The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is a major women-focused welfare initiative of the West Bengal Government that was introduced to provide regular financial assistance to eligible women. The scheme became widely known for providing monthly support directly to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
However, there is an important update for 2026. From 1 June 2026, existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries have been migrated to the newly introduced Annapurna Yojana, under which eligible women are entitled to ₹3,000 per month.
- ₹3,000 Monthly Assistance: Eligible women under the new Annapurna Yojana receive ₹3,000 per month.
- Direct Bank Transfer: The amount is transferred through DBT to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.
- Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries Covered: Existing eligible beneficiaries were migrated to the new scheme from June 2026, subject to the conditions mentioned in the government notification.
- Women-Centric Support: The scheme provides regular financial assistance aimed at improving women’s economic security.
- Official Government Portal: The West Bengal social security portal now operates as the Annapurna Yojana Portal.
Lakshmir Bhandar 2026
| Key Parameter | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Lakshmir Bhandar Prakalpa |
| State | West Bengal |
| Latest 2026 Status | Existing beneficiaries migrated to Annapurna Yojana |
| Current Monthly Assistance | ₹3,000 under Annapurna Yojana |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Bank Requirement | Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Current Portal | Annapurna Yojana Portal |
Lakshmir Bhandar 2026 Eligibility Criteria
For the current financial assistance under Annapurna Yojana, the government notification specifies these conditions:
- Age Limit: The woman must be between 25 and 60 years of age.
- Government Employment: She must not be in permanent government employment receiving a regular salary or pension.
- Income Tax: She must not be paying Income Tax.
- Residency: The scheme is meant for women residing in West Bengal.
- Payment Account: The assistance is transferred to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.
What Happened to Lakshmir Bhandar in 2026?
The West Bengal Government notified the Annapurna Yojana in May 2026. The new scheme came into effect from 1 June 2026 and provides ₹3,000 per month.
The notification states that existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will be migrated to Annapurna Yojana, subject to the exclusions and verification conditions mentioned in the official notification.
The 2026-27 West Bengal Budget had also announced an additional ₹500 per month for Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries from February 2026, but the subsequent Annapurna Yojana notification introduced the new ₹3,000 monthly assistance system from June 2026.
How to Check Lakshmir Bhandar/Annapurna Payment Status
- Visit the official West Bengal social security portal.
- Open the Track Applicant Status option.
- Enter the required registered mobile number and other details.
- Complete the captcha/verification.
- Submit the details to view the available application or payment information.
The current official portal provides facilities to track applicant status and access the Annapurna Yojana form.
Official Portal & Important Links
| Purpose / Service | Official Link |
| Annapurna Yojana Official Portal | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
| Track Applicant Status | Official Portal |
| Annapurna Yojana Form | Official Portal |
| West Bengal Government Portal | wb.gov.in |
FAQs on Lakshmir Bhandar 2026
Q1. Is Lakshmir Bhandar still providing ₹1,000 or ₹1,200 per month in 2026?
No. From 1 June 2026, existing beneficiaries were migrated to Annapurna Yojana, under which the notified assistance is ₹3,000 per month.
Q2. How much money is currently provided to eligible women?
Eligible women under the current Annapurna Yojana receive ₹3,000 per month through DBT.
Q3. What is the age limit?
The current scheme specifies an age range of 25 to 60 years.
