Annapurna Bhandar 2026: ₹3000 for West Bengal Women (Apply)
Government of West Bengal (Cabinet Approved — May 11, 2026)
Official application forms have not been released yet. Do NOT apply on any unofficial website — wait for notification on wb.gov.in.
⭐ Key Highlights
📋 Scheme Overview
Annapurna Bhandar Yojana is West Bengal's landmark new women's welfare scheme, approved by the state cabinet on May 11, 2026, and set to launch on June 1, 2026. It replaces the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme and provides a significantly enhanced monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 directly into the bank accounts of eligible women across West Bengal via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scheme is designed to empower women economically, help them meet daily household expenses, and strengthen their financial independence. With this upgrade, West Bengal's women welfare transfer becomes one of the highest monthly direct cash transfers among all Indian state government schemes.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
- Women who are permanent residents of West Bengal
- Must be the woman head of the household
- Must possess an Aadhaar-linked bank account
- Expected to hold a valid ration card and voter ID
- Targeting low-income, middle-income, and EWS (Economically Weaker Section) women
- Women already enrolled in Lakshmir Bhandar are expected to be automatically upgraded
- Government employees and income taxpayers may be excluded (official notification awaited)
🎁 Benefits & Features
- ₹3,000 per month directly into Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT
- ₹36,000 per year — one of India's highest state women cash transfer schemes
- Upgrade from Lakshmir Bhandar (which gave ₹500–₹1,000/month)
- No middlemen — 100% direct bank transfer
- Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries expected to be upgraded automatically
- Complements Swasthya Sathi health insurance for comprehensive women welfare
- Annual benefit helps with household expenses, children's education, and healthcare
📝 How to Apply — Step by Step
⚠️ Process below is based on government announcements. Official steps will be confirmed at launch on June 1, 2026.
- IMPORTANT: The scheme launches on June 1, 2026 — no official portal or application form is available yet
- Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are expected to be automatically enrolled — no fresh application needed
- New applicants: Wait for the official West Bengal government notification (expected before June 1, 2026)
- Once launched, applications will likely be accepted at Block Development Office (BDO), Sub-Divisional Office (SDO), or dedicated government camps (Duare Sarkar)
- Keep your Aadhaar card linked to your bank account ready — this is mandatory for DBT
- Ensure your ration card and voter ID are updated and valid
- Monitor official updates at wbcdwdsw.gov.in and wb.gov.in
- WARNING: Do NOT apply on any unofficial website — no third-party portal is authorised. Beware of scams.
📄 Documents Required
- 📎Aadhaar card (mandatory — must be linked to bank account)
- 📎Bank passbook showing Aadhaar-linked savings account
- 📎Voter ID Card (for West Bengal residency proof)
- 📎Ration Card (BPL/APL)
- 📎Income Certificate from competent authority (if required)
- 📎Passport-size recent photograph
- 📎Caste Certificate (SC/ST — if applicable for priority)
- 📎Domicile certificate of West Bengal (if not covered by voter ID)
Bookmark this page — portal opens June 1, 2026.