Patna: The Bihar government has announced the launch of the Chief Minister Fellowship Scheme, a new initiative aimed at involving talented young professionals in the everyday functioning of the state administration. Details of the scheme were shared at a press meet held in Patna on Monday by the Bihar Administrative Reforms Mission Society and IIM Bodh Gaya. Officials said the programme is part of the government’s broader effort to improve governance, bring fresh ideas into decision-making, and strengthen the implementation of public policies.
Approved by the state cabinet in September 2025, the fellowship is designed to connect subject experts with real government work. Under the scheme, 121 fellows will be selected for a two-year period and posted in important government offices across Bihar. These include municipal corporations, district collectorates, divisional commissioner offices, departments of the secretariat, and senior offices such as the chief minister’s and deputy chief minister’s secretariats. The fellows are expected to support policy planning, monitoring, and implementation while learning how the government system works from within.
The scheme also offers strong financial and academic support. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend between Rs 80,000 and Rs 1,50,000, depending on their educational background and professional experience. Along with fieldwork, the programme includes structured training and continuous mentorship designed by IIM Bodh Gaya. After completing the fellowship, participants will be awarded a postgraduate certificate in public policy and governance from IIM Bodh Gaya, as well as an official work experience certificate from the Bihar government.
Only residents of Bihar are eligible to apply for the fellowship. Applicants must hold a postgraduate degree in subjects such as management, public policy, development studies, public administration, planning, or science and technology. Most candidates will need valid scores from national-level exams like CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE or UGC-NET, though graduates from institutes of national importance and select central universities are exempt from this requirement. Applications are being accepted in multiple rounds till the end of January 2026, with results expected in early March. Officials said the programme reflects Bihar’s focus on investing in its youth while building a more efficient and forward-looking system of governance.
