Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026 (also known as Annapurna Yojana) is a West Bengal government women’s welfare initiative that provides eligible women with ₹3,000 monthly financial assistance via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. It replaces the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme and rolled out from June 1, 2026.
Key objectives: Empower women financially, support low-income families, and ensure better verification to remove ineligible beneficiaries. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries undergo verification/database cleansing; many may auto-migrate, but a detailed family data collection form is generally required.
Annapurna Yojana Scheme Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Bhandar Scheme (Annapurna Yojana / অন্নপূর্ণা ভান্ডার) |
| Also Known As | Matri Shakti Bharosa Card Scheme; earlier called Matri Shakti Bharosa Scheme |
| Launched By | Government of West Bengal |
| Launch Date | 1 June 2026 |
| Gazette Notification | No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026 dated 19 May 2026 |
| Replaces | Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme |
| Monthly Benefit | ₹3,000 (increased from ₹1,500–₹1,700 under Lakshmir Bhandar) |
| Payment Method | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Beneficiaries | ~2 crore eligible women across West Bengal |
| Application Form Available | From 27 May 2026 (offline); 3 June 2026 (online) |
| Enrollment Window | 90 days starting from 1 June 2026 |
| Official Portal | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
| Governed By | Dept. of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, WB |
Eligibility Criteria
The scheme targets women residents of West Bengal aged 25–60 who are not taxpayers and not in regular government employment.
- To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be a woman.
- Be a permanent resident of West Bengal (Indian citizen).
- Aged 25 to 60 years.
- Not an income taxpayer (nor from a household that pays income tax).
- Not a permanent or retired government employee.
- Not receiving regular salary or pension from Central/State Government, panchayats, municipalities, statutory bodies, local bodies, or government-aided institutions.
- Not employed (teaching or non-teaching) in any government-aided educational institution in West Bengal.
Who Cannot Apply?
Certain categories are explicitly barred to ensure benefits reach the intended economically weaker groups.
- Permanent / retired government employees
- Women receiving regular government salary or pension
- Employees of government-aided teaching or non-teaching institutions
- Income tax payers
- Non-permanent residents of West Bengal
- Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries found dead, shifted, deleted, or absentee during SIR 2026 verification
Important Dates
| Date | Event / Update |
|---|---|
| 11 May 2026 | First cabinet meeting of the newly elected WB government; scheme approved. |
| 19 May 2026 | Official gazette notification issued: No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026. |
| 27 May 2026 | Offline application forms made available from Nabanna and government offices. |
| 1 June 2026 | Scheme officially launched; first ₹3,000 instalment disbursed; new online registration opened. |
| 3 June 2026 | Online application portal made available at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in. |
| By 29 August 2026 | Last date to complete enrolment as the 90-day window closes. |
Notes: Focus is on economically weaker sections. Strict verification applies, including family details. Only genuine Indian citizens are eligible.
Applicants should gather the following documents in advance to ensure a smooth and complete submission.
Documents Required
Commonly required documents include:
- Aadhaar Card (of the applicant and family members where available).
- Voter ID Card (EPIC) - for domicile and identity proof.
- Residence proof (e.g., Voter ID, ration card).
- Bank account details (passbook or cancelled cheque showing Aadhaar-linked account, IFSC, account number).
- Passport-size photographs.
- Ration Card (Digital Ration Card/Household ID preferred, especially BPL/AAY/PHH categories).
- PAN details (if applicable, for tax status verification).
- Other family details as per the form (income, employment, education, assets, etc.).
Note: The 12-page (or similar) Family Level Data Collection Form collects comprehensive details on the Head of Family (HOF) and up to 5 family members, including Aadhaar, bank accounts, EPIC, income, property, etc. All fields are mandatory.
Download the form here (PDF): Annapurna Yojana Family Level Data Collection Form
Official Apply Link: Annapurna Yojana Online Link
Eligible women can complete their registration entirely online by following a straightforward step-by-step process on the official portal.
How to Apply Online?
Online registration is available at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in from 3 June 2026. Follow these steps:
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to socialsecurity.wb.gov.in. On the homepage, look for the "Annapurna Yojana Portal" section or click "Access Citizen Portal".
- Select Your District: You will be redirected to a page where you need to select your district from the list.
- Register with Mobile Number: Enter your active mobile number and complete OTP verification to create a new account on the portal.
- Fill the Application Form: Once logged in, fill in all required personal and family details - name, date of birth, address, Aadhaar number, and bank account information - exactly as mentioned in your official documents.
- Upload Required Documents: Upload scanned copies or clear photos of all required documents as specified in the form.
- Submit & Note Reference Number: Submit the form and note down or save your application reference number for future status tracking.
- Wait for Verification: Authorised government officials will verify your application. Once approved, ₹3,000 will be credited monthly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account.
While both are welfare schemes for women in West Bengal, the Annapurna Bhandar and Lakshmir Bhandar schemes differ in several important ways.
Differences Between Annapurna Bhandar Scheme and Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
Those who prefer or are unable to apply online can instead submit a physical application through local government offices and camps.
How to Apply Offline
Offline application forms have been available since 27 May 2026. You can apply through government camps and offices:
- Get the Application Form: Collect the free 12-page application form from your nearest Block Development Office, Municipality Office, Government Camp, or download it from socialsecurity.wb.gov.in (available in Bengali, Hindi, and English).
- Fill the Form Carefully: Fill in all details in capital letters. Ensure your name, Aadhaar number, and bank details match your official documents exactly.
- Attach Self-Attested Copies: Attach self-attested photocopies of all required documents along with the filled form.
- Submit at the Designated Office: Submit the completed form at your nearest Block Office, Municipality Office, or designated government service centre.
- Collect Acknowledgement Receipt: Collect your acknowledgement receipt after submission. Keep it safe for future reference and status tracking.
After submitting an application, beneficiaries have multiple options to track their status and get assistance if needed.
How to Check Application Status / Contact
- Online: Visit the official portal → Track Application → Enter reference/acknowledgement number.
- Offline: Visit the submission Block/Municipal office with acknowledgement receipt.
- Aadhaar-Bank Linking Status (for DBT): Check via NPCI Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) portal or your bank.
- Helpline/Phone Number: Specific Annapurna Bhandar helpline details are still being updated. For related schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar, the Department of Women & Child Development helpline is 033-23341563. Check the official portal or local offices for the latest dedicated number. Email/support options may be available on the portal.
Official Apply Link: Annapurna Yojana Online Link
Differences Between Annapurna Bhandar Scheme and Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
Here's a detailed comparison table:
| Parameter | Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme | Annapurna Bhandar Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Launched By | TMC Government (Mamata Banerjee) | BJP Government (Suvendu Adhikari) |
| Launch Year | August 2021 | May 2026 (rollout from June 1, 2026) |
| Monthly Benefit | ₹1,500 (General category); ₹1,700 (SC/ST) | Flat ₹3,000 for all eligible women (no tiered structure) |
| Annual Benefit | ~₹18,000–₹20,400 | ₹36,000 - nearly double the previous general category amount |
| Caste-Based Differentiation | Yes - different amounts for General vs SC/ST | No - uniform benefit for all categories |
| Nature of Scheme | Pure cash transfer | Combines cash support with food subsidy access |
| Political Framing | Economic empowerment - giving women their own money and economic identity | Household welfare - helping women manage household expenses, particularly food and healthcare |
| Ration Card Linkage | Not required | Mandatory - ties the food subsidy component to the beneficiary's ration card |
| Additional Benefits | Only cash transfer | Links women to Ayushman Bharat (₹5 lakh health cover) and PM Ujjwala 3.0 (gas subsidies) |
| Exclusion Criteria | Lean documentation requirements | Excludes income taxpayers and women employed in government service, including teaching and non-teaching staff |
| Payment Method | DBT to bank accounts | DBT via Aadhaar-linked bank accounts |
| Migration of Beneficiaries | - | ~2.20 crore existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are auto-migrated, except ~30 lakh found ineligible during database cleaning |
| Status | Being replaced | Officially approved rollout from June 1, 2026 |
Lakshmir Bhandar to Annapurna Yojana: What Happens to Existing Beneficiaries?
If you are already successfully receiving monthly assistance under Lakshmir Bhandar, your transition involves two main phases:
- Temporary Continuity: The government has confirmed that existing beneficiaries will continue to receive their previous financial assistance while the verification process takes place. Your payments will not be abruptly cut off.
- The Migration & Verification: All existing beneficiaries will be automatically migrated to the new Annapurna Yojana portal. However, because this is a transition to a new system with strict eligibility checks, you are not entirely hands-off. The government is conducting a 90-day verification exercise to weed out fraudulent or inactive entries.
How to Transfer Your Name
- Collect the Application Form:Forms available now.Obtain the official application form for the new scheme. You can download it online from the state secretariat (Nabanna) portal or collect a physical copy from local block offices.
- Fill in the Socio-Economic Details:Comprehensive verification.Unlike the short Lakshmir Bhandar form, the updated form requires comprehensive family data. Fill in details for yourself and your family members carefully.
- Attach Mandatory Documents:Keep them self-attested.Prepare and attach photocopies of your Aadhaar Card, Swasthya Sathi Card, Bank Passbook (sole account linked to Aadhaar), and family land or income documents if applicable.
- Submit at Government Camps or BDO Offices:Verification phase.Submit the physical form to your designated Block Development Officer (BDO) in rural areas, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) in urban areas, or municipal corporation team. Government staff and local representatives are deployed to assist women door-to-door with this step.
