Nitish Kumar’s Big Move: ₹1,000 for Unemployed Graduates in Bihar

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Nitish Kumar

Key Points

  • Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced the expansion of the “Mukhya Mantri Nischay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana” (Chief Minister’s Self-Help Allowance Scheme) to include unemployed graduates.
  • Unemployed graduates in Arts, Science, and Commerce streams, aged 20-25 years, will receive ₹1,000 per month for a maximum of two years.
  • Previously, the scheme, a part of the state’s “7 Nischay” program, was only available to those who had passed their intermediate (12th grade) exams.
  • The government aims to provide 1 crore jobs and employment opportunities to the state’s youth in the next five years.
  • The announcement is seen as a major outreach to young voters ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

Patna: In a significant move just weeks before the Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Thursday that the state government will extend its “Chief Minister’s Self-Help Allowance Scheme” to provide financial assistance to unemployed graduates. Under the expanded scheme, eligible graduates will receive ₹1,000 per month for a maximum period of two years to help them prepare for competitive exams and find employment.

The scheme, formally known as “Mukhya Mantri Nischay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana,” is a key component of the state’s flagship “7 Nischay” (Seven Resolves) program. Since its launch on October 2, 2016, it has provided a monthly allowance to youths who have passed their intermediate (12th grade) exams.

Eligibility Criteria and Scheme Details

The expanded benefits will now apply to unemployed graduates with degrees in Arts, Science, and Commerce. To be eligible, individuals must meet the following criteria:

  • Be within the age group of 20-25 years.
  • Not be enrolled in any further studies.
  • Not be self-employed or engaged in any government, private, or non-governmental job.
  • Be actively seeking employment.

Announcing the decision on the social media platform X, the Chief Minister said, “I hope that these youth will use this assistance allowance to obtain necessary training and prepare for competitive examinations, thereby securing their future”.

Part of a Larger Employment Vision

This expansion is part of the state government’s broader priority of empowering the youth of Bihar. Nitish Kumar reiterated his administration’s target of providing government jobs and employment to 1 crore youth over the next five years. He emphasized that a large number of new opportunities will be created in both the government and private sectors, with a focus on skill development to make the youth more employable.

This announcement is being widely viewed as a strategic move to appeal to the nearly 21% of Bihar’s electorate who are in the 18-29 age group. It follows another recent decision to waive interest on loans given under the Student Credit Card scheme, further solidifying the government’s outreach to young voters.

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