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17 Feb 2026·Source: The Indian Express
4 min
Social IssuesEconomyPolity & GovernanceNEWS

Bihar Government Distributes Second Installment of Funds to Women

Bihar government disburses second installment of ₹10,000 each to 25 lakh women.

The Bihar government has disbursed the second installment of financial assistance to 25 lakh more women under a state-sponsored scheme. Each woman received ₹10,000 as part of the initiative aimed at promoting women's empowerment and financial inclusion. The scheme provides direct cash transfers to eligible women, enabling them to start small businesses, improve their livelihoods, and enhance their overall socio-economic status.

The government hopes that this financial assistance will contribute to reducing poverty and promoting gender equality in the state. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Bihar government to empower women and promote their participation in the state's economic development.

Key Facts

1.

The Bihar government is providing financial assistance to women.

2.

Each woman receives ₹10,000.

3.

25 lakh women are benefiting from the second installment.

4.

The scheme aims to promote women's empowerment and financial inclusion.

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper II: Social Justice and Governance - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

2.

Connects to syllabus topics of poverty alleviation, women empowerment, and inclusive growth.

3.

Potential question types: Statement-based MCQs, analytical questions on the effectiveness of DBT schemes, and critical analysis of gender budgeting.

In Simple Words

The Bihar government is giving ₹10,000 to 25 lakh women. This money is meant to help them start their own small businesses or improve their lives. It's like giving someone a small push to become more independent.

India Angle

In India, many women in poorer families don't have their own income. This scheme helps them gain some financial independence, which can improve their status in the family and community.

For Instance

Imagine a woman who makes and sells snacks from home. This money could help her buy better ingredients or equipment to expand her business.

This matters because when women have money and power, they can make better choices for themselves and their families. It also helps the whole community become more prosperous.

Empowered women empower the nation.

Visual Insights

Bihar Government's Financial Assistance to Women

Key statistics from the Bihar government's scheme to empower women through direct financial assistance.

Number of Women Beneficiaries
25 lakh

This scheme aims to promote women's empowerment and financial inclusion in Bihar.

Financial Assistance per Woman
₹10,000

This direct cash transfer enables women to start small businesses and improve their livelihoods.

More Information

Background

The news highlights a state-sponsored scheme for women's empowerment. Such schemes are often designed to address historical gender disparities in access to resources and opportunities. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), provide a global framework for these initiatives. Many Indian states have implemented similar programs, reflecting a nationwide effort to improve women's socio-economic status. Financial assistance programs for women are not new in India. The National Mission for Empowerment of Women, launched in 2010, aimed to strengthen overall processes that promote women's empowerment. State-level initiatives build on this national framework, tailoring programs to local needs and contexts. These schemes often involve direct benefit transfers (DBT) to ensure efficient and transparent delivery of funds. The success of these programs depends on effective targeting, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the intended benefits. Article 15(3) of the Indian Constitution empowers the State to make special provisions for women and children. This constitutional provision provides the legal basis for affirmative action policies and programs aimed at promoting gender equality. The Directive Principles of State Policy also emphasize the State's responsibility to promote social justice and reduce inequalities, which further strengthens the rationale for women-centric development initiatives.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on financial inclusion as a tool for women's empowerment. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched in 2014, aimed to provide access to banking services for all, with a particular focus on women. Subsequent initiatives have focused on promoting women's entrepreneurship through access to credit and skill development programs. These efforts are aligned with the broader goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable economy. Several states have launched their own versions of direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes for women, often targeting specific groups such as widows, single mothers, or women from marginalized communities. These schemes typically provide cash transfers for various purposes, such as education, healthcare, or livelihood support. The effectiveness of these programs is often evaluated based on indicators such as increased school enrollment rates, improved health outcomes, and enhanced economic participation. Looking ahead, there is a growing focus on leveraging technology to improve the reach and impact of women's empowerment programs. This includes using mobile technology to provide financial literacy training, facilitate access to credit, and monitor program outcomes. The use of data analytics is also becoming increasingly important for identifying gaps in service delivery and tailoring programs to meet the specific needs of different groups of women.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main objective of the Bihar government's scheme to provide ₹10,000 to women?

The scheme aims to promote women's empowerment and financial inclusion by providing direct cash transfers to eligible women, enabling them to start small businesses, improve their livelihoods, and enhance their overall socio-economic status.

2. How many women in Bihar are benefiting from the second installment of this scheme, and what is the amount they are receiving?

25 lakh women are benefiting from the second installment, and each woman is receiving ₹10,000.

3. In the context of women's empowerment, what is the significance of financial inclusion initiatives like the one in Bihar?

Financial inclusion initiatives are crucial for women's empowerment as they provide women with access to resources and opportunities, enabling them to become economically independent and improve their overall socio-economic status. These initiatives address historical gender disparities in access to resources.

4. What are some potential benefits and drawbacks of the Bihar government's scheme from the perspective of a common citizen?

Potential benefits include improved livelihoods for women and their families, increased economic activity in the state, and reduced poverty. Potential drawbacks could include the risk of misuse of funds, administrative challenges in disbursing the money, and the potential for the scheme to be unsustainable in the long term if not properly managed.

5. How does this Bihar government scheme align with broader national initiatives for women's empowerment and financial inclusion?

The Bihar government scheme aligns with national initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), which aims to provide access to banking services for all, with a particular focus on women. It also complements initiatives focused on promoting women's entrepreneurship through access to credit and skill development programs.

6. What key numbers should I remember about this scheme for the UPSC Prelims exam?

Remember that each woman receives ₹10,000, and 25 lakh women are benefiting from the second installment.

Exam Tip

Focus on the amount disbursed and the number of beneficiaries. These are common areas for MCQ-based questions.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the financial assistance scheme mentioned in the news: 1. The scheme provides ₹10,000 to each eligible woman. 2. The scheme is funded entirely by the central government. 3. The scheme aims to promote women's empowerment and financial inclusion. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.1 and 3 only
  • C.2 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The news explicitly states that each woman received ₹10,000 under the scheme. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The news mentions that the scheme is a state-sponsored scheme, implying that it is funded by the Bihar government, not entirely by the central government. Statement 3 is CORRECT: The news clearly states that the initiative aims to promote women's empowerment and financial inclusion.

2. Which of the following constitutional provisions empowers the State to make special provisions for women?

  • A.Article 14
  • B.Article 15(3)
  • C.Article 16(4)
  • D.Article 21
Show Answer

Answer: B

Article 15(3) of the Indian Constitution explicitly empowers the State to make special provisions for women and children. This provision is a key enabler for affirmative action policies aimed at promoting gender equality. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law, Article 16(4) deals with reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens, and Article 21 guarantees protection of life and personal liberty.

3. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) primarily aims to:

  • A.Provide subsidized food grains to the poor
  • B.Ensure financial inclusion by providing access to banking services
  • C.Promote skill development among youth
  • D.Provide housing for the urban poor
Show Answer

Answer: B

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched in 2014, primarily aims to ensure financial inclusion by providing access to banking services, particularly for the unbanked population. This includes opening bank accounts, providing access to credit, and promoting financial literacy. The other options relate to different government schemes.

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