West Bengal’s welfare scheme landscape changed significantly on 3 June 2026, the long-running Lakshmir Bhandar was replaced by Annapurna Bhandar, a bigger and simpler version. If your search for “sarkari yojana 2026 West Bengal” is turning up outdated results still talking about the old scheme, here’s the current list, with portals rechecked on 29.09.2026. Last updated: 29.09.2026.
West Bengal schemes, quick reference
| Scheme | Benefit | For |
|---|---|---|
| Annapurna Bhandar (replaces Lakshmir Bhandar) | ₹3,000/month | Women 25-60 |
| Kanyashree Prakalpa | ₹1,000/year to ₹60,000 one-time (staged) | Girls in school/college |
| Krishak Bandhu | Up to ₹20,000/year + death benefit | Registered farmers |
| Rupashree Prakalpa | ₹25,000 one-time | Marriage assistance for girls 18+ |
| Sabuj Sathi | Free bicycle | Class 9-12 students |
| Banglar Yuva Sathi | ₹1,500/month | Unemployed youth, 21-40 |
Important Links
| Link | Status |
|---|---|
| Kanyashree Prakalpa portal | Click here |
| Student Credit Card portal | Click here |
| WB Laxmi Bhandar status | Click here |
| WB Kanyashree K1-K3 rates | Click here |
| WB Annapurna Bhandar status | Click here |
Note: The Laxmi Bhandar page covers monthly support for Bengal women and where the status link moved. The Kanyashree page has the K1, K2 and K3 scholarship rates and the income waiver. The Annapurna page covers the status check and what to do when your name is not on the list.
If you’re a woman already on Lakshmir Bhandar wondering what changed, the short version is: same portal, same basic idea, just a bigger flat payment under a new name. Check the dedicated Annapurna Bhandar post linked above for the full migration details.
1. Annapurna Bhandar, the big 2026 change
Effective 3 June 2026, West Bengal replaced Lakshmir Bhandar with Annapurna Bhandar, raising the flat monthly payout to ₹3,000 for every eligible woman, up from the earlier ₹1,500 (General/OBC) and ₹1,700 (SC/ST) tiers under the old scheme. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are being auto-migrated (except those who’ve died, shifted, or were removed under the 2026 electoral roll Special Intensive Revision). The state has allocated ₹36,000 crore to the scheme for 2026-27. At ₹3,000 a month, that budget pays about one crore women for a full year, which is our arithmetic on the allocation.
- Eligibility: West Bengal resident woman, age 25-60, not an income-taxpayer, not a permanent/retired government employee. Enrollment in Swasthya Sathi (see below) is a prerequisite.
- Apply/check status: Through the Social Security WB portal.
For the complete guide, application steps, migration process for old Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries, FAQs. See our dedicated Annapurna Bhandar Yojana 2026 post.
2. Kanyashree Prakalpa
A three-stage scholarship-style scheme for girls, aimed at keeping them in school and delaying early marriage:
- K1: ₹1,000/year for girls aged 13-18, enrolled in Class VIII-XII.
- K2: ₹25,000 one-time at age 18, for unmarried girls continuing education or vocational training.
- K3: Up to ₹60,000 for postgraduate studies, for K2 registrants who pass undergraduate studies with 45%+ marks.
Family income cap: ₹1.2 lakh/year. Portal: wbkanyashree.gov.in, which did not load on 29.09.2026.
Note: A girl who takes K1 from Class VIII to Class XII gets up to ₹5,000 over five years, and then ₹25,000 under K2 at 18. That is up to ₹30,000 before any K3 money for postgraduate study. The totals are our arithmetic on the stage amounts above.
3. Swasthya Sathi
West Bengal’s state health insurance scheme, providing family floater coverage, commonly cited around ₹5 lakh/family/year, though you should confirm the exact current cap directly with wbhealth.gov.in before relying on that figure. Worth noting: Swasthya Sathi enrollment is required before you can be considered for Annapurna Bhandar, so if you’re not yet enrolled, that’s the first step.
4. Krishak Bandhu
Direct financial support for registered farmers: ₹10,000/acre/year (capped at 2 acres, so max ₹20,000/year), paid in two installments across the Kharif and Rabi seasons. Also includes a death benefit of ₹2 lakh (₹2.5 lakh if the death was accidental) for registered farmers.
Note: Do not use krishakbandhu.net. On 29.09.2026 that address, long used for this scheme, was serving an online betting site. Apply or check status only through the Agriculture Department or your block office, and never enter Aadhaar or bank details on that site.
5. Rupashree Prakalpa
A one-time ₹25,000 marriage-assistance grant for girls aged 18 and above from economically weaker families, with a family income cap of ₹1.5 lakh/year.
6. Sabuj Sathi
Free bicycles for all students in Class 9 through 12 in West Bengal government and government-aided schools and madrasas, a straightforward, widely distributed scheme aimed at reducing school dropout linked to commute distance.
7. Banglar Yuva Sathi
The successor to the older Yuvashree scheme, paying ₹1,500/month in unemployment allowance to youth aged 21-40 who have at least passed Madhyamik (Class 10) and are currently unemployed.
8. West Bengal Student Credit Card Scheme (WBSCC)
An education loan facility offering up to ₹10 lakh at 4% simple interest (with a further 1% concession if interest is serviced during the study period), available up to age 40, with a 15-year repayment window including the moratorium period. Portal: wbscc.wb.gov.in.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakshmir Bhandar still active?
No — it was replaced by Annapurna Bhandar on 3 June 2026, which pays a higher flat ₹3,000/month to all eligible women regardless of the old category-based tiers.
Do I need to reapply if I was already getting Lakshmir Bhandar?
Existing beneficiaries are being auto-migrated to Annapurna Bhandar, except those removed under the 2026 electoral roll revision or who've died or shifted residence. Check your status on the Social Security WB portal if you're unsure.
What's the difference between Kanyashree and Rupashree?
Kanyashree is a staged education-continuation scholarship from age 13 through postgraduate study. Rupashree is a separate one-time marriage-assistance payment for girls 18+ — the two serve different purposes and have different eligibility.