Patna: Bihar on Thursday took a significant step towards strengthening its administrative capacity, with the Bihar Administrative Reforms Mission (BPSM) signing an MOU with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bodh Gaya under the Chief Minister Fellowship Scheme. The agreement was formalised in the presence of Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, who described the initiative as “a transformative step towards transparent, skilled and innovation-driven governance.”
The ceremony began with remarks from the Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department. Speaking at the event, Amrit said the partnership would help embed young, trained and high-quality subject experts into the state’s administrative machinery, improving policymaking, execution and accountability.
He noted that the fellowship scheme, approved by the cabinet on 9 September 2025, will be implemented by the General Administration Department in collaboration with IIM Bodh Gaya through the Bihar Administrative Reforms Mission Society. The MOU will initially run for three years, extendable by two-year blocks on mutual agreement.
A plan to add new talent to Bihar’s governance system
Under the fellowship programme, experienced subject experts will be appointed at various levels of the state administration for two-year terms. Fellows will work inside government departments, helping draft, analyse and implement public policy. They will receive a fixed monthly stipend and, after successfully completing two years, a formal certificate in Public Policy and Good Governance from IIM Bodh Gaya.
The scheme is designed primarily for domiciled youth of Bihar, with selection following the state’s reservation norms.
Key features of the programme include:
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Two-year fellowship placements across departments, including district and divisional offices.
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A focus on innovation, accountability and high-quality input in administrative decisions.
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Direct involvement in policy design, monitoring and implementation.
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Collaboration with key government departments and senior officials.
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The admission process for fellows to begin in December 2025 at IIM Bodh Gaya.
“A rare opportunity for Bihar’s youth”
Dr Pratima, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, said the scheme will not only give young professionals a chance to understand governance from within, but also allow them to contribute meaningfully to real policy outcomes.
IIM Bodh Gaya Director Dr Vinita Sahay called the initiative “an unprecedented opportunity for Bihar’s youth to elevate their skills and serve their state and nation with a new sense of identity and purpose.” She added that the institute will work closely with the government to ensure rigorous training and mentorship.
“A thought that turned into reality”: Chief Secretary
Closing the event, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit said the scheme represented “a thought that grew into reality through committed teamwork and visionary planning.”
He emphasised that Bihar was among only a handful of Indian states to launch such a forward-looking governance model.
“From April next year, the first cohort of fellows will join us,” he said. “They will bring fresh energy, new thinking and professional depth to Bihar’s administrative system. This initiative will chart a new course for governance and accelerate the state’s development trajectory.”
