Bihar: Education, women and youth schemes

Bihar's Education Department runs schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Balak & Balika Cycle Yojana and Mukhyamantri Poshak Yojana alongside the Right to Education Act for children aged 6-14 years. For young people who have passed class 12, the state's "Aarthik Hal, Yuvaon ko Bal" programme under the 7 Nishchay offers the Bihar Student Credit Card, a self-help allowance and the Kushal Yuva Program. A new Youth, Employment and Skill Development Department was set up on 10 December 2025.

Education Department

• Has five directorates and several apex bodies for primary, secondary, higher and mass education.
• States its aim as regaining the past glory of Nalanda and Vikramshila universities.
• Under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE), it aims at free and quality primary education for all children aged 6-14 years.
• Schemes named by the department: Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan, Mukhyamantri Balak & Balika Cycle Yojana, Mukhyamantri Paribhraman Yojana, Mukhyamantri Poshak Yojana, Mukhyamantri Smagra Vidyalaya Vikas Yojana and Mukhyamantri Protsahan Yojana.
• The department notes that the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development was created on 26 September 1985.

"Aarthik Hal, Yuvaon ko Bal": Three Schemes

• The programme is run jointly by the Education, Planning & Development and Youth, Employment & Skill Development departments.
• Its three schemes: Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta (self-help allowance), Bihar Student Credit Card and Kushal Yuva Program (KYP).
• An applicant can take only one scheme, but self-help allowance beneficiaries must also take KYP training.
• To be eligible, the applicant must have passed class 12 from an institution in Bihar.
• Applications are made online at any time; original documents are verified at the District Registration and Counselling Centre (DRCC) on any working day, 10 am to 6 pm.
• Help is available on the toll-free number 18003456444.

Bihar Student Credit Card

• For residents of Bihar who passed class 12 (or equivalent) from a recognised institution in the state.
• The applicant must be enrolled, or selected for enrolment, in higher education at a recognised institution in Bihar, another state or under a central regulator.
• Age must not exceed 25 years on the date of application.
• The applicant must not get any other allowance, scholarship, credit card, education loan or other aid.
• The loan covers general courses and professional or technical courses such as B.A., B.Sc., engineering, medicine (M.B.B.S.), management and law.

Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta

• For unemployed youth aged 20-25 who are permanent residents of Bihar, are not studying, and are looking for work.
• They must have passed class 12 from a recognised institution in the state but not have gone on to higher education.
• They must have no self-employment, no government or private job, and no other government allowance, scholarship or loan.
• Beneficiaries must take compulsory training in language, communication and basic computer skills (KYP).

Kushal Yuva Program (KYP)

• Gives youth aged 15-25 training in Hindi and English language and communication skills and basic computer knowledge.
• For those who have passed class 10 (or at most class 12) in Bihar and are not in higher education, with no job or self-employment.
• Age relaxation (KYP only): SC/ST applicants get 5 years (limit 15-30); OBC applicants get 3 years (limit 15-28).
• Applicants with disabilities, from any category, also get 5 years (limit 15-30).

Youth, Employment and Skill Development Department

• Set up on 10 December 2025 by Cabinet resolution.
• Helps youth get jobs through skilling, counselling, registration and job fairs.
• Its work includes the Directorate of Employment, an employment e-portal, ITIs, apprenticeships and the Bihar Skill Development Mission.
• It also handles National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, Nehru Yuva Kendra and the Bihar Youth Commission.

Schemes for Girls and Women

• The Mukhyamantri Balak & Balika Cycle Yojana covers both boys and girls.
• The Social Welfare Department lists the Mukhyamantri Kanya Uthan Yojana (MKUY); the source gives no details of its benefits.