The West Bengal government’s social registry portal is an initiative aimed at providing citizens with easy access to various welfare benefits and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) statuses. This portal serves as a gateway for citizens to track the status of their applications and payments for different schemes, including the Annapurna Bhandar and Lakshmir Bhandar schemes.
About the West Bengal Social Registry Portal
The West Bengal government operates two primary social security portals: socialregistry.wb.gov.in (Social Registry) and socialsecurity.wb.gov.in (Social Security). Both portals serve as gateways for tracking welfare benefits and DBT statuses. The Social Registry portal provides a range of services, including application and payment status tracking, for various schemes.
The portal offers eligible citizens the opportunity to apply for financial assistance and other benefits through this platform. It aims to provide a transparent and efficient way of delivering benefits to the citizens of West Bengal. The portal is an essential step towards digitalizing the process of availing welfare benefits, making it more accessible and convenient for the citizens.
Annapurna Bhandar Scheme: A New Initiative
As of June 1, 2026, the West Bengal government replaced its flagship Lakshmir Bhandar scheme with the new Annapurna Bhandar (also called Annapurna Yojana). This new scheme provides a uniform monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 to eligible women aged 25-60. The financial assistance is transferred directly into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts via DBT.
The Annapurna Bhandar scheme has stricter eligibility criteria compared to the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The new scheme excludes income taxpayers, government employees, and those removed from the State Identification Register (SIR). All existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are being automatically migrated to the new scheme.
- Key Benefits:
Uniform monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 to eligible women aged 25-60
- Eligibility Criteria:
Excludes income taxpayers, government employees, and those removed from the State Identification Register (SIR)
- Application Process:
Application verification is conducted by Block Development Officers (BDOs) in rural areas and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) in urban areas
The official online application portal for new beneficiaries is https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login. Beneficiaries can check their application and payment status online via the Social Security Portal’s “Track Applicant Status” option using their Application ID, Aadhaar number, or registered mobile number.
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
The Annapurna Bhandar scheme has specific eligibility criteria that applicants must meet to qualify for the financial assistance. To be eligible, women must be between 25-60 years old and have an Aadhaar-linked bank account. They should not be income taxpayers, government employees, or removed from the State Identification Register (SIR). Additionally, applicants must be enrolled in Swasthya Sathi, a health insurance scheme provided by the West Bengal government.
The application process for the Annapurna Bhandar scheme involves submitting required documents through the official online portal. The necessary documents include:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID
- Ration Card
- Bank passbook with an active single Aadhaar-linked account
- Residence proof (electricity/water bill)
- Passport-size photograph
Applicants can submit their applications through the Social Security Portal’s online application portal. However, the portal experienced server crashes due to high traffic in early June 2026. Beneficiaries can also check their application and payment status online via the Social Security Portal’s “Track Applicant Status” option using their Application ID, Aadhaar number, or registered mobile number.
Key Features and Benefits of Annapurna Bhandar
The Annapurna Bhandar scheme provides a uniform monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 to eligible women aged 25-60, transferred directly into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scheme removes caste-based distinctions and adds free state-run bus travel for women. This is a significant improvement over the previous Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, which provided ₹1,700 and ₹1,500 per month to SC/ST and General category women, respectively.
The Annapurna Bhandar scheme aims to provide financial assistance to eligible women and help them become self-sufficient. The scheme also promotes women’s empowerment and helps to reduce poverty in the state. With the introduction of stricter eligibility criteria, the scheme aims to target the most vulnerable sections of society.
All existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are being automatically migrated to the new Annapurna Bhandar scheme. The state government has initiated a 90-day enrollment drive starting June 1, 2026, to onboard new beneficiaries. The first phase of fund transfers commenced on June 3, 2026, ensuring that eligible women receive their financial assistance in a timely manner.
Tracking Application and Payment Status
Beneficiaries can track their application and payment status online via the Social Security Portal’s “Track Applicant Status” option. They can use their Application ID, Aadhaar number, or registered mobile number to access their status. This feature allows beneficiaries to stay updated on the status of their application and payment, ensuring transparency and accountability in the process.
The Social Registry portal and Social Security portal serve as gateways for citizens to access welfare benefits and DBT statuses. The portals provide a range of services, including application and payment status tracking, for schemes like Annapurna Bhandar and Lakshmir Bhandar. Eligible citizens can apply for financial assistance and other benefits through these platforms.
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
The Annapurna Bhandar scheme has specific eligibility criteria that applicants must meet to qualify for the financial assistance. The scheme is open to women aged 25-60 who are residents of West Bengal and have an Aadhaar-linked bank account. Applicants must not be income taxpayers, government employees, or have been removed from the State Identification Register (SIR). Additionally, they must be enrolled in the Swasthya Sathi scheme or have a valid Ration Card.
To apply for the Annapurna Bhandar scheme, eligible citizens can visit the official online application portal at https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login. The application process requires submitting necessary documents, including Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Ration Card, bank passbook with an active single Aadhaar-linked account, residence proof (electricity/water bill), and a passport-size photograph.
The application verification process is conducted by Block Development Officers (BDOs) in rural areas and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) in urban areas. A 90-day enrollment drive started on June 1, 2026, and the first phase of fund transfers commenced on June 3, 2026. Beneficiaries can check their application and payment status online via the Social Security Portal’s “Track Applicant Status” option using their Application ID, Aadhaar number, or registered mobile number.
Required Documents and Verification Process
To ensure a smooth application process, applicants must have the necessary documents ready. These include:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID
- Ration Card
- Bank passbook with an active single Aadhaar-linked account
- Residence proof (electricity/water bill)
- Passport-size photograph
The verification process involves checking the submitted documents and ensuring that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria. This process is conducted by BDOs in rural areas and SDOs in urban areas. Once the application is verified, it is approved, and the beneficiary is eligible to receive the financial assistance.
The West Bengal government’s social registry portal and social security portal work together to facilitate the application and verification process. The portal provides a user-friendly interface for citizens to apply for welfare benefits and track their application status.
Payment Status and Fund Transfers
Beneficiaries of the Annapurna Bhandar scheme can check their payment status online using their Application ID, Aadhaar number, or registered mobile number. The fund transfers are made directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The first phase of fund transfers commenced on June 3, 2026, and subsequent transfers are made on a regular basis. Beneficiaries can track their payment status and view their transaction history on the Social Security Portal.
The Annapurna Bhandar scheme aims to provide financial assistance to eligible women in West Bengal, promoting their economic empowerment and well-being. The scheme’s implementation and monitoring are facilitated by the West Bengal government’s social registry portal and social security portal.
Application Process and Required Documents
To apply for the Annapurna Bhandar scheme, eligible citizens can visit the official online application portal at https://socialsecurity.wb.gov.in/login. However, applicants may experience server crashes due to high traffic. The required documents for application include:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID
- Ration Card
- Bank passbook with active single Aadhaar-linked account
- Residence proof (electricity/water bill)
- Passport-size photograph
Applicants must ensure they have all the necessary documents before applying. The application verification process is conducted by Block Development Officers (BDOs) in rural areas and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) in urban areas.
Eligibility Criteria and Exclusions
The Annapurna Bhandar scheme has stricter eligibility criteria compared to the previous Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. Exclusions include:
- Income taxpayers
- Government employees
- Those removed from the State Identification Register (SIR)
To be eligible, women must be between 25-60 years old and have an Aadhaar-linked bank account. The scheme provides a uniform monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000, transferred directly into the beneficiary’s account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The new scheme removes caste-based distinctions and adds free state-run bus travel for women. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries are being automatically migrated to the new scheme.
Tracking Application and Payment Status
Beneficiaries can check their application and payment status online via the Social Security Portal’s “Track Applicant Status” option. They can use their Application ID, Aadhaar number, or registered mobile number to track their status.
This feature allows beneficiaries to stay updated on the progress of their application and payment. The Social Registry portal provides a convenient way for citizens to access welfare benefits and DBT statuses.
Citizens can also use the portal to track application and payment status for other schemes, such as Lakshmir Bhandar.
Conclusion
The West Bengal government’s social registry portal provides a gateway for citizens to access welfare benefits and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) statuses. The Annapurna Bhandar scheme offers financial assistance to eligible women, and the portal allows beneficiaries to track their application and payment status.
The portal serves as a one-stop platform for citizens to access various welfare schemes and services. Eligible citizens can apply for financial assistance and other benefits through this platform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: What is the Annapurna Bhandar scheme?
A: The Annapurna Bhandar scheme is a social security scheme launched by the West Bengal government, providing a uniform monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 to eligible women aged 25-60.
- Q: Who is eligible for the Annapurna Bhandar scheme?
A: Women between 25-60 years old with an Aadhaar-linked bank account are eligible for the scheme.
- Q: How can I track my application and payment status?
A: Beneficiaries can track their application and payment status online via the Social Security Portal’s “Track Applicant Status” option using their Application ID, Aadhaar number, or registered mobile number.