What are the main women welfare schemes in West Bengal?

Key schemes include Kanyashree Prakalpa (girl-child education support), Rupashree Prakalpa (marriage assistance), Lakshmir Bhandar/Annapurna Bhandar (monthly income support), and the Widow Pension component of the Jai Bangla Pension Scheme.

Which scheme helps with a daughter's education?

Kanyashree Prakalpa is the main scheme, offering an annual scholarship for girls aged 13–18 studying in Class 8–12, plus a one-time grant at age 18 for those who remain unmarried and continue their education.

Is Lakshmir Bhandar still active in 2026?

Following the 2026 state election and change in government, Lakshmir Bhandar is reported to be transitioning to a new scheme, Annapurna Bhandar, from mid-2026. Existing beneficiaries are expected to be largely migrated automatically after e-KYC verification, check the Lakshmir Bhandar page for the latest status.

What is Rupashree Prakalpa?

It's a one-time financial grant for the marriage of an adult daughter (18 or above) from an economically weaker family, aimed at easing the financial burden of marriage-related expenses.

Do I need to apply separately for each scheme?

Yes, each scheme has its own eligibility criteria and application process, though several (like Rupashree and Lakshmir Bhandar) can often be applied for at the same Duare Sarkar camp visit.

How are these women welfare payments made?

Almost all of these schemes use Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), paid directly into the woman's own Aadhaar-linked bank account rather than to a household head.

West Bengal Women Welfare Schemes 2026: Full List & Guide

What Are West Bengal's Women Welfare Schemes

West Bengal runs one of India's most extensive networks of women-focused welfare programmes, spanning a girl's life from school-age education support, through marriage-linked assistance, to ongoing monthly income support as an adult, and pension coverage in widowhood or old age. These schemes are administered mainly by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, and most are delivered through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiary's own Aadhaar-linked bank account, which is a deliberate design choice to put financial control directly in women's hands rather than routing benefits through a household head.

This page groups the state's major women-focused schemes by life stage, so you can quickly identify which one applies to you or a family member. Explore all Social Welfare Schemes operating across West Bengal for broader family safety nets.

Girl Child & Student-Stage Schemes

Financial incentives aimed at encouraging continuous schooling and preventing underage marriage include:

Kanyashree Prakalpa: West Bengal's flagship scheme for unmarried girls, offering an annual K1 scholarship of Rs. 1,000 (ages 13–18, enrolled in Class 8–12) and a one-time K2 grant of Rs. 25,000 at age 18, designed to delay early marriage and keep girls in school. The scheme won the prestigious United Nations Public Service Award in 2017.
Sabooj Sathi Scheme: While open to all eligible students, this free-bicycle scheme for Classes 9–12 has particularly benefited girl students by making the daily commute to school safer and easier, a factor closely linked to reduced dropout rates among adolescent girls.
Shikshashree Scheme: Pre-matric scholarship for SC/ST students in Classes 5–8, benefiting girl students from these communities alongside boys to reduce early dropouts.

For additional student aid, check dedicated Scholarship Schemes across West Bengal.

Marriage & Adulthood Support Schemes

To assist economically vulnerable families with the cost of a daughter's wedding and promote legal-age marriages:

Rupashree Prakalpa: A one-time financial grant of ₹25,000 provided to economically weaker families (annual family income ≤ ₹1.5 Lakh) for the marriage of an adult daughter (18 years or above), intended to reduce the financial burden that can otherwise push families toward child marriage or informal debt.

Income Support Schemes for Women

Direct financial empowerment for adult women heads of households:

Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme: A monthly direct cash transfer to eligible women heads of households (aged 25 to 60), historically covering an estimated 2.2 crore women at its peak. Important: following the 2026 change in state government, this scheme is reported to be transitioning to a new programme, Annapurna Bhandar, from mid-2026, see the linked page for the latest confirmed amount and eligibility status.

Widow & Senior Women Pension Support

Targeted social security pensions protecting vulnerable and senior women:

Jai Bangla Pension Scheme: West Bengal's umbrella pension platform includes a dedicated Widow Pension sub-scheme for eligible widows aged 18 and above, paying a standardised Rs. 1,000/month alongside its other pension categories (old age, SC/ST, disability, and occupation-based).

How to Apply for These Schemes

Application procedures across women welfare programs fall into four primary access channels:

School or College Enrolment: Kanyashree, Sabooj Sathi, and Shikshashree applications are generally processed through the applicant's own educational institution rather than submitted independently.
Duare Sarkar Outreach Camps: Rupashree Prakalpa and Lakshmir Bhandar / Annapurna Bhandar applications are commonly submitted through Duare Sarkar ("Government at Your Doorstep") camps organised periodically across the state.
Gram Panchayat / Block / Municipal Offices: Available year-round for applications, renewals, and correcting application details for most of these schemes.
Aadhaar-Linked Bank Account Mandate: Required across nearly all of these schemes, since benefits are paid via Direct Benefit Transfer directly to the woman's own account.

Since Lakshmir Bhandar's transition to Annapurna Bhandar was still rolling out at the time of writing, women already receiving Lakshmir Bhandar payments should watch for any e-KYC verification request and complete it promptly to avoid a disruption in their monthly payment.

Life-Cycle Financial Security Framework for Women

The Government of West Bengal structures women's welfare through a continuous, life-stage financial protection continuum:

Adolescent Support (Ages 13–18): Annual K1 stipends (₹1,000) and free Sabooj Sathi bicycles remove transport and financial barriers, ensuring girls complete secondary education.
Transition to Adulthood (Age 18): One-time grants via Kanyashree K2 (₹25,000) and Rupashree Prakalpa (₹25,000) incentivize higher education or assist with marriage costs.
Household Income Stability (Ages 25–60): Monthly direct benefit transfers under Lakshmir Bhandar / Annapurna Bhandar provide autonomous cash reserves for adult female heads of family.
Elderly & Widow Security (Ages 60+ / Widowhood): Universal widow and old-age pensions under Jai Bangla assure long-term dignity and healthcare coverage via Swasthya Sathi e-cards.

Annapurna Bhandar Transition and e-KYC Verification Protocol

As state income support for women transitions to the Annapurna Bhandar model, existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries must follow these administrative instructions:

Biometric e-KYC Authentication: Beneficiaries should complete biometric or Aadhaar OTP verification at local Gram Panchayat offices, Duare Sarkar camps, or Tathya Mitra Kendras.
NPCI Bank Account Mapping: Ensure your receiving bank account is linked to Aadhaar and mapped on the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) portal to avoid credit failures.
No Re-Application Required for Active Holders: Enrolled women with clean DBT payment histories are migrated automatically without needing to submit fresh paper forms.

Institutional Support Desks and Women Help Desks

Female applicants seeking guidance, document corrections, or payment status tracking can access assistance through dedicated state desks:

Block Development Office (BDO) Welfare Cell: Every BDO office maintains a dedicated Women and Child Development counter for handling Rupashree, Kanyashree, and pension inquiries.
Duare Sarkar Single-Window Counters: Mobile camps provide instant application submission, e-KYC verification, and grievance recording in local Gram Panchayats.
State Toll-Free Women Helpline: Contact the Department of Women and Child Development (Nabanna) for direct assistance.

Self-Help Group (SHG) Integration under Anandadhara

Beyond direct cash transfers, female beneficiaries in West Bengal are encouraged to join Self-Help Groups under the Anandadhara (West Bengal State Rural Livelihoods Mission) programme. SHG membership opens access to micro-credit bank linkages, revolving funds, and vocational training in tailoring, food processing, and handicraft production.

Higher Benefit Rates for SC and ST Women

Across major social welfare programs, the state government provides enhanced financial assistance to women belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. For example, under Lakshmir Bhandar, SC/ST women received ₹1,700 monthly compared to ₹1,500 for general category recipients previously (now flat ₹3,000/month under Annapurna Bhandar), while scholarship allocations under Shikshashree and Oasis guarantee 100% coverage for eligible SC/ST female applicants.

Legal Protections and Equal Beneficiary Rights

All women-focused welfare initiatives in West Bengal strictly enforce non-discrimination guidelines based on caste, religion, or regional location. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments credited to single-operated bank accounts ensure that female beneficiaries retain full financial autonomy, supporting economic self-reliance, improved household nutritional security, and long-term socio-economic dignity across urban and rural communities alike.