Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026 is a popular government welfare scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to eligible women beneficiaries. Users frequently search for Annapurna Bhandar Apply Online, Annapurna Bhandar Registration, Annapurna Bhandar Status Check, eligibility criteria, required documents, beneficiary list, payment status, DBT transfer details, West Bengal government schemes, women welfare schemes, and the latest updates related to Annapurna Bhandar Yojana 2026. This scheme is often searched alongside terms such as government schemes for women, financial assistance programs, social welfare benefits, and online application processes.
What is the Annapurna Bhandar Yojana? — At a Glance
There’s some great news for the women of West Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a new welfare scheme after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections – the Annapurna Yojana, formerly known as the Matri Shakti Bharosa Scheme. Under this scheme, eligible women in West Bengal will receive Rs. 3,000 every month directly into their bank accounts – through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scheme officially began on June 1, 2026, and the application form is available from May 27, 2026.
| 📌 Name of the Scheme: Annapurna Bhandara Yojana Annapurna Scheme 📌 Earlier name: Matru Shakti Bharosa Scheme 📌 Launch Date: 1 June 2026 📌 Monthly Benefit: Rs. 3,000 (Direct Bank Transfer) 📌 Target: Women of West Bengal 📌 Application Period: 27 May 2026 se 25 August 2026 (90 din) 📌 Nodal Authority: Women and Child Welfare Department, WB 📌 Official Portal: socialsecurity.wb.gov.in 📌 App Mode: Both Online and Offline |
Background of Annapurna Yojana – Upgrade from Lakshmir Bhandar
Many people are asking – ‘How is this different from Lakshmir Bhandar?’ So let us understand.
Previously, the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme operated in West Bengal, providing women with ₹1,500 to ₹1,700 per month. The new government has replaced that scheme with the Annapurna Bhandar Yojana, increasing the monthly amount to ₹3,000—doubling it!
This decision was taken in the first cabinet meeting of the newly elected WB government on 11 May 2026. An official notification was also issued on 19 May 2026. This scheme was a major electoral promise of the Mamata government—and now it is being fulfilled.
| Comparison | Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme | Annapurna Bhandar Yojana |
| Monthly Benefit | Rs. 1,500 – Rs. 1,700 | Rs. 3,000 |
| Age Eligibility | 25–60 hall | 25–60 hall |
| Transfer Mode | DBT | DBT |
| Status | It is closing | 1 June 2026 se Active |
| Existing Beneficiaries | Currently available | will auto-migrate |
| Application Mode | Online + Offline | Online + Offline |
| Financial Help Type | Category-wise | Fixed Monthly |
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Eligibility – Who Can Apply?
To apply for this scheme, you will have to fulfill these conditions:
• You must be a woman (female applicant is mandatory)
• Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal
• Your age should be between 25 to 60 years
Who cannot apply?
None of the following categories are eligible for this scheme:
• Women who pay Income Tax
• Permanent ya retired government employees
• Jo state/central government, panchayat, municipality ya government-aided educational institution se regular salary ya pension le rahi hain
• Works in a teaching or non-teaching role at a government-aided educational institution
What will happen to Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries?
Everyone wants to know whether those already registered with Laxmi Bhandar will need to fill out a new form. The answer is—they will be auto-migrated. Meaning they won’t need to apply again.
Approximately 22 million people are enrolled in Abhi Lakshmir Bhandar. But the government conducted a re-verification process, in which 3 million people were found ineligible—because their names were permanently removed from the voter list or there were citizenship-related issues. So, in the end, there will be approximately 20 million beneficiaries of the Annapurna Yojana.
Those who were removed have their categories:
• Dead/shifted/deleted/absentee voters during SIR 2026
• Women who were deleted after the draft list
• deleted after adjudication
• ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Duplicate) found during voter slip distribution
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Documents Required
You must have the following documents while applying for this scheme:
• Aadhaar Card (mandatory — Aadhaar-linked bank account required for DBT)
• Voter ID Card
• Residence Proof (Niwas Praman Patra)
• Bank Account Statement ya Passbook
• Passport-size Photographs
Annapurna Bhandar Application Form – How to Download?
The application form is available from May 27, 2026. The government has given a 90-day deadline—that is, you can submit the form until August 25, 2026. The form is available both online and offline.
How to download the online form:
1. Step 1: Visit the official portal – socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
2. Step 2: Click on the ‘Download Annapurna Yojana Form’ button.
3. Step 3: Select your language from English, Bengali or Hindi
4. Step 4: Print the form, fill it and submit it to the local block/municipal/panchayat office
Method of taking the offline form:
Visit your nearest block office, municipal office, or panchayat office. MLAs will help beneficiaries fill out the forms. Teams under the BDO will also go door-to-door to help. A ‘Janakalyan Shibir’ will also be held between June 15 and 17, 2026, where you can submit the forms.
What will have to be filled in the application form?
The following information is sought in the Annapurna Yojana form:
| Section | What are the details? |
| Family Identity | Head of Family ki details, Household ID, Digital Ration Card, family members ki bank aur EPIC details |
| Ration Card / Food Subsidy | Do you have a Digital Ration Card or not, do you collect monthly ration or not, card type |
| Assets | Details of house, land, car, insurance |
| Income / Profession | Does anyone pay income tax, is he a government pensioner, is he GST registered, everyone’s employment and literacy status |
| Other Documents | CAA application status, other ID cards, SIR 2026 tribunal case details if any |
| Social Status | School going children, vaccination status |
| Govt Scheme Benefits | Do you get any other government scheme or not? |
| Declaration | Signature ya thumb impression with consent |
Do not make these mistakes while filling the form
Any mistakes on the form could result in rejection or delay. So keep these things in mind:
• Write your full name exactly as per Aadhaar Card
• Date of Birth DD/MM/YYYY format mein bharo
• Write the address along with the PIN code as per your residence proof
• Enter the active bank account number linked to Aadhaar, correct bank name and IFSC code
• Write annual family income correctly, attach income certificate if required
• Read the Declaration and put your signature or thumb impression.
• Before submitting, double-check the entire form to ensure there are no spelling mistakes.
How to apply for Annapurna Bhandar Scheme online?
The online application process has started from 1 June 2026. Below is the step-by-step guide:
5. Step 1: Open the official portal – visit socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
6. Step 2: Register/Login karein
7. Step 3: Click on ‘New Application’ or ‘Apply Online’ option
8. Step 4: Enter your mobile number and verify with OTP
9. Step 5: Fill the application form with personal and family details
10. Step 6: Required documents upload karein
11. Step 7: Submit the form and note down the Application Reference Number (very important!)
12. Step 8: Wait for verification and approval
How to apply offline?
13. Step 1: Najdeek ke government camp, block office, municipality office ya designated service centre jaayein
14. Step 2: Submit the completed form and self-attested documents
15. Step 3: Take the Acknowledgement receipt – keep it carefully!
16. Step 4: Wait for verification from the relevant department
How to check Annapurna Bhandar Application Status?
This is a very important section of the article—many people search Google for ‘Annapurna Bhandar status check,’ ‘Annapurna Yojana application status,’ or ‘Annapurna Bhandar form status WB.’ So, here’s the full details:
Online Status Check — Step by Step:
17. Step 1: Open the official portal – visit socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
18. Step 2: ‘Track Application’ ya ‘Check Status’ option dhundhein
19. Step 3: Enter your Application Reference Number (which you received when you applied)
20. Step 4: Verify OTP
21. Step 5: The current status of your application will be displayed on the screen – Pending/Approved/Rejected
Offline Status Check:
If you can’t do it online, visit your nearest block or municipal office. Take your acknowledgment receipt with you. The staff at the office will tell you the status.
| ✅ To check the status, be sure to: • Application Reference Number (available at the time of applying) • Registered Mobile Number • Aadhaar number • Knowledge Receipt (for offline) ⚠️ If the status is ‘rejected’, meet your local block officer. |
How to update bank account for Annapurna Bhandar?
DBT payments are only credited to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. Therefore, ensure your bank account is active. If you are already registered with Laxmi Bhandar, check and update your account.
Step 1: First check – Which bank account is linked to Aadhaar?
22. Visit the official website of NPCI – npci.org.in
23. Go to the ‘Customer’ section, then select ‘Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE)’
24. Click on the ‘Aadhaar Mapped Status’ option
25. Enter Aadhaar Number and captcha
26. Verify OTP – Linked bank account details will appear on the screen
Step 2: Bank Account Change/Update Karne Ka Process:
27. Go to the ‘BASE’ section on the NPCI website
28. Click on ‘Aadhaar Seeding/Deseeding’
29. Select the ‘Seeding’ option
30. Select your new bank
31. Seeding type choosen: Fresh Seeding (new), Same bank different account (same bank), or Different bank (another bank)
32. Enter the new account number and confirm.
33. Accept the declaration, enter the captcha, and submit.
34. Verify OTP – update will be successful
Is the new bank account linked or not – how to verify?
Check your ‘Aadhaar Mapped Status’ again on the NPCI website. The name of the new bank will appear if the update was successful. You can also verify this from the ‘Bank Seeding Status’ tab on the myAadhaar portal.
What is the difference between Annapurna Scheme of WB and Rajasthan?
Many people get confused because the name ‘Annapurna Bhandar’ also existed in Rajasthan. But both are different schemes:
| Point | Annapurna Bhandar WB | Annapurna Bhandar Rajasthan |
| Primary Goal | Direct financial help to women | Fair price shops upgrade karna |
| Nature | DBT cash transfer | PPP model at retail level |
| Beneficiaries | Women of West Bengal | BPL card holders / NFSA families |
| Benefit | Rs. 3,000 per month | Subsidised branded consumer goods (oil, dal, ghee etc.) |
| Launch | 1 June 2026 | October 2015 |
| Status | Active from 2026 | Discontinued, relaunch expected 2026 |
Central Government’s Annapurna Scheme (NSAP) – For Senior Citizens
Another central government scheme is Annapurna, which has nothing to do with the West Bengal scheme. This scheme was launched on April 1, 2000, under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
| 📌 Central Annapurna Scheme (NSAP) — Key Details: Launch: 1 April 2000 — Ministry of Rural DevelopmentEligibility: 65+ years old destitute senior citizens who did not get Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Benefit: 10 kg free food grains (rice/wheat) per monthApplication: Offline – through Gram Panchayat or BDO officeSelection: Gram Sabhas select the candidates. |
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme — Latest News & Updates 2026
• The official notification of the WB government was issued on 19 May 2026, which provided complete information on eligibility, application process and beneficiary selection.
• Annapurna Yojana Form is available from 27 May 2026
• The application form can be filled both online and offline.
• The government has given 90 days – deadline: 25 August 2026
• The scheme was officially launched from 1 June 2026
• ‘Janakalyan Shibir’ will be organised between 15-17 June 2026, where people will be able to submit forms
• The existing ~2 crore beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar will auto-migrate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Are Annapurna Bhandar and Annapurna Yojana the same?
Yes, they’re the same thing. The Annapurna Scheme is officially known as the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme. Previously, it was called the Matri Shakti Bharosa Scheme.
Q2. How much money will you get from Annapurna Bhandar?
Eligible women will receive Rs. 3,000 every month directly into their bank accounts – through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Q3. When will Annapurna Bhandar start functioning in West Bengal?
The scheme has officially started from 1 June 2026. The application form is available from 27 May 2026.
Q4. annapurnabhandar.com official website hai?
No! The official website is only socialsecurity.wb.gov.in. Do not trust any other website – it may be fake or misleading.
Q5. Will Lakshmi Bhandar beneficiaries have to fill a new form?
No, those already registered with Laxmi Bhandar will be auto-migrated. But ensure your Aadhaar-linked bank account is active.
Q6. What is required to check the application status?
Application Reference Number (received at the time of application) and registered mobile number. Use the ‘Track Application’ section on the official portal socialsecurity.wb.gov.in.
Q7. Is it necessary to update the bank account?
Yes, if your Aadhaar-linked account is inactive, closed, or incorrect, please update it. DBT payments only come into active Aadhaar-linked accounts.
Conclusion – Annapurna Bhandar Yojana 2026
The Annapurna Bhandar Yojana is a significant support for women in West Bengal. A monthly DBT of Rs. 3,000 helps them manage their household expenses, healthcare, and financial independence. If you’re eligible, fill out the form as soon as possible—the deadline is August 25, 2026.
It’s important to remember that the only official website is socialsecurity.wb.gov.in — don’t share your personal or bank details on any unofficial website. Use the official portal to check your status, too.
This article was written for TalkAaj.com – and the information is current as of June 2026. Keep visiting our website for the latest news related to the scheme.
— TalkAaj.com Team
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