West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026: Benefits, Eligibility, Documents & Application Process
Last Updated: 23 August 2026
The Annapurna Bhandar, officially known as the Annapurna Yojana, is a new women-focused welfare scheme of the Government of West Bengal. The scheme aims to provide regular financial assistance to eligible women and promote their economic and social empowerment.
According to the official West Bengal Government scheme information, eligible women can receive ₹3,000 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
What Is Annapurna Bhandar Yojana?
Annapurna Bhandar, officially named Annapurna Yojana, was introduced by the Government of West Bengal as a monthly financial assistance programme for eligible women aged between 25 and 60 years.
The scheme provides ₹3,000 per month, which is intended to offer greater financial support and help women meet household and personal expenses.
The official notification states that the financial assistance is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT, with the scheme taking effect from 1 June 2026.
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026 – Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Annapurna Yojana |
| Popular Name | Annapurna Bhandar |
| State | West Bengal |
| Target Beneficiaries | Eligible women |
| Age Limit | 25–60 years |
| Monthly Assistance | ₹3,000 |
| Annual Assistance | ₹36,000 |
| Payment Method | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Bank Account | Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Scheme Start | 1 June 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online and designated government offices |
The official West Bengal Government website confirms the ₹3,000 monthly benefit and identifies Aadhaar Card, EPIC/Voter ID and an active mobile number among the mandatory documents.
Who Is Eligible for Annapurna Bhandar?
A woman generally needs to satisfy the following conditions to qualify:
- She must be a resident of West Bengal.
- Her age should be between 25 and 60 years.
- She must not be in permanent government employment receiving a regular salary or pension from the specified government bodies.
- She must not be an income-tax payer.
- Other conditions specified by the government and the verification process must also be satisfied.
Applicants should always check the latest official notification and portal before submitting an application because eligibility rules and verification requirements can be updated.
How Much Money Will Beneficiaries Receive?
Eligible beneficiaries are entitled to receive ₹3,000 every month.
That means the yearly financial assistance can amount to:
₹3,000 × 12 months = ₹36,000 per year
The money is designed to be transferred directly into the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents and information ready:
- Aadhaar Card
- EPIC/Voter ID Card
- Active Mobile Number
- Bank account details
- Other supporting documents required during verification
The official West Bengal Government scheme page specifically lists EPIC/Voter ID, Aadhaar Card and an active mobile number as mandatory documents.
How to Apply for Annapurna Bhandar Online?
The Government of West Bengal has provided an online facility for the Annapurna Yojana through its official portal.
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Go to the official Annapurna Yojana portal:
Official Annapurna Yojana Portal
The portal is operated for the Government of West Bengal and is designed and maintained by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
Step 2: Complete the Required Information
Applicants need to provide the requested personal, family and identification details in the prescribed application/data-collection form.
Step 3: Provide Supporting Documents
Enter the required information and provide the necessary documents, including Aadhaar and EPIC/Voter ID details.
Step 4: Verification
Applications are subject to official verification. In rural areas, the process involves the Block Development Officer (BDO), while in urban areas it involves the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO). Within Kolkata Municipal Corporation areas, the verification process is handled by the relevant KMC officials.
Step 5: Approval and DBT Payment
After successful verification and sanction, eligible beneficiaries receive the financial assistance through DBT into their Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Can Existing Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries Get Annapurna Yojana?
The official notification provides for the migration of existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries to the Annapurna Yojana, subject to the exclusions and verification conditions specified in the notification.
Therefore, existing beneficiaries should check their status through the official system rather than submitting unnecessary duplicate applications.
How to Check Annapurna Bhandar Application Status?
The official Annapurna Yojana portal provides a facility to track applicant status. Applicants can use the official portal and the registered mobile number/details required by the system.
The government portal currently provides options related to applicant-status tracking and downloading the Annapurna Yojana form.
Important Things to Remember
Applicants should be careful while applying for the scheme.
- Use only official West Bengal Government portals.
- Do not share your OTP, password or sensitive banking information with unknown persons.
- Do not pay an agent simply because they claim they can guarantee approval.
- Make sure your Aadhaar and bank information are correct.
- Keep your application/reference details safely.
- Check your application status through the official portal.
- Eligibility is subject to government verification.
The official Annapurna portal is maintained by the Government of West Bengal/NIC, and the government advises users to rely on the information provided through official channels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Annapurna Bhandar in West Bengal?
Annapurna Bhandar is the commonly used name for the West Bengal Government’s Annapurna Yojana, a monthly financial assistance scheme for eligible women.
How much money is given under Annapurna Bhandar?
Eligible beneficiaries receive ₹3,000 per month, subject to the scheme’s eligibility and verification requirements.
What is the age limit?
The official scheme information specifies an age range of 25 to 60 years.
Is the money transferred directly to the bank account?
Yes. The official notification states that the ₹3,000 assistance is transferred through DBT to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Where can I apply?
Applications can be submitted through the official Annapurna Yojana online system. The government also states that the Family Level Data Collection form can be submitted through BDO offices, SDO offices and designated KMC ward offices.
Is Annapurna Bhandar the same as a ration scheme?
No. The current Annapurna Yojana discussed in this article is a financial assistance scheme for eligible women. It should not be confused with older food-distribution references to Annapurna ration cards under West Bengal’s Public Distribution System.
Conclusion
The West Bengal Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026, officially called the Annapurna Yojana, is an important women-oriented financial assistance programme. Eligible women aged 25–60 can receive ₹3,000 per month, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions and government verification.
For applications, status checks and the latest information, beneficiaries should rely on the official Government of West Bengal Annapurna Yojana portal rather than unofficial websites or social-media posts.
Official Portal: socialregistry.wb.gov.in