Patna: In a significant move aimed at injecting fresh expertise into the state’s governance machinery, the Bihar government has approved the rollout of a two-year Chief Minister’s Fellowship Scheme, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bodh Gaya.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to operationalise the programme was signed on Thursday between the General Administration Department (GAD) and IIM Bodh Gaya, under the aegis of the Bihar Administrative Reforms Mission Society.
The initiative will see 121 carefully selected fellows embedded within various departments of the state government for a fixed term of two years, with the possibility of extension for an additional year by mutual consent. The primary objective is to bolster policy formulation, enhance administrative efficiency, and accelerate development outcomes by bringing in young professionals with specialised knowledge across diverse domains.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit described the programme as a cornerstone of Bihar’s administrative reform agenda. “This fellowship will provide a structured platform for experienced subject experts to actively contribute to governance, policy design, and transparent decision-making,” he said.
Fellows will undergo induction training at IIM Bodh Gaya before deployment, with the first cohort expected to join from April 2026. The selection process will adhere to the state’s reservation policy and include screening tests, the modalities of which are being finalised jointly by the GAD and IIM Bodh Gaya.
Remuneration will range from ₹80,000 to ₹1.5 lakh per month, depending on the level of expertise and the nature of the posting. Upon successful completion of the programme, fellows will be awarded a Post Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Good Governance by IIM Bodh Gaya, along with valuable work experience within the state administration.
The scheme, initially approved by the state cabinet on 9 September 2025, is seen as a strategic step towards institutionalising external talent within the government and fostering innovation in public administration. Officials indicated that the structured integration of domain specialists is expected to yield long-term improvements in both policy execution and service delivery across Bihar.
