The West Bengal Government has officially launched the Annapurna Yojana 2026, a landmark women’s welfare scheme that provides ₹3,000 per month directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scheme was launched on Wednesday, with the process of transferring ₹3,000 per month to 28.25 lakh beneficiaries enrolled in the first phase beginning simultaneously.
Also known as the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, this welfare programme is aimed at providing direct financial assistance to eligible women across West Bengal. This article covers everything you need to know — eligibility criteria, online application process, required documents, status check, and important dates.
Annapurna Yojana 2026 – Summary Table
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Yojana / Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026 |
| Launched By | CM Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal |
| Monthly Benefit | ₹3,000 per month |
| Beneficiaries (Phase 1) | 28.25 Lakh Women |
| Total Target Beneficiaries | ~2 Crore |
| Age Eligibility | 25 to 60 Years |
| Application Mode | Online & Offline |
| Official Portal | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
| Application Period | 90 Days from June 1, 2026 |
| Payment Mode | DBT (Direct Bank Transfer) |
| Helpline Number | 82820-82820 |
| Helpline Email | [email protected] |
| Helpline Timing | 9 AM – 6 PM, Monday to Saturday |
| Previous Scheme Replaced | Lakshmir Bhandar |
What is Annapurna Yojana 2026?
The Annapurna Bhandar Scheme is a major electoral promise made during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections. It is a women’s welfare scheme in West Bengal which replaced the existing Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme. The scheme’s main purpose is to provide financial support for women’s empowerment and socio-economic upliftment. The monthly payout is aimed at helping women manage household expenses and support their healthcare needs.
The rollout of this financial assistance scheme was one of the key poll promises of the BJP in this year’s assembly elections. It has replaced the previous TMC Government’s ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme, under which around 2.42 crore women received a maximum of ₹1,500 per month.
The scheme was formally inaugurated at Nabanna by Minister of Urban Development and Minister of Women, Child Development and Social Welfare, Agnimitra Paul, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari present at the event.
Annapurna Yojana vs Lakshmir Bhandar – Key Differences
| Particular | Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme | Annapurna Bhandar Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Benefit | ₹1,500 – ₹1,700 | ₹3,000 |
| Age Eligibility | 24–60 Years | 25–60 Years |
| Beneficiaries | Women from economically weaker households | Women who are not taxpayers or in government employment |
| Current Status | Discontinued | Active from June 1, 2026 |
| Existing Beneficiaries | Previously receiving benefits | To be auto-migrated to new scheme |
| Payout Type | Category-wise payout | Monthly flat payout |
Who Can Apply – Eligibility Criteria
The applicants must fulfill the following criteria to be eligible for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme: must be a woman, must be a permanent resident of West Bengal, must be aged between 25–60 years, must not be income taxpayers, and must not be a permanent or retired government employee or those receiving regular salary or pension from the state or central government, panchayats, statutory bodies, local bodies, municipalities, or government-aided educational institutions.
Eligibility Checklist:
- ✅ Female applicant
- ✅ Permanent resident of West Bengal
- ✅ Age between 25 and 60 years
- ✅ Not an income taxpayer or professional tax payer
- ✅ Not a government employee (state, central, or pension recipient)
- ✅ Must possess a Digital Ration Card (AAY/PHH/SPHH/RKSY categories)
- ✅ Head of Family must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account for DBT
Who is NOT Eligible (Disqualified):
Disqualified applicants include any family member paying Income Tax or Professional Tax, those with ownership of a motorized non-commercial 4-wheeler (car, jeep, tractor), those with a house having 3 or more pucca (concrete) rooms, government employees or those with high landholdings as per RoR records, and families who do not lift monthly ration from the Ration Shop.
How to Apply Online – Step-by-Step Process
The Annapurna Yojana Online Application Link 2026 is now live on the official West Bengal government portal. Applicants can complete the family-level data collection form by logging in with their registered mobile number and district selection.
Official Portal: socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
Online Application Steps:
- Step 1: Visit the official portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
- Step 2: Select your district from the dropdown menu (mandatory before login)
- Step 3: Enter your 10-digit Aadhaar-linked mobile number of the Head of Family
- Step 4: Click “Request OTP” — a 6-digit verification code will be sent via SMS
- Step 5: Enter the OTP to access your dashboard
- Step 6: Navigate to “Family Data Collection” under the Citizen Portal section
- Step 7: Fill in basic information — HOF name (as per Aadhaar), DOB, gender, social category (UR/SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PVTG), and contact number
- Step 8: Upload documents — Aadhaar, Voter Card (EPIC with AC & Part No.), and Bank Details (IFSC, Account Number)
- Step 9: Add family members by clicking “Add Member” and entering Name, DOB, Gender, Relation, Aadhaar for up to 5 members
- Step 10: Complete remaining sections — Ration Card, Assets, Income, Govt Schemes, Children’s school and vaccination details
- Step 11: Tick the Declaration & Consent checkbox
- Step 12: Click “Submit” and download/save a copy of the submitted application for future reference
Important Note: Only one application is allowed per mobile number. No corrections are permitted after final submission.
How to Apply Offline
If you wish to take the offline route, you can get the Annapurna Yojana form from your local block, municipal, or Panchayat office. MLAs will also help beneficiaries fill the forms, while teams under Block Development Officers (BDO) will go door-to-door to assist applicants. The government will also organise a “Janakalyan Shibir” across the state from June 15 to 17, where applicants can submit their Annapurna Yojana application forms.
The chief minister also assured people that those unable to complete the enrolment process on their own would be helped by Government employees at their homes, if necessary.
Offline application centres:
- Block Development Offices (BDO)
- Municipal Offices
- Panchayat Offices
- Designated Government Centres
Documents Required for Annapurna Yojana 2026
Mandatory Documents:
| Document | Who Needs It | Details Required |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | HOF & All Family Members | 12-digit Aadhaar Number |
| Aadhaar-Linked Mobile Number | HOF | For OTP login and portal access |
| Digital Ration Card | Family | Household ID and Card Type (AAY/PHH/SPHH/RKSY) |
| Bank Passbook | HOF & All Adult Members | Bank Name, Account Number, IFSC (must be Aadhaar-linked) |
| EPIC (Voter ID Card) | HOF & All Adult Members | EPIC Number, Assembly Constituency & Part Number |
Additional Documents (If Applicable):
Additional documents include Land Records (latest RoR/Mutation Copy for landholding details), Caste/EWS/Creamy Layer Certificate if claiming category benefits, PAN Card if available, Vehicle Registration Card of any motorized 4-wheeler, and Health Insurance policy details.
For Children (Section F):
- School documents (Grade, School Name, School Type)
- Vaccination Card with Vaccination Card ID
Quick Document Checklist:
- ✅ Aadhaar Card (Self + all members)
- ✅ Voter ID (Self + adult members)
- ✅ Digital Ration Card
- ✅ Bank Passbook (Aadhaar-linked)
- ✅ Land RoR / Mutation Copy
- ✅ Caste / EWS Certificate (if applicable)
- ✅ Children’s Vaccination & School ID
- ✅ PAN Card (if available)
- ✅ Mobile number linked to Aadhaar of HOF
Document File Size: Documents should be between 100–200 KB each. Forms are available in English, Bengali, and Hindi.
How to Check Annapurna Yojana Application Status
Online Method: Visit socialsecurity.wb.gov.in → Click on ‘Track Application’ → Enter your Application Reference Number → View status
Offline Method: Visit your local Block or Municipal office with your acknowledgement receipt to check status in person.
Annapurna Yojana Beneficiary Details
In the first phase, beneficiaries will start receiving ₹3,000 rupees directly into their bank accounts. It is estimated that nearly two crore people will benefit from this scheme overall. After every seven days the list will be updated.
Right after the inauguration, sanction letters were handed over to 100 selected beneficiaries in each block and municipal area. Similarly, 100 beneficiaries in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area also received sanction letters.
The application form collects data for the Head of Family (HOF) and up to 5 family members. Key data collected includes:
| Category | Details Collected |
|---|---|
| Family Identity | Name, DOB, Gender, Aadhaar, Contact No., Address |
| Ration Card | Digital Ration Card Type (AAY, PHH, SPHH, RKSY1/2) |
| Assets | House size (≥3 pucca rooms), Landholding, 4-wheeler ownership |
| Income/Profession | Income Tax / Professional Tax payment, PAN Card |
| Bank Accounts | Aadhaar-linked account details of HOF & adult members for DBT |
| EPIC Details | Voter ID & Part Number for HOF and adult members |
Verification & Selection Process
Final selection is based on verification of family data by the designated official at Block, GP, or Municipality level. An enquiry report is prepared. The official may accept or reject the application based on: correctness of documents versus actual ground reality, asset and income criteria (no 4-wheeler, no income tax), lifting of monthly ration from the shop, and verification of landholding and house size. If discrepancies are found, the applicant is given a chance to respond.
The Government will issue updates every seven days on the number of verified beneficiaries and new enrolments.
Why Fresh Registration? Government’s Explanation
Defending the fresh registration exercise, Chief Minister Adhikari said the Government decided to re-verify beneficiaries after discovering that many people whose names had been permanently deleted from electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision continued to avail benefits under welfare schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar. He said the BJP Government was committed to ensuring that public funds reached only eligible Indian citizens.
Agnimitra Paul added that because massive fraud was detected in the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, the government is exercising extra caution with the Annapurna Yojana.
The chief minister also clarified that persons whose cases were under appeal before tribunals and Hindu refugees from Bangladesh who had applied for citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act can also apply.
Grievance & Helpline Information
The West Bengal Government launched a helpline and email for people to lodge their grievances. People can lodge complaints by dialling 82820-82820 between 9 AM and 6 PM from Monday to Saturday, or by emailing [email protected].
Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal said teams would go door to door to fill out the form, and people can raise objections if someone’s eligibility to receive benefits under the scheme is cancelled.
Scam Alert – Beware of Fraud Websites
Applicants must avoid unofficial “apply now” websites claiming instant registration as it may be a fraud. Always rely on information available on the official website and do not share your personal details unless it is required on that legitimate application route of the scheme.
- Always apply only through socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
- Do not share your OTP or Aadhaar details with anyone
- Beware of agents charging fees for form filling
- Official government camps are FREE of charge
FAQs – Annapurna Yojana 2026
What is the Annapurna Yojana 2026?
Annapurna Yojana 2026 is a West Bengal government welfare scheme that provides ₹3,000 per month directly to eligible women via DBT. It replaced the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
Who is eligible for Annapurna Yojana?
Women aged 25–60 years who are permanent residents of West Bengal, are not income taxpayers, and are not government employees are eligible.
What is the official website for Annapurna Yojana?
The official portal is socialsecurity.wb.gov.in.
How many family members can be added in the form?
The form allows data entry for the Head of Family (HOF) and up to 5 additional family members.
Can I apply offline?
Yes. Forms are available at Block Development Offices, Municipal Offices, and Panchayat Offices. Government teams will also visit homes to assist applicants.
What is the last date to apply?
Beneficiaries have been given 90 days to register under the scheme, starting from June 1, 2026 — making the approximate last date August 30, 2026.
Will Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need to apply again?
Yes. All beneficiaries must complete fresh registration under the Annapurna Yojana. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are expected to be automatically migrated after verification.
What is the helpline number?
Call 82820-82820 between 9 AM and 6 PM, Monday to Saturday, or email [email protected].
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always refer to the official West Bengal government portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in for the latest updates and accurate information.
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