Annapurna Bhandar is a monthly financial assistance scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal in 2026. Under this scheme, eligible women across the state receive ₹3,000 every month directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
The scheme is officially called the Annapurna Bhandar Prakalpo and is also referred to as Annapurna Yojana or the Matri Shakti Bharosa Card Scheme in various government communications. It is administered by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal.
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme — Key Highlights at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Bhandar Prakalpo (Annapurna Yojana) |
| Launched By | Government of West Bengal |
| Implementing Department | Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, WB |
| Who Can Apply | Women aged 25–60 years, permanent residents of West Bengal |
| Monthly Benefit | ₹3,000 per month |
| Annual Benefit | ₹36,000 per year |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| First DBT Payment | June 1, 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online and Offline both available |
| Online Application Start | June 3, 2026 |
| Offline Application Start | May 27, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | August 25, 2026 |
| Application Fee | Zero — completely free |
| Official Portal | https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login |
| Helpline Number | 1800-345-5505 (Toll-Free) |
Annapurna Bhandar Eligibility Criteria 2026
Before visiting the official Annapurna Bhandar govt portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in, every applicant must confirm she meets all eligibility conditions. Applying without meeting these conditions will result in direct rejection.
Who Is Eligible for Annapurna Bhandar
Only women can apply for this scheme — it is exclusively for women. The applicant must be a permanent resident of West Bengal. Women from other states, even if they currently live in West Bengal, are not eligible.
The applicant must be between 25 and 60 years of age at the time of submitting the application. She must hold an active, single-holder bank account that is linked to her Aadhaar card and registered on the NPCI mapper so that DBT payments can flow into the correct account without failure.
Families holding a BPL, AAY, or PHH ration card are clearly eligible. The scheme is intended for women belonging to economically weaker or low-income households. The applicant must not be an income tax payer and must not be a regular government employee or pensioner.
Who Is NOT Eligible for Annapurna Bhandar
A woman is disqualified if she or any member of her household pays income tax. Permanent government employees — whether state, central, or local body — cannot apply under any circumstances. Retired government employees receiving a regular pension from any government department, panchayat, municipality, statutory body, or government-aided educational institution are also excluded.
Women employed in teaching or non-teaching roles at any government-aided educational institution in West Bengal do not qualify. Women who own more than 2 hectares of agricultural land or whose family is GST-registered are generally ineligible. Women above 60 years of age do not qualify for Annapurna Bhandar, though they may be eligible for other state pension schemes. They are encouraged to visit their local BDO office for guidance.
If you are uncertain about your eligibility, visit your nearest Block Development Office (BDO) or gram panchayat office and speak to a government official before applying. It is always better to confirm first than to face rejection later.
Annapurna Bhandar vs Lakshmir Bhandar — Full Comparison
Annapurna Bhandar is the official successor to the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme run by the previous West Bengal government. Here is a clear side-by-side comparison of both schemes.
| Feature | Lakshmir Bhandar | Annapurna Bhandar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Benefit (General Category) | ₹1,500 | ₹3,000 |
| Monthly Benefit (SC/ST Category) | ₹1,700 | ₹3,000 |
| Annual Benefit | ₹18,000 – ₹20,400 | ₹36,000 |
| Caste-Based Difference | Yes — different amounts by category | No — flat ₹3,000 for every eligible woman |
| Age Eligibility | 25 – 60 years | 25 – 60 years |
| Payment Mode | DBT to Aadhaar-linked bank account | DBT to Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Current Status | Discontinued from June 1, 2026 | Active from June 1, 2026 |
| Existing Beneficiaries | Auto-migrated to Annapurna Bhandar | Receiving ₹3,000 if Aadhaar-bank is active |
Most existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are being automatically migrated to the Annapurna Bhandar system and do not need to submit a fresh application. However, their Aadhaar-linked bank account must be active and correctly mapped on the NPCI portal. If your May 2026 payment shows as “pending” or “error” on the status portal, it is almost certainly an NPCI bank mapping issue — not a rejection. Fixing your NPCI Aadhaar-bank mapping will resolve this immediately.
Documents Required for Annapurna Bhandar Registration
Gathering all documents before opening the Annapurna Bhandar govt portal link is essential. Missing or mismatched documents are the number one cause of delays and rejections.
Aadhaar Card: Your Aadhaar card must be linked to your current mobile number because OTP verification is mandatory during online registration. The name on your Aadhaar must match the name on your bank account exactly. Even a small spelling difference — such as “Rima” vs “Reema” — will cause your DBT payment to fail.
Voter ID Card: This is the primary document used to prove your permanent residency in West Bengal. Your Voter ID must show your current West Bengal address.
Bank Passbook or Statement: Your bank account must be active, single-holder, and linked to your Aadhaar card. It must also be registered on the NPCI Aadhaar mapper. Joint accounts are not accepted for DBT payments — you need an individual account in your name only.
Ration Card (BPL / AAY / PHH): A valid ration card helps establish household eligibility. Your name must appear on the card. If you do not have a ration card, apply for one first at your nearest ration office before registering for this scheme.
Passport-Size Photographs: Keep two to three recent passport-size photographs ready — one for online upload and at least one for offline submission if needed. A white background is preferred.
Income Certificate: Some blocks may require an income certificate to confirm that the household falls within the economically weaker section. Check with your local BDO office about this specific requirement in your area.
Domicile Certificate (if required): If your Voter ID address does not match your current residence address, you may need a domicile certificate as additional residency proof.
Caste Certificate: Required for SC/ST/OBC applicants for official category records during application.
Before you apply, visit your bank branch and ask the staff to confirm that your Aadhaar is seeded to your account and that the account is registered on the NPCI mapper. This one step alone prevents the most common payment failure and saves you from multiple follow-up visits to government offices.
How to Apply Online for Annapurna Bhandar — Step-by-Step
The official online application portal became active on June 3, 2026, at https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login. Applicants who submitted their form on June 3, 2026 using the older format must submit a fresh application using the updated form currently available on the portal.
Step 1: Open your browser and go to the official Annapurna Bhandar govt portal at https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login. Always check the URL carefully before entering any personal information. Never apply through any third-party website.
Step 2: On the homepage, click on the “Access Citizen Portal” option. You will be redirected to a new page where you must select your district from the dropdown list.
Step 3: Enter your registered mobile number in the field provided and click the OTP option. Enter the OTP received on your mobile number to verify your identity. If no OTP arrives, your mobile number is not linked to your Aadhaar card — visit your nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra to update it first. This update can take three to five working days.
Step 4: After OTP verification, the Annapurna Bhandar online application form will open on your screen. The form has seven sections — Basic Information, Ration Card Details, Asset Details, Income and Profession Details, Identity Documents, Government Scheme Benefits, and Family Identity Details. All sections must be completed.
Step 5: Start with your Basic Information — full name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card, date of birth, gender, category, Aadhaar number, Voter ID number, mobile number, address, and bank account details including account number and IFSC code.
Step 6: Enter your Ration Card details. The system will automatically pull your family details and address from the state database. Verify all auto-filled details carefully before proceeding.
Step 7: Complete the remaining sections — Asset Details, Income and Profession Details, Identity Documents, Government Scheme Details, and Family Identity Details. Enter all information accurately.
Step 8: Upload clear scanned copies or photographs of your Aadhaar card, Voter ID, bank passbook, and passport-size photograph. Files are accepted in JPG or PDF format, under 1 MB per file. Make sure every uploaded document is clearly readable — blurry or cut-off uploads are a common cause of rejection.
Step 9: Review every field carefully one final time before submitting. Double-check your name spelling, Aadhaar number, bank account number, and IFSC code. Read the declaration statement, tick the checkbox, and click the Submit button.
Step 10: After successful submission, note down your Application Reference Number. This number is also sent to your registered mobile as an SMS. Save or screenshot it immediately — you will need it to track your application status.
How to Apply Offline for Annapurna Bhandar
Women who are not comfortable using the internet or a smartphone can apply through the offline process. The West Bengal government has made multiple offline options available across the state.
BDO or SDO Office: Visit your nearest Block Development Office (BDO) or Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) office. Carry all your original documents along with self-attested photocopies. Government officials there will help you fill the form and submit your application. Collect your acknowledgement receipt after submission — this receipt contains your reference number.
Gram Panchayat or Municipal Office: You can also submit your offline application directly at your local gram panchayat office or municipal office. Elected MLAs have been directed by the government to actively assist women in their constituencies with the registration process.
Janakalyan Shibir Camps: The West Bengal government organised special Janakalyan Shibir camps from June 15 to June 17, 2026, across the state. Women could directly submit their forms at these government camps without visiting a BDO office.
Door-to-Door BDO Assistance: BDO teams have been directed to visit homes in their jurisdiction and help applicants complete and submit their forms. Ask your local panchayat when a door-to-door team will visit your area if you are unable to travel.
The Annapurna Bhandar application form is available free of cost in English, Bengali, and Hindi from the official portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in. Physical copies can also be collected at no charge from any BDO office, gram panchayat office, or municipal office.
How to Check Annapurna Bhandar Application Status
After submitting your application — whether online or offline — you can track its progress at any time.
Online Status Check: Visit the official portal at https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login. Enter your registered mobile number, complete the captcha, and click Search. The portal will display your current application status — Pending, Under Verification, Approved, Payment Processed, or Error.
Offline Status Check: Take your acknowledgement receipt to your local BDO or municipal office. Show it to the staff and they will look up your application in their system and tell you the current position.
If your status shows Pending, your application has been received and verification has not yet started. If it shows Approved, your DBT transfer will be processed on the next payment date. If it shows Error, your Aadhaar-bank mapping needs to be updated through the NPCI portal. If it shows Rejected, check the reason — most rejections due to document errors can be corrected and resubmitted before the August 25, 2026 deadline.
How to Update Bank Account for Annapurna Bhandar DBT
All Annapurna Bhandar payments go directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT. If your linked account is inactive, closed, or incorrectly mapped, your ₹3,000 monthly payment will not reach you.
Step 1 — Check Your Currently Linked Bank Account
Open the official NPCI website at npci.org.in. Go to the Consumer section in the top menu and click on “Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE).” Select “Aadhaar Mapping Status.” Enter your Aadhaar number and the captcha code, then click Check Status. Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number. The portal will display the bank account currently linked to your Aadhaar along with its DBT status.
Step 2 — Update or Change Your Bank Account
Return to the BASE portal homepage and click on “Aadhaar Seeding / De-Seeding.” Enter your Aadhaar number and select the Seeding option. Choose your new bank from the list. Now select the seeding type that applies to your situation.
If no bank account was ever linked to your Aadhaar before, select Fresh Seeding. If you want to change to a different account number within the same bank, select Movement — Same Bank, Another Account. If you want to switch your DBT payments to a completely different bank, select Movement — One Bank to Another Bank.
Enter your new bank account number carefully and re-enter it for confirmation. Accept the declaration, enter the captcha, and click Submit. Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number to confirm the update. The portal will then display your updated Aadhaar bank mapping status.
After a successful update, all future DBT payments — including your monthly ₹3,000 from Annapurna Bhandar — will go to the new account. The update typically reflects within one to three working days. You can also complete this process by visiting your bank branch in person if you are not comfortable using the NPCI portal online.
Important Dates — Annapurna Bhandar 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 11, 2026 | Cabinet approval of Annapurna Bhandar Scheme |
| May 19, 2026 | Official government notification released |
| May 27, 2026 | Offline application forms made available |
| June 1, 2026 | Scheme launch — first DBT payment of ₹3,000 released |
| June 3, 2026 | Online application portal activated on socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
| June 15–17, 2026 | Janakalyan Shibir camps held across West Bengal |
| August 25, 2026 | Last date to submit Annapurna Bhandar application |
Do not miss the August 25, 2026 deadline. Submitting after this date means losing your monthly ₹3,000 benefit for the entire period you delayed.
Beware of Scams and Fake Websites
Annapurna Bhandar is a completely free government scheme. No fee is charged at any stage — not for registration, not for form download, not for status checking, and not for document verification.
If any agent, website, or individual asks you to pay ₹200, ₹500, or any amount to “process” your application, they are running a fraud. If someone asks for your OTP to “register you” for the scheme, never share it — OTP sharing leads to bank account fraud. Always check that the website URL is exactly socialsecurity.wb.gov.in before entering any personal information. A different or slightly modified URL means you are on a fake website — close it immediately.
Apply only through the official portal at https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login. If you prefer, apply in person at your nearest BDO or panchayat office — it is free there too.
Contact and Support
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Department | Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal |
| Office Address | Bikash Bhaban, 10th Floor, DF Block, Sector 1, Salt Lake City, Kolkata |
| Helpline Number | 1800-345-5505 (Toll-Free) |
| Official Website | https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login |
| Offline Support | Nearest BDO office, Gram Panchayat, or Municipal Office |
Annapurna Bhandar All FAQs Answered
Q1. What is the official Annapurna Bhandar govt portal link?
Ans. The only authorised government portal is https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login. This is where you apply online, check your application status, and access all scheme services.
Q2. How much money will I receive under Annapurna Bhandar?
Ans. You receive ₹3,000 per month, which equals ₹36,000 per year, paid directly into your Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.
Q3. What is the age limit for Annapurna Bhandar?
Ans. Women between 25 and 60 years of age are eligible. Women above 60 are not eligible for this scheme but may qualify for the Old Age Pension (Vridha Pension). Visit your local BDO office for guidance on other available schemes.
Q4. When is the last date to apply for Annapurna Bhandar?
Ans. The last date is August 25, 2026. Applications started from May 27, 2026 (offline) and June 3, 2026 (online).
Q5. Do Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries need to apply again?
Ans. Most existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be automatically migrated to Annapurna Bhandar and do not need to reapply. However, their Aadhaar-linked bank account must be active and correctly mapped on the NPCI portal for the payment to go through successfully.
Q6. Can I apply offline if I do not have a smartphone or internet?
Yes. You can apply at your nearest BDO office, gram panchayat office, or municipal office. Janakalyan Shibir camps and door-to-door BDO visits are also available for women who cannot travel.
Q7. Can a woman married to a government employee apply?
Yes. If the husband is a permanent government employee, the woman is generally not eligible. If the husband is a contractual or daily-wage worker and not a permanent employee, the wife may be eligible. Confirm this at your local BDO office as rules can be updated.
Q8. What do I do if my ₹3,000 payment does not arrive?
Yes. First check your application status on the official portal. If the status shows Approved but no payment has arrived, verify your NPCI Aadhaar-bank mapping using the NPCI portal. You can also contact the toll-free helpline at 1800-345-5505 or visit your bank branch directly.
Q9. Can a government employee apply?
Ans. No. Permanent government employees, retired employees, and anyone receiving a regular government pension are completely excluded from this scheme.
Q10. Is there any fee to apply for Annapurna Bhandar?
Ans. No. Registration is 100% free at every stage. Never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.