By SK Jabedul Haque | Published on CurrentAffair.Today | Govt Schemes
What is Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme?
The Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme is the flagship welfare program of the West Bengal Government launched in February 2021 to provide monthly financial assistance to women from economically weaker sections. The scheme is administered by the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare.Key Benefits:
Key Benefits at a Glance:
- ✅ ₹1,700/month for SC/ST category women (from Feb 2026)
- ✅ ₹1,500/month for General/OBC category women (from Feb 2026)
- ✅ Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank account
- ✅ Universal coverage — all eligible women in a family can apply
- ✅ 2.21 crore beneficiaries currently enrolled
- ✅ Budget allocation: ₹38,762 crore for 2025–26
Related: Explore other West Bengal welfare schemes — Banglar Yuva Sathi Yojana (₹1,500/month for unemployed youth), Samudra Sathi Scheme (₹10,000 for fishermen), and Karmashree Scheme (50 days employment).
Latest Update: February 2026 Budget Hike
| Category | Amount (2021–2024) | Amount (2024–25) | New Amount (Feb 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC/ST Women | ₹1,000/month | ₹1,200/month | ₹1,700/month |
| General / OBC | ₹500/month | ₹1,000/month | ₹1,500/month |
Key announcements from the February 2026 Budget:
- ₹500 hike for both categories
- 20.62 lakh new women to be added
- Additional allocation of ₹1,500 crore
- Total beneficiaries reach 2.21 crore women
"Around 2.2 crore of my mothers and sisters receive Lakshmir Bhandar. We spend a lot of money on it — already spent over ₹50,000 crore. Our project is inclusive and universal." — CM Mamata Banerjee
Eligibility Criteria
Primary Requirements
- ✅ Female resident of West Bengal
- ✅ Age: 25 to 60 years
- ✅ Enrolled in Swasthya Sathi health scheme (mandatory)
- ✅ Aadhaar-linked bank account in the woman's name only
Who is NOT Eligible
- ❌ Permanent/retired government employees
- ❌ State/Central government undertakings staff
- ❌ Statutory body employees
- ❌ Panchayat/Municipality employees
- ❌ Government-aided educational institution staff
- ❌ Anyone receiving regular salary or pension
Special Provisions
- Provisional registration is allowed if Swasthya Sathi or Aadhaar is pending
- Multiple women per household can apply (universal scheme)
- Benefits automatically transfer to Old Age Pension at age 60
Documents Required
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Swasthya Sathi Card | Mandatory (provisional registration possible without it) |
| Aadhaar Card | Identity & address proof |
| SC/ST Certificate | Required for the higher ₹1,700 amount |
| Bank Passbook | Self-attested copy showing name, account number, IFSC, MICR — account must be in applicant's name only |
| Passport-size Photo | Recent colored photograph |
| Self-Declaration Form | Signed declaration of eligibility |
How to Apply – Step by Step
Application Mode: Offline Only
Step 1: Collect the Application Form
Forms are available at:
- Duare Sarkar Camps (government outreach camps)
- Block Development Office (BDO) — for rural areas
- Sub-Divisional Office (SDO) — for urban areas
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) — for Kolkata residents
Step 2: Fill the Form
- Enter personal details (name, address, date of birth)
- Provide Swasthya Sathi number
- Mention your category (SC/ST or General/OBC)
- Camp officials are available to assist with form filling
Step 3: Attach Documents
- Self-attested copies of all required documents
- Recent passport-size photo
- Signed self-declaration form
Step 4: Submit and Collect Receipt
- Submit the completed form at the same camp or office
- Collect your acknowledgement receipt with a reference number
Step 5: Verification and Sanction
- BDO/SDO uploads your data to the government portal
- Documents are scrutinised by officials
- District Magistrate or KMC Commissioner sanctions the benefit
- You receive an SMS notification on your registered mobile number
Check Your Application Status
Online Status Check
- Visit: https://www.socialsecurity.wb.gov.in
- Enter your registered mobile number
- Click "Generate OTP" and enter the OTP received
- Your application status will be displayed
You can also search by Application ID, Swasthya Sathi Card Number, or Aadhaar Number.
Payment & Helpline Details
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Payment Mode | Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Helpline | 033-22143526 / 033-23341563 |
| duaresarkar@gmail.com / support.lakhsmirbhandar-wb@nic.in | |
| Office Address | Bikas Bhawan, 10th Floor, DF Block, Sector 1, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091 |
How Lakshmir Bhandar Compares with Other States
| State | Scheme | Monthly Amount | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | Lakshmir Bhandar | ₹1,500–₹1,700 | 2.21 crore |
| Maharashtra | Ladki Bahin Yojana | ₹1,500 | 2.52 crore |
| Karnataka | Gruha Lakshmi | ₹2,000 | 1.33 crore |
| Madhya Pradesh | Ladli Behna | ₹1,500 | 1.29 crore |
| Tamil Nadu | Magalir Urimai | ₹1,000 | 1.06 crore |
West Bengal's key advantage: The only state offering universal coverage with no income or asset restrictions, making it accessible to every eligible woman regardless of economic background.
Budget Expenditure Overview
| Financial Year | Budget Allocation | Expenditure | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | — | ₹10,101.9 crore | 1.98 crore |
| 2024–25 | — | ₹19,385 crore | 2.21 crore |
| 2025–26 | ₹38,762 crore | Ongoing | 2.21 crore+ |
Total expenditure since launch in 2021: over ₹50,000 crore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I apply online for Lakshmir Bhandar?
No. The application process is completely offline. You must visit Duare Sarkar camps, BDO, SDO, or KMC offices in person.
Q2: Can multiple women from one family apply?
Yes. Lakshmir Bhandar has universal coverage — all eligible women in a household can receive the benefit independently.
Q3: What if I do not have a Swasthya Sathi Card yet?
You can be provisionally registered. Camp officials will assist you in obtaining the card alongside your Lakshmir Bhandar application.
Q4: When will the increased amount of ₹1,500/₹1,700 start?
The revised amounts were announced in the February 2026 state budget and are effective from that month onwards.
Q5: Is there any income limit to qualify?
No. There is no income or asset restriction. The scheme is universal.
Q6: What happens when I turn 60?
Your Lakshmir Bhandar benefit automatically transitions to the Old Age Pension Scheme at age 60.
Q7: How long does approval take?
Typically 30 to 60 days after submission, depending on document verification at the district level.
Related West Bengal Schemes
- Banglar Yuva Sathi Yojana — ₹1,500/month for unemployed youth aged 21–40
- Yuva Sathi Camp List 2026 — Find nearest registration centres
- Samudra Sathi Scheme — ₹10,000 for fishermen during the fishing ban period
- Karmashree Scheme — 50–100 days of guaranteed employment for rural youth
- Yogyashree Scheme — Free JEE/NEET coaching with monthly stipend for SC/ST students
Financial Planning Tools
Make the most of your monthly Lakshmir Bhandar assistance:
- SIP Calculator — Start investing your monthly benefit
- PPF Calculator — Plan long-term tax-free savings
- RD Calculator — See returns on recurring deposits