With the 2026 Assembly elections approaching, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has advanced the launch of the state’s unemployment assistance scheme, Banglar Yuva Sathi, from August 15 to April 1.
The programme will provide Rs 1,500 per month to educated but unemployed youth.
Announcing the decision at the state secretariat, Nabanna, on February 10, Banerjee said the rollout date was aligned with the new financial year. "Earlier, we had decided to launch the scheme from August 15. However, since the financial year begins on April 1, we have decided to implement the scheme from April 1," she said.
The scheme was unveiled in the interim Budget presented on February 5, where Minister of State for Finance Chandrima Bhattacharya announced an allocation of Rs 5,000 crore for its implementation in the next financial year.
The chief minister had faced criticism from Opposition leaders after the initial announcement, with allegations that schemes were being declared without implementation during her current tenure.
Who is eligible for Banglar Yuva Sathi?
The scheme targets unemployed youth aged between 21 and 40 years who have passed the Madhyamik (Class 10 state board examination). Applicants must be residents of West Bengal.
Beneficiaries will receive Rs 1,500 per month until they secure employment. The scheme will be reviewed after five years.
Banerjee has clarified that recipients will continue to be eligible for existing scholarship programmes such as Aikyasree, Medhasree, Sikhasree smart card scheme, and the Swami Vivekananda merit-cum-scholarship.
However, those already receiving benefits under other state welfare schemes, apart from scholarships, will not qualify. "If they are not receiving funds under any other scheme, ₹1,500 will be provided till they get a job," she stated.
How to apply: 12-day camps across 294 constituencies
To facilitate enrolment, the State government will organise special camps in all 294 Assembly constituencies from February 15 to February 26. The camps will operate daily between 10 am and 5 pm.
"Applications need to be registered for the Yuva Sathi scheme. The camps will operate from February 15 to 26," Banerjee said, adding that eligible applicants must submit forms physically at the camps.
On why the application process is not being conducted online, she said time constraints were a factor. "The verification and survey will take some time, and in the process, some may be deprived."
Applicants will receive acknowledgement receipts upon submission.
Documents required for registration
Applicants must submit photocopies of:>> Bank passbook
>> Valid identity proof
>> Class 10 certificate
>> Passport-size photograph
>> Any additional documents specified in the application form
Sample application forms can be downloaded from the official website of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department (wbsportsandyouth.gov.in), but completed forms must be submitted in person at the designated camps.
Representatives from four departments, Sports and Youth Affairs, Agriculture, Power and Irrigation, will be present at each camp.
Other schemes announced alongside Yuva Sathi
Along with Banglar Yuva Sathi, the government will allow registration at the same camps for two additional welfare measures:
A Rs 4,000 annual assistance for landless farmers (Rs 2,000 each during the Kharif and Rabi seasons)
Free shallow pump power connections for farmers
The chief minister also confirmed that landless sharecroppers will begin receiving financial assistance from April, as announced in the interim Budget. In addition, the monthly allowance under the Lakshmir Bhandar direct cash transfer scheme for women has been increased by Rs 500 and has already been implemented from February.
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