Government schemes for women in West Bengal, after Lakshmir Bhandar

Also called Annapurna Bhandar, Annapurna Yojona, Annapurna Prakalpa, Lakshmir Bhandar new scheme, Lokkhir Bhandar, 3000 taka prakalpa, Family Level Data Collection

₹3,000 a month, paid straight into her Aadhaar linked bank account

A fixed ₹3,000 every month for women of West Bengal aged 25 to 60. It is the new government's replacement for Lakshmir Bhandar, and women who were getting Lakshmir Bhandar did not need to apply again unless their name was removed.

Status

Checked 5 October 2026: paying ₹3,000 a month since 3 June 2026 (it replaced Lakshmir Bhandar, whose women were moved across after checks); the 90 day registration window that opened in June is over and the online portal now shows only status check and complaints, so new women should go to a government camp when one is announced.

Who can apply

• A woman resident of West Bengal aged 25 to 60 years
• She must not be in permanent government employment getting a regular salary or pension from the central or state government, a statutory body, government undertaking, panchayat, municipality or local body, or a teaching or non teaching job in a state aided school or college
• She must not pay income tax
• She must be lawfully resident in India (the rules exclude illegal immigrants)
• Women already on Lakshmir Bhandar were moved across, except names removed in the 2026 voter list check; women with an appeal pending keep getting paid until it is decided

Documents

• Voter ID card (EPIC)
• Aadhaar card
• Active mobile number
• Aadhaar linked bank account

How to apply

1. If you were getting Lakshmir Bhandar, first check your status on socialregistry.wb.gov.in with the mobile number you used
2. New applicants fill the Annapurna Yojana Family Level Data Collection form: head of family first, then each member
3. Submit online on the portal or on paper at the BDO office (village), SDO office (town) or your KMC ward office (Kolkata)
4. Note the Application ID; the BDO or SDO checks the form and the District Magistrate gives final approval
5. If you were rejected, the portal shows the reason and lets you fix it and file a claim from the same login

In person: Block Development Office (rural), Sub Divisional Office (municipal towns), KMC ward office (Kolkata), or a Seva Setu camp when held

Run by

Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal

About 17 lakh forms were reportedly rejected in verification, and many old Lakshmir Bhandar names were dropped after the voter roll revision. Nobody from the government asks for an OTP or a fee; apply only on socialregistry.wb.gov.in or at a government office.

Checked 5 October 2026 against Schemes: Annapurna Yojana, Annapurna Yojana, Budget Speech 2026-27 (22 June 2026), page 11, West Bengal launches Annapurna Yojana (3 June 2026), Government to roll out Annapurna scheme from June 1 (20 May 2026), Second instalment of Annapurna Yojana distributed (1 July 2026), Family Level Data Collection Portal

Also called Pink Card, mahila free bus, free bus West Bengal, fare waiver scheme for female commuters, zero ticket

Free travel on state government run buses

Every woman living in West Bengal rides state run buses free. She shows a government photo ID to the conductor and gets a zero value ticket.

Status

Checked 5 October 2026: running since 1 June 2026 on state run buses; the Pink Card was announced in the June 2026 budget and travel works with a government photo ID until it arrives.

Who can apply

• All women residing in West Bengal
• Only on state run buses (state transport corporation buses), not private buses

Documents

• Any government photo ID card

How to apply

1. Board a state run bus and show any government photo ID to the conductor
2. Ask for the zero value (free) ticket
3. When the Pink Card is issued, use it instead of the ID

In person: No form needed; for Pink Card news ask at the depot of the state transport corporation

Run by

Transport Department, Government of West Bengal

It does not cover private buses or minibuses, which run most routes in many districts.

Checked 5 October 2026 against Budget Speech 2026-27 (22 June 2026), page 12: free transportation from 1 June 2026, ₹550 crore, Pink card, West Bengal free bus travel for women from June 1 · Official page to apply

Also called Bidhaba Bhata, Bidhoba Bhata, Jai Bangla pension, widow allowance West Bengal

₹1,500 a month by direct bank transfer (from 1 August 2026)

A monthly pension for widows in West Bengal who have no one supporting them. The amount went up by ₹500 in the 2026 budget.

Status

Checked 5 October 2026: raised from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 a month from 1 August 2026; applications are taken at BDO and SDO offices and widow pension forms were taken at the Seva Setu camps of 2 to 4 October 2026.

Who can apply

• A widow who is a citizen of India and a resident of West Bengal
• Resident of West Bengal for at least 10 years on the date of applying
• Not maintained by any relative
• Not already getting another pension such as old age, disability or farmers' pension
• Professional beggars are not eligible

Documents

• Aadhaar card
• Voter ID card
• Husband's death certificate
• Bank passbook
• Residence proof
• Passport size photo

How to apply

1. Get the pension form free at the BDO or Panchayat Samiti office (village), the SDO office (town), or the Controller of Vagrancy (Kolkata)
2. Fill it, address it to the District Magistrate, attach the papers and submit at the same office
3. Keep the receipt and track the application and payment online

In person: BDO or Panchayat Samiti office (rural), SDO office (municipal towns), Controller of Vagrancy (KMC area)

Run by

Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal

Official pages still show an old family income limit of ₹1,000 a month and conflicting age rules; ask the BDO or SDO office which limit is applied today.

Checked 5 October 2026 against Widow Pension-West Bengal, West Bengal govt raises monthly financial assistance under Social Welfare Pension Schemes, Budget Speech 2026-27 (22 June 2026), page 16: pension raised by ₹500, Seva Setu Abhiyan: Know your Schemes (Widow Pension) · Official page to apply

Also called Bharosa, Bhorsa Karmasuchi, Bharosa Karmasuchi, Yuva Shakti, Yuva Shakti Bharosa Card, Jubo Shakti, berojgar bhata West Bengal

₹3,000 a month for unemployed graduates, ₹2,000 a month for others

A planned monthly allowance for educated unemployed young people from poor families: ₹3,000 if she is a graduate, ₹2,000 otherwise.

Status

Checked 5 October 2026: announced in the 22 June 2026 budget to start from October 2026; no official application portal or notification was found yet.

Who can apply

• Educated unemployed youth aged 21 to 45 years
• Family income less than ₹1 lakh a year
• Not getting benefits from any existing social protection scheme

How to apply

1. Wait for the official notification on wb.gov.in
2. Meanwhile register on the Employment Bank (employmentbankwb.gov.in) and keep income and education papers ready
3. Do not pay anyone or use private 'Yuva Shakti' or 'Bharosa card' websites

In person: Not yet notified

Run by

Government of West Bengal (announced in the 2026-27 State Budget)

Many private websites already claim to take forms for this; none of them is official.

Checked 5 October 2026 against Budget Speech 2026-27 (22 June 2026), page 32: Bhorsha Karmasuchi

Also called Yuvashree, Yubashree, Yuvasree Prakalpa, unemployment allowance 1500

₹1,500 a month unemployment assistance

An older allowance for jobseekers registered on the Employment Bank. New people enter only through published waiting lists.

Status

Checked 5 October 2026: the Employment Bank portal still runs Yuvasree status checks and waiting lists; there is no open call for new applicants, and whether payments continue alongside the new Bhorsha Karmasuchi could not be confirmed.

Who can apply

• Resident of West Bengal
• Unemployed and enrolled with the Employment Bank as a job seeker
• Class 8 pass or above
• Aged 18 to 45 years on 1 April of the year considered
• Has not taken a loan or help under any government self employment scheme
• Only one member of a family

Documents

• Employment Bank enrolment
• Unemployment certificate from a Group A officer (Annexure II)
• Self declaration (Annexure III)

How to apply

1. Enrol as a job seeker on the Employment Bank
2. Check 'View Yuvasree new waiting list' on the portal
3. If listed, submit Annexure I and Annexure III and visit the Employment Exchange with your documents

In person: Nearest Employment Exchange

Run by

Labour Department (Directorate of Employment), Government of West Bengal

It works by quota and waiting lists, so registering does not mean you will be paid.

Checked 5 October 2026 against Yuvasree, Employment Bank home page (Yuvasree waiting list links)

Also called employment exchange West Bengal, Employment Bank WB, kormo khali registration, job seeker enrolment

Free job seeker registration, job search, job fairs and the entry point for state allowances

The state's online employment exchange. She registers once, then can search and apply for jobs and be counted for allowances that need Employment Bank enrolment.

Status

Checked 5 October 2026: new job seeker enrolment is open online all year.

Who can apply

• Job seekers of West Bengal
• Employers and training institutes can also register

Documents

• Aadhaar card
• Address proof
• Education certificates
• Photo
• Caste or disability certificate if any

How to apply

1. Open employmentbankwb.gov.in and click New Enrolment, Job Seeker
2. Accept the terms and fill your details
3. Your login is sent after the Employment Exchange validates the enrolment
4. Log in to search jobs and keep your profile updated

In person: Nearest Employment Exchange

Run by

Directorate of Employment, Labour Department, Government of West Bengal

Checked 5 October 2026 against Employment Bank, Schemes: Rojgar Seva Portal · Official page to apply

Also called PM Internship Yojana, PMIS 9000 stipend, pminternship

₹9,000 a month (minimum, subject to attendance) plus a one-time joining grant of ₹6,000

A paid internship in a large company for young people aged 18 to 25 who are not in a full-time job. Since April 2026 final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students can also apply with a college NOC.

Status

Round 3 of the pilot is running in 2026 with companies posting internships on an ongoing basis (PIB, 22 Apr and 21 May 2026). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Indian youth aged 18 to 25 years
• Not in full-time employment
• Final-year UG and PG students may apply with a No Objection Certificate from their institution
• Applicants must meet the other existing eligibility criteria of the scheme

Documents

• Aadhaar
• Aadhaar-linked bank account
• College NOC (final-year students only)

How to apply

1. Register on the PMIS portal or app with Aadhaar
2. Fill your profile and pick internships
3. Accept an offer if selected

In person: Helpline 1800 11 6090

Run by

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Still a pilot. The 2024 pilot rules excluded anyone whose family member earned over ₹8 lakh a year, had a government job, or who held degrees such as CA, MBA, MBBS or from IITs and IIMs; check the current rules on the portal.

Checked 1 October 2026 against MCA expands eligibility of PMIS to final-year students (22 Apr 2026), PMIS: MY Bharat awareness campaign, ₹9,000 plus ₹6,000 joining grant (21 May 2026), A Pathway to Professional Growth: PM's Internship Scheme (pilot rules, Oct 2024) · Official page to apply

Also called NCS job portal, Jobs for Women, employment exchange online, ncs.gov.in

Free job search, job fairs, career counselling and a 'Jobs for Women' section

The government's free job portal for private and government jobs, job fairs and career guidance. It has a 'Jobs for Women' link on the home page and connects to e-Shram and Skill India.

Status

Running in 2026; over 6.02 crore jobseekers and 8.17 crore vacancies as of 20 Nov 2025 (PIB, 4 Dec 2025). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Any jobseeker in India

How to apply

1. Open ncs.gov.in and sign up as a Jobseeker
2. Complete your profile and open 'Jobs for Women' or search jobs
3. e-Shram card holders can register using their UAN

In person: District Employment Exchange / Model Career Centre

Run by

Ministry of Labour and Employment (Directorate General of Employment)

NCS never charges a fee at any stage. Anyone asking for money in NCS's name is a fraud. Many listings are low-paid, so check the employer.

Checked 1 October 2026 against National Career Service home page ('Jobs for Women', 'NCS services are free of cost'), Over 6 crore jobseekers registered on NCS (4 Dec 2025) · Official page to apply

Also called eShram, e Shram card, shramik card, UAN card

Free e-Shram card with a Universal Account Number (UAN) that links you to 14 central welfare schemes, NCS jobs, Skill India and the PM-SYM pension (₹3,000 a month from age 60 if you join between 18 and 40)

A free ID card for informal workers such as domestic workers, home-based workers, farm labourers and vendors. It does not pay money by itself, but makes it easier to reach insurance, pension, housing and job schemes.

Status

Registration open and free; over 31.48 crore workers registered by 26 Jan 2026 (PIB, 2 Feb 2026). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Unorganised workers aged 16 to 59: home-based, self-employed or wage workers in the unorganised sector
• Not a member of EPFO or ESIC

Documents

• Aadhaar number
• Aadhaar-linked mobile number (or biometric at a CSC)

How to apply

1. Self-register on eshram.gov.in or the e-Shram app with Aadhaar and OTP
2. Or go to a Common Service Centre (it must not charge you)
3. Download the card and use the One-Stop-Solution page to see linked schemes

In person: Common Service Centre (CSC) or State Sewa Kendra

Run by

Ministry of Labour and Employment

The card has no cash benefit of its own; messages promising money 'on your e-Shram card' are not from the government. Registration is totally free.

Checked 1 October 2026 against e-SHRAM cards for unorganised workers (2 Feb 2026), e-Shram FAQs (age 16 to 59, free registration), Benefits under e-Shram card (PM-SYM pension) · Official page to apply

Also called Utkarsha Bangla, free skill training West Bengal, PBSSD training, Paschim Banga Society for Skill Development

Free short term job skill training with a certificate and placement help

Free training in trades like beauty and wellness, apparel, healthcare, IT, retail and hospitality, with a certificate and help finding work or starting on her own. Women get priority.

Status

Checked 5 October 2026: listed as a running scheme on the state portal (updated June 2026); batches open through approved training centres.

Who can apply

• Resident of West Bengal
• Unemployed, underemployed, a school or college dropout, or wanting to upgrade skills
• Aged 15 to 45 years, and meets the education level the chosen course needs

Documents

• Aadhaar card
• Voter ID card
• Residence proof
• Education certificate
• Bank passbook
• Photo
• Caste or disability certificate if any

How to apply

1. Check courses and nearby training centres on the Utkarsh Bangla portal or at a training centre
2. Register with your details, education and preferred trade
3. After verification, join a batch and attend classes
4. Pass the assessment to get the certificate and placement support

In person: District Skill Development Office, BDO office, municipal office, ITI or approved training centre

Run by

Paschim Banga Society for Skill Development, Technical Education Training and Skill Development Department

Checked 5 October 2026 against Schemes: Utkarsh Bangla, Paschim Banga Society for Skill Development · Official page to apply

Also called Anandadhara, WBSRLM, Swanirbhar Gosthi, self help group loan West Bengal, SHG credit linkage

Group savings, starter funds and collateral free bank loans for women's self help groups

Village women form or join a self help group, save together, and after six months of regular books the group can get collateral free bank loans to run small businesses.

Status

Checked 5 October 2026: running; SHG credit linkage under WBSRLM was offered at the Seva Setu camps of 2 to 4 October 2026.

Who can apply

• Women from poor rural (and urban) households organised into self help groups
• The group must save regularly, lend internally and keep books
• A group can get bank finance after 6 months from the date it starts, with proper books of account

Documents

• SHG savings bank account
• SHG meeting and account books
• Members' Aadhaar and voter ID

How to apply

1. Contact the Anandadhara block office or the community resource person in your panchayat to join or form an SHG
2. Save regularly and keep meeting and account books for at least 6 months
3. Apply for the bank loan through SHG leaders or mission staff
4. The bank checks the group and lends to the SHG account without collateral

In person: Block Development Office (Anandadhara block unit), SHG cluster or federation, or the bank branch

Run by

Panchayats and Rural Development Department (WBSRLM), Government of West Bengal

Checked 5 October 2026 against Schemes: Credit Linkage to Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Seva Setu Abhiyan: Know your Schemes (Credit Linkage of SHGs under WBSRLM), Interim Budget Speech 2026-27 (5 February 2026): 12.06 lakh SHGs, 1.21 crore rural women · Official page to apply

Also called Udyam Credit Card, Banglar Udyam, startup grant West Bengal 2026

Up to ₹10 lakh: ₹5 lakh grant plus ₹5 lakh interest free loan

A planned support for young people starting a business or micro enterprise, for about 2 lakh youth.

Status

Checked 5 October 2026: announced in the 22 June 2026 budget with ₹200 crore; no guidelines or application portal found yet.

Who can apply

• Young micro entrepreneurs and start ups (detailed rules not yet published)

How to apply

1. Wait for official guidelines on wb.gov.in
2. Meanwhile get Udyam registration for your business

In person: Not yet notified

Run by

Government of West Bengal (announced in the 2026-27 State Budget)

Checked 5 October 2026 against Budget Speech 2026-27 (22 June 2026), page 55

Also called Mudra loan, PM Mudra, Shishu Kishor Tarun loan, Tarun Plus

Business loan without collateral up to ₹20 lakh: Shishu up to ₹50,000, Kishor ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh, Tarun ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, Tarun Plus ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh

A loan from a bank or other lender to start or grow a small non-farm business, with no property needed as security. It is open to men and women; about 60% of Mudra loan accounts in 2024-25 belonged to women.

Status

Running in 2026: PIB reported loans disbursed to 27 March 2026 and the scheme completed 11 years on 8 April 2026. Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Non-corporate, non-farm micro and small enterprises in manufacturing, trading, services and activities allied to agriculture
• Shishu loans are open to new entrepreneurs with no credit history or collateral
• Tarun Plus (₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh) is only for borrowers who took and fully repaid a Tarun loan

How to apply

1. Go to any bank branch, small finance bank, NBFC or microfinance lender, or apply online on the JanSamarth portal
2. Ask for a loan under PMMY and choose the category that fits the amount
3. Never pay an agent or a 'processing fee' to anyone outside the lender: MUDRA Ltd does not give loans directly

In person: Any bank branch or registered NBFC / microfinance lender

Run by

Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance (through banks, NBFCs and MFIs; MUDRA Ltd refinances)

MUDRA Ltd itself never lends to individuals. PIB Fact Check has flagged fake 'Mudra loan approval letters' asking for fees almost every month from 2024 to September 2026. The loan must be repaid with the bank's normal interest; there is no subsidy.

Checked 1 October 2026 against 11 Years of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (8 Apr 2026), PMMY loan limit raised to ₹20 lakh (Tarun Plus), PIB Fact Check: fake website onlinemudraindia.co.in (19 Mar 2026), Mudra FAQ · Official page to apply

Also called PMEGP loan, KVIC loan subsidy, margin money subsidy

Subsidy of 25% to 35% of the project cost on a bank loan for a new unit (women: 35% in villages, 25% in towns); project cost up to ₹50 lakh (manufacturing) or ₹20 lakh (service)

Helps a person start a new small factory or service unit outside farming. The bank gives the loan and the government pays part of the project cost as a one-time subsidy. Women count as a special category, so they get the higher subsidy and put in only 5% of their own money.

Status

Portal open and scheme active in 2026 (PIB, 12 Mar 2026). Its last Cabinet approval ran to 2025-26; a formal 2026-27 extension notice was not found. Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Any individual above 18 years of age
• No income ceiling
• At least VIII standard pass for projects above ₹10 lakh in manufacturing or above ₹5 lakh in business/service
• Only one person per family (self, spouse, unmarried children)
• Existing units, and units that already took a government subsidy under another scheme, are not eligible
• Projects without capital expenditure are not eligible

Documents

• Aadhaar

How to apply

1. Apply online on the PMEGP portal (New Application)
2. Pick KVIC, KVIB or DIC as the agency and choose a bank
3. Complete the short EDP training (not needed for projects up to ₹2 lakh)
4. The bank sanctions the loan and the subsidy is routed through the bank

In person: District Industries Centre (DIC) or KVIC / KVIB office

Run by

Ministry of MSME (KVIC, State KVIBs and District Industries Centres)

It is a subsidy on a bank loan, not a grant: you must get a bank loan and put in 5% (special category) or 10% (general) yourself.

Checked 1 October 2026 against PMEGP FAQ (eligibility), Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (subsidy rates, women as special category), Initiatives to strengthen rural and semi-urban MSMEs (12 Mar 2026), Continuation of PMEGP 2021-22 to 2025-26 · Official page to apply

Also called Lakhpati Didi Yojana, Aajeevika, NRLM SHG loan, self help group

Through your self-help group: a Revolving Fund of about ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per group, up to ₹2.5 lakh per group from the Community Investment Fund, bank loans with interest subvention (loans up to ₹3 lakh at 7%), a ₹5,000 Jan-Dhan overdraft, and free livelihood and enterprise training

Rural women join a self-help group (SHG) of neighbours, save together and get group funds, cheap bank loans and training to build a business or farm income. A 'Lakhpati Didi' is an SHG member whose household earns over ₹1 lakh a year.

Status

Active in 2026: over 3 crore Lakhpati Didis reached; target doubled to 6 crore by March 2029 (PIB, 13 Feb 2026). Checked 1 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

• Rural women who join a DAY-NRLM self-help group
• To be picked as a potential Lakhpati Didi: SHG member for at least two years, has used the Community Investment Fund, and runs at least two livelihood activities

How to apply

1. Ask the village SHG, Village Organisation or Community Resource Person to join a group
2. Save regularly in the group and keep records
3. Ask the block mission office about training and loans for your activity

In person: Block office of the State Rural Livelihoods Mission, or the Gram Panchayat

Run by

Ministry of Rural Development

There is no direct cash payment to become a Lakhpati Didi. Money comes as group funds and loans that must be repaid. Interest subvention rates vary by district.

Checked 1 October 2026 against How do I become a Lakhpati Didi, Financial Assistance, Doubling of target of Lakhpati Didis to 6 crore (13 Feb 2026), National Campaign on Entrepreneurship: EDP training for 50 lakh SHG members (14 Jan 2026) · Official page to apply