Women across West Bengal are now receiving ₹3,000 every month under the state’s new Annapurna Bhandar Scheme. Two rounds of payments have already been disbursed — the first in June and the second on July 1, 2026. The initiative replaces the older Lakshmir Bhandar programme, offering a higher monthly benefit, revised eligibility criteria, and a more rigorous verification process. Below is a detailed, up-to-date guide covering the scheme’s benefits, who qualifies, and how to track your payment status.
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2026: At a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Annapurna Bhandar Scheme |
| State | West Bengal |
| Launched By | Government of West Bengal under CM Suvendu Adhikari |
| Notification Date | May 19, 2026 |
| Scheme Effective From | June 1, 2026 |
| Formal Launch | June 3, 2026, at Nabanna |
| Monthly Benefit | ₹3,000 (uniform for all categories) |
| Annual Benefit | ₹36,000 |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Eligible Age | 25 to 60 years |
| 1st Installment | June 3, 2026 – 28,25,769 women |
| 2nd Installment | July 1, 2026 – surpassed 1 crore women |
| Application Window | May 27 to August 25, 2026 |
| Target Coverage | Close to 2 crore women |
| Budget Allocation | ₹36,000 crore (WB Budget 2026-27) |
| Official Portal | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
Payment Schedule and Latest Developments
First installment – June 3, 2026: CM Suvendu Adhikari officially inaugurated the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme at Nabanna, and ₹3,000 was transferred to 28,25,769 women on the very same day. Nadia district registered the highest beneficiary count in this phase, with Murshidabad and West Midnapore following closely.
Second installment – July 1, 2026: The state government issued the second monthly payment during a programme held at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata, pushing total coverage beyond 1 crore women. The beneficiary list is refreshed every seven days, meaning names are continuously added with each cycle — women who missed either of the first two rounds can still receive their money once the verification process is completed.
Applications under review: Recent indications point to a substantial number of applications, estimated between 25 and 30 lakh, being rejected due to concerns around citizenship and domicile verification. Through July, the state has been actively working to clear the backlog of rejected forms. If your application status shows as rejected, check the exact reason on the official portal and rectify it instead of assuming permanent disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Has the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme 2nd installment been credited?
Yes. The second monthly installment of ₹3,000 was released on July 1, 2026, taking the scheme’s total coverage past 1 crore women.
2. When was the first installment of Annapurna Bhandar Scheme credited?
The first installment was credited on June 3, 2026, when 28,25,769 women received ₹3,000 directly in their bank accounts.
3. How much money do I get under Annapurna Bhandar Scheme?
Every eligible woman gets a flat ₹3,000 per month, which works out to ₹36,000 in a year. There is no difference in amount based on category.