Ahead of Bihar Elections, CM Nitish Kumar Announces Major Hike in Social Security Pension Scheme

In a significant pre-election move, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a major hike in the Social Security Pension Scheme, raising the monthly pension for elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, and widowed women from ₹400 to ₹1100. The revised amount will be disbursed starting July 10, directly into the bank accounts of over 1.09 crore beneficiaries. 

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar posts on 'X': "I am happy to inform you that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, all the elderly, disabled and widowed women will now get a pension of Rs. 1100 instead of Rs. 400 every month. All the beneficiaries will get a pension at the increased… pic.twitter.com/UvZrztCJOE

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2025

Taking to social media platform 'X', Nitish Kumar shared:

"I am happy to inform you that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, all the elderly, disabled and widowed women will now get a pension of ₹1100 instead of ₹400 every month. All the beneficiaries will get a pension at the increased rate from the month of July. It will be ensured that this amount is sent to the account of all the beneficiaries on the 10th of the month. This will help 1 crore 9 lakh 69 thousand 255 beneficiaries a lot..."

He further stated in Hindi:

“वृद्धजन समाज का अनमोल हिस्सा हैं और उनका सम्मानजनक जीवन-यापन सुनिश्चित करना हमारी सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता है। राज्य सरकार इस दिशा में निरंतर प्रयत्नशील रहेगी।”

Strategic Welfare Push Ahead of Polls

The announcement is widely seen as a strategic welfare push by the ruling JD(U) ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. With over one crore direct beneficiaries, the scheme is likely to boost Nitish Kumar’s outreach among some of the most vulnerable sections of society — elderly, women, and disabled citizens.

Political analysts believe the pension hike is designed not just as a social measure, but also as a political message — reaffirming Nitish Kumar’s pro-poor governance model and securing voter trust in the run-up to the elections.

Implementation and Monitoring

The CM assured that the transfer of funds will be streamlined and time-bound, with all payments reaching beneficiaries’ accounts by the 10th of each month. This, he said, reflects the state government's commitment to efficient welfare delivery and respectful ageing.

The hike has been met with appreciation from social organizations and rural communities, many of whom had long demanded an increase in pension rates in line with rising living costs.