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Important Educational Notice: This is an independent information portal. We are NOT associated with the West Bengal Government, Ministry of Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, or any other government authority. All guidelines and links provided here are for educational purposes. For official submissions, always refer to the official portal linked below.
West BengalWomen Empowerment

Annapurna Bhandar

Managed by: Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare (Directorate of Social Welfare)

Apply via Official PortalTrack Application

About the Scheme

Annapurna Bhandar is West Bengal's flagship women's welfare scheme launched in 2026, replacing Lakshmir Bhandar. It provides a uniform monthly direct cash assistance of Rs. 3,000 to eligible women to support household expenses.

Welfare Benefits & Assistance

  • •Monthly financial assistance of Rs. 3,000 transferred directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account
  • •Helps cover essential household needs like groceries, medicine, and children's education
  • •Promotes women's financial independence and family economic stability
  • •Seamless Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) with no middleman involvement

Eligibility Criteria

State ResidencyMust be a permanent resident of West Bengal
Age LimitsAged between 25 and 60 years
Family Income CapShould belong to a low-income or EWS family, and must not be an Income Tax payer
Social Class / CategoryOpen to all categories (General, SC, ST, OBC)

Additional Prerequisites

  • Must be a female resident
  • Must possess a valid Digital Ration Card
  • Must have an active bank account linked to Aadhaar for DBT payments
  • Must not be a regular or retired government employee receiving salary or pension

Documents Required for Application

Tip: Keep scanned color copies of these documents ready before starting your application.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)

1

Visit the official Social Registry Portal (socialregistry.wb.gov.in)

2

Click on the 'Access Citizen Portal' option on the homepage

3

Select your district from the dropdown list

4

Enter your registered mobile number and request a verification OTP

5

Enter the OTP to access the online application form

6

Fill in all personal, ration card, assets, income, identity, and family details (7 sections)

7

Upload required documents (Aadhaar, Voter ID, passbook)

8

Read the declaration and submit the form to receive a Temporary Application ID

Who Should Apply?

  • ✓Women residents of West Bengal aged between 25 and 60 years
  • ✓Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries seeking migration verification
  • ✓Women from economically weaker or low-income households with valid ration cards

Who Should NOT Apply?

  • ✗Government employees or retirees receiving regular pension benefits
  • ✗Non-residents of West Bengal or applicants under 25 or over 60 years of age
  • ✗Income Tax payers or those from households exceeding the EWS income thresholds

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the monthly assistance amount under Annapurna Bhandar?
Eligible women receive a direct cash transfer of Rs. 3,000 every month directly in their bank accounts.
Does the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme replace Lakshmir Bhandar?
Yes, it replaces the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, migrating all eligible female beneficiaries to a higher uniform rate of Rs. 3,000 per month.
How can I check my Annapurna Bhandar application status?
You can check status online by logging into the Social Registry Portal (socialregistry.wb.gov.in) with your registered mobile number and an OTP.
Can a government pensioner apply?
No. Regular or retired government employees receiving salaries or government pensions are ineligible.

Related Welfare Schemes

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Lakshmir Bhandar

Who Can Apply:

Women aged 25-60 who are the head of their household in West Bengal

Key Benefits:
•Monthly direct cash transfer of Rs. 1,000 to General category female heads of households
•Monthly direct cash transfer of Rs. 1,200 to SC/ST category female heads of households
Updated: July 2026
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Who Can Apply:

SC/ST residents aged 60+ in West Bengal

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Who Can Apply:

Unmarried girls aged 13-18 in WB

Key Benefits:
•K1: Annual scholarship of Rs. 1,000 for girls aged 13-18
•K2: One-time grant of Rs. 25,000 upon turning 18 (if unmarried and in education)
Updated: July 2026
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Who Can Apply:

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Key Benefits:
•One-time financial grant of Rs. 25,000 for marriage expenses
•Credited to the bride's bank account
Updated: June 2026
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Scheme Details

State / CentralWest Bengal
AuthorityDirectorate of Social Welfare
SubcategoryDirect Benefit Transfer
Launch Date1 June 2026
Target Beneficiarywomen
Official Helpline1800-345-5505 (Toll-Free)
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