Only 30.5 per cent of Bihar’s women are in the labour force, against 41.7 per cent nationally, while male participation (75.8 per cent) is close to the national figure, according to the PLFS 2023-24 data quoted in the Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26. Closing that gap, and turning a very young population into a skilled workforce, is the Survey’s employment agenda.
These notes cover the labour-market indicators, the social-security and women’s employment schemes, the skilling institutions (KYP, ITIs, BSDM, the Pratigya internship) and the migration picture, in the form BPSC Mains GS Paper II answers need.
Labour Force Participation: PLFS 2023–24
| Indicator | Bihar Male | India Male | Bihar Female | India Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) | 75.8% | 78.8% | 30.5% | 41.7% |
| Worker Population Ratio (WPR) | 73.1% | 76.3% | 30.1% | 40.3% |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 3.1% |
Key observations
- Bihar’s female labour force participation is significantly below the national average.
- Female unemployment is lower than the national average, but this does not necessarily indicate better employment quality or adequate job availability.
- Increasing women’s participation in productive, paid employment remains an important policy challenge.
Definitions for BPSC
- LFPR: Percentage of the population that is working or seeking/available for work.
- WPR: Percentage of the population that is employed.
- Unemployment rate: Percentage of the labour force that is unemployed.
Social Security for Unorganised Workers
Bihar Shatabdi Asangathit Kamgar Samajik Surakhsha Yojana
Provides financial assistance to unorganised-sector workers and their dependants.
| Type of assistance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Accidental death | ₹2,00,000 |
| Natural death | ₹50,000 |
| Permanent total disability | ₹1,00,000 |
| Partial disability | ₹50,000 |
Importance: Extends social protection to workers who often lack formal employment benefits, insurance and pension coverage.
Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana
Objective: Women’s economic empowerment through self-employment and livelihood generation.
- One woman from each family is the intended beneficiary.
- Associated with JEEVIKA Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Phase 1: ₹10,000 per beneficiary.
- By the time of the Survey, 1.56 crore women had received the first instalment and total assistance of ₹15,600 crore.
- Phase 2: Provision for additional assistance of up to ₹2 lakh to support the expansion of self-employment.
- Eligibility: women aged 18–60 years, not income-tax payers and not employed in government service.
Significance for Bihar
- Promotes women’s financial independence.
- Encourages micro-enterprises and household-level livelihoods.
- Can strengthen rural demand and women’s participation in the economy.
Skill Development Programmes
Kushal Yuva Programme (KYP)
- Launched in December 2016.
- Part of Saat Nishchay under Aarthik Hal, Yuvaon ko Bal.
- Provides skill training through an e-learning mode.
- Trainers are certified through OnCET.
- Linked to the Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana; training is compulsory for recipients of the self-help allowance.
Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
- Bihar has 152 government ITIs, including 38 women’s ITIs.
- In Phase 1, 60 ITIs were selected for development as Centres of Excellence with Tata Technologies.
- Focus areas include Industry 4.0 technologies such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine Learning (ML)
- Robotics
Importance: Aligns vocational education with changing industrial requirements and improves employability.
Mukhyamantri Pratigya Yojana (2025)
A paid internship scheme for Bihar’s youth.
- Target age: 18–28 years.
- Duration: 3–12 months, depending on the project or industry requirement.
| Qualification | Monthly stipend |
|---|---|
| Class 12 | ₹4,000 |
| ITI/Diploma | ₹5,000 |
| Graduate/Postgraduate | ₹6,000 |
Objective: Provide practical work experience and improve the transition from education to employment.
Bihar Skill Development Mission (BSDM)
- Nodal agency for skill development in Bihar.
- Bihar won 13 awards at IndiaSkills 2024, the national competition that selects India’s team for WorldSkills:
- 3 Gold
- 1 Silver
- 3 Bronze
- 6 Medallions of Excellence
- The Kisan Drone Operator Course is an example of specialised agricultural skill training.
Mega Skill Centres and Jananayak Karpuri Thakur Skill University
- Focus on training in Energy 4.0 and Industry 4.0 sectors.
- Jananayak Karpuri Thakur Skill University aims to integrate skill training with higher education.
Passport Issuance and Migration
- Siwan, Gopalganj and Patna together accounted for 31% of passport applications.
- The Survey links this pattern to established migration networks, particularly to the Middle East.
- Average police-verification time for passports fell from 17 days in 2020 to 12 days in 2022-23, and was 14 days in 2024.
Relevance: Migration reflects both employment opportunities outside Bihar and the need to create more productive local jobs.
Major Challenges in Bihar’s Labour Market
- Low female workforce participation: Women’s LFPR is considerably below the national average.
- Skill mismatch: Training must match the needs of modern industries and local employers.
- Limited formal employment: A substantial section of workers depends on informal or insecure livelihoods.
- Migration: Limited local opportunities encourage workers to seek employment elsewhere.
- Quality of employment: Job creation must be accompanied by adequate wages, stability and social security.
- Industry–skill gap: Vocational institutions need stronger links with employers and industry.
Way Forward
- Expand employment-intensive manufacturing, food processing and agro-based industries.
- Strengthen ITIs and skill centres through industry partnerships.
- Improve women’s access to finance, markets, childcare and safe workplaces.
- Link skill training with apprenticeships and actual job placements.
- Extend social security and insurance coverage to informal workers.
- Promote entrepreneurship and support micro, small and medium enterprises.
- Improve employment data and track training outcomes, wages and job retention.
Mains Answer Framework
Possible question: Discuss the major challenges relating to labour, employment and skill development in Bihar. Suggest suitable measures.
Introduction: Bihar needs to convert its large working-age population into a productive workforce through employment generation, skill development and social protection.
Body: Discuss low female labour participation, informal employment, migration, skill mismatch and limited industrial absorption. Cite relevant initiatives such as KYP, BSDM, ITI modernisation and Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana.
Conclusion: Bihar must move from skill certification to employability and sustainable employment by integrating education, industry, entrepreneurship and social security.
Facts to memorise
- Bihar female LFPR: 30.5%
- Government ITIs: 152
- Women’s ITIs: 38
- Mukhyamantri Pratigya Yojana: 2025
- IndiaSkills 2024 awards: 13
- Passport applications from Patna, Siwan and Gopalganj combined: 31%
Frequently asked questions
What is the female labour force participation rate in Bihar?
The Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26 quotes the PLFS 2023-24 female LFPR for Bihar as 30.5 per cent, against 41.7 per cent for India. Male LFPR is 75.8 per cent in Bihar and 78.8 per cent nationally.
What is the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana?
A 2025 scheme that gives one woman in each family, linked to JEEVIKA self-help groups, ₹10,000 to start a livelihood, with further support of up to ₹2 lakh in a second phase for enterprises that grow. Women aged 18 to 60 who are not income-tax payers or government employees are eligible.
What is the Kushal Yuva Programme?
KYP, launched in December 2016 under Saat Nishchay, gives 15- to 28-year-olds training in soft skills, basic computing and English through e-learning centres. It is compulsory for recipients of the Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta.
How many ITIs does Bihar have?
Bihar has 152 government ITIs, including 38 for women. Sixty of them are being upgraded as Centres of Excellence with Tata Technologies, with courses in Industry 4.0 skills.
Related pages
- BPSC posts and salary: pay level and in-hand pay
- BPSC interview: process, marks and likely questions
- BPSC cut-off, 65th to 71st, by category
- JEEVIKA: SHGs and women’s empowerment in Bihar
- Saat Nishchay of Bihar, parts 1 and 2
- Agriculture in India and Bihar: BPSC notes
- Industrial sector in India and Bihar
- Budget 2026-27 and Economic Survey quiz: 185 MCQs
Sources
Figures are from the Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26 (Finance Department, Government of Bihar, February 2026) unless another source is named. Checked 31 October 2026.
- Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26 (English PDF), Finance Department, Government of Bihar
- Periodic Labour Force Survey 2023-24, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
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