BIHAR-GOV-002
Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme
Education loans of up to Rs 4 lakh for students from Bihar pursuing higher education, under the 'Aarthik Hal, Yuvaon Ko Bal' resolve. In August 2026 the cabinet extended it through 2030-31.
Reported figures (4)
Each figure is marked as an official statistic, a government claim or a target
| Measure | Figure | As of | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications approved (cumulative) | 4,81,000 applications (more than) | Government claim | ABP Live (Hindi) | |
Students who received financial assistance (cumulative) | 4,15,000 students (more than) | Government claim | ABP Live (Hindi) | |
Financial assistance provided (cumulative) | ₹ 8,865 Cr (approx.) | Government claim | ABP Live (Hindi) | |
Approved expenditure for FY 2026-27 | ₹ 950 Cr | Target, not a result | The Hindu |
How it unfolded (3)
Each step as a dated source records it, oldest first
- Programme initiated
The scheme was launched alongside Swayam Sahayta Bhatta and Kushal Yuva under the seven resolves.
The Times of India
- Operational
The interest rate was reduced from 10% to 4%, and to 1% for women, disabled and transgender applicants, with the state as guarantor.
The Indian Express
- Operational
The cabinet approved a strengthened scheme for 2026-31, extending it to FY 2030-31 with Rs 950 crore for 2026-27.
ABP Live (Hindi) · The Hindu
What's confirmed
7 sourced facts
- The cabinet on 12 August 2026 approved the strengthened Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme 2026-31 and extended it from FY 2026-27 to 2030-31.
- Rs 950 crore was approved for spending in 2026-27.
- Loans of up to Rs 4 lakh continue under the scheme.
- More than 4.81 lakh applications approved and about Rs 8,865 crore given to more than 4.15 lakh students so far (cabinet briefing as reported by ABP Live).
- The scheme was launched on 2 October 2016 alongside Swayam Sahayta Bhatta and Kushal Yuva (TOI, December 2016).
- The interest rate was 10% until 2018 and 4% from 2018, with 1% for women, disabled and transgender applicants. The state acts as guarantor.
- Cards issued fell year on year in the scheme's early period: 37,308 in 2017-18, 26,796 in 2018-19 and 23,405 in 2019-20.
Still to be confirmed
6 open questions
- Details of the new 2026-31 implementation framework.
- Loan repayment and default rates.
- Any independent or audited verification of the cumulative totals.
- Cards issued per year after 2019-20. The State reports cumulative totals, which hide the falling early trend above.
- The Indian Express reported in May 2023 that loans worth about Rs 300 crore across more than 30 banks had been flagged as potential non-performing assets. This is a reported concern, not an audited figure or an outcome.
- The exact date in 2018 of the interest-rate change.
Sources (6)
Who reported it, when, and what they cover
| Publisher | Published | Covers | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
ABP Live (Hindi) Established news |
| Open source (opens in a new tab) | |
The Hindu Established news |
| Open source (opens in a new tab) | |
ABP Live (English) Established news |
| Open source (opens in a new tab) | |
The Times of India Established news |
| Open source (opens in a new tab) | |
Live Hindustan Established news |
| Open source (opens in a new tab) | |
The Indian Express Established news |
| No public link |