In the West Bengal State Budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, presented on February 5, 2026, Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya announced a landmark scheme for the unemployed youth of the state: the “Banglar Yuva Sathi” (Bengal Youth Companion) scheme.
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What is the Banglar Yuva Sathi Scheme?
Banglar Yuva Sathi is a financial assistance program designed to support educated unemployed youth in West Bengal. Much like the ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme for women, this initiative provides a monthly stipend to help young people meet their daily expenses while they search for stable employment.
Key Highlights of the Scheme:
- Monthly Allowance: Eligible candidates will receive ₹1,500 per month directly into their bank accounts.
- Total Duration: This assistance is provided for a maximum period of 5 years or until the candidate secures a job (whichever is earlier).
- Budgetary Allocation: The state government has earmarked ₹5,000 Crore for this initiative.
- Effective Date: The scheme is set to be officially launched on August 15, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria: Who is Eligible?
To ensure that the aid reaches those who need it most, the government has set specific eligibility rules:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed the Madhyamik (Class 10) or an equivalent examination.
- Age Limit: Applicants must be between 21 and 40 years of age.
- Employment Status: Only those who are currently unemployed and not engaged in any permanent government or private sector job can apply.
- Exclusion Clause: Youth who are already receiving any other scholarship or monthly financial grant from the State Government are not eligible for this scheme.
Other Major Announcements in the 2026-27 Budget
Apart from the “Banglar Yuva Sathi” project, the budget also focused on increasing honorariums for several frontline workers and social security schemes:
| Category | Hike Amount |
| Lakshmir Bhandar | ₹500 increase |
| ASHA Workers | ₹1,000 hike |
| Civic Volunteers | ₹1,000 hike |
| ICDS Workers | ₹1,000 hike |
| Para-Teachers | ₹1,000 hike |
How to Apply?
Since the official rollout is scheduled for April 2026, the application portal has not yet opened. It is expected that the government will accept applications through the offline camp. Registration usually requires:
- Aadhar Card
- Bank Account Details (linked with Aadhar)
- Madhyamik Pass Certificate/Mark Sheet
- Resident Certificate of West Bengal
Would you like me to notify you once the official application link or the list of required documents is released?