Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced a substantial increase in the pension for journalists under the “Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Yojana.” In a social media post, the Chief Minister confirmed that eligible journalists will now receive Rs 15,000 per month, a significant jump from the previous Rs 6,000. He also issued immediate instructions for the implementation of this enhanced scheme.
Highlighting the crucial role of the media, Chief Minister Kumar stated that journalists are considered the fourth pillar of democracy, and his government remains steadfast in its commitment to their welfare.
Enhanced Benefits for Journalists and Dependents
In a further move to ensure a dignified life for journalists and their families, the Chief Minister also announced an increase in the pension for dependent spouses of deceased journalists. This amount has been raised from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000 per month for life, a decision aimed at providing respectable living conditions for those left behind.
“Journalists have an important role in democracy. They are the fourth pillar of democracy and have an important role in social development,” Chief Minister Kumar wrote. “We have been taking care of the facilities of journalists from the beginning so that they can do their journalism impartially and can live their life in a respectable manner after retirement.”
Eligibility Criteria for the Scheme
मुझे यह बताते हुए खुशी हो रही है कि बिहार पत्रकार सम्मान पेंशन योजना के तहत अब सभी पात्र पत्रकारों को हर महीने 6 हजार रू॰ की जगह 15 हजार रू॰ पेंशन की राशि प्रदान करने का विभाग को निर्देश दिया है। साथ ही बिहार पत्रकार सम्मान पेंशन योजना के अंतर्गत पेंशन प्राप्त कर रहे पत्रकारों की…
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) July 26, 2025
To qualify for the “Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Yojana,” applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Experience: A minimum of 20 years of experience in journalism within the state of Bihar.
- Affiliation: Must have been associated with a recognized media institution (print or electronic).
- Age: The applicant must be 60 years of age or older.
- Retirement Status: Must be retired and not currently benefiting from any other pension scheme (such as government service pension).
Application Process: Offline and Online Options
Interested and eligible journalists can apply for the pension through both offline and online channels:
Offline Process:
- Obtain the application form from the District Public Relations Office (DPRO) or download it from the official website.
- Fill out the application form and attach all required supporting documents.
- Submit the complete application to the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO).
Online Process:
- Visit the official website of the Bihar Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD Bihar), such as https://state.bihar.gov.in/iprd.
- Navigate to the “Journalist Pension Scheme” section.
- Fill in the required information, upload the necessary documents, and submit the application online.
