Patna: The Bihar government is set to launch a series of initiatives aimed at women’s education, economic independence and safety on Wednesday, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.
Chief minister Samrat Choudhary announced the initiatives on X, including the Chief Minister Balika PhD Fellowship, the Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge Scheme and the Police Didi (Abhaya Brigade) initiative.
Rs 10,000 monthly PhD fellowship
Under the Chief Minister Balika PhD Fellowship, around 1,000 eligible female students from across Bihar will receive financial assistance of Rs 10,000 a month for four years.
The scheme is intended to support women pursuing doctoral studies and encourage higher education among female students in the state.
Up to Rs 2 lakh for women entrepreneurs
The Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge Scheme will provide financial assistance ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh to women seeking to start businesses.
The government has positioned the initiative as a measure to promote economic self-reliance among women and encourage more daughters of Bihar to pursue entrepreneurship.
4,700 vehicles for ‘Police Didi’
The government will also unveil and flag off 4,700 scooters and motorcycles under the Police Didi, or Abhaya Brigade, initiative.
The programme is aimed at strengthening security for female students travelling to and studying in schools and colleges and creating a safer environment for them.
Choudhary said the initiatives would mark a new phase in the state’s efforts towards the safety, dignity, education and empowerment of women.
रक्षाबंधन के पावन अवसर पर बिहार की बेटियों और बहनों के सम्मान, सुरक्षा एवं सशक्तिकरण की दिशा में कल से एक नई शुरुआत।
पुलिस दीदी (अभया ब्रिगेड) हेतु 4,700 स्कूटर एवं मोटरसाइकिल का लोकार्पण एवं फ्लैग-ऑफ समारोह होगा। इसके माध्यम से स्कूल-कॉलेज में पढ़ने वाली हमारी बहनों की उचित…
— Samrat Choudhary (@samrat4bjp) August 25, 2026
Anemia-free campaign to reach 1.2 crore people
Earlier, the chief minister attended the launch of the Anemia-Free Bihar special campaign at Samvad Hall in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
Women participating in the event tied rakhis on Choudhary’s wrist. In a post on X, he said he had received the affection, trust and blessings of the women who tied rakhis on him.
The campaign, being jointly implemented by COMFED and the Health Department, will run from August 25 to November 30, 2026.
It will focus on the prevention, screening, treatment and awareness of anaemia and is expected to cover around 12,082,500 beneficiaries.
Government targets 1 crore women for employment
Choudhary also highlighted initiatives such as Sudha Sakhi and women-run veterinary medicine centres as measures aimed at increasing women’s economic participation.
The government has set a target of directly connecting 1 crore women in Bihar with employment opportunities over the next three years.
The chief minister said women should not remain merely beneficiaries of government schemes but should become active participants in employment, economic self-reliance and better health.
