What this scheme offers
Punjab was one of the later major states to launch a broad-based women's cash-transfer scheme, and when it did, the announcement came with real political weight — Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema unveiled it in the 2026-27 budget speech on International Women's Day itself, and local media described it as the AAP government fulfilling its single biggest promise ahead of the 2027 election. Every eligible woman aged 18 and above gets ₹1,000 a month, with women from Scheduled Caste communities getting ₹1,500 — the extra ₹500 recognising that SC households in Punjab are statistically more likely to be in genuine financial need. Rather than opening a single central website, the government deliberately routed registration through Anganwadi centres, Sewa Kendras and district facilitation camps in two phases (a pilot in nine constituencies from 15 April 2026, then the remaining 108 constituencies from May), a choice clearly aimed at reaching rural and less digitally-connected women rather than requiring everyone to register online.
Who is eligible
- Woman resident of Punjab, aged 18 or above.
- ₹1,500/month rate applies to Scheduled Caste category women; general category gets ₹1,000/month.
- Meets residency and family-eligibility criteria set out in the scheme's April 2026 gazette notification.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Residential proof (Punjab domicile)
- Caste certificate, for the SC-category rate
- Bank account details (Aadhaar-linked)
How to apply
- Collect the application form from your nearest Anganwadi Centre, Sewa Kendra, or District Social Welfare Office.
- Fill in the form and attach photocopies of required documents.
- Submit the completed form to the officer at the collection point, who will issue a receipt as confirmation.
- Watch for registration camps in your area, particularly if you live in a rural constituency covered in the scheme's second phase.
- Once verified, the monthly amount is credited via DBT to your Aadhaar-linked bank account.