Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday announced that a women’s university would be established in the state, with all officials, professors, employees and students being women.
Key Highlights
- 7,376 women selected as government nurses, providing women with significant employment opportunities in government service.
- Solar panels to be installed at the homes of 10 lakh JEEViKA didis by March 31, promoting energy self-reliance and economic empowerment.
- Target to provide employment to 1 crore women and turn 1 crore women into ‘Lakhpati Didis’, with greater opportunities in livestock, manufacturing and services.
Patna, August 2026 : Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inaugurated a programme organised by the Rural Development Department of the Bihar government at Bapu Sabhagar in the Samrat Ashok Convention Centre. The event was held on the themes “Developed India–Prosperous Bihar” and “Respect for Sisters, Identity of the Government.”
Ahead of Raksha Bandhan, the Chief Minister launched the “Prosperous Women–Prosperous Bihar” campaign, aimed at strengthening the economic independence of women across the state.
During the programme, Choudhary transferred Rs 600 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the bank accounts of five lakh women beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme. Loans were also distributed to 10,000 beneficiaries through the JEEViKA fund.
The Chief Minister also launched construction work for 112 rural haats under the Developed India–Shri Ram Ji Scheme. These rural markets are expected to provide better opportunities for marketing local products and expanding women-led economic activities.
An MoU was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister between Prajapita Brahma Kumari Ishwariya University and the Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department for initiatives related to de-addiction and social awareness. Choudhary also released booklets associated with the “Prosperous Women–Prosperous Bihar” and “Lakhpati Didi” campaigns.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of a women’s university in Bihar, saying that women would occupy every position in the institution, from the vice-chancellor and professors to administrative staff and students.
“Only when women become prosperous will Bihar become prosperous, and only then will India become developed,” Choudhary said, extending his greetings and best wishes to women on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
The Chief Minister said the state government was continuously working to make women economically self-reliant. A target has been set to identify 10 lakh JEEViKA didis and install solar panels at their homes by March 31, helping families achieve greater energy independence while reducing household expenses.
He said that, following the 2024-25 Mahila Samvad programme, the government had decided to provide 125 units of free electricity to all domestic consumers across Bihar, irrespective of their economic status. The state is providing electricity subsidies worth nearly Rs 23,000 crore.
Choudhary also recalled that complete prohibition was implemented in Bihar in 2016 following demands raised during the Mahila Samvad initiative.
According to the Chief Minister, more than 1.81 crore women are now associated with self-help groups, while JEEViKA didis contribute around Rs 1.46 lakh crore to Bihar’s economy. He said that before 2005, women’s participation in the state economy was negligible, but their confidence, hard work and growing economic participation have now strengthened both families and the wider economy.
The government also plans to link JEEViKA didis with the de-addiction campaign. Street plays and other awareness programmes will be organised across Bihar to encourage people to stay away from substance abuse.
Choudhary congratulated 7,376 women selected as government nurses through the Bihar Public Service Commission recruitment examination. He described their selection as a significant achievement that would provide women with expanded opportunities in government service.
The Chief Minister also announced a special campaign to make Bihar anaemia-free. Under the initiative, the government aims to conduct health screenings of one crore women by November and provide necessary medicines free of cost.
Highlighting the government’s Samadhan programme, Choudhary said citizens’ grievances are being targeted for resolution within 30 days. People can submit applications through the Samadhan Portal for issues relating to villages, regions or JEEViKA, with cases to be resolved within the prescribed timeframe.
To increase women’s participation in higher education, the government will provide Rs 10,000 per month to 1,000 women pursuing PhD studies. Bihar currently has around 4,600 PhD scholars, including approximately 600 women.
Women’s safety has also been prioritised. The government has deployed “Police Didis” around schools, colleges, offices and JEEViKA groups. Female police personnel have also been provided motorcycles to facilitate rapid assistance and resolution of complaints. Bihar has around 40,000 women police personnel, the highest number among states, the Chief Minister said.
Choudhary said the state had set a target during the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections to provide government jobs and employment opportunities to one crore people, and work was progressing rapidly towards achieving the objective.
He said the government was committed to creating opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs and Lakhpati Didis through employment and self-employment initiatives.
The Chief Minister credited former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with setting the foundation for major employment initiatives. In 2020, a target was set to provide government jobs to 10 lakh people and employment opportunities to another 10 lakh. Since then, more than 50 lakh people have reportedly been connected with jobs and employment opportunities.
The government is also expanding degree colleges, improving teaching facilities and developing model schools. Arrangements are being strengthened to help students prepare for medical and engineering entrance examinations, while online education is being used to support learners.
Choudhary said JEEViKA had played a major role in strengthening Bihar’s rural economy. Around 50 lakh JEEViKA didis have already become Lakhpati Didis, while nearly 25 lakh women are associated with livestock activities under the Pashu Sakhi campaign.
He said the state government would continue working for the economic, social, educational and health empowerment of women and plans to spend Rs 20,000 crore on women by 2030.
During the event, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Secretary of the Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department Sanjay Kumar Singh welcomed the Chief Minister by presenting him with a green sapling and a memento. JEEViKA didi Sandhya Kumari tied a rakhi on the Chief Minister and prayed for his well-being, while Choudhary presented her with a gift.
Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar and Prohibition, Excise and Registration Minister Madan Sahni also addressed the programme. Senior government officials, JEEViKA representatives and members of Prajapita Brahma Kumari Ishwariya University were present.
