Annapurna Yojana 2026: The Government of West Bengal has launched the Annapurna Yojana to provide a guaranteed monthly cash aid to the qualified women of the entire state. The scheme is run by the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department and provides for a monthly stipend of ₹3,000 using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, which means the payment is transferred directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary. The effort is geared towards improving women’s financial stability and their socio-economic empowerment.
The scheme provides for migration of qualified participants of the existing Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme to Annapurna Yojana as per the required parameters. Meanwhile, the state government has also begun to accept fresh online applications from new eligible applicants through the official Annapurna Yojana portal from 1 June 2026. In this article, you will find complete information about the scheme including benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, online application process, migration rules for existing beneficiaries and answers to most frequently asked questions in simple and easy to understand format.
Annapurna Yojana 2026
| State | West Bengal |
| Implementing Department | Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal |
| Scheme Type | Women Welfare, Women Empowerment, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Financial Assistance | ₹3,000 per month |
| Mode of Payment | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Payment Credit | Aadhaar-linked Bank Account |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Online Application Start Date | 1 June 2026 |
Annapurna Yojana 2026 Overview
The Annapurna Yojana is a welfare initiative introduced by the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal. The scheme has been designed to provide eligible women with assured monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 to support their socio-economic development and promote women’s empowerment.
Under this scheme, the financial assistance is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparent and timely payment.
A key feature of the scheme is that eligible beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme are migrated to Annapurna Yojana, subject to the prescribed conditions. Additionally, new online applications are available from 1 June 2026 through the official Annapurna Yojana Portal.
Annapurna Yojana Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Financial Assistance | ₹3,000 every month |
| Payment Method | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Bank Requirement | Amount is credited only to the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary |
| Objective | Women’s Empowerment and Socio-economic Upliftment |
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy all of the following conditions:
- The applicant must be a woman.
- The applicant must be between 25 years and 60 years of age.
- The applicant must be a resident of West Bengal.
- The applicant must not be employed in any permanent government job receiving regular salary or pension under the following:
- Union Government
- Government of West Bengal
- Statutory Bodies
- Government Undertakings
- Panchayats
- Municipal Bodies
- Local Bodies
- State Government-aided educational institutions (teaching or non-teaching staff)
- The applicant must not be an Income Tax payer.
Important Notes for Existing Beneficiaries
- Existing eligible beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will be migrated to the Annapurna Yojana.
- Migration will not apply to beneficiaries identified as:
- Dead
- Shifted
- Deleted electors
- Absentee electors identified during SIR-2026
- Deleted in the second list after publication of the draft list
- Deleted after adjudication
- ASDD cases found during voter slip distribution
- Beneficiaries who have filed:
- Appeals before the SIR Tribunal, or
- Applications under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act
- Names of deceased and shifted beneficiaries will continue to be removed from the beneficiary list through regular updates.
How to Apply Online
Follow these steps to submit an online application:
| Step | Process |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit the official Annapurna Yojana application portal. |
| Step 2 | Select your district and enter your mobile number. |
| Step 3 | Open the Family Level Data Collection form. |
| Step 4 | Fill in the details of the Head of the Family and all other family members. |
| Step 5 | Upload the required documents. |
| Step 6 | Click ‘Submit’ and save the Application ID for future reference. |
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before submitting the application:
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | JPG/JPEG/PDF/PNG (50KB–200KB) |
| EPIC Card / Voter ID Card | JPG/JPEG/PDF/PNG (50KB–200KB) |
| Ration Card Details | If available |
| PAN Card of Family Members | If available |
| Land Details | If available |
| Swasthya Sathi Card Number | If available |
| Also Read: Annapurna Bhandar DBT Link 2026 |
| Also Read: Annapurna Bhandar Status Check 2026 |
| Also Read: Annapurna Bhandar Online Apply 2026 |
| Also Read: Annapurna Bhandar Status Check Phone Number 2026 |
Key Highlights at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Assistance | ₹3,000 |
| Beneficiaries | Eligible women of West Bengal |
| Age Limit | 25–60 years |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Payment Method | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Bank Requirement | Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Government Employees Eligible | No |
| Income Tax Payers Eligible | No |
| Existing Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries | Migrated subject to prescribed conditions |
| Online Applications Available From | 1 June 2026 |
Conclusion
Annapurna Yojana is a scheme to provide a monthly financial support of Rs 3000 to the qualified women of West Bengal under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. The project is aimed at empowering women and their socio-economic upliftment by ensuring that financial assistance reaches beneficiaries straight into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. Eligible women can apply online from 01.06.2026. Existing eligible Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are transferred to the new plan as per the required parameters.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Annapurna Yojana Online Application Starts | 1 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | Not Announced |
Important Link
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Annapurna Yojana?
- Annapurna Yojana is a Government of West Bengal welfare scheme that provides ₹3,000 per month to eligible women for empowerment and socio-economic upliftment.
Which department implements the scheme?
- The scheme is implemented by the Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal.
Who can apply?
- Women residing in West Bengal who are 25 to 60 years of age and meet all eligibility conditions can apply.
How much financial assistance is provided?
- Eligible beneficiaries receive ₹3,000 every month.
How is the money transferred?
- The financial assistance is transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.
