West Bengal Govt Releases Annapurna Bhandar Yojana Notification; Know How To Get Rs. 3,000 Monthly Benefit

The Government of West Bengal has officially notified the launch of the Annapurna Bhandar Yojana, a major women-centric welfare scheme that promises assured monthly financial assistance of Rs. 3,000 for socio-economic upliftment.

The scheme has been introduced by the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare and will officially come into effect from June 1, 2026.

Under the new Annapurna Bhandar Yojana, eligible women across West Bengal will receive Rs. 3,000 every month directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

What Is Annapurna Bhandar Yojana?

Annapurna Bhandar Yojana is the upgraded version of the existing Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, which was introduced by the TMC govt. The new scheme is going to provide higher financial support to women, removing category-based differences that existed earlier.

Currently, Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries receive Rs. 1,700 per month for SC/ST women and Rs. 1,500 per month for women from general categories

However, under the Annapurna Bhandar Yojana, every eligible woman will receive a flat Rs. 3,000 monthly benefit regardless of category. This means beneficiaries could receive an annual assistance of Rs. 36,000 under the new scheme.

The Annapurna Bhandar Yojana was one of the key promises made during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections. The scheme was featured in the BJP's election manifesto "Bhoroshar Shopoth" (Promise of Trust).

During the campaign, the BJP distributed "Matri Shakti Bharosa Cards," also known as "Modi Guarantee Cards," promising Rs. 3,000 monthly assistance to women.

After the formation of the new BJP government West Bengal, the proposal was approved during CM Suvendu Adhikari's first cabinet meeting held on May 11th.

Eligibility For Annapurna Bhandar Yojna

According to the official notification, women must fulfil all eligibility conditions to qualify for the scheme, which include:
1. Applicants must be between 25 and 60 years of age.

2. Women employed in permanent government jobs will not be eligible. This includes:

• Union Government employees
• State Government employees
• Employees of statutory bodies
• Panchayat and municipal staff
• Local body employees
• Teaching and non-teaching staff in government-aided educational institutions

3. Women paying Income Tax are also excluded from the scheme.

How Will The Rs. 3,000 Be Paid?

The financial assistance will be credited directly through DBT into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account.

The government has confirmed that payments under Annapurna Yojana will start from June 1, 2026.

What Happens To Existing Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries?

Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will not need to submit fresh applications. The government has announced automatic migration of beneficiaries from Lakshmir Bhandar to Annapurna Yojana.

However, beneficiaries who have been identified as deceased, shifted, deleted, absentee electors, or flagged during verification exercises may be excluded from the updated database.

The notification also clarified that individuals involved in pending appeals before the SIR Tribunal or applications under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act will continue receiving benefits until legal disposal of their cases.

How To Apply For Annapurna Bhandar Yojana?

For new applicants, the Annapurna Yojana online portal will be launched from June 1, 2026.

Applications can reportedly be submitted through Official online portal, Duare Sarkar camps, BDO offices, Municipality offices and authorised government service centres. Officials said all applications will undergo verification before approval.

Verification Authorities include Block Development Officers (BDOs) in rural areas, Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) in urban areas & Kolkata Municipal Corporation officers within KMC areas. Final approval authority will rest with District Magistrates and the KMC Commissioner.

Documents Required For Annapurna Yojana

Applicants are expected to require the following documents:

• Aadhaar Card
• Voter ID Card
• Ration Card
• Passport-size photograph
• Income Certificate
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Aadhaar-linked bank account details
• IFSC code

Important Tips For Annapurna Yojana Applicants

Women applying for the Annapurna Yojana are advised to use only the official government portal and authorised government centres for registration and updates. Authorities have warned citizens against fake websites, unofficial social media links, and fraudulent agents claiming to offer faster approvals or guaranteed benefits in exchange for money.

The West Bengal government has clarified that the entire scheme operates on a direct-beneficiary model and does not require applicants to pay any registration fee, processing charge, or commission. Applicants should be cautious and avoid sharing Aadhaar, bank account details, or OTPs with unknown individuals or third-party agents.