​Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026 application: Check how to apply online, eligibility criteria to get Rs 3,000 monthly assistance​

The West Bengal government has launched Annapurna Yojana, a new financial assistance scheme that provides eligible women monetary benefits through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Under the scheme, beneficiary women will get a monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000. Starting June 1, 2026, the scheme replaces the existing Lakshmir Bhandar programme. All beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar programme will automatically migrate to the new scheme.

Beneficiaries must be between 25 and 60 years of age. The beneficiary should not be in any permanent government employment or receiving a regular salary or pension from the central or a state government, any statutory body, government undertaking, panchayat, municipal corporation or other local body. She should also not be employed, either in a teaching or non-teaching capacity, in any government-aided educational institution. Additionally, she should not be an income taxpayer.

A financial assistance of Rs 3000 per month will be credited directly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the Aadhaar-linked bank account in the name of the beneficiary, with effect from June 1, 2026.

New Annapurna Bhandar beneficiaries can download the form from https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login and track their application status on the website. As per a statement released by the West Bengal government on May 19, 2026, , “For new applicants, an online application facility shall be launched in the Annapurna Yojana portal with effect from 1st of June, 2026.”

Yes, all the existing beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will be migrated to the Annapurna Yojana. Beneficiaries who have filed appeals before the SIR Tribunal or applications under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, will get financial assistance under the new scheme till the disposal of their applications.

The list of beneficiaries excludes individuals who are deceased, have shifted residence, are absentee electors identified during SIR-2026, have been deleted from the electoral rolls after due verification and adjudication, or are found to be ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Duplicate) during voter slip distribution.