Bihar Government Introduces Paid Internships to Boost Youth Employment

In a major policy move aimed at youth empowerment and cultural preservation, the Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approved several key welfare initiatives on Tuesday. These include a paid internship programme for young individuals, monthly pensions for traditional artists, financial support for elected Panchayati Raj representatives, and post-retirement benefits for judges.

Internship Scheme to Bridge Education and Employment

The highlight of the Cabinet decisions was the launch of the 'Mukhya Mantri Pratigya' scheme, designed to offer financial support to youth aged 18–28 who are pursuing internships. Eligible candidates include those who have completed Class 12, hold ITI diplomas, or are graduates and postgraduates.

"The Cabinet approved the 'Mukhya Mantri Pratigya' scheme on Tuesday. Under the scheme, youths aged between 18 and 28, having either trained under a skill development programme or those who have passed Class 12, Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) diploma, graduate and post-graduate will get financial support for availing internship training," said Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) S Siddhartha, as per news reports.

The financial assistance will vary by qualification: ₹4,000 per month for higher secondary pass-outs, ₹5,000 for ITI diploma holders, and ₹6,000 for graduates and postgraduates. Internship durations will range from 3 to 12 months. Additionally, interns placed outside their home district will receive ₹2,000 extra per month, and those interning outside Bihar will get ₹5,000 more for a maximum of 3 months. Payments will be credited directly to their bank accounts, and a committee led by the Development Commissioner will monitor implementation.

Cultural Preservation Through Artist and Guru Support

To safeguard Bihar’s artistic heritage, the Cabinet approved the 'Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Pension Yojana', offering a ₹3,000 monthly pension to artists who have dedicated at least 10 years to classical or performing arts. Eligibility criteria include a minimum age of 50 and an annual income not exceeding ₹1.20 lakh.

The state also introduced the 'Mukhya Mantri Guru-Shishya Parampara Yojana' to provide a 2-year mentorship in rare and endangered art forms. “Under the scheme, gurus will be given ₹15,000 per month as an incentive, while musicians will be given ₹7,500 and pupils will be given ₹3,000. A total of ₹1.11 crore has been sanctioned for the current financial year,” Siddhartha said.

Expanded Welfare and Post-Retirement Benefits

Under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Chikitsa Sahayta Kosh’, the Cabinet extended medical grants to elected Panchayati Raj representatives. Cancer patients will receive ₹80,000 to ₹1.20 lakh, heart patients ₹60,000 to ₹1.80 lakh, and ₹3 lakh for surgeries like brain or kidney transplants. Additional aid is available for trauma, spinal, eye, and joint surgeries.

In a separate move, the Cabinet approved the “Retired Chief Justices and Judges Domestic Help(s) Rule and Other Benefits Rules, 2025”. Retired high court judges will receive ₹55,000 per month for domestic help or drivers, while retired chief justices or those elevated to the Supreme Court will get ₹60,000. An additional ₹15,000 per month will be given for telecom, internet, secretarial, and security services. The Bihar Factory Rules 1950 were also amended to allow women (excluding pregnant and lactating) to work in hazardous factories.

Read More: What is the Stipend Offered in the PM Internship Scheme in 2025?!

Conclusion

With a focus on employability, heritage, healthcare, and institutional welfare, Bihar’s latest Cabinet decisions present a multi-faceted approach to governance. The 'Mukhya Mantri Pratigya' scheme in particular stands out as a step toward making the youth more industry-ready while ensuring that cultural roots and community health are not left behind.

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