Annapurna Bhandar Form 2026 - Summary
Annapurna Yojana, also known as the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme (previously called the Matri Shakti Bharosa Scheme), is a women’s welfare scheme introduced by the West Bengal Government. It was one of the major promises made during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections. The scheme will start from 1 June 2026 and will replace the existing Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme.
The main aim of the Annapurna Yojana is to provide financial assistance to women and improve their social and economic well-being. The monthly financial support helps women meet household expenses, take care of healthcare needs, and manage daily living costs. The scheme also reduces the financial burden on families and helps improve their overall quality of life.
Annapurna Bhandar Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, an applicant must:
- Be a woman.
- Be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- Be between 25 and 60 years of age.
Who is Not Eligible for the Annapurna Bhandar Scheme?
The following categories of women are not eligible to receive benefits under the scheme:
- Income taxpayers.
- Permanent or retired government employees.
- Women receiving a regular salary or pension from the Central Government, State Government, Panchayats, Municipalities, Local Bodies, Statutory Bodies, or government-aided educational institutions.
- Women employed in teaching or non-teaching positions in any government-aided educational institution in West Bengal.
Documents Required for Annapurna Bhandar Application
- Aadhaar card
- Voter ID card
- Residence proof
- Bank account statement/ passbook
- Passport-size photographs
Details Required in the Annapurna Yojana Application Form
Applicants need to provide the following information while filling out the Annapurna Yojana application form:
1. Family Details
- Name and details of the Head of Family (HOF).
- Household ID of the Digital Ration Card.
- Details of all family members.
- Bank account and EPIC (Voter ID) details of the HOF and family members.
2. Ration Card Information
- Whether the family has a Digital Ration Card.
- Whether the family regularly receives ration from the Fair Price Shop.
- Type of ration card held by the family.
3. Assets Owned
- Details of the family’s house and land.
- Information about vehicles owned.
- Insurance policies held by family members.
4. Income and Occupation Details
- Whether any family member pays income tax.
- Whether any member is an MP, MLA, local body representative, constitutional post holder, government pensioner, or GST registrant.
- PAN card details.
- Employment and education status of all family members.
- Total annual family income.
5. Other Identity Information
- Status of any CAA application.
- Details of other identity or credit cards.
- Information about any pending tribunal case related to deletion under SIR 2026, if applicable.
6. Social Status and Dependents
- Details of children studying in school.
- Vaccination status of children in the family.
7. Government Scheme Benefits
- Information on whether any family member is receiving benefits under other government welfare schemes.
- Reasons for exclusion from any scheme, if applicable.
8. Declaration and Consent
- Applicant’s consent, declaration, and signature confirming that the information provided is correct.
