Bihar cabinet clears 31 proposals focusing on education, security, and welfare

The Bihar cabinet cleared a wide-ranging set of decisions covering education, security, and cultural development, approving 31 proposals at its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Among the most significant measures was a sharp increase in pre-matric scholarships for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students, effective from the 2025–26 financial year. The scholarship amounts, unchanged since 2011, have now been doubled.

Under the revised structure, students in Classes 1 to 4 will receive ₹1,200 annually, those in Classes 5 and 6 will get ₹2,400, and students in Classes 7 to 10 will be entitled to ₹3,600 per year.

For students residing in hostels from Classes 1 to 10, the yearly scholarship has been increased to ₹6,000.

Officials said around 27 lakh students enrolled in government and recognized schools across Bihar are expected to benefit.

The state government will spend ₹519.64 crore on the enhanced scholarship scheme.

The cabinet also approved the construction of a music college in Dumraon, located in Buxar district, to be named after Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan.

An earlier sanction of ₹14.52 crore for the project has been withdrawn, and a fresh administrative approval of ₹87.81 crore has been granted under the state plan.

The revised allocation will cover construction of the academic building, furniture, internal roads, and boundary walls.

Once operational, the institution is expected to provide formal training in multiple music disciplines for students in the state.

In a move aimed at strengthening internal security, the cabinet cleared an increase in the honorarium paid to Special Auxiliary Police personnel working with the Bihar Police.

It also approved the recruitment of 17,000 retired personnel from the Indian Army and Central Paramilitary Forces on contract during the 2026–27 financial year.

Officials said the step is intended to bolster the SAP force for improved crime control, counter-extremism efforts, and maintenance of law and order.

Additional financial support was also announced for students from backward and extremely backward classes.

Under the Chief Minister Backward Class and Extremely Backward Class Hostel Scheme, the monthly assistance per student will rise from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 starting in 2025–26, leading to an estimated additional expenditure of ₹19.56 crore.

Further, from 2026–27, the annual family income ceiling for eligibility under the Chief Minister’s Backward Classes Merit Scholarship Scheme will be increased from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh.

This expansion is expected to raise the scheme’s annual cost to ₹117.98 crore.

Officials said the decisions underscore the state government’s emphasis on education, social inclusion, and public security.