What is Annapurna Bhandar Yojana?
The Annapurna Bhandar Yojana is the West Bengal government's upgraded flagship social security scheme for women, officially launched in May 2026. It directly replaces the popular Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme and significantly raises the monthly financial assistance to ₹3,000 per month — deposited directly into each eligible woman's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
অন্নপূর্ণা ভান্ডার যোজনা হলো পশ্চিমবঙ্গ সরকারের একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ মহিলা কল্যাণ প্রকল্প, যা প্রতিমাসে যোগ্য মহিলাদের ₹৩,০০০ সরাসরি ব্যাংক অ্যাকাউন্টে প্রদান করবে।
Why Was This Scheme Launched?
The scheme was launched with a clear mission: to provide financial independence to women belonging to economically weaker households across West Bengal. By raising the benefit from the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar amount to ₹3,000 per month, the government aims to:
- Strengthen financial security for women and their families
- Help women manage daily household expenses independently
- Empower women from SC/ST communities with an additional ₹1,300 per month (over earlier rates)
- Cover all 22 districts of West Bengal — both rural and urban areas equally
Key Difference: Annapurna vs Lakshmir Bhandar
| Feature | Lakshmir Bhandar | Annapurna Bhandar |
|---|
| Monthly Amount (General) | ₹500–₹1,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Monthly Amount (SC/ST) | ₹1,000–₹1,200 | ₹3,000+ |
| Payment Mode | DBT | DBT (Aadhaar-linked) |
| Verification Required | One-time | Mandatory re-verification |
| Status | Discontinued | Active from June 2026 |
How to Apply Online for Annapurna Bhandar Yojana
⚠️
Important: The online application portal for new applicants is live from
1 June 2026 at
ayn24p.in. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries do NOT need to apply fresh — they are auto-migrated after verification.
For New Applicants (Online Process)
- Visit the official portal: ayn24p.in
- Click on "New Registration / Apply Online"
- Enter your Aadhaar number and verify via OTP
- Fill in your personal, address, and bank account details
- Upload required documents (Aadhaar, Voter ID, passbook)
- Submit the application and save your Application Reference Number
নতুন আবেদনকারীরা ১ জুন ২০২৬ থেকে ayn24p.in পোর্টালে গিয়ে অনলাইনে আবেদন করতে পারবেন। পুরনো লক্ষ্মীর ভান্ডার সুবিধাভোগীদের নতুন করে আবেদন করতে হবে না।
For New Applicants (Offline Process)
- Duare Sarkar Camps — visit nearest camp in your area
- Block Development Office (BDO) — for rural applicants
- Sub-Divisional Office (SDO) — for urban applicants
- Municipality Office — for urban ward applicants
Verification Process — Step by Step
Verification is mandatory for all beneficiaries — including those already enrolled under Lakshmir Bhandar. Without completing this step, no payment will be made from June 2026 onwards.
1
Open District Portal
Visit the official West Bengal government portal and select the verification link for your specific district.
2
Select Your Area
Rural: choose Block + Gram Panchayat. Urban: choose Municipality + Ward number from the dropdowns.
3
Enter Bank Account
Type the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar-linked bank account number and click the Search button.
4
Check Details on Screen
Verify your name, ID number, mobile number, and address displayed. Confirm everything is correct.
5
Upload Documents
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number, then upload clear photos/scans of your Aadhaar Card and Voter ID.
6
Confirm Aadhaar Linking
Select Yes/No to confirm if your Aadhaar is linked to your bank account. If No, link it first at your bank branch.
7
Submit & Save
Submit the form and screenshot your Confirmation / Acknowledgement Number for future reference.
💡 Offline Verification: If you cannot verify online — Rural women: visit BDO office | Urban women: visit SDO or Municipality office. Officials will assist you free of charge.
ভেরিফিকেশন ছাড়া কোনো পেমেন্ট হবে না। গ্রামীণ মহিলারা BDO অফিসে এবং শহরের মহিলারা SDO অফিসে গিয়ে অফলাইনে ভেরিফিকেশন করতে পারবেন।
Documents Required
How to Link Aadhaar with Your Bank Account
All DBT payments are made only to Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts. If your Aadhaar is not yet linked, follow these steps immediately:
- Visit your bank branch with Aadhaar card + passbook and fill the Aadhaar Seeding Form
- Use your bank's mobile app or internet banking (look for "Link Aadhaar" option)
- Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and check the Bank Seeding Status tab
- Use any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or Common Service Centre (CSC) near you
⚠️ Security Alert (সতর্কতা): সুবিধাভোগীদের কখনোই OTP, ATM PIN বা Internet Banking Password কাউকে দেওয়া উচিত নয়। Never share your OTP, ATM PIN, or banking password with anyone claiming to be a government official. The government never asks for this information.
