Patna : A sharp rise in student participation is driving a major expansion of Bihar’s Student Credit Card Scheme, with plans underway to support 95,000 new applicants in the 2025–26 financial year.
The state education department is finalising revised targets, backed by a Rs1,000 crore allocation in this year’s budget. The credit-based scheme provides financial support for higher education, particularly benefiting students from low-income households.
Last year, nearly 84,200 applications were received, with loans sanctioned for 80,000 students—94% of the initial target. Disbursements totalled ₹1,715 crore.
Since its launch, over 3.5 lakh students have received loans worth Rs6,943 crore through the Bihar State Education Finance Corporation.
Strong uptake across districts
Approval rates have surpassed targets in multiple districts. Patna led in absolute numbers, with 6,618 students receiving loans—126% of its original quota. Vaishali saw the highest proportional increase, reaching 137% of its goal with 3,631 students approved.
Other districts such as Begusarai, Buxar, Jehanabad, Kaimur, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, West and East Champaran, Samastipur, Sheikhpura, and Supaul met or exceeded their loan targets as well.
