Summary of this article
Annapurna Yojana’s September instalment will provide Rs 3,000.
Eligible women will receive payments through Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
The scheme covers eligible women aged 25 to 60.
The West Bengal government has announced the schedule for the next instalment under the Annapurna Yojana, the state’s monthly financial assistance scheme for eligible women. The payment will be made directly to beneficiaries through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) system. The September instalment of Rs 3,000 will be credited to eligible beneficiaries on September 17, 2026.
The announcement was made by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, with the payment scheduled to reach beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. The date also coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, with the state planning to observe the occasion as Annapurna Divas.
What Is Annapurna Bhandar Scheme
Annapurna Yojana was introduced by the West Bengal government in 2026 as a monthly financial assistance programme for women. Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive Rs 3,000 every month through DBT.
The scheme came into effect from June 1, 2026. Existing beneficiaries of the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme were moved to Annapurna Yojana, subject to verification and the eligibility conditions applicable under the new scheme.
The assistance is deposited into the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account. This means that beneficiaries need an active bank account with the required Aadhaar and DBT linkage for the money to be credited successfully.
Who Is Eligible For The Scheme
According to the state government notification, women between 25 and 60 years of age can qualify for Annapurna Yojana, subject to the other conditions. The beneficiary must be a resident of West Bengal and should not be in permanent government employment, or receive a regular government salary or pension from the Centre, state government, statutory bodies, government undertakings, panchayats, municipalities or local bodies.
Women working as teaching or non-teaching staff in state government-aided educational institutions are also covered by the government’s exclusion criteria. The notification also specifies that an income taxpayer cannot receive the monthly assistance.
The government has also provided additional eligibility details during the rollout of the scheme. These include income-related conditions for applicants. Women earning more than Rs 10,000 a month or belonging to families with annual income above Rs 12 lakh have been excluded under the criteria announced for the scheme.
What If The Money Does Not Reach The Account
A beneficiary may not receive the instalment if there is a mismatch in personal details, an invalid bank account, incomplete verification, or an issue with Aadhaar-linked DBT. Beneficiaries can check whether their bank account details and other records are correctly linked.
The state has also provided a helpline for beneficiaries facing payment-related problems. Applicants whose details need correction or whose applications require further verification may need to approach the relevant administrative office for assistance.
The September payment is the latest scheduled transfer under Annapurna Yojana, with eligible beneficiaries due to receive the monthly Rs 3,000 assistance through the DBT system.
