‘Jeevika’ scheme: Women empowerment or freebies for Bihar polls?

Three years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called India’s “freebie culture” a threat to the nation. But just a month before the 2025 Bihar polls, the NDA government in Bihar announced a new benefit: women associated with the Jeevika self-help programme would receive Rs 10,000 each to expand their businesses.

To understand the political impact of this Rs 10,000 transfer, we travelled across districts and spoke to Jeevika women. Some call it a meaningful push for empowerment. Others question its timing. And caste, as always in Bihar, shapes these responses too.

Women make up nearly half of Bihar’s 7.4 crore voters – 3.5 crore in total – and more than one crore Jeevika members have already received the funds. 

Will women voters stand by Nitish Kumar and the NDA, or will Tejashwi Yadav’s promises sway them this time? 

Watch.

From ground reports to interviews, Team Newslaundry is on the ground in Bihar to track every aspect of this election. Your support will directly power our work. Click here.