Bengal's Annapurna Yojana Starts June 1: Rs 3,000 Every Month — Who Gets It & How To Apply

Last Updated:May 23, 2026, 11:53 IST

Mamata's Lakshmir Bhandar gave Bengal women Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,700 a month based on category. Adhikari's Annapurna Yojana scraps the categories and doubles it to a flat Rs 3,000.

Bengal has a new scheme that is putting real money directly into women’s hands every month — and it is bigger than anything the state has seen before. The West Bengal government has officially notified the launch of the Annapurna Yojana, promising assured monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000 for women’s socio-economic upliftment. If you or someone you know may be eligible, here is everything you need to know.

A quick note before we begin: There is already a Central Government scheme called ‘Annapurna’, which offers free food grains to senior citizens. Bengal’s new Annapurna Yojana is entirely separate — a women’s financial assistance scheme that puts Rs 3,000 directly into your bank account every month from 1 June 2026.

What Was The Earlier Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, And How Is This Different?

The Mamata Banerjee government had introduced Lakshmir Bhandar in 2021 — also a monthly cash transfer for women. Under the old scheme, general category women received Rs 1,000–Rs 1,500 per month and SC/ST women received Rs 1,200–Rs 1,700.

Annapurna Yojana is the upgraded version, providing higher financial support and removing the category-based differences that existed earlier — meaning general, SC, and ST women all now get the same flat amount of Rs 3,000. That is roughly double or triple what most women were getting before.

All existing beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme will be automatically migrated to Annapurna Yojana from 1 June 2026 and will not be required to submit a fresh application.

Who Can Avail This Scheme?

Only women aged between 25 and 60 years who are permanent residents of West Bengal are eligible. The following are not eligible:

• Income taxpayers, permanent or retired government employees, and those receiving a regular salary or pension from the state or central government, panchayats, statutory bodies, local bodies, municipalities, or government-aided educational institutions.

• Families that own more than 2 hectares of land or pay GST.

How Can You Apply?

Online registration for new applicants is expected to begin from 1 June 2026 through the official Annapurna Yojana Portal. Here is how to go about it:

• Visit the official portal (the old Lakshmir Bhandar portal has already been renamed to the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Portal)

• Enter your Aadhaar number and mobile number to receive an OTP for verification, then enter your ration card number to automatically fetch family and residency data

• Upload required documents — Aadhaar card, bank account details linked to Aadhaar, and proof of residency

• Applications will be verified by Block Development Officers (BDOs) in rural areas and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) in urban areas before benefits are sanctioned

Important: Beware of fake registration websites and unofficial social media links claiming to offer direct registration — wait only for official government communication.

When Does The Money Arrive, And How?

Every eligible Lakshmir Bhandar holder will receive Rs 3,000 directly into their bank account from 1 June 2026. New applicants will follow once the registration portal is fully active. The money comes directly into your Aadhaar-linked bank account — no middlemen, no agents.

Are Other Indian States Doing Something Similar?

Yes — Bengal is part of a much larger national trend. The number of states offering cash transfers to women has grown from just two in 2022-23 to 12 in 2025-26, with these states collectively spending ₹1.68 lakh crore. Here is a quick look at what other states offer:

• Karnataka: Gruha Lakshmi Yojana provides Rs 2,000 monthly to the woman head of BPL families and has benefited over 1.33 crore women as of early 2025.

• Telangana: Mahalakshmi Yojana gives Rs 2,500 per month, a free gas cylinder, and free travel on state buses to eligible women. RSIS International

• Madhya Pradesh: Ladli Behna Yojana offers monthly transfers to married women from lower-income households.

• Maharashtra: Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana supports women aged 21 to 65 with Rs 1,500 monthly, along with three free LPG cylinders annually.

• Jharkhand: CM Maiyan Samman Yojana was raised to Rs 2,500 per month in late 2024.

At Rs 3,000 flat for all categories, Bengal’s Annapurna Yojana is currently among the most generous such schemes in the country.

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