Not Just an Election Promise: Bihar’s ₹10,000 Scheme Aims to Reach 2.76 Crore Families — Here’s How the Guarantee Really Works

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana continues to dominate the political narrative in the state. Marketed by both the state government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “government-backed guarantee,” the scheme’s impact has gone far beyond election season.

A Post-Election Message to the Opposition

While the Opposition labelled the scheme as a “poll gimmick,” Nitish Kumar chose the perfect moment to respond. After securing victory in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the Chief Minister released the fourth instalment of the scheme on 28 November, sending a clear political message:

• The scheme is not an election stunt.
• Women are not required to return the money after the elections.
• The government will stand by every beneficiary even beyond the initial support.

A Vision of Gradual and Inclusive Development

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana is one of Nitish Kumar’s flagship social empowerment initiatives. Unlike one-time cash assistance programs, it follows a step-by-step model designed for long-term impact.

The plan is ambitious:
Reach at least one woman in every family across Bihar.

With 2.76 crore families in the state, this goal cannot be achieved overnight. Instead, the government is expanding the scheme in phases—“slowly but steadily winning the race.”

Four Tranches, Crores of Women Benefited

The disbursement timeline reflects the government’s methodical approach:

• 20 September 2025: ₹10,000 credited to 75 lakh women
• 3 October 2025: Second instalment for 25 lakh women
• 6 October 2025: Third tranche for 46 lakh women
• 28 November 2025: Fourth tranche released for 10 lakh women

With every instalment, the government has attempted to reinforce trust and expand the reach of the programme.

What Nitish Kumar Has Achieved

By releasing the fourth instalment immediately after the elections, the Chief Minister has hit multiple political targets at once:

• Reinforced credibility: “We don’t abandon people after elections.”
• Countered opposition claims: The money is not to be returned; it is real financial support.
• Strengthened women’s confidence: The government promises an additional ₹2 lakh to beneficiaries wishing to scale up their businesses.
• Established continuity: Regular implementation has strengthened the government’s bond with nearly half of Bihar’s population—its women.

A Scheme With Massive Reach

What makes the scheme politically and socially consequential is its scale. The long-term goal is clear:
To connect at least one woman from each of Bihar’s 2.76 crore families with a reliable economic activity.

The government insists this is not just about ₹10,000 transfers—it is about reshaping family-level economic opportunities across the state.