The Bihan Yojana, implemented by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, is Chhattisgarh’s State Rural Livelihoods Mission. It helps rural women from poor households improve their income through self-help groups, group funds, bank loans, skill training and market access through Bihan Bazaar. The Mission also supports the Lakhpati Didi initiative, which aims to help eligible women earn ₹1 lakh or more annually. Women can join through a village self-help group (SHG); there is no single online form for joining a group.
Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Bihan Yojana (Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission) |
| Also Known As | CGSRLM; Chhattisgarh Grameen Aajeevika Samvardhan Samiti |
| Central Framework | National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) |
| Implementing Department | Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Government of Chhattisgarh |
| Main Objective | Reduce rural poverty through self-employment and skilled wage employment |
| Target Beneficiaries | Rural poor households, with a primary focus on women organised into self-help groups |
| Type of Assistance | Group funds, bank loans, skill training, livelihood support and market access; not a fixed monthly cash payment |
| Financial Support for Groups | Revolving Fund and Community Investment Fund |
| Income Goal | Lakhpati Didi initiative: annual income of ₹1 lakh or more |
| Skill Training | Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) for eligible rural youth |
| Market Support | Bihan Bazaar |
| How to Join | Through a village self-help group, Gram Panchayat or local Bihan coordinator |
| Mission Office Phone | 0771-2512395 |
| Official Website | bihan.gov.in |
Introduction of Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana: A Brief Insight
In many villages of Chhattisgarh, women work hard from dawn to dusk but often lack an independent income and easy access to loans. Joining hands through a self-help group (SHG), saving together and supporting one another financially can help them change this situation. The Bihan Yojana builds on this idea to improve rural livelihoods and help women become financially independent.
Bihan is the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission, through which the State implements the National Rural Livelihoods Mission launched by the Government of India. The Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, implements the Mission through the Chhattisgarh Grameen Aajeevika Samvardhan Samiti.
The Mission aims to reduce rural poverty by helping poor households access self-employment opportunities and skilled wage employment. It works mainly through community institutions, especially women’s self-help groups, and coordinates with programmes such as MGNREGS to strengthen rural livelihoods.
Bihan does not provide a fixed monthly payment to every beneficiary. Instead, it supports self-help groups through the Revolving Fund and Community Investment Fund, helps them access bank loans, and provides opportunities for skill development and income generation. Women can train as Pashu Sakhis, Krishi Sakhis and Udyog Sakhis, while Bihan Bazaar helps self-help groups market their products. The Mission’s Lakhpati Didi initiative also aims to help women earn an annual income of ₹1 lakh or more.
For example, in Dhamtari, a group of 58 women received ₹15,000 through the Revolving Fund, ₹60,000 through the Community Investment Fund and a ₹3 lakh bank loan to start a centring plate rental business. Bihan also supports eligible rural youth through skill training and placement assistance under DDU-GKY.
Women from eligible rural poor households in Chhattisgarh can join the Mission by becoming members of a Bihan self-help group. There is no single online application form for joining a group. Interested women can contact their Gram Panchayat, local Bihan coordinator or the Mission’s Block office for guidance and assistance.
Women looking for monthly financial assistance can explore the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, while those seeking credit support can learn about the Mahtari Shakti Rinn Yojana. Self-help group members interested in modern farming services can also explore the NAMO Drone Didi Yojana.
Rural women, self-help groups and others looking for livelihood opportunities and welfare programmes offered by the Chhattisgarh Government can explore our Chhattisgarh Government Welfare Schemes page for more information.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The Bihan Yojana does not provide a fixed monthly payment to every beneficiary. Instead, it helps rural women improve their livelihoods through self-help groups (SHGs), savings, bank credit, skill development and business support. It also helps groups connect with markets so they can sell their products and earn a sustainable income.
- Support to form and manage women’s self-help groups, encourage regular savings and provide loans within the group
- Financial assistance through the Revolving Fund and Community Investment Fund to strengthen group activities
- Access to bank loans for livelihood activities, with assistance from Bank Sakhis
- Training and livelihood opportunities for women as Pashu Sakhis, Krishi Sakhis and Udyog Sakhis
- Support to establish farm-based and non-farm enterprises, including livestock-related activities and retail businesses
- Free skill training and placement assistance for eligible rural youth under DDU-GKY
- Market access for self-help group products through Bihan Bazaar
- Guidance and livelihood support to help eligible women achieve an annual income of ₹1 lakh or more under the Lakhpati Didi initiative
- Linkages with employment opportunities under MGNREGS and other government schemes, wherever applicable
A Real Example from Dhamtari
In Dhamtari district, 58 women from self-help groups received support to start a centring plate rental business. Their groups received ₹15,000 through the Revolving Fund and ₹60,000 through the Community Investment Fund, along with a ₹3 lakh bank loan.
Using this financial support, they purchased approximately 59,300 square feet of centring plates and began renting them out at ₹20 to ₹25 per square foot for rural housing projects and other construction work.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The Bihan Yojana primarily supports rural women from poor households in Chhattisgarh by organising them into self-help groups (SHGs). Women who want to access the scheme’s benefits should contact their nearest Bihan coordinator to confirm the applicable eligibility conditions and group membership requirements.
- Must reside in a rural area of Chhattisgarh
- Must belong to a rural poor household identified under the Mission’s guidelines
- The scheme primarily focuses on women organised into self-help groups
- Must join an existing Bihan self-help group or become a member of a newly formed group in the village
- Should participate in regular group meetings and savings activities
- Benefits such as credit, training and enterprise support are generally facilitated through the self-help group, rather than provided directly to individuals
- Rural youth may also access skill training under DDU-GKY, subject to the eligibility conditions set for the programme and the training agency
Documents Required to be Attached
Women who want to join the Bihan Yojana can contact their local Bihan coordinator or women’s self-help group (SHG) to confirm the required documents. The scheme does not have one common application form for every benefit, and the document list may vary by block and the type of assistance sought.
- Aadhaar Card
- Bank passbook showing the account number and IFSC code, either for your personal account or the SHG account, as applicable
- Mobile number
- Residence proof, such as a Gram Panchayat certificate or ration card
- Ration card or other household proof, if requested by SHG members or Bihan staff
- Caste certificate or disability certificate, if applying for a benefit intended for the respective category
- Recent passport-size photograph
- SHG membership details, if already a member of a self-help group
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
You do not need to fill out an online form to join the Bihan Yojana. You can start by becoming a member of a women’s self-help group (SHG) in your village. Once you join the group, you can gradually access support for savings, loans, skill training and small businesses, depending on the applicable rules. Follow these six steps to get started.
Stop 1: Find Out Who to Ask
Step 1: Ask the women in your village whether a Bihan self-help group already meets there.
Step 2: Visit your Gram Panchayat office and ask who coordinates the Bihan Yojana in your area.
Step 3: You can also visit your Block office and ask the Mission staff how you can join a group.
Stop 2: Join a Group
Step 1: Meet the leader of the self-help group and tell her that you want to become a member.
Step 2: Keep your Aadhaar Card, mobile number, bank details and a recent photograph ready. Submit the documents requested by the group or local Bihan staff.
Step 3: Ask the group leader or Bihan coordinator to record your name in the group’s register and explain the next steps.
Stop 2A: No Group in Your Village?
Step 1: Talk to other women in your village who also want to join the Bihan Yojana.
Step 2: Meet your local Bihan coordinator and ask how many members you need to form a new self-help group.
Step 3: Follow the coordinator’s guidance to form the group and complete the required registration process.
Stop 3: Meet and Save Every Week
Step 1: Attend your group’s regular meetings and take part in its activities.
Step 2: Save the amount agreed upon by the group and deposit it according to the group’s rules.
Step 3: If you need money, ask about taking a loan from the group. Follow the agreed repayment schedule and repay the loan on time.
Stop 4: Ask for Money and Bank Support
Step 1: Once your group has started saving regularly, ask the Bihan coordinator whether it can receive support through the Revolving Fund or Community Investment Fund.
Step 2: Discuss a business idea with your group and prepare a simple plan explaining what you want to do, how much money you need and how the business could earn income.
Step 3: Contact the Bank Sakhi or Bihan coordinator to understand the process for applying for a bank loan. The bank and the concerned authorities will decide whether your group qualifies for financial support.
Stop 5: Learn a Skill and Sell Your Products
Step 1: Ask your Bihan coordinator about available training opportunities to become a Pashu Sakhi, Krishi Sakhi or Udyog Sakhi.
Step 2: If your group makes products to sell, ask the coordinator how you can explore selling them through Bihan Bazaar.
Stop 6: For Young People Looking for Skill Training
Step 1: Visit your local Bihan office and ask about available training batches under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY).
Step 2: Visit the official Bihan website to check available DDU-GKY notices and updates.
Step 3: Check the eligibility conditions, choose a suitable course and complete the admission process. After joining the training, attend the classes and complete the course to access placement assistance, where available.
Keep Yourself Safe
- Do not pay anyone who promises to guarantee a loan. Loan approval depends on the applicable rules and the decisions of the group and bank.
- For guidance, contact authorised Bihan staff or your Gram Panchayat office.
- Visit the official Bihan website for available information and updates. Use the contact details published there to reach the concerned office.
Important: The rules for group formation, membership, savings and financial assistance may vary according to the Mission’s guidelines and the type of support you seek. Confirm the latest requirements with your local Bihan coordinator before starting the process.
Important Links Available of the Scheme
- Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (Bihan) official website
- Bihan entry in the NeGD national directory of State services
- Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
- Office: Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (Bihan), Sector 19, 2nd Floor, Bihan Office, Vikash Bhawan, Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh – 492101
- Phone: 0771-2512395
- Email: mdsrlm.cg@nic.in, mdcgsrlm@gmail.com
- Village Level: Bihan community coordinator or your Gram Panchayat office
- Block Level: Block office of the Mission
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans. The Bihan Yojana is Chhattisgarh’s State Rural Livelihoods Mission. It helps rural women from poor households improve their income through self-help groups, savings, loans, skill training and market access.
Ans. The correct name is Bihan Yojana (बिहान योजना). Bihan is the name used for Chhattisgarh’s rural livelihood mission and has no connection with the state of Bihar.
Ans. The Panchayat and Rural Development Department of the Chhattisgarh Government implements the mission through the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission.
Ans. Bihan is Chhattisgarh’s implementation of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, a rural livelihood programme launched by the Government of India.
Ans. No. The Bihan Yojana does not provide a fixed monthly cash payment to every beneficiary. Instead, it supports income-generating activities through self-help groups, loans, training and market opportunities.
Ans. The mission primarily supports women from eligible rural poor households in Chhattisgarh. Women can contact their local Bihan coordinator to learn how to join a self-help group and access available support.
Ans. There is no single online application form for joining a self-help group under the Bihan Yojana. You can contact your Gram Panchayat, local Bihan coordinator or the Mission’s Block office to learn how to join.
Ans. You can speak to other interested women in your village and contact the Bihan coordinator for guidance on forming a new self-help group and completing the required formalities.
Ans. Depending on the applicable rules and eligibility, groups may receive financial support through the Revolving Fund and Community Investment Fund, access to bank loans, skill training, enterprise support and market access through Bihan Bazaar.
Ans. The amount depends on the group’s activities, savings record, business plan and the Mission’s guidelines. For example, in Dhamtari, a group of 58 women received ₹15,000 through the Revolving Fund, ₹60,000 through the Community Investment Fund and a ₹3 lakh bank loan for a centring plate rental business. These amounts do not represent a fixed benefit for every group.
Ans. The Lakhpati Didi initiative aims to help eligible women in self-help groups earn an annual income of ₹1 lakh or more through livelihood and income-generating activities.
Ans. Pashu Sakhis support livestock-related activities in their communities, while Udyog Sakhis help women explore and manage small businesses. These roles can provide trained women with livelihood opportunities.
Ans. Yes. Eligible rural youth may access skill training and placement assistance under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), subject to the programme’s eligibility conditions and available training opportunities.
Ans. Self-help groups can explore selling their products through Bihan Bazaar, the Mission’s platform for SHG products. Availability and selling arrangements may depend on the products and the facilities offered.
Ans. Do not pay anyone who promises guaranteed group membership or loan approval. Contact authorised Bihan staff for guidance, and remember that banks assess loan applications according to their applicable rules.
Ans. Visit the official Bihan website for available information and updates. You can also contact the Mission office at 0771-2512395 for assistance.
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.