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Current Affairs

West Bengal Launches Annapurna Yojana Providing ₹3,000 Monthly to Women from June 2026

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West Bengal government has introduced the Annapurna Yojana, a cash assistance scheme effective from 1 June 2026, providing ₹3,000 per month to eligible women aged 25-60 years. Payments are made via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. Existing beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will be migrated to this scheme, except those found ineligible. The scheme excludes permanent government employees or women receiving government pension/salary. An online portal for new applications opens on 1 June 2026. The Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare administers the scheme.

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Key Facts

  • Launch Date: 1 June 2026
  • Monthly Assistance: ₹3,000 per eligible woman
  • Eligibility: Women aged 25-60 years, must not be income taxpayers, not in permanent government employment or receiving regular government salary/pension
  • Payment Mode: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts
  • Migration: Existing beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will be migrated automatically except those deceased, shifted, deleted or absentee electors
  • Administered by: Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, West Bengal
  • Application: Online portal opens on 1 June 2026 for new applicants with verification by authorized officials

Background & Context

The Annapurna Yojana is a financial assistance scheme launched by the West Bengal Government aimed at empowering women from economically weaker sections by providing assured monthly support. It ensures financial inclusion by directly transferring funds to beneficiaries' Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through DBT. This scheme replaces the older Lakshmir Bhandar scheme and includes a thorough beneficiary verification process to eliminate ineligible recipients. The scheme complements other women welfare initiatives by the Government of West Bengal.

Why This Matters for Exams

This scheme is a flagship social welfare initiative by the West Bengal state government targeting women’s empowerment and economic security. Knowledge of the scheme’s eligibility, benefits, implementation date, administration, and the linkage with prior schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar is frequently tested in competitive exams covering current affairs, government schemes, and social welfare policies.

Points to Remember

  • Effective from 1 June 2026
  • Monthly financial assistance is ₹3,000
  • Eligibility includes women aged between 25 and 60 years, excluding government employees and pensioners
  • Direct Benefit Transfer via Aadhaar-linked bank accounts is mandatory
  • Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries automatically migrate after verification
  • Online application portal to open from scheme launch date
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