Annapurna Bhandar Yojana 2026: Complete Guide –
Eligibility, How to Apply, Status Check & Benefits
Scheme Name: Annapurna Bhandar Yojana (Also known as Annapurna Yojana / Matri Shakti Bharosa Scheme/ Laxmi Bhandar)
Launched by: Government of West Bengal – Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare
Official Notification Date: 19 May 2026
Scheme Start Date: 3 June 2026
Monthly Benefit: ₹3,000 via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
Application Deadline: 25 August 2026 (90-day window from 27 May 2026)
Official Portal: socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
/ socialregistry.wb.gov.in
What is Annapurna Bhandar Yojana?
Annapurna Bhandar Yojana is a major women's welfare scheme
launched by the Government of West Bengal in 2026. Under this scheme, eligible
women between the ages of 25 and 60 years receive monthly financial assistance
of ₹3,000 directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through the Direct
Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
The scheme replaces the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme,
which provided ₹1,500–₹1,700 per month. The new scheme doubles the benefit to a
flat ₹3,000 for all eligible women, regardless of social category — removing
the previous SC/ST versus general category difference.
The scheme was officially notified through Notification
No. 2411-WCD/O/AB-4/2026 dated 19 May 2026. It was also widely discussed
before launch under the names "Annapurna Bhandar Scheme,"
"Annapurna Bhandar Prakalpo," and "Matri Shakti Bharosa
Scheme."
On 3 June 2026, the West Bengal government disbursed
the first installment — with more than 28.25 lakh women receiving ₹3,000
directly in their bank accounts on day one. The government's target is to reach
approximately 2 crore women beneficiaries once the full 90-day
registration window closes on 25 August 2026.
Key Highlights at a Glance
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Monthly Benefit |
₹3,000 |
|
Annual Benefit |
₹36,000 |
|
Payment Mode |
DBT to Aadhaar-linked bank account |
|
Age Limit |
25 to 60 years |
|
Applicant Type |
Women only |
|
Application Window |
27 May – 25 August 2026 |
|
Target Beneficiaries |
~2 crore women |
|
First Payment Date |
3 June 2026 |
|
Official Portal |
socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
Annapurna Bhandar Yojana Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, every applicant must carefully check
whether she meets the following eligibility conditions:
Who is Eligible?
- The
applicant must be a woman (only women can apply).
- She
must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- Her
age should be between 25 and 60 years.
- She
must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account for receiving DBT
payments.
- Women
from economically weaker sections without a fixed government income
are the primary target group.
- Existing
Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are automatically migrated — no fresh
application needed (subject to verification).
Who is NOT Eligible? (Exclusion List)
The following categories of women are excluded from the
scheme:
- Women
who are permanent or retired government employees receiving a
regular salary or pension from state/central government, panchayats,
statutory bodies, local bodies, or municipalities.
- Women
employed in a teaching or non-teaching role in any government-aided
educational institution in West Bengal.
- Women
who file Income Tax returns or pay Income Tax.
- Women
who are not permanent residents of West Bengal.
- Lakshmir
Bhandar beneficiaries identified as dead, shifted, deleted, or absentee
electors during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026 of voter
lists.
- Beneficiaries
marked as ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Duplicate) during voter slip
distribution.
Note for Former Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries:
Around 2.20 crore women were enrolled under Lakshmir Bhandar. After government
verification, approximately 30 lakh were found ineligible due to citizenship
issues or removal from voter lists. The remaining ~2 crore eligible
beneficiaries are being automatically migrated to Annapurna Bhandar Yojana.
Benefits of Annapurna Bhandar Yojana
- ₹3,000
per month credited directly to your bank account — no middlemen, no
delays.
- Flat
benefit for all — no distinction between SC/ST and general category
women (unlike Lakshmir Bhandar).
- Annual
income support of ₹36,000 for each eligible woman.
- Freedom
to use the funds for grocery expenses, healthcare, household needs,
children's education, and other daily requirements.
- Automatic
migration for existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries — no paperwork
needed.
- Beneficiary
lists updated every 7 days to add newly verified applicants.
How to Apply for Annapurna Bhandar Yojana Online
New applicants (who were not previously receiving Lakshmir
Bhandar benefits) can apply online through the official portal. Here is the
step-by-step process:
Step 1: Visit the official portal — socialsecurity.wb.gov.in or socialregistry.wb.gov.in
Step 2: On the homepage, click on "Access
Citizen Portal" or "Citizen / Family Login" under the
Public Access section.
Step 3: Select your district from the dropdown
list.
Step 4: Enter your registered mobile number
and click on the OTP option.
Step 5: Enter the OTP received on your mobile number
to complete verification.
Step 6: After OTP verification, the Annapurna
Bhandar Yojana application form will open on your screen.
Step 7: The form is divided into seven sections:
- Basic
Information (name, date of birth, gender, Aadhaar number, voter card
details)
- Ration
Card Details
- Asset
Details
- Income
and Profession Details
- Identity
Documents
- Government
Scheme Benefits
- Family
Identity Details
Step 8: Click "Add Member" to enter
details of other family members if applicable.
Step 9: Upload scanned copies of all required
documents.
Step 10: Carefully review all the entered details
before final submission.
Step 11: Read the declaration and consent statement,
tick the required checkbox, and submit the application.
Step 12: Save the acknowledgement receipt or
application reference number for future status tracking.
Important: Applicants who submitted applications on 3
June 2026 using the earlier format must submit a fresh application using
the newly introduced format.
How to Apply for Annapurna Bhandar Yojana Offline
For those who prefer offline mode or face difficulties with
online applications:
Step 1: Visit the nearest Block Development Office
(BDO), Sub-Divisional Office (SDO), municipality office, KMC office, or any
designated government service centre / Janakalyan Shibir camp.
Step 2: Collect the Annapurna Bhandar application
form free of cost. The form is available in English, Bengali, and Hindi
languages. It can also be downloaded from the official portal.
Step 3: Fill in the 12-page form carefully
across all seven sections with your personal, residential, Aadhaar, family,
income, and bank account details.
Step 4: Attach self-attested copies of all
required documents.
Step 5: Submit the completed form along with
documents at the same BDO/SDO/KMC office.
Step 6: Collect the acknowledgement receipt
and wait for verification.
Verification flow: Rural applications → BDO → District
Magistrate | Urban applications → SDO | KMC area → KMC officers → KMC
Commissioner
Documents Required for Annapurna Bhandar Yojana
Keep the following documents ready before filling the
application form:
- Aadhaar
Card (mandatory for identity and DBT linking)
- Voter
ID Card
- Bank
Passbook (Aadhaar-linked account for DBT)
- Ration
Card details
- Residence
Proof / Address Proof
- Age
Proof (birth certificate, school certificate, etc.)
- Passport-size
photograph
- Income
certificate (if applicable)
- Mobile
number (for OTP verification during online application)
All documents must be self-attested for offline
submission. For online applications, upload clear scanned copies.
How to Check Annapurna Bhandar Yojana Application Status
Online Status Check
Step 1: Visit the official Social Registry West
Bengal portal — socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
Step 2: Log in by selecting your district,
entering your mobile number and the OTP received.
Step 3: Click on "Track Application"
or access the beneficiary status section.
Step 4: Enter your Application Reference Number
and registered mobile number.
Step 5: Complete OTP verification if prompted.
Step 6: Your application status will appear on
the screen. Look for the status: "Beneficiary Active" to
confirm approval.
Offline Status Check
If your status is not visible online, visit your local
Block Development Office (BDO) or municipal office and enquire using your
application receipt number.
The West Bengal government also publishes beneficiary
lists at block, panchayat, and booth levels. Citizens can raise objections
if any ineligible names appear, and eligible applicants who were left out can
reapply.
Annapurna Bhandar Yojana vs Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
|
Feature |
Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme |
Annapurna Bhandar Yojana |
|
Monthly Benefit |
₹1,500 (General) / ₹1,700 (SC/ST) |
₹3,000 (Flat – all categories) |
|
Category Difference |
Yes |
No (Uniform benefit) |
|
Launch Year |
2021 |
2026 |
|
Status |
Replaced |
Active |
|
Application Needed |
Yes |
No (for existing beneficiaries) |
Important Dates
|
Event |
Date |
|
Official Notification |
19 May 2026 |
|
Offline Application Forms Released |
27 May 2026 |
|
Online Application Opens |
3 June 2026 |
|
First Payment Disbursed |
3 June 2026 |
|
Application Deadline |
25 August 2026 |
|
Beneficiary List Updated |
Every 7 days |
Important Links
|
Resource |
Link |
|
Official Portal (Application & Status) |
socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
|
Social Registry Portal |
socialregistry.wb.gov.in |
|
Download Application Form |
Available on official portal in English, Bengali &
Hindi |
|
North 24 Parganas District Form |
north24parganas.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is Annapurna Bhandar Yojana and Annapurna Yojana the
same scheme?
Yes. Both names refer to the same scheme. The government officially notified it
as "Annapurna Yojana" on 19 May 2026. It was earlier discussed under
the names Annapurna Bhandar Scheme and Matri Shakti Bharosa Scheme.
Q2. Do existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need to
apply again?
No. Existing eligible Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are automatically migrated
to Annapurna Bhandar Yojana after verification. No fresh application is
required for them.
Q3. What is the last date to apply for Annapurna Bhandar
Yojana?
The application window is open until 25 August 2026 (90 days from 27 May
2026).
Q4. How will I receive the ₹3,000 monthly benefit?
The amount is transferred directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account
through the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) system every month.
Q5. Can I update my bank account for receiving Annapurna
Bhandar payments?
Yes. Beneficiaries can update their Aadhaar-linked bank account details through
the NPCI Aadhaar Seeding system if required.
Q6. What if my application is rejected?
If your application is rejected, you will receive a reason via your registered
mobile number or the portal. You may be given an opportunity to correct errors
and resubmit.
Q7. What is the Matri Shakti Bharosa Card? Is it
connected to this scheme?
Yes. The Matri Shakti Bharosa Card was a campaign promise card distributed
during the 2026 West Bengal elections. The Annapurna Bhandar Scheme is the
official fulfilment of that promise. Women who filled the trust form may have
their data pre-loaded in the official database.
Q8. What if my name appears incorrectly in the
beneficiary list?
Citizens can raise objections if incorrect names appear on the published
block/panchayat/booth-level beneficiary lists. Eligible applicants who were
excluded can also reapply.
Conclusion
Annapurna Bhandar Yojana is one of the largest direct
benefit transfer schemes for women in West Bengal's history, aiming to reach
approximately 2 crore women with a flat monthly support of ₹3,000. Whether you
are a new applicant or a migrated Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiary, make sure your
Aadhaar-linked bank account is active, your documents are in order, and your
application is submitted before the 25 August 2026 deadline.
For the most accurate and updated information, always refer
to the official government portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in.
Last Updated: June 2026 | Source: Official West Bengal Government Notifications and Public Records