Annapurna Yojana For Women In West Bengal: How To Apply For Rs 3,000 Monthly Aid

The West Bengal government is set to initiate the first phase of fund transfer under the newly-introduced Annapurna Yojana, from June 3, 2026. The scheme is for eligible women beneficiaries, who will receive Rs 3,000 in monthly aid directly into their bank accounts. This scheme marks a transition from the existing Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, and the beneficiaries under the existing scheme are expected to automatically transfer to the new scheme to receive the benefit. 

The Annapurna Yojana is one of the government’s electoral promises in the Assembly election. The aim of the scheme is to provide monthly monetary support to women from weaker economic backgrounds to reduce the financial burden on their families. 

The government had through a notification dated May 19, 2026, announced to roll out the scheme effective June 1, 2026, but now the payout will start from June 3, according to a report by PTI. Meanwhile, the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will continue until fully replaced by the new scheme.

How To Apply For The Scheme?

The applicant must be a woman and a permanent resident of West Bengal. Her age should be between 25 and 60 years. The application to avail the scheme’s benefit can be submitted both online and offline. 

Online Submission:

• Visit the official portal of the Annapurna Yojana

• Download the form in your preferred language (English, Bengali, Hindi) by clicking on the ‘Download Annapurna Yojana Form’

• Fill out the form and submit it to the municipality office, panchayat office, or the local block office

Offline Submission:

One can get the physical application form from the local block, municipal, or panchayat office. They can fill and submit it back to them. However, if applicants find it difficult to fill out the 12-page long form, the government would provide support in filling out the same. 

“There is no need to be worried. Our officials will go door-to-door and help women fill out the forms. Do not pay heed to any rumour. We want only genuine beneficiaries to receive the benefits of the scheme,” West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said.

Bank Details Update

At the same time, new applicants or existing beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme must get their bank details updated to receive the direct benefit transfer (DBT). They need to ensure that the bank account details are complete, the account is active, and it is linked to their Aadhaar number to avoid payment failures. For a smooth transition, the beneficiaries can visit the official National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) website and check and verify that their Aadhaar is seeded in the bank account. If not, they can initiate a fresh seeding or change their bank account as well in the Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) portal on the NPCI portal.

In case of a new application, applicants need to submit documents, including Aadhaar, voter ID, address proof, bank account statement or passbook, and a passport-size photograph. 

The long application form has been criticised by many, as the beneficiaries may not be able to fill it out themselves. However, the government has promised to get it done by providing door-to-door assistance.