Bihar Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana: Monthly Aid to Researchers

Introduction of Bihar Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana: A Brief Insight

A PhD usually takes four to five years to complete, and scholars may not have a regular source of income during this period. For girl students from modest families, managing research expenses along with daily needs can become difficult. The Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana of the Government of Bihar aims to address this challenge by providing a fixed monthly fellowship to girl students pursuing doctoral research.

The scheme is a new initiative of the Bihar Government. The Bihar Cabinet approved ₹126 crore for it on 10 November 2026. However, the Government has not issued the operating rules, started accepting applications or announced an official application portal. The information in this article is based on the details announced so far.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced the scheme on 26 August 2026 at Gyan Bhawan in Patna, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. He announced it along with the Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge Yojana and the Police Didi scheme.

The Government of Bihar will run the scheme, but it has not officially named the implementing department. The Department of Education may be involved because the scheme focuses on doctoral studies, but the Government has not confirmed this yet.

The main objective is to increase women’s participation in higher education and research. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary stated that only around 600 of the 4,600 PhD scholars in Bihar are women. The fellowship aims to encourage more girl students to pursue doctoral studies by providing financial support during their research.

Under the scheme, the Government plans to provide ₹10,000 per month for four years. This amounts to ₹4.80 lakh for each scholar over 48 months. The scheme aims to benefit around 1,000 girl students. Our calculation based on the approved budget suggests that around 1,000 new scholars may be selected every year, although the Government has not confirmed this.

The scheme is intended for girl students pursuing PhD research in Bihar. However, the Government has not clarified who will qualify as a Bihar student, whether existing PhD scholars can apply, which universities will be covered or whether students receiving another fellowship will also be eligible.

Applications are not open yet, so students cannot apply at present. Interested applicants should keep their PhD admission and registration papers, Aadhaar card, proof of residence in Bihar and bank details ready. They can also contact their university’s research section to check whether it has received any official communication about the scheme.

For scheme-related guidance, students can contact their university’s research section, registrar or PhD supervisor. The Government has not published a dedicated contact number, email address or office address for this scheme. The contact section below provides the available options for seeking assistance.

Girls interested in starting a business instead of pursuing a PhD can read about the Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge Yojana, which the Bihar Government announced on the same day.

Girl students seeking a national fellowship for doctoral studies can explore the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child. Other research scholars can also read about the Junior Research Fellowship in Science, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Students who need financial assistance through an education loan for higher studies can explore the Bihar Student Credit Card Yojana.

Girl students, PhD scholars, research aspirants and other students looking for education and welfare schemes can explore the available programmes on our Bihar Government Welfare Schemes List page.

Latest Update on Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana

The Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana was announced in August 2026 and received Cabinet approval in November 2026. The following timeline highlights the major announcements and the scheme’s current status.

• Current Status: The Bihar Cabinet has approved the scheme and its budget. However, the Government has not released the detailed guidelines, opened applications or announced the implementing department and official portal.
• Eligibility and Selection: The Government has not clarified the eligibility conditions, selection process, or rules for continuing the fellowship throughout the four-year period.
• What to Watch For: Applicants should look for the official notification, application dates, eligibility guidelines and portal announcement on the Government’s official websites.
• Prepare Your Documents: Keep your PhD admission and registration papers, Aadhaar card, Bihar residence proof and bank details ready. You can also contact your university’s research section to check for official communication about the scheme.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

The Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana aims to provide financial support to girl students pursuing doctoral studies. The scheme will offer a fixed monthly fellowship for four years to help eligible scholars continue their research.

What a Scholar Is Meant to Get

• Monthly fellowship of ₹10,000.
• Fellowship duration of four years (48 months).
• Total fellowship amount of ₹4.80 lakh per scholar.
• Annual fellowship amount of ₹1.20 lakh per scholar.
• Approximately 1,000 girl students will receive support under the scheme.
• The Bihar Cabinet has approved a budget of ₹126 crore for the scheme.

The Fellowship at a Glance

Fellowship Amount Calculation

Each selected scholar will receive ₹10,000 per month. The total amount over four years will be ₹4.80 lakh, calculated as follows:

The Government has not yet specified the date from which the fellowship period will begin or the schedule for monthly payments.

Why the Scheme Matters

• The scheme aims to increase the participation of women in PhD programmes and academic research.
• It will provide financial support to selected girl students during their doctoral studies.
• It aims to encourage more women to pursue higher education and research careers.
• The Government plans to support approximately 1,000 girl students through this fellowship.

Additional Benefits Not Yet Announced

• Research Grant for Books, Equipment, Fieldwork or Conferences
• Housing Allowance or Hostel Facilities
• Increase in Monthly Fellowship Amount
• Financial Support Beyond Four Years
• Additional Research or Travel Allowance

Important Points to Know

• The announced fellowship amount is ₹10,000 per month for four years.
• The scheme aims to cover approximately 1,000 girl students.
• The Bihar Cabinet has approved ₹126 crore for the scheme.
• The selection criteria, application dates and payment process have not yet been announced.
• Applicants should follow the official guidelines before applying.
• Do not pay any agent or third party for fellowship registration.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced the Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana on 26 August 2026. The Bihar Cabinet approved ₹126 crore for the scheme on 10 November 2026. The Government of Bihar has not yet issued the operating guidelines or published the complete eligibility conditions. The following details are based on the available announcement and will be updated after the release of the official rules.

Eligibility Conditions Announced So Far

• The applicant must be a girl student or woman.
• The applicant must be pursuing or planning to pursue a PhD programme.
• The applicant must have a connection with Bihar, subject to the final domicile or residence conditions.
• The fellowship amount is ₹10,000 per month for a period of four years.
• The scheme aims to support approximately 1,000 girl students.

Eligibility Conditions Yet to Be Confirmed

• Bihar Residence: The Government has not specified whether applicants must hold a Bihar domicile certificate or meet another residence condition.
• PhD Admission: The Government has not clarified whether the scheme covers only newly admitted scholars or students already pursuing a PhD.
• Study Mode: The eligibility of regular and part-time PhD scholars has not been confirmed.
• Eligible Universities: The Government has not specified whether the scheme covers state, central, private and other recognised universities.
• Eligible Subjects: The Government has not announced any subject-wise eligibility conditions.
• Other Fellowships: The rules regarding applicants receiving UGC, government or university fellowships have not been announced.
• Family Income: No annual family income limit has been specified.
• Reservation: The Government has not announced any category-wise reservation.
• Age Limit: No minimum or maximum age limit has been announced.
• Educational Marks: The minimum marks required in the postgraduate degree have not been specified.
• Marital Status: The Government has not clarified whether married women can apply.
• Selection Process: The merit criteria, selection method and allocation of the approximately 1,000 fellowships have not been announced.
• Fellowship Continuation: The annual progress and academic requirements for receiving the fellowship throughout four years have not been specified.

Who Is Not Eligible?

• Male students.
• Students pursuing graduation or postgraduate courses instead of a PhD.
• Applicants who do not meet the Bihar-related eligibility conditions prescribed in the official guidelines.

What Applicants Should Keep Ready

• PhD admission letter and registration certificate.
• PhD registration date and university details.
• Bihar residence or domicile certificate.
• Postgraduate marksheets and degree certificate.
• Details of any existing fellowship or scholarship.

Check Before You Apply

• Read the official operating guidelines issued by the Government of Bihar.
• Check the application opening date and last date.
• Confirm the eligible universities, PhD admission conditions and selection criteria.
• Check whether applicants receiving another fellowship can apply.
• Use only the official application portal announced by the Government.
• Do not pay any agent or third party to submit your application.

Important: The Government of Bihar has not yet published the final eligibility guidelines for the Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana. Applicants should treat the above conditions as provisional and follow the official notification for the final eligibility requirements.

Documents Required to be Attached

The Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana aims to provide around 1,000 girl students with a monthly fellowship of ₹10,000 for four years during their PhD studies. Applicants can keep the following documents ready for the application process.

Identity and Contact Papers

• Aadhaar Card
• Mobile Number
• Email Address
• Recent Passport Size Photograph
• Scanned Signature
• PAN Card, if available

Proof That You Are From Bihar

• Bihar Residence Certificate
• Bihar Domicile Certificate
• Other valid proof of residence in Bihar
• Aadhaar Card or school records showing a Bihar address, if available

Proof of Your PhD Admission and Registration

• PhD Admission Letter or Admission Offer Letter
• PhD Registration Certificate
• PhD Registration Date Proof
• Department Name and Research Topic Details
• Research Supervisor Details
• Research Proposal Approval Letter
• Certificate from the Head of Department or Registrar, if required

Your Academic Records

• Postgraduate Marksheets
• Postgraduate Degree Certificate
• Graduation Marksheets
• Graduation Degree Certificate
• PhD Entrance Test Result or Scorecard
• UGC-NET, CSIR-NET or Other Eligibility Test Certificate, if applicable
• Research Papers or Publication Details, if available

Your Bank Papers

• Bank Passbook First Page or Cancelled Cheque
• Bank Account Number and IFSC Code
• Aadhaar-Linked Bank Account Details

Declarations You May Be Asked For

• Applicant’s Signed Declaration
• Declaration Regarding Other Fellowships or Scholarships
• Self-Declaration of Correct Information

Certificates That Only Some Applicants May Need

• Caste Certificate, if applicable
• Income Certificate, if required
• Disability Certificate, if applicable

Papers That You May Need in the Later Years

• Annual PhD Progress Report
• Research Supervisor’s Progress Certificate
• University Attendance Certificate
• Active PhD Enrolment Certificate
• Declaration Regarding Other Fellowships, if required

What You Do Not Need Yet

• Application Fee, as the Government has not announced any fee
• Agent or Coaching Centre Services
• Documents Listed on Unofficial Websites as Final Requirements

Where to Check for the Final List

• Government of Bihar: Official website for scheme guidelines, application details and the final document list.
• University Research Section: PhD admission, registration and progress-related documents.
• Registrar’s Office: University certificates and official instructions regarding the fellowship.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

The Chief Minister announced the Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana on 26 August 2026, and the Bihar Cabinet approved ₹126 crore for it on 10 November 2026. However, the Government of Bihar has not yet opened the application process, launched an official portal or issued the detailed guidelines. Therefore, applicants cannot submit an application at present.

The scheme aims to provide around 1,000 girl students with a monthly fellowship of ₹10,000 for four years while they pursue their PhD. Until the Government releases the application guidelines, applicants can prepare their documents and stay in touch with their universities. Follow the steps below to understand what you should do now and how the application process may work after the portal opens.

Before You Start

Step 1: Remember that the Government has not opened the application process yet. You cannot fill out or submit the application form at present.

Step 2: Do not pay anyone for registration or fellowship approval. The Government has not announced any application fee.

Step 3: Avoid unofficial websites, messages and videos that share application links. Use only the portal announced by the Government of Bihar.

Method 1: Get Your Papers Ready Now

Step 1: Collect your Aadhaar card, recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature.

Step 2: Keep your Bihar residence certificate or domicile certificate ready.

Step 3: Collect your PhD admission letter, registration certificate and registration date proof.

Step 4: Keep your postgraduate marksheets, degree certificate and PhD entrance test or eligibility test result ready, if applicable.

Step 5: Collect the first page of your bank passbook or a cancelled cheque showing your name, account number and IFSC code.

Step 6: Scan all your documents and save them in a separate folder on your mobile phone or computer.

Method 2: Contact Your University

Step 1: Visit the research section or registrar’s office of your university.

Step 2: Ask whether the university has received any official notice about the Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana.

Step 3: Ask the university to inform you when it receives the application guidelines.

Step 4: Collect your PhD registration certificate and research-related documents from the university.

Step 5: You can also contact your department head or research supervisor for information about any official instructions.

Method 3: Check the Government Announcement

Step 1: Wait for the Government of Bihar to publish the scheme guidelines, announce the responsible department and open the application portal.

Step 2: Regularly check the official Bihar Government website for new announcements.

Step 3: Check your university’s official website for notices related to the fellowship.

Step 4: Visit this guide again for the latest application details after the Government releases the official instructions.

Method 4: Apply Online After the Portal Opens

The Government has not announced the final application procedure. However, applicants can expect the following steps once the official portal becomes available. Follow the actual government instructions when applications open.

Step 1: Open the official application portal announced by the Government of Bihar.

Step 2: Register using your mobile number and other details required by the portal.

Step 3: Enter your personal information, Bihar residence details, educational qualifications and PhD information.

Step 4: Upload the required documents in the prescribed format and file size.

Step 5: Check all the information carefully before submitting the application form.

Step 6: Submit the form and save your application number or acknowledgement receipt.

Step 7: Complete the university or department verification process, if required.

Step 8: Check your application status through the official portal and follow the instructions issued by the Government.

Method 5: If You Are Planning to Start a PhD

Step 1: Keep your PhD admission documents and admission date proof safe.

Step 2: Collect your PhD registration certificate after completing the university’s registration process.

Step 3: Do not delay or change your admission plans only because of this fellowship. The Government has not yet announced which admission batches will qualify.

Method 6: If You Are Already Pursuing a PhD

Step 1: Keep your PhD admission letter and registration certificate ready.

Step 2: Collect your annual research progress reports and other university records.

Step 3: Ask your university whether existing PhD scholars will be eligible under the scheme.

Step 4: Check the official guidelines before submitting your application.

Method 7: If You Already Receive Another Fellowship

Step 1: Keep your existing fellowship or scholarship approval letter ready.

Step 2: Check the amount and duration of your current fellowship.

Step 3: Do not discontinue your existing fellowship until the Government announces whether applicants can receive both benefits.

Step 4: Follow the final guidelines regarding applicants who already receive financial assistance.

Method 8: Other Fellowship Options for PhD Students

Students who do not qualify for this scheme or are not selected can explore other research fellowship opportunities.

• Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child
• Junior Research Fellowship in Science, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge Yojana, for girls interested in starting a business.

How to Avoid Fraud

• Do not pay anyone who promises guaranteed selection or fellowship approval.
• Never share your Aadhaar details, bank information or OTP with unknown persons.
• Do not submit documents through unofficial websites or suspicious links.
• Use only the application portal announced by the Government of Bihar.

If You Need Help

• Contact your university’s research section or registrar’s office.
• Ask your PhD supervisor or department head for university-related information.
• Check the official Bihar Government website for the department’s contact details after it announces the scheme guidelines.

Note: The Government of Bihar has not yet opened applications for the Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana. Applicants should wait for the official notification and application portal before submitting any details or documents.

Balika PhD Fellowship and Other Schemes Announced Along With It: Which One Is for You?

On 26 August 2026, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced three initiatives for women and girls. These include the Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana, the Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge Yojana and Police Didi. Each initiative serves a different purpose. The table below compares the two schemes that provide financial support.

Which Scheme Should You Choose?

• If you are pursuing a PhD or planning to start doctoral research, follow the Mukhyamantri Balika PhD Fellowship Yojana.
• If you have a business idea and want financial support to start a business, read about the Bihar Ki Beti Startup Challenge Yojana.
• Police Didi is a women’s safety initiative, not a financial assistance scheme for education or business.
• If you are interested in both PhD research and entrepreneurship, you can check the guidelines of both schemes when the Government releases them.
• The Government has not clarified whether a beneficiary can receive assistance under both schemes.

Important Links Available of the Scheme

• Bihar Government Official Website
• Bihar Education Department Official Website

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Your University: The research section or the office of the registrar of the university where you do your PhD, which will receive the Government’s letter and can tell you how to apply
• Your Department: Your supervisor and the head of your department, who can give you the letters that a PhD fellowship usually asks for
• Government of Bihar: The department that will run the scheme has not yet been named, so no address, phone number or email has been published for it

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.