Patna, September 26, 2025: The Bihar government has launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (MMRY) to empower women and promote self-employment opportunities. Under this scheme, one woman from every family in Bihar will receive an initial financial assistance of ₹10,000 to start their own business. This amount will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. The scheme is being implemented through the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS), popularly known as Jeevika, and the women associated with it are referred to as Jeevika Didis.
Today, September 26, 2025, a significant announcement is set to take place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will jointly launch the first installment via video conferencing. Approximately ₹650 crore will be transferred to the accounts of over 1.18 lakh Jeevika Didis, with each receiving ₹10,000. This financial aid, released ahead of Diwali, is expected to be a major boon for women. The scheme aims to benefit 50 lakh women in a phased manner, with lakhs included in the first phase itself.
Objective and Background of the Scheme
The MMRY was approved by the Bihar Cabinet on September 1, 2025, with the goal of strengthening the economic status of women in both rural and urban areas. Launched ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the scheme is managed by Jeevika, a World Bank-supported initiative under the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP). It supports women in starting businesses in 18 different sectors, such as grocery shops, tailoring centers, animal husbandry, vegetable production, and more.
After the initial ₹10,000, eligible women can receive further installments based on their business progress: ₹15,000 in the second phase, ₹75,000 in the third, and up to ₹2 lakh in the fourth phase. In total, a woman could receive up to ₹2.10 lakh in financial assistance.
Who Can Benefit?
- Eligibility: Women above 18 years of age from rural and urban areas of Bihar, who are part of Jeevika’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Family Definition: Only one woman per family can avail of the benefit. Multiple women from the same family (e.g., mother-in-law and daughter-in-law) cannot apply unless they are separate entities.
- First Phase Statistics:
- Banka District: 1.36 lakh women to benefit.
- Siwan District: Over 1.18 lakh Jeevika Didis to receive ₹10,000 each.
- Total Applications: Lakhs of applications from rural areas and 4.66 lakh from urban Jeevika Didis, with 4.04 lakh new women applying to join SHGs.
- The scheme is exclusively for women associated with Jeevika. Those not yet enrolled must join an SHG to apply.
Application Process: Step-by-Step
The application process began on September 7, 2025, with slight variations for rural and urban areas:
For Rural Areas (Primarily Offline):
- Contact the nearest Jeevika SHG or Community Coordinator.
- Submit required documents (Aadhaar card, bank passbook, photograph).
- Enroll in an SHG and fill out the application form.
- After verification, the first installment will be released.
For Urban Areas (Online/Offline):
- Visit the official website mmry.brlps.in.
- Click on “New Registration.”
- Enter mobile number and Aadhaar details, then verify with OTP.
- Fill out the form, selecting a business type from the 18 options.
- Submit and note the application number.
- Check status on mmry.brlps.in under “Beneficiary List.”
Key Conditions:
- Enrollment in a Jeevika SHG is mandatory.
- No outstanding loans should exist.
- Strict action will be taken against any fraudulent practices in the application process.
Easy Way to Apply from Home:
- Download the Jeevika app or log in to the website.
- Register using an Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Search for “Bihar Jeevika 10000 Merit List” to check the merit list.
Today’s Major Update: First Installment Disbursement
- Date: September 26, 2025.
- Time: From 12 PM onwards.
- Mode: Virtual release by PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar.
- Amount: ₹6,500 crore package, including the first installment.
- Beneficiaries will receive the amount in their bank accounts, with SMS alerts sent for confirmation.
- Awareness programs are being held across districts, including Patna.
Women’s Response
Many Jeevika Didis have welcomed the scheme, though some have demanded waivers for old loans. One Didi remarked, “₹10,000 is a small start, but it’s a good initiative. Nitish Ji has played a masterstroke.” The scheme has generated enthusiasm, particularly among women looking to start animal husbandry or small businesses.
Precautions
- Beware of cyber frauds; avoid clicking on fake links.
- Use only the official websites brlps.in or mmry.brlps.in.
- Do not pay any fees for applications; report any such demands immediately.
This scheme is a revolutionary step towards making Bihar’s women financially independent. For more information, contact your nearest Jeevika office or visit the official website.
