Annapurna Yojana: who qualifies for West Bengal's ₹3,000-a-month scheme for women
West Bengal's Annapurna Bhandar scheme pays eligible women ₹3,000 a month by direct bank transfer, replacing the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
Jun 3, 2026 | West Bengal
What it provides
Annapurna Bhandar (also called Annapurna Yojana, and earlier proposed as Matri Shakti Bharosa) is a West Bengal government scheme that pays eligible women ₹3,000 every month — ₹36,000 a year — transferred directly into an Aadhaar-linked bank account. It took effect on 3 June 2026 and replaces the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
Who's eligible
Applicants must be women aged 25 to 60, permanent residents of West Bengal with valid residence documentation, and Indian citizens. Women in permanent government service, or already receiving a regular salary or pension from a Union or West Bengal government body, are not eligible.
Documents required
Applicants generally need an Aadhaar card, a Voter ID to verify permanent residency in West Bengal, a single-holder bank account, a Ration Card to verify family and economic details, and a registered mobile number, alongside standard identity and residence proof.
How to apply
Applications are accepted through the West Bengal Social Registry Portal, with an offline route also available. The state government has said the registration window, running for 90 days, closes on 25 August 2026, after which the beneficiary pool is expected to stabilise at around 2 crore women statewide.
FAQs
Is Annapurna Bhandar the same as Lakshmir Bhandar?
No — it's a separate, newer scheme that replaces Lakshmir Bhandar, with its own ₹3,000/month benefit amount and eligibility criteria.
Can a woman already receiving a state pension apply?
Generally no — the scheme excludes women in permanent government service or already drawing a regular government salary or pension.
What happens after the registration window closes?
The state has said the beneficiary pool will stabilise once the 90-day registration window ends on 25 August 2026; further additions would depend on future application windows the government may open.
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