A new step has been taken for rural women in Bihar with the launch of Bihar Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched this new scheme on 2nd September 2025 through video conferencing, and Rs. 105 crore has been transferred into its account on the same day to start the scheme operations.
During the launch, the Prime Minister said that empowered women are the foundation of a developed India. He congratulated the women of Bihar and the state government for starting this financial setup which will now give cheaper and bigger loans to Jeevika Didis through a fully digital system.
Bihar government has also recently launched a new scheme for the empowerment of women in the state, the scheme name is Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana under which the government is providing Rs. 10000 to eligible women in the state as DBT for starting their own business and Rs. 2 lakh after 6 months after a review of the business setup.
Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited
What is Bihar Jeevika Nidhi?
Bihar Jeevika Nidhi is a financial setup created to provide cheap and simple loans to rural women who are part of Jeevika self-help groups.
This scheme is very important because women in Jeevika groups often face money problems. They have to depend on microfinance companies that charge very high interest rates, usually between 18% to 24%. Jeevika Nidhi will now act as an alternative loan system, where loans will be available at much lower rates, directly in women’s bank accounts.
Main Purpose of Bihar Jeevika Nidhi
The main idea of Jeevika Nidhi is to reduce the burden of costly loans and help women run their small businesses smoothly. With this scheme:
- Women entrepreneurs in villages will get bigger loan amounts at cheaper rates
- Money will come directly into bank accounts using digital methods
- 12,000 community workers are being trained with tablets for smooth fund transfers
- Around 20 lakh women will benefit from this scheme across Bihar
How Bihar Jeevika Nidhi Works
Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited is the official society that will manage this scheme. All cluster-level federations of Jeevika will be its members. Both the Central and Bihar government are giving money to run it. This will make the system strong, transparent, and fully digital, so that no middlemen can block or misuse the funds.
Highlights of Bihar Jeevika Nidhi
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| What is Bihar Jeevika Nidhi | A cooperative society to provide low-interest loans to Jeevika women groups |
| Launch Date | 2nd September 2025 |
| Launched By | PM Narendra Modi |
| First Fund Transfer | Rs. 105 crore |
| Managed By | Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited |
| Beneficiaries | Around 20 lakh women |
| Mode of Operation | Fully digital platform |
| Cadres Trained | 12,000 with tablets |
| Interest Rate | Lower than MFIs (18%-24%) |
Impact of Bihar Jeevika Nidhi
This new financial setup is expected to bring a big effect on Bihar’s rural economy. Women will no longer have to rely on costly money lenders or microfinance companies. With simple access to bigger loans, they will be able to expand their businesses, support their families better, and build long-term independence.
The launch also matches with the government’s wider campaign of strengthening women through Swadeshi products, local enterprise promotion, and schemes like Lakhpati Didi and Mahila Rojgar Yojana.
FAQs
What is Bihar Jeevika Nidhi?
It is a new financial cooperative started to provide loans at cheaper rates to women in Jeevika self-help groups.
Who will run Jeevika Nidhi?
It will be managed by Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, with support from Bihar and Central governments.
How will money reach women?
All money will be sent directly to the bank accounts of Jeevika Didis through a digital system.
Why is Jeevika Nidhi better than microfinance?
Because it offers bigger loans at much lower interest rates compared to the 18%-24% charged by microfinance companies.
How many women will benefit?
Around 20 lakh women entrepreneurs across Bihar will benefit from this scheme.