Patna: The Bihar government is preparing to expand the Civil Services Incentive Scheme under the Chief Minister’s Nari Shakti Yojana to provide financial assistance to women candidates who clear the preliminary examinations of several competitive examinations.
According to the Social Welfare Department, 4,513 women candidates have benefited from the scheme between 2021-22 and the present, with more than ₹23.39 crore distributed so far.
Under the proposed expansion, eligible women candidates from all categories who meet the prescribed conditions and clear the preliminary examination of notified competitive examinations would be able to receive financial assistance.
4,513 Women Have Benefited Since 2021-22
Departmental data shows that 146 women candidates who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination and 4,367 women who cleared the BPSC Preliminary Examination have received assistance under the scheme.
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The total number of beneficiaries stands at 4,513, while ₹23.395 crore has been distributed among them so far.
Existing Assistance for UPSC and BPSC
Under the current arrangement, women candidates who clear the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination receive ₹1 lakh as an incentive for preparing for the Main Examination.
Those who clear the BPSC Preliminary Examination are provided ₹50,000.
The assistance is intended to support candidates with expenses related to preparation for the next stage of the examination.
Proposed Expansion to Cover More Categories
The proposed changes would extend the scheme beyond the categories currently covered. Women candidates belonging to General, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Backward Class categories, along with other eligible categories, would also be covered subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions.
The proposal also seeks to include several competitive examinations beyond the UPSC Civil Services and BPSC examinations.
Proposed Incentive Structure
The proposed financial assistance would vary according to the examination:
- ₹75,000 to ₹1 lakh: Preliminary examinations for notified UPSC examinations, including the Indian Engineering Services, Indian Economic Service, Indian Statistical Service and Combined Geo-Scientist Examination.
- ₹50,000: Preliminary examinations for CDS, NDA, CBI and notified State Civil Services examinations of other states.
- ₹30,000: Preliminary examinations for RBI Grade B, SBI-related recruitment examinations and specified Railway recruitment examinations.
SSC, Banking and Railway Exams Proposed for Inclusion
The proposed expansion would also cover specified examinations conducted through the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), State Public Service Commissions, banking recruitment institutions, the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and various Railway Recruitment Boards.
This would bring competitive examinations for administrative, banking, defence, railway and other government services within the proposed scope of the incentive scheme.
Financial Support for Further Preparation
The proposed expansion is aimed at providing eligible women candidates with financial assistance after they clear the preliminary stage of notified examinations. The assistance could be used towards preparation-related expenses, including coaching, study material, examination fees and other associated costs.
Government’s Statement
Society Welfare Department Minister Dr Shweta Gupta said the government aims to provide women in Bihar with support for education and preparation for competitive examinations.
“The government’s objective is to provide all possible support to the daughters of Bihar for education and preparation for competitive examinations. Financial assistance to women candidates who qualify in the preliminary examination will help them in their further preparation.”
She added that the proposed expansion to women candidates across categories is intended to ensure that financial circumstances do not become an obstacle for candidates pursuing competitive examinations.
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