Government of West Bengal
Annapurna Bhandar Yojana 2026: ₹3,000/Month, Apply Online
Objective
Annapurna Bhandar Yojana is the BJP government's flagship women welfare scheme in West Bengal, replacing the TMC's Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. It provides ₹3,000 per month to eligible women aged 25 to 60 via Direct Benefit Transfer. Nearly double the amount under the previous scheme. All 2 crore existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are being automatically migrated to Annapurna Bhandar.
Eligibility Criteria
- Women residents of West Bengal aged between 25 and 60 years
- Must be listed on the West Bengal voter list (electoral roll)
- Must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account in own name
- Must not be an income taxpayer
- Must not be a permanent or retired government employee (Central, State, Panchayat, Municipality, Government Undertakings, or government-aided institutions)
- Must not receive a regular government salary or pension
- Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are automatically migrated. No fresh application needed for them
Benefits & Features
- 1₹3,000 per month direct financial assistance (up from ₹1,500 to 1,700 under Lakshmir Bhandar)
- 2Payment via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank account
- 3Approximately 2 crore women across West Bengal to benefit
- 4All existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries migrated automatically
Required Documents
- Aadhaar card
- West Bengal domicile or voter ID with WB address
- Bank account passbook (Aadhaar-linked)
- Age proof (Aadhaar or birth certificate confirming age 25 to 60)
- Self-declaration of not being a government employee or income taxpayer
- Passport-size photograph
How to Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
| Did Mamata Banerjee launch Annapurna Bhandar Yojana? | No. Annapurna Bhandar was launched by the BJP government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who took oath on May 9, 2026. Mamata Banerjee had launched the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. Annapurna Bhandar replaces Lakshmir Bhandar with a higher monthly amount of ₹3,000. |
| I am already enrolled in Lakshmir Bhandar. Do I need to apply again? | No. All existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are being automatically migrated to Annapurna Bhandar. Except those identified as deceased, shifted, or deleted from voter rolls. You will start receiving ₹3,000 instead of the previous amount. |
| What is the age limit for Annapurna Bhandar Yojana? | Women between 25 and 60 years of age are eligible. Women below 25 or above 60 do not qualify under this scheme. |
| Can a government employee's wife apply? | No. Women who are themselves permanent or retired government employees, or those receiving a regular government salary or pension, are not eligible. However, a non-employed wife of a government employee may be eligible. The restriction applies to the woman applicant, not her husband's employment. |
Official Portal & Helpline
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1What Is Annapurna Bhandar Yojana?
After the BJP won the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election and Suvendu Adhikari took oath as Chief Minister on May 9, 2026, one of the first decisions of the new government was to replace Mamata Banerjee's Lakshmir Bhandar scheme with a new, higher-value scheme called Annapurna Bhandar Yojana.
The scheme provides eligible women in West Bengal ₹3,000 per month directly to their bank account. Nearly double what Lakshmir Bhandar was giving (₹1,500 to 1,700/month). The scheme went live on June 1, 2026, and online applications opened on June 3, 2026.
Mamata Banerjee launched Lakshmir Bhandar (TMC). Suvendu Adhikari launched Annapurna Bhandar (BJP). These are two different schemes. Don't confuse them.
2How Much Is the Benefit?
| Scheme | Monthly Amount | Government |
|---|---|---|
| Lakshmir Bhandar (old) | ₹1,000 to 1,700/month | TMC (Mamata Banerjee) |
| Annapurna Bhandar (new) | ₹3,000/month | BJP (Suvendu Adhikari) |
All approximately 2 crore existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are being automatically migrated to Annapurna Bhandar. If you were receiving Lakshmir Bhandar, you do not need to apply again.
3Who Is Eligible?
You must meet all of the following:
- Age: 25 to 60 years old
- Residence: Permanent resident of West Bengal
- Not an income taxpayer (no ITR filing)
- Not a government employee. Permanent, retired, or currently drawing government salary/pension
- Not in aided education. Not working as a teacher or non-teaching staff in government-aided schools/colleges
If you were eligible for Lakshmir Bhandar, you are likely eligible for Annapurna Bhandar too.
4How to Apply
If you were a Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiary: No action needed. The government is migrating you automatically. Your ₹3,000 will start coming to the same bank account.
If you are a new applicant:
Online (from June 3, 2026):
- Visit socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
- Click on Annapurna Bhandar Yojana application
- Login with Aadhaar and OTP
- Fill your details and upload documents
- Submit before the 90-day window closes (~August 29, 2026)
Offline:
- Collect form from your local Gram Panchayat or Municipality office (forms available from May 27, 2026)
- Fill and submit with Aadhaar, bank passbook, and age proof
5What Happened to Lakshmir Bhandar?
Lakshmir Bhandar was launched by CM Mamata Banerjee (TMC) and provided:
- ₹500/month initially for general category women
- ₹1,000/month for SC/ST women
- Later increased to ₹1,000 to 1,700/month
After BJP won the 2026 election, Annapurna Bhandar replaced it with a uniform ₹3,000/month for all eligible women, regardless of caste category.
6Application Deadline
The 90-day enrolment drive runs from June 1 to approximately August 29, 2026. Don't miss this window if you are a new applicant. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are exempt from this deadline.