Bihar Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana 2025 – Financial Assistance Up To ₹2 Lakh For Women Entrepreneurs

The Government of Bihar has consistently taken steps to empower women, promote financial inclusion, and enhance self-employment opportunities across both rural and urban areas. In this context, the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme) was introduced as a landmark initiative aimed at enabling at least one woman from every family in the state to start her own employment venture. Launched in September 2025, this scheme provides direct financial assistance and institutional support to women, with the vision of turning them into entrepreneurs and pillars of economic stability within their families.

The scheme not only provides initial financial support of ₹10,000 to help women start their chosen employment activity but also ensures that, upon assessment, an additional support of up to ₹2 lakh may be granted based on requirements. Its implementation is entrusted to the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS), commonly known as JEEViKA, which has been instrumental in organizing women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and providing livelihood opportunities.

The guiding principle behind this initiative is to ensure that women, who are often the backbone of households, can participate in the economy more actively, improve their family’s income, and contribute to the socio-economic growth of Bihar.

Launch Date and Administrative Approval

The scheme officially came into effect on 1st September 2025 with the approval of the Bihar Cabinet. A formal resolution was passed under Resolution Number dated 29th August 2025. This resolution authorized the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana and outlined the framework under which JEEViKA and the Rural Development Department would oversee its execution.

Objectives of the Scheme

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana has clearly defined goals aimed at women’s empowerment, family welfare, and long-term sustainable development:

1. Economic Empowerment of Women – Provide financial assistance to women for starting their chosen form of employment or micro-enterprise.
2. One Entrepreneur per Family – Ensure that each family has at least one woman entrepreneur who can supplement the family’s income.
3. Reduction of Poverty – Support Below Poverty Line (BPL) and low-income households in creating sustainable livelihoods.
4. Promotion of Self-Employment – Encourage women to move away from dependency and unemployment by establishing their businesses.
5. Capacity Building and Training – Provide entrepreneurship and skill training so that women are equipped not just with funds but also with knowledge to run their ventures effectively.
6. Rural and Urban Inclusion – Extend equal benefits to women in both rural and urban areas, with the Rural Development Department and the Urban Development Department working together.
7. Financial Inclusion through DBT – Ensure transparency by transferring assistance directly to beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Key Features of the Scheme

1. Financial Assistance in Two Stages –
   • First installment: ₹10,000 to start employment.
   • Additional assistance: Up to ₹2 lakh, provided after assessment of the enterprise.
2. Universal Coverage – At least one woman from every family in Bihar is eligible to benefit.
3. Implementation by JEEViKA – In rural areas, the scheme will be implemented through JEEViKA’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Village Organizations, and Cluster Level Federations.
4. Inclusion of Urban Women – For urban areas, the Urban Development and Housing Department will assist in implementation with a dedicated online application portal.
5. Eligibility Based on Family – The scheme considers a family as husband, wife, and unmarried children. For unmarried adult women without parents, they will be treated as a single-family unit.
6. Training Support – Beneficiaries will receive entrepreneurship and enterprise management training.
7. Transparent Fund Transfer – Financial assistance is transferred directly to the woman’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
8. Monitoring and Supervision – The Chief Executive Officer of JEEViKA will monitor implementation, issue necessary directions, and ensure smooth functioning.

Scholarship / Financial Assistance Amount

The scheme provides direct monetary assistance, which acts like a grant rather than a loan.

• Stage 1 Assistance:
  Every eligible woman receives ₹10,000 as the first installment for starting her employment venture.
• Stage 2 Assistance:
  After the initial enterprise is assessed, the beneficiary may receive additional assistance up to ₹2 lakh, depending on the requirement of her chosen livelihood activity.

This two-stage assistance ensures that women can first start their small businesses and later expand or stabilize them with further government support.

Eligibility Criteria

To benefit from the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions:

1. Residence – Must be a resident of Bihar.
2. Family Definition – Family includes husband, wife, and unmarried children. Unmarried women without parents will be treated as an independent family.
3. Age Criteria – The applicant must be between 18 and 60 years of age.
4. Income and Employment Restrictions –
   • The woman or her husband must not be an income tax payer.
   • The woman or her husband must not be a government employee (regular or contractual).
5. SHG Membership –
   • Women who are already members of JEEViKA Self-Help Groups are directly eligible.
   • Women outside SHGs must first join a JEEViKA Self-Help Group before applying.
6. Self-Declaration – Applicants must submit a declaration confirming compliance with scheme conditions.

Reservation Policy

While the scheme is universally designed for women from all families, certain priority provisions apply:

• Women from Self-Help Groups under JEEViKA will be given priority.
• Marginalized communities, including SC, ST, OBC, and EBC women, are expected to benefit more due to their larger representation in JEEViKA groups.
• Special focus is also provided to unmarried women without parental support, who will be treated as single families.

Distribution of Assistance

The financial support under this scheme is distributed in a systematic manner:

1. First Installment –
   • An amount of ₹10,000 is provided as a grant to every eligible woman.
   • This amount is deposited into her Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.
2. Second Installment (Additional Assistance) –
   • After the woman successfully starts her employment, an assessment will be conducted.
   • Based on the requirement and performance, up to ₹2 lakh additional support will be provided.
3. Rural and Urban Distribution –
   • In rural areas, the distribution is managed by Village Organizations and Block Project Units of JEEViKA.
   • In urban areas, a special online portal will be used for application and distribution under the supervision of the Urban Development Department.

Application Process (Step by Step)

For Rural Areas:

1. Collect Application Form – Eligible women should obtain the prescribed application form (Annexure-1) from their Village Organization (VO).
2. Fill in Details – Complete the form with personal, family, and employment details.
3. Attach Documents – Attach Aadhaar card, residence certificate, and bank account details.
4. Submit Application – Submit the form to the Village Organization.
5. Approval by VO – The VO will conduct a special meeting, verify applications, and approve them.
6. Forwarding to Block Level – Approved applications are forwarded to the Block Implementation Unit of JEEViKA.
7. Data Entry in MIS – All details are entered into the Management Information System (MIS) portal with Aadhaar details.
8. Verification by District Unit – Applications are verified at the district level and forwarded to JEEViKA headquarters.
9. Fund Transfer – JEEViKA headquarters transfers the approved amount directly to the applicant’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account via DBT.

For Urban Areas:

1. Online Portal – An online application portal developed by JEEViKA will be used.
2. Fill Application – Applicants must register, fill in their personal and employment details, and upload necessary documents.
3. Verification – Applications will be verified by the Municipal Executive Officers.
4. Fund Transfer – After approval, the assistance will be credited directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Renewal Policy

Unlike scholarships, this scheme does not have a renewal system. However, the process of providing the second installment of assistance up to ₹2 lakh acts like a renewal mechanism. After reviewing the progress of the woman’s employment, further funds are released.

Withdrawal / Exit Policy

The scheme outlines certain conditions under which benefits may be withdrawn or canceled:

1. False Information – If a beneficiary is found to have submitted false details in her application.
2. Ineligible Beneficiaries – If the woman or her husband is later found to be an income tax payer or a government employee.
3. Non-Utilization of Funds – If the assistance is not used for the intended purpose of employment generation.
4. Voluntary Withdrawal – Beneficiaries may voluntarily exit the scheme by submitting a declaration to JEEViKA.

Capacity Building and Training

An important feature of this scheme is entrepreneurship development training provided by JEEViKA. Women are trained in:

• Enterprise planning and management.
• Financial literacy and record-keeping.
• Technical skills related to their chosen occupation.
• Preparing micro business plans for sustainability.

Through partnerships with technical institutions and government departments, women receive additional guidance and mentoring.

Monitoring and Supervision

The implementation of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana will be continuously monitored by the Chief Executive Officer of JEEViKA, with assistance from district and block-level units. Periodic reviews, audits, and field visits will ensure transparency and effectiveness.