Bihar Satat Jeevika Yojana (JEEViKA) 2025 – Complete Guide

What is JEEViKA?

JEEViKA — the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS) — is Bihar's flagship rural livelihood mission. Operating under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), JEEViKA aims to empower rural poor women by organizing them into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and providing them access to credit, skills training, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Launched in 2007 with World Bank support, JEEViKA has become one of India's most successful livelihood programs. As of 2025, it covers all 38 districts of Bihar with over 10 lakh SHGs and more than 1 crore women members.

The name "JEEViKA" means "livelihood" in Hindi, reflecting the program's core mission of creating sustainable income sources for rural families.

Disclaimer: CitizenNest is an independent informational platform and is not affiliated with any government body. Visit brlps.in or jeevika.org.in for official details.

Who Can Join JEEViKA?

Eligibility

• Gender: Primarily women from rural households
• Location: Must be a resident of a rural area in Bihar
• Economic Status: Priority given to BPL (Below Poverty Line) families, but all rural women can participate
• Age: Must be at least 18 years old
• Willingness: Must be willing to join or form a Self-Help Group (SHG) and participate in regular meetings and savings

Priority Groups

• Households with no land or minimal land
• Female-headed households
• SC/ST families
• Households with disabled members
• Families with no steady income source

Benefits of Joining JEEViKA

Financial Benefits

• Community Investment Fund (CIF): SHGs receive ₹50,000–₹1,10,000 as seed capital for lending to members
• Bank Linkage Loans: SHGs can access bank loans of ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh+ at subsidized interest rates
• Revolving Fund: ₹15,000 provided to new SHGs for internal lending
• Interest Subvention: Loans at 4% interest (with timely repayment) under government subsidy
• Micro-insurance: Access to life and health insurance at affordable premiums

Non-Financial Benefits

• Skills Training: Free training in farming, animal husbandry, handicrafts, food processing, etc.
• Market Linkages: Help in selling products through JEEViKA-supported outlets and exhibitions
• Financial Literacy: Training on savings, banking, and financial management
• Social Empowerment: Women gain confidence, decision-making power, and community leadership roles
• Government Scheme Access: JEEViKA helps members access PDS, Ayushman Bharat, PM Kisan, and other schemes

How to Join JEEViKA – Step-by-Step

Step 1: Contact Your Village Organization

Visit your nearest JEEViKA office or talk to the Community Mobilizer (CM) in your village. Every Gram Panchayat has JEEViKA presence.

Step 2: Express Interest in Joining an SHG

Tell the Community Mobilizer that you want to join an existing SHG or form a new one. An SHG typically has 10–15 women members from the same village.

Step 3: Form or Join an SHG

• If an existing SHG has vacancy, you can join directly
• If not, gather 10–15 interested women from your village to form a new SHG
• The group selects a president and secretary
• The group decides on a name

Step 4: Start Savings

• Each member contributes a fixed weekly or monthly saving (as low as ₹10–₹50 per week)
• The group opens a joint bank account
• Regular savings build the group's creditworthiness

Step 5: Register with JEEViKA

The Community Mobilizer helps your SHG:

• Register with JEEViKA/BRLPS
• Get linked to the Village Organization (VO) and Cluster Level Federation (CLF)
• Complete documentation

Step 6: Receive Training

JEEViKA provides training on:

• Group management and book-keeping
• Financial literacy
• Livelihood activities (farming, dairy, poultry, etc.)
• Government schemes awareness

Step 7: Access Loans and Benefits

After 3–6 months of regular savings and meetings:

• Your SHG receives the Revolving Fund (₹15,000)
• After further months, you can access Community Investment Fund and bank loans
• Members can take internal loans from the group's pooled savings

Key JEEViKA Programs

Processing Time

• Joining an SHG: Immediate (if vacancy exists) to 1–2 months (for forming a new group)
• SHG Registration: 1–2 months
• Revolving Fund: 3–6 months after formation
• Bank Linkage: 6–12 months after consistent savings and meetings

Important Tips

1. Attend all SHG meetings regularly — consistency is key to accessing loans and benefits.
2. Save regularly — even small amounts build your group's financial strength and creditworthiness.
3. Keep records properly — ensure the SHG maintains a proper cash book, minutes book, and loan register.
4. Repay loans on time — timely repayment qualifies you for the 4% interest subsidy and larger future loans.
5. Leverage training programs — JEEViKA offers free skills training that can directly boost your income.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is a Self-Help Group (SHG)?

A: An SHG is a group of 10–15 women from similar economic backgrounds who come together to save money regularly and lend to each other. Under JEEViKA, SHGs also access bank loans, training, and government schemes.

Q2: How much do I need to save every week?

A: The group decides the savings amount. It can be as low as ₹10–₹50 per week. The key is regularity, not the amount.

Q3: Can men join JEEViKA SHGs?

A: JEEViKA primarily focuses on women's SHGs. However, some programs involve male family members for specific livelihood activities.

Q4: What is the interest rate on SHG bank loans?

A: Banks lend to SHGs at regular rates, but under government subsidy, the effective rate can be as low as 4% per annum with timely repayment.

Q5: How much loan can an SHG get from a bank?

A: Bank loans to SHGs range from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh or more, depending on the group's savings history, repayment track record, and federation support.

Q6: Is JEEViKA available in all districts of Bihar?

A: Yes. JEEViKA operates in all 38 districts of Bihar with presence in virtually every Gram Panchayat.

Q7: I'm already in an SHG but not linked to JEEViKA. Can I register?

A: Yes. Contact your local JEEViKA Community Mobilizer or the block-level JEEViKA office to get your existing SHG registered and linked.

Related Guides

• Bihar Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana
• Bihar Mukhyamantri Cycle Yojana
• Ayushman Bharat Health Card
• PM Kisan Samman Nidhi
• Aadhaar Linking Guide

Last updated: February 2025. Information is based on publicly available government data. Visit brlps.in or contact your local JEEViKA office for the latest information.