Lakshmir Bhandar Yojana 2026 - West Bengal Women Get Rs 1000-1200 Monthly Assistance

West Bengal was one of the first states to launch a women welfare cash transfer scheme, even before Madhya Pradesh Ladli Behna. The Lakshmir Bhandar Yojana, launched in September 2021, provides Rs 1000 per month to General category women and Rs 1200 per month to SC/ST women aged 25-60 years. With over 2.1 crore beneficiaries, it is one of the largest women welfare schemes in East India. My friend mother in Burdwan district, who is a homemaker from a poor family, used the Rs 1200 monthly (she is SC) to buy medicines for her arthritis and contribute to her grandson school fees. The dignity and independence this money gives to women cannot be measured in rupees alone.

What makes Lakshmir Bhandar unique is the differentiated amount based on caste. SC and ST women get Rs 1200 per month while General category women get Rs 1000. This is to acknowledge the additional socio-economic disadvantages faced by SC/ST women. The eligibility criteria is age 25-60, family income less than Rs 2.5 lakh per annum, valid ration card, and no government employee in the family. The money is credited directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account between 15th and 20th of every month.

The West Bengal government has integrated this scheme with several other welfare initiatives. Beneficiaries also get free ration under Khadya Sathi scheme (5 kg rice and 5 kg wheat per person per month free), free health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh per family under Swasthya Sathi, and free education for girls from Class 1 to graduation under Kanyashree scheme. The total annual benefit per family can exceed Rs 30000 when all integrated schemes are considered. The application is done at Duare Sarkar camps (government services at doorstep) or Bangla Sahayata Kendras set up across the state. Sarkari Notice 247 strongly recommends every eligible West Bengal woman to apply for Lakshmir Bhandar.

How to Apply for Lakshmir Bhandar Yojana 2026

1. Check your eligibility: You should be a woman, resident of West Bengal, aged 25-60 years, with family income less than Rs 2.5 lakh per annum, valid ration card (Priority or Antyodaya), and no government employee in the family. SC/ST women get Rs 1200, General women get Rs 1000.
2. Get your documents ready: Aadhaar card, bank passbook (account should be Aadhaar-linked), ration card, income certificate or self-declaration, caste certificate if SC/ST, and address proof of West Bengal.
3. Visit the nearest Duare Sarkar camp when announced in your area. The camps are held periodically across all districts. You can also visit any Bangla Sahayata Kendra (BSK) or Common Service Centre (CSC) for application. The application is completely free.
4. At the camp or BSK, the operator will help you fill the Lakshmir Bhandar application form. Submit your personal details, family details, family income, ration card details, bank account details, Aadhaar details, and caste (for SC/ST higher amount). Self-attest all document copies.
5. The camp officials will verify your documents and do Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. They will give you an acknowledgement receipt with a reference number. Keep this safely for future tracking.
6. After verification, the District Magistrate office will approve your application. The first installment will be credited to your Aadhaar-linked bank account between 15th and 20th of the following month. You will receive an SMS confirmation on your registered mobile number.
7. Check your application status on wbcdwdsw.gov.in using your reference number or Aadhaar number. Check your bank account statement between 15th and 20th of every month for the monthly installment. If you do not receive the amount for more than 2 months, contact the nearest BSK or call the helpline at 1967.