Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary transfers ₹1,100 crore to 94 lakh pension beneficiaries via DBT
Synopsis
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary transferred ₹1,100 crore to over 94 lakh pension beneficiaries in a single DBT push on 10 June — but the real story is the admission behind it: payments had reportedly been delayed for months. With ₹3,662 crore now pre-allocated for May through July, the government is under pressure to prove the 10th-of-every-month pledge is more than an election-era promise.
Key Takeaways
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary transferred ₹1,100 crore via DBT on 10 June 2025 to over 94 lakh social security pension beneficiaries.
Each beneficiary receives ₹1,100 per month ; the transfer covers payments for May 2025 .
Bihar has nearly 1.19 crore total pension beneficiaries across six schemes ; roughly 25 lakh are yet to receive the latest payment.
The pension was raised from ₹400 to ₹1,100 by former CM Nitish Kumar ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections .
The government approved an advance allocation of ₹3,662 crore to cover pension disbursements for May, June, and July .
Officials of the Bihar Social Welfare Department have been directed to ensure transfers are made on the 10th of every month without delay.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on 10 June 2025 transferred ₹1,100 crore directly into the bank accounts of more than 94 lakh beneficiaries under the state's social security pension schemes, using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. The disbursement — covering payments for the month of May — was initiated from Bihar Bhawan in New Delhi.
What Was Transferred and to Whom
Each beneficiary under the revised scheme receives ₹1,100 per month. According to official figures, Bihar has nearly 1.19 crore total social security pension beneficiaries; of these, more than 94 lakh received payments in this latest transfer cycle. The remaining beneficiaries are reportedly yet to be enrolled or have pending documentation.
The Bihar government runs six major social security pension schemes: the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, the Lakshmibai Social Security Pension Scheme, the Bihar Disability Pension Scheme, and the Chief Minister Old Age Pension Scheme.
What the Chief Minister Said
Addressing the programme, Chief Minister Choudhary announced that pension payments would henceforth be credited to beneficiaries' accounts on the 10th of every month without interruption. He also appealed to eligible elderly citizens who have not yet enrolled to apply at the earliest.
'Individuals aged 60 years or above who have been left out should apply promptly. The state government is fully committed to the social security of poor, deprived, and needy people,' Choudhary said.
Background: Pension Hike and Recent Delays
The pension amount was raised from ₹400 to ₹1,100 per month ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections by then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who also committed to crediting payments by the 10th of each month. However, delays had reportedly occurred in recent months, prompting Choudhary to direct officials of the Bihar Social Welfare Department to strictly ensure timely transfers going forward.
Advance Allocation and Next Steps
Earlier this week, the Bihar government approved an advance allocation of ₹3,662 crore for the six pension schemes to cover the months of May, June, and July. Wednesday's release of ₹1,100 crore pertains specifically to May payments. The structured advance allocation signals an attempt to institutionalise on-time disbursement rather than rely on ad hoc releases. Beneficiaries and welfare advocates will be watching whether the June and July tranches arrive on schedule.
Point of View
100 crore transfer is administratively significant, but the acknowledgement of recent delays undercuts the government's narrative of seamless welfare delivery. The pension hike from ₹400 to ₹1,100 was announced in the run-up to the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections — making timely disbursement a political as much as a welfare obligation. With nearly 25 lakh of Bihar's 1.19 crore registered beneficiaries still outside the latest transfer cycle, the coverage gap deserves scrutiny. The advance allocation of ₹3,662 crore is a structural improvement, but it only delivers if departmental execution matches the Chief Minister's public directive.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Bihar transfer to pension beneficiaries on 10 June 2025?
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary transferred ₹1,100 crore via the Direct Benefit Transfer system on 10 June 2025, covering May pension payments for over 94 lakh beneficiaries. Each beneficiary receives ₹1,100 per month under the revised scheme.
Which pension schemes are covered under Bihar's DBT transfer?
The transfer covers six schemes: the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, Lakshmibai Social Security Pension Scheme, Bihar Disability Pension Scheme, and Chief Minister Old Age Pension Scheme.
Why were Bihar pension payments delayed in recent months?
Specific reasons for the delays were not officially disclosed, but Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has directed the Bihar Social Welfare Department to strictly ensure timely transfers on the 10th of every month going forward. The delays had reportedly affected beneficiaries in the months preceding the June disbursement.
Who raised Bihar's pension amount to ₹1,100 per month?
Former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar raised the pension from ₹400 to ₹1,100 per month ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections and committed to crediting payments by the 10th of each month.
How can eligible Bihar residents enrol for the pension scheme?
Chief Minister Choudhary has urged citizens aged 60 years or above who have not yet enrolled to apply at the earliest through the Bihar Social Welfare Department. The state government has indicated that the enrolment process is ongoing for those who have been left out of the current beneficiary list.
