On September 26, 2025, the ‘Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme’ was launched in Bihar, aimed at bolstering financial support for women. The initial phase saw ₹7,500 crore distributed to 7.5 million beneficiaries, with each woman receiving ₹10,000 via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). In a recent development, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar distributed ₹2,500 crore to 2.5 million women, also at ₹10,000 per beneficiary, through the DBT system. This brings the total amount disbursed to ₹10,000 crore, reaching 1 crore women.
During the event, Kumar addressed the beneficiaries, stating that the recent disbursement covers 2.5 million women, thus expanding the scheme’s reach to 1 crore women in total. He highlighted the scheme’s objective to provide financial support to every woman in each family in the state. He also announced the schedule for distributing the ₹10,000 aid to the remaining women, with the upcoming date set for October 6, 2025.
Kumar also mentioned additional assistance of up to ₹2 lakh for those whose businesses flourish. He contrasted the current progress with the situation before the NDA government’s formation on November 24, 2005, emphasizing the state’s development, the rule of law, and the advances made in education and healthcare. He stressed the commitment to women’s empowerment.
He further elaborated on women’s empowerment initiatives, including the 50 percent reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions in 2006 and urban local bodies in 2007. He also mentioned the 35 percent reservation for women in the police force since 2013 and in government jobs from 2016. He also pointed out the low initial number of self-help groups in Bihar.
He also recalled the launch of self-help groups in 2006, with financial aid from the World Bank, known as ‘Jeevika.’ Today, the number of these groups has risen to approximately 11 lakh, with 1 crore 40 lakh Jeevika didis. Since 2024, these groups have also been forming in urban regions, with approximately 37,000 groups, involving around 3 lakh 85 thousand Jeevika didis. This expansion is still underway.