, then verify it using the OTP sent to your phone.
STEP 3 - Fill out the Family Level Data Collection form with the details of the Head of the Family and other family members.
STEP 4 - Upload clear scanned copies of the required documents such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, and bank passbook.
STEP 5 - Submit the application and keep the Application Reference ID safe for tracking the status later.
Documents
Applicants must keep the following documents ready before applying (file formats such as JPG, JPEG, PDF, and PNG, with sizes between 50KB and 200KB, are accepted):
- Aadhaar Card linked with the bank account
- EPIC Card / Voter ID Card
- Digital Ration Card details (if available)
- Bank Account Passbook showing the name, account number, and IFSC code
- PAN Card or Income Certificate of family members (if available)
- Swasthya Sathi Card number (if available)
References
For detailed information about the scheme, visit the official scheme page of the West Bengal government: Annapurna Yojana official page.
FAQ's
What is the amount provided under the Annapurna Yojana?
Eligible women receive a fixed amount of ₹3,000 per month, which comes to ₹36,000 in a year.
Who manages the Annapurna Yojana?
The scheme is managed by the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal.
Are current Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries eligible?
Yes, existing eligible beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme are automatically migrated to this yojana without any fresh application.
Can I apply if I am a government employee?
No, women currently employed in permanent government services or receiving a government pension are not eligible for this scheme.
How is the payment processed?
Payments are issued via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Can I apply offline?
Yes, physical forms are available at BDO offices in rural areas and SDO or Municipality offices in urban areas, and they can be submitted at the counter.
