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Widow Pension
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Pension Scheme

Widow Pension in West Bengal: IGNWPS, the State Pension and the Annapurna Choice

The central pension for widows, the state pension reported at ₹1,500, why beneficiaries were asked to choose between it and Annapurna Bhandar, and how to apply.

Compiled from official releases and published sources, October 2026 7 min read Department: Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal

01Central IGNWPS

IGNWPS as stated in a PIB document
AgeCentral amount per month
40 to 79 years₹300
80 years and above₹500

The scheme is for widows from Below Poverty Line families.

02State Widow Pension

The state widow pension was ₹1,000 a month before August 2026.

The 2026 rise is reported, not seen in an order. News reports of July and September 2026 say West Bengal raised old-age, widow and disability pensions from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 a month from 1 August 2026, credited by direct bank transfer. No Government Order text was found. A further rise to ₹2,000 in phases was also reported in August 2026, with no date, and the September reports mention only ₹1,500.

03Widow Pension and Annapurna Bhandar

Annapurna Bhandar pays ₹3,000 a month to women aged 25 to 60 and replaced Lakshmir Bhandar in 2026. A PTI report of 22 September 2026 says women receiving both Annapurna and the widow pension were asked to choose one, with a written declaration and choices uploaded by 29 September 2026. Annapurna can still be combined with the disability pension and Krishak Bandhu, but not with the widow pension.

Reports of 7 and 8 September also advised widows aged 25 to 60 to consider Annapurna, through the BDO office or municipality.

04Eligibility Reported for the State Pension

  • A widow who has not remarried
  • Residence in West Bengal for 10 years
  • Not receiving any other pension
  • Low family income
A private aggregator gives an age of 60 and above and an income limit of ₹1,000, which conflicts with the central age band of 40 to 79 and with reports about widows aged 25 to 60. The official eligibility text was not reached, so the BDO or municipality office should confirm.

05Documents

  • Aadhaar, ration card or voter ID
  • Husband’s death certificate (see the West Bengal Death Certificate page)
  • Income certificate
  • Bank passbook, photograph and nomination form

06How to Apply

  1. Collect the form from the BDO or Panchayat Samiti office, the SDO or municipality, or the Controller of Vagrancy in the Kolkata municipal area.
  2. Submit it with the documents for verification and District Magistrate approval.
  3. Track the application on the state portal.
The previous government’s waiting list was reported cancelled on 7 September 2026, with a fresh list to be prepared. Jan Kalyan Camp registrants are to be verified first, and fresh applications are expected at camps in “late November or December”. Existing beneficiary rolls are also being checked, and about 50,000 names were reported to be removed as ineligible.

08Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the widow pension in West Bengal?

Reports say ₹1,500 a month from August 2026, up from ₹1,000. No order was seen.

Can a widow get both the widow pension and Annapurna Bhandar?

No. Beneficiaries receiving both were asked in September 2026 to choose one.

What does the central scheme pay a widow?

₹300 a month from 40 to 79 years and ₹500 from 80, for BPL families.

Which age group does the state pension cover?

Sources conflict. The BDO or municipality office can say.

This page is updated periodically. Benefit amounts, limits, dates and portal menus change; for the most current and binding information, always refer to the official portal or the implementing office.