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The West Bengal Government’s new scheme Annapurna Yojana has begun accepting applications. Eligible women can get ₹3,000 every month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the scheme. From 1 June 2026, the scheme replaced the Lakshmir Bhandar programme for eligible recipients.
Eligible women who meet certain conditions can apply for Annapurna Yojana for the financial year 2026–27 through the official system. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar recipients who meet the eligibility conditions were automatically migrated to Annapurna Bhandar. This applies after verification and the government exclusions mentioned in its notification.
What Is Annapurna Yojana?
Annapurna Yojana is a West Bengal Government scheme providing monetary support to eligible women through the government. Successful applicants can receive ₹3,000 every month as a benefit payment to their Aadhaar-linked bank account. These payments will be credited to eligible beneficiaries through DBT.
The Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare notified the scheme through Notification No. 24 11-WCD/O/AB-4/2026 dated 19 May 2026.
Annapurna Yojana 2026: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Annapurna Yojana |
| State | West Bengal |
| Monthly assistance | ₹3,000 |
| Payment method | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Effective date | 1 June 2026 |
| Eligible age | 25 to 60 years |
| Bank requirement | Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Application | Online application available |
| Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries | Migration subject to verification |
| Department | Women & Child Development and Social Welfare |
Annapurna Yojana Eligibility 2026
To avail of this benefit, a woman has to satisfy the following conditions mentioned by the government in its official notification. Applicants
- Must be between 25 to 60 years of age;
- Must be a resident of West Bengal;
- Should not be a permanent employee of the government receiving a salary/pension from the government;
- Should not be serving in the exempted posts of government/statutory body/government undertaking/panchayat/municipality/local-body;
- Should not be employed in state government teaching or non-teaching posts or government-aided educational institutions recognised by the state government;
- Should not be an income tax payer.
Please note: The official notification never mentioned the age to be 21 years. The age bar for applying to this scheme is 25–60 years.
Annapurna Bhandar Online Apply 2026: How to Apply
The government has launched a portal for Annapurna Yojana. Interested applicants can track their application status and download the Annapurna Yojana form from the official portal. New applicants can
- Visit the official Annapurna Yojana Portal;
- Read the instructions and download the prescribed application form;
- Fill in the required personal and family information;
- Enter Aadhaar and bank details;
- Follow the process for submission of the application;
- Note the acknowledgement or application details;
- Check application status on the official portal;
Please note: Applications are subject to verification by government officials. In rural regions, Block Development Officers (BDOs) have been given the task to verify applications. However, in urban states, Sub-divisional Officers (SDOs) will perform the same task. The District Magistrate is the sanctioning authority at the district level and Kolkata Municipal Corporation Commissioner for KMC areas.
Official Annapurna Yojana Portal: socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
How Will the ₹3,000 Benefit Be Paid?
The beneficiary will get ₹3,000 every month through DBT to the Aadhaar-linked bank account in her name. Recipients will see the benefit amount deposited in their accounts from 1 June 2026 as mentioned in the government notification.
Therefore, it is crucial to provide the correct bank account and Aadhaar number while applying.
What Happened to Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries?
The government mentioned that the existing beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar will be migrated to Annapurna Yojana. They are subject to the verification process and certain exclusions mentioned in the official notification.
The notification includes exclusion of certain deceased, shifted, deleted, and absentee electors who have been identified during the verification of June 2026. It also mentions applicants who have any pending appeal/application under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
Therefore, existing applicants do not need to fill a new application since the scheme has been changed. They can check their application status on the official portal.
Documents and Details to Keep Ready
Documents and Details Required:
- Basic identification;
- Family details;
- Bank account information;
The Annapurna Yojana family level data collection form has fields for details of the head of the family. Some of these details are date of birth, gender, Aadhaar number, digital ration-card household ID (if available). Other family members, address, and contact information can also be accepted.
Applicants are required to fill the form with the same information as their official documents. They can avoid future verification problems by double-checking the information they provide while applying.
Important: Use Only the Official Portal
There are many websites that are not officially connected to the West Bengal Government. Since Annapurna Yojana is a newly launched financial support scheme. In May 2026, many applicants received notification for fake Annapurna links before the official website was released.
For applications, status checks and forms, use the West Bengal Government’s official Annapurna Yojana portal rather than an unauthorised website.
FAQs
Who can avail ₹3,000 under Annapurna Yojana?
Women who satisfy the eligibility conditions of age, employment, and income-tax status can receive ₹3,000 monthly.
When does Annapurna Yojana begin?
Annapurna Yojana will begin from 1 June 2026.
Is the benefit amount deposited directly to the bank account?
Yes, the benefit amount will be credited to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account every month.
Do existing Lakshmir Bhandar recipients have to apply?
The existing Lakshmir Bhandar recipients will be migrated to the Annapurna Yojana. They are exempt from applying again.
Is the application form available?
Yes, the Annapurna Yojana online form is available on the official portal.
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