Lakshmir Bhandar is a West Bengal government scheme that gives monthly money support to women from poor households. Eligible women receive ₹1,500 per month (₹1,700 for SC/ST women) directly in their Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT. To apply, you fill an offline form at a Duare Sarkar camp or your local BDO/SDO/KMC office. To check your status, visit socialsecurity.wb.gov.in and enter your application ID or mobile number.
Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme 2026: Overview
| Point | Detail |
| Scheme Name | Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme |
| State | West Bengal |
| Launched | August 2021 |
| Monthly Amount | ₹1,500 (General) / ₹1,700 (SC/ST) |
| For | Women from economically weaker households |
| Age Limit | 25 to 60 years |
| Apply Mode | Offline (form at camp/office) |
| Status Check | socialsecurity.wb.gov.in |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| 2026 Update | Being replaced by Annapurna Bhandar (₹3,000) |
Important Latest Update 2026: Annapurna Bhandar Scheme
The West Bengal government has launched Annapurna Bhandar, a new financial assistance scheme for women. The scheme came into effect on 1 June 2026, and eligible beneficiaries began receiving their monthly payments in June 2026.
Key points about this change:
- Under Annapurna Bhandar, eligible women receive a flat ₹3,000 per month, which is higher than the Lakshmir Bhandar amount, and there is no category difference (all eligible women get the same amount).
- Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are being automatically migrated to Annapurna Bhandar after verification, so they do not need to apply again. They should make sure their Aadhaar-linked bank account is active.
- The official portal remains socialsecurity.wb.gov.in , which has been updated for the new scheme.
- New applicants can apply during the announced application window in 2026.
What is the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme was launched by the West Bengal government in August 2021 to provide monthly financial support to women from low-income families. Under the scheme, money is transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the DBT system.
General-category women received ₹500 per month and SC/ST women received ₹1,000 per month. The assistance was later increased to ₹1,500 and ₹1,700 per month respectively. With over two crore beneficiaries, Lakshmir Bhandar has become one of India’s largest women-focused welfare schemes, helping women achieve greater financial stability and independence.
Why Was Lakshmir Bhandar Started?
Understanding the purpose of the scheme helps us know why it became so successful.
- To give women their own income: The main aim is to give women a regular monthly amount of their own, so they are not fully dependent on others for small expenses.
- To support poor households: The money helps families manage daily costs like food, medicine, and children’s needs.
- To promote gender equality: By putting money directly in women’s hands, the scheme gives them more respect and say in family decisions.
- To reach women across the state: Through camps and local offices, the scheme included women from both villages and cities.
- To ensure direct, honest transfer: Using DBT, the money goes straight to the woman’s account with no middleman.
Lakshmir Bhandar Amount 2026: How Much Money You Get
The amount depends on the woman’s category.
| Category | Monthly Amount | Yearly Amount |
| SC / ST women | ₹1,700 | ₹20,400 |
| General & other categories | ₹1,500 | ₹18,000 |
A few important points about the amount:
- The money is sent through DBT directly into the woman’s own Aadhaar-linked bank account.
- It is usually credited every month.
- SC and ST women get a slightly higher amount (₹1,700) than general-category women (₹1,500).
- Under the new Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, all eligible women get a flat ₹3,000 per month, removing the category difference.
So whether you are in the general or SC/ST category, the scheme gives you a steady monthly income to support your needs.
Lakshmir Bhandar Eligibility 2026: Who Can Apply?
To apply, the woman must meet all these conditions. Missing even one can lead to rejection.
- She must be a permanent female resident of West Bengal.
- Her age must be between 25 and 60 years.
- She must be enrolled under the Swasthya Sathi health scheme.
- She must not be a permanent or retired government employee (central or state), or work in a government undertaking, statutory body, municipality, panchayat, government-aided educational institution, or local body that pays a regular salary or pension.
For general-category families, there is an extra rule: the family must not have an income-tax-paying member and must not own more than 2 hectares of farmland to be eligible.
Who is NOT Eligible for Lakshmir Bhandar?
You will not be eligible if:
- You are a man — the scheme is only for women.
- You are below 25 or above 60 years of age.
- You are a government or government-aided employee or pensioner with a regular salary or pension.
- Your family (general category) has an income-tax payer or owns more than 2 hectares of agricultural land.
- You are not a permanent resident of West Bengal.
Before applying, make sure you do not belong to any of the following categories. Otherwise, your application will not be approved.
Documents Required for Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
Keep these documents ready before applying. Wrong or missing documents are a common reason for rejection.
- Aadhaar card
- Swasthya Sathi card
- Caste certificate (for SC and ST category women)
- Bank account details — a self-attested copy of the first page of the passbook, showing the account holder’s name, account number, bank address, MICR number, and IFSC code
- Passport-size colour photograph of the applicant
- A signed self-declaration stating that the applicant is a woman citizen of West Bengal and is not working in any government-aided body
Note: The bank account must be in the woman’s own name and linked with her Aadhaar, because the money is sent through DBT directly to her account.
How to Apply for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme (Step-by-Step)
The application process is offline. Here are the simple steps.
Step 1 — Collect the form Get the application form from a Duare Sarkar camp, your local BDO (Block Development Office) in rural areas, the SDO (Sub-Divisional Office) in urban areas, or the KMC (Kolkata Municipal Corporation) office in KMC areas.
Step 2 — Fill the form Fill in all the required details carefully and correctly.
Step 3 — Submit with documents Submit the completed form along with self-attested copies of the required documents at the same camp or office.
Step 4 — Verification Officials check your application and enter the details into the portal.
Step 5 — Recommendation and sanction The BDO, SDO, or KMC sends the list of eligible applicants to the District Magistrate or KMC Commissioner for approval.
Step 6 — Money starts coming Once verified and sanctioned, the monthly money is credited to your Aadhaar-linked bank account.
There is no application fee for the scheme.
Lakshmir Bhandar Form PDF Download
Many people search for the form online. You can collect the application form free of cost from a Duare Sarkar camp or your nearest BDO, SDO, or KMC office.
You can also download the form from the official website, take a printout, and fill it by hand. After filling it, submit the printed form along with the documents at the camp or office. So even though you can download and print the form, the submission is always offline.
Can You Fill the Lakshmir Bhandar Form Online?
This is a common question, so let us be clear. No, you cannot fully apply online. The Lakshmir Bhandar application process is completely offline.
What you can do online is download the form from the official website and print it. But the filled form, along with the documents, must be submitted in person at a Duare Sarkar camp, BDO, SDO, or KMC office. Online, you can only check your application and payment status — not submit the application itself.
Lakshmir Bhandar Status Check Online (Step-by-Step)
After you apply, you can easily check your application status online. Here is how.
Step 1 — Open the official portal Go to socialsecurity.wb.gov.in and click on the “Track Application” option.
Step 2 — Enter your details Enter your application ID, mobile number, Aadhaar number, or Swasthya Sathi number.
Step 3 — Enter the captcha Type the captcha code shown on the screen and click “Search.”
Step 4 — View your status Your application status will be shown — whether it is approved, under process, or rejected.
This is free and takes only a few minutes. No password is needed to check your status.
Lakshmir Bhandar Payment Status Check
Once your application is approved, you will want to confirm whether the monthly money has been paid. You can check your payment and disbursement details using the same steps as the status check above on the portal at socialsecurity.wb.gov.in .
If the money has not arrived, make sure your bank account is active and linked with Aadhaar.
Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiary List: How to Check Your Name
Many women prefer to verify their beneficiary status after applying. This can be done in two simple ways.
- Online: Visit socialsecurity.wb.gov.in and use the track or status option with your application ID, mobile number, or Aadhaar number to see whether you are an approved beneficiary.
- Offline: The beneficiary lists are also shared at the local level through your Gram Panchayat, Ward, or municipal office, and during Duare Sarkar or government camps. You can ask the local officials to check your name.
If your name is not in the list, it may be because your application is still under verification, a document was missing, or you did not meet a condition. In that case, visit your local office to find the exact reason and fix it.
Lakshmir Bhandar Helpline Number
If you have any problem with your application, status, or payment, you can get help through these official channels:
- Helpline number: 033-2214-3526
- Email: duaresarkar@gmail.com
- You can also visit your nearest Duare Sarkar camp, BDO, SDO, or KMC office for direct help.
Always use only official numbers and the official portal, and never pay money to an agent or share your bank OTP with anyone.
Lakshmir Bhandar vs Annapurna Bhandar Scheme: What is the Difference?
Since the scheme is changing in 2026, here is a simple side-by-side comparison so you understand both.
| Point | Lakshmir Bhandar | Annapurna Bhandar |
| Monthly amount | ₹1,500 – ₹1,700 | ₹3,000 (flat) |
| Yearly amount | ₹18,000 – ₹20,400 | ₹36,000 |
| Category difference | Yes (SC/ST get more) | No (same for all) |
| Age eligibility | 25 – 60 years | 25 – 60 years |
| Payment mode | DBT | DBT |
| Status | Being replaced | Active from June 2026 |
| Existing beneficiaries | Currently covered | Auto-migrated after verification |
The biggest change is the amount — Annapurna Bhandar gives a flat ₹3,000 to all eligible women, while Lakshmir Bhandar gave ₹1,500 to ₹1,700 based on category. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar women are being moved to the new scheme automatically after verification, so they should keep their Aadhaar-linked bank account active.
What Existing Lakshmir Bhandar Beneficiaries Should Do During the Transition
If you are already a Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiary, the move to Annapurna Bhandar should happen automatically, but there are a few things you should do to avoid any payment problem:
- Keep your bank account active. An inactive or closed account is the most common reason for failed payments. Make sure your account is working and Aadhaar-linked.
- Check your Aadhaar seeding. Your bank account should be Aadhaar-seeded and mapped for DBT, so the money reaches you without delay.
- Update wrong details. If your name, account number, or other details are incorrect, get them corrected at your local office or camp.
- Check your status online. Use socialsecurity.wb.gov.in to confirm whether you have been successfully migrated and whether your payment has been credited.
- Watch for verification notices. A verification drive is going on, so respond quickly if officials ask for any document or form.
Benefits of the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
The scheme brought several real benefits to women and their families:
- A steady monthly income of ₹1,500 to ₹1,700 for women, giving them financial security.
- Direct money in the woman’s own account, increasing her independence and respect at home.
- Help with household costs like food, medicine, and children’s needs.
- Wide coverage of over two crore women across West Bengal, including villages.
- No application fee, making it free and easy to join.
- Freedom to use the money for any need the family has.
These benefits made the scheme a real support system for women, and the new Annapurna Bhandar Scheme continues this support with a higher amount.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying
Many applications get delayed or rejected for small reasons. Avoid these common errors:
- Bank account not in the woman’s name or not Aadhaar-linked — the money goes to the woman’s own account.
- Not enrolled in Swasthya Sathi — this is a required condition for eligibility.
- Crossing the income or land limit (for general-category families).
- Missing or unclear documents — keep clear copies of Aadhaar, Swasthya Sathi card, and passbook ready.
- Wrong age — the applicant must be between 25 and 60 years.
- Trusting agents or fake websites — apply only through official camps and offices, and check status only on socialsecurity.wb.gov.in..
Tips for a Smooth Lakshmir Bhandar Application
To make sure your application is approved without delays, keep these points in mind:
- Enrol in Swasthya Sathi first, since it is a required condition for the scheme.
- Use a bank account in your own name that is Aadhaar-linked.
- Keep clear copies of your Aadhaar, Swasthya Sathi card, caste certificate (if SC/ST), and bank passbook.
- Fill the form carefully in clear handwriting and attach a proper passport-size photo.
- Apply at an official camp or office and keep your acknowledgement safe.
- Check your status a few weeks after applying so you can fix any issue early.
Conclusion
Lakshmir Bhandar has been one of West Bengal’s most loved welfare schemes, giving crores of women a steady monthly income of ₹1,500 to ₹1,700 directly in their own bank accounts. For women from poor households, this money meant independence, dignity, and help with daily needs.
If you are eligible for the scheme, make sure your Aadhaar-linked bank account is active and your personal details are correct. Existing beneficiaries should regularly check their payment status, while new applicants should keep all required documents ready before applying.
Always use official government websites for updates and status checks. This will help ensure that you receive the scheme benefits without any delay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
It is a West Bengal government scheme launched in 2021 that gives monthly money support to women from poor households — ₹1,500 for general-category women and ₹1,700 for SC/ST women — directly in their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through DBT.
Q2. How much money do I get under Lakshmir Bhandar?
General-category women get ₹1,500 per month (₹18,000 a year), and SC/ST women get ₹1,700 per month (₹20,400 a year). Under the new Annapurna Bhandar Scheme, all eligible women get a flat ₹3,000 per month.
Q3. Who is eligible for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
A permanent woman resident of West Bengal, aged 25 to 60, enrolled in Swasthya Sathi, who is not a government employee or pensioner. General-category families must not pay income tax or own more than 2 hectares of farmland.
Q4. Can an employed woman apply for the scheme?
A woman with a regular government salary or pension is not eligible. However, women without such government employment, including homemakers and many self-employed women, can apply if they meet the other conditions.
Q5. How do I apply for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
The process is offline. Collect the form from a Duare Sarkar camp or your local BDO, SDO, or KMC office, fill it, attach the documents, and submit it at the same place. You cannot fully apply online.
Q6. How do I check my Lakshmir Bhandar status?
Visit socialsecurity.wb.gov.in, click “Track Application,” enter your application ID, mobile number, Aadhaar, or Swasthya Sathi number, enter the captcha, and click “Search” to see your status.
Q7. Is there any fee to apply for the scheme?
No. Applying for the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is completely free. You should never pay any agent or office for the form or the application.
Q8. What should I do if my payment is delayed or not received?
Check that your bank account is active and Aadhaar-linked, confirm your application is approved, and contact the helpline at 033-2214-3526 or your local office with your application details.
Q9. What happens when I turn 60?
The scheme covers women up to the age of 60. After that, the woman may become eligible for an old-age pension under another West Bengal welfare scheme, so she does not lose support entirely.
Q10. Is Lakshmir Bhandar being replaced in 2026?
Yes. From June 2026, the new Annapurna Bhandar Scheme (₹3,000 per month) is replacing Lakshmir Bhandar. Existing beneficiaries are being auto-migrated after verification, so they should keep their Aadhaar-linked bank account active.
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