West Bengal Annapurna Scheme: ₹3,000 Monthly Assistance for Women — Check Eligibility and Payment Details
Third Instalment Update: Know Who Can Receive the Money
The West Bengal government’s Annapurna Yojana has emerged as a major women-focused financial assistance scheme, providing eligible beneficiaries with ₹3,000 every month. The scheme came into effect from June 1, 2026, replacing the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar system.
The monthly assistance is transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The payment is credited to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account, making Aadhaar-bank linkage important for receiving the benefit.
According to the information available on the latest payment cycle, the third instalment process is expected to begin from August 17, 2026. However, the actual time taken for the money to reflect in individual accounts may vary depending on banking and processing procedures.
Who Is Eligible?
According to the government notification, women must meet these key conditions:
The applicant must be between 25 and 60 years of age.
She must not be in permanent government employment or receiving a regular government salary or pension. She must not be an income-tax payer.
The beneficiary must satisfy the government’s verification requirements.
Existing eligible beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar were to be migrated to Annapurna Yojana, subject to verification and specified exclusions. New applicants can also apply through the scheme’s application process.
How Will ₹3,000 Be Received?
Once the beneficiary is approved and verified, the ₹3,000 monthly assistance is sent directly through DBT to the Aadhaar-linked bank account registered in her name. Therefore, beneficiaries should ensure that their bank account and Aadhaar details are correctly linked.
The government has already distributed earlier instalments, with more than one crore beneficiaries receiving the second instalment in July.
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