Patna: Bihar’s government has announced that children from economically disadvantaged families and transgender students will be exempt from registration and examination fees under the Bihar Open Schooling System (BOSS). The move aims to make education more accessible at both matriculation and intermediate levels.
According to the Bihar Education Department, over 100,000 students could benefit from the initiative annually. The scheme is designed to support children from families receiving food security benefits (BPL) and girls of all categories, enabling them to complete their studies without financial barriers.
The Education Department has prepared a proposal for the scheme, which is currently under review by the State Public Finance Committee. Once approved, it will be submitted to the Cabinet for final sanction, with the department aiming to implement the programme in the current academic session. Beneficiaries must be residents of Bihar.
On average, a student could save between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000 for matriculation or intermediate studies. Registration fees for general category students are currently Rs 2,200, while fees for extremely backward class students are Rs 1,600, and for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Rs 1,500. Examination fees range from Rs 205 per non-practical subject to Rs 305 for practical subjects such as science. The department estimates the scheme will cost approximately Rs 40 crore.
BIOSS functions similarly to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), allowing students to earn a matriculation or intermediate certificate without attending regular classes. Examinations are conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board, providing flexible learning opportunities for students across the state.
