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Bihar Cabinet Hikes Student Scholarships, Approves 31 Key Proposals

The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar cabinet approved 31 proposals, including a major hike in Pre-Matric Scholarships for SC/ST students, effectively doubling the rates last revised in 2011. It sanctioned a new music college in Dumraon to be named after Ustad Bismillah Khan with a revised budget of Rs 87.81 crore. Other decisions include increasing the honorarium for Special Armed Police and clearing the contractual recruitment of 17,000 retired army and paramilitary personnel. The cabinet also enhanced grants and income limits for various backward classes scholarship and hostel schemes.

Key Points: Bihar Approves 31 Proposals, Hikes Student Scholarships

  • SC/ST scholarship rates doubled
  • New music college in Buxar
  • Honorarium hike for SAP personnel
  • Recruitment of 17,000 retired forces personnel
2 min read

Bihar: Nitish Kumar Cabinet approves 31 proposals, hikes student scholarships

Bihar cabinet hikes SC/ST student scholarships, approves music college & SAP honorarium increase. 27 lakh students to benefit from new rates.

"The scheme will benefit around 27 lakh students - State Government"

Patna, Jan 29

The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government on Thursday approved 31 proposals during a cabinet meeting held in Patna.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, was attended by both Deputy Chief Ministers and ministers from various departments.

One of the major decisions taken was a significant hike in the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, effective from the financial year 2025-26.

The revised annual scholarship amounts are Rs 1,200 for students from Classes 1 to 4, Rs 2,400 for Classes 5 to 6, Rs 3,600 for Classes 7 to 10, and Rs 6,000 for hostel students from Classes 1 to 10.

The scholarship rates, last revised in 2011, have now been doubled.

The scheme will benefit around 27 lakh students, with the state government incurring an estimated expenditure of Rs 519.64 crore.

In another key decision, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a music college in Dumraon, Buxar district, to be named after Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan.

The earlier administrative sanction of Rs 14.52 crore for the project has been cancelled, and a fresh sanction of Rs 87.81 crore has been granted under the state plan.

The funds will be used for the construction of the college building, furniture, internal roads, and the boundary wall.

The college aims to provide students with opportunities to pursue education in various disciplines of music.

The Cabinet also approved an increase in the honorarium of Special Armed Police (SAP) personnel, effective from the date of issuance of the order.

To further strengthen law and order, combat crime, and curb extremism, the government has cleared the recruitment of 17,000 retired personnel from the Indian Army and Central Paramilitary Forces on a contractual basis in the financial year 2026-27.

Additionally, from the financial year 2025-26, the monthly grant under the Chief Minister's Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes Hostel Scheme has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per student, resulting in an estimated expenditure of Rs 19.56 crore.

From the financial year 2026-27, the annual family income limit under the Chief Minister's Backward Classes Merit Scholarship Scheme has been enhanced from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, with an estimated annual expenditure of Rs 117.98 crore.

The Cabinet also approved an increase in scholarship rates under the Chief Minister's Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme from the financial year 2025-26.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move on the scholarships and the income limit increase for OBC/EBC schemes. But 31 proposals in one go? Feels like an election-year splurge. I'll believe it when I see the implementation on the ground. The music college in Bismillah Khan's name is a nice cultural touch though.
A
Aman W
Recruiting 17,000 retired army/paramilitary personnel is a smart idea for law and order. They have the discipline and experience. Combined with the SAP honorarium hike, this should help make Bihar safer. Positive steps overall.
S
Sarah B
Investing in education and culture simultaneously is a balanced approach. The music college honoring Ustad Bismillah Khan will preserve our rich heritage. However, the project cost jumping from ~14 crore to ~87 crore needs transparent justification. Public money must be used wisely.
V
Vikram M
Bahut accha faisla! Helping 27 lakh students is massive. The hostel grant increase from 1000 to 2000 is also very practical—hostel expenses have gone up so much. Now the focus should be on improving school infrastructure and teacher quality too.
K
Kriti O
As a student from a backward class family, this news brings hope. The increased income limit means more of my friends will qualify for the merit scholarship. Education is the real game-changer for Bihar's youth. Hope other states follow suit.

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