Bihar Govt Hikes Pension for Retired Journalists, Spouses to Benefit Too
Patna: In a significant move aimed at securing the welfare of the press fraternity, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a sharp hike in the monthly pension for accredited retired journalists — raising it from ₹6,000 to ₹15,000 under the Bihar Patrakaar Samman Pension Yojana.
Taking to social media, the CM said, “Journalists are the fourth pillar of democracy. This decision reflects our commitment to honour their contribution and ensure a dignified life post-retirement.”
मुझे यह बताते हुए खुशी हो रही है कि बिहार पत्रकार सम्मान पेंशन योजना के तहत अब सभी पात्र पत्रकारों को हर महीने 6 हजार रू॰ की जगह 15 हजार रू॰ पेंशन की राशि प्रदान करने का विभाग को निर्देश दिया है। साथ ही बिहार पत्रकार सम्मान पेंशन योजना के अंतर्गत पेंशन प्राप्त कर रहे पत्रकारों की…
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) July 26, 2025
The announcement also includes an increase in the family pension for the spouse of deceased pensioners — from ₹3,000 to ₹10,000 per month.
The enhanced pension scheme comes at a politically crucial time, as Bihar heads into Assembly elections later this year. Political observers see it as a strategic move to strengthen ties with the media and promote a pro-welfare image.
To qualify for the scheme, journalists must have at least 20 years of experience in the profession and be registered with the state government. The scheme, first launched in 2019, has now been significantly expanded both in reach and benefits.
This pension revision follows a broader series of welfare enhancements recently announced by the Bihar government, including increasing social security pensions for senior citizens, widows, and differently-abled individuals to ₹1,100 per month.
While the journalist community welcomed the step, some opposition leaders termed the timing “politically motivated.” Nonetheless, the move is expected to bring relief and dignity to hundreds of veteran journalists who’ve spent decades in service of the truth.
