The West Bengal Government on Monday decided to set up a help desk for the applicants of the ‘Banglar Yuva Sathi’ Scheme, launched to support unemployed youths.

Following the overwhelming response to the scheme, the Sports and Youth Affairs Department launched a dedicated help desk (6292248888) to clear the queries of applicants.

The Yuva Sathi scheme provides a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 to unemployed West Bengal residents who have passed secondary school, until they secure employment.

According to sources in the Youth and Sports Department, the initiative would help in the supervision and monitoring of the scheme’s activities, apart from receiving complaints. Moreover, the helpdesk will also assist the applicants to keep track of the progress of their applications.

The helpdesk will be open from Monday to Friday from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm, barring public holidays.

More than 84 lakh applications were received until February 26, the last date for registering for the scheme. Of these, over 65 lakh were submitted through camps organised across all 294 Assembly constituencies, while another 19 lakh applications were received online, reflecting the scheme’s massive outreach.

West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya announced the Yuva Sathi scheme in February and allocated Rs 5,000 crore in the 2026-27 budget. Camps were set up for all 294 Assembly constituencies.

Who can avail the benefits

According to the scheme, the unemployed youths who are permanent residents of the state can enrol for the Banglar Yuva Sathi if they have qualified for the Madhyamik (Class X) exam, and are in the age group of 21 to 40 years.

The registration for the scheme was open between February 15 and February 26.

This scheme will entitle them to a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 from April for a maximum period of five years, if they fail to get a job during this period. But those who are taking the benefit of schemes such as Lakshmi Bhandar, Krishak Bandhu, or any other scheme will not be eligible for this scheme.

What documents are required

The applicant will have to submit photocopies of their Class 10 marksheet or certificate, age proof, and Aadhaar card or voter ID card, bank details, a passport-size photograph, mobile number, and email address. After verification, the money would be directly transferred to the individual’s bank account.