West Bengal currently has two major unemployment assistance schemes that offer ₹1,500 per month to jobless youth. This includes Yuvashree Prakalpa and the newly launched Banglar Yuva Sathi.
While the monthly payout looks identical, these schemes are not the same, and the government has made one major rule very clear in 2026: you cannot receive benefits from both schemes at the same time.
Launched in 2013, Yuvashree Prakalpa was created as a welfare initiative to support unemployed youth registered on the state’s Employment Bank.
The scheme was built around the idea of skill development, meaning the financial support was intended to help beneficiaries fund training or improve employability.
However, over the years, Yuvashree has also been associated with a long waiting list, largely because of limited annual quotas.
Banglar Yuva Sathi, introduced in 2026, is widely seen as the next-generation version of unemployment assistance in West Bengal.
Unlike Yuvashree, this scheme is framed as a direct unemployment allowance (Bekar Bhata), meant to support everyday living expenses and job search costs.
The scheme was fast-tracked in early February 2026, and the government pushed special enrollment camps and new registration drives to bring more youth under the benefit umbrella quickly.
| Feature | Yuvashree Prakalpa (2013) | Banglar Yuva Sathi (2026) |
| Target Audience | Registered job seekers on Employment Bank | Broader category of educated unemployed youth |
| Age Limit | 18 – 45 years | 21 – 40 years |
| Minimum Education | Class 8 pass (in some cases) or Class 10 | Class 10 (Madhyamik) mandatory |
| Payment Method | Quarterly/Monthly via Labour Dept | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Aadhaar-linked |
| Enrollment Model | Based on Employment Bank waiting list | Open registration via camps/portal |
| Key Exclusions | No self-employment loans | Cannot already be receiving Yuvashree or other aid |
The right scheme depends mostly on your age and whether you already receive Yuvashree. If you are 18–20 or 41–45 years old, Yuvashree Prakalpa is your only option. Banglar Yuva Sathi starts at age 21 and ends at 40.
Read more: Banglar Yuva Sathi Scheme 2026: How Bekar Bhata Pays ₹1,500 Monthly to Unemployed Youth.
Although both Yuvashree Prakalpa and Banglar Yuva Sathi offer ₹1,500 per month, they serve different policy goals and different age groups. Yuvashree remains the legacy scheme tied to Employment Bank registration and skill-building, while Banglar Yuva Sathi is the 2026 expansion focused on quicker DBT-based support for a wider group of educated unemployed youth.
The biggest takeaway for applicants is simple: you cannot receive both benefits, so you should apply based on your age and current beneficiary status.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Published on: Feb 19, 2026, 3:00 PM IST
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