Bihar government raises DA for employees, sets up three new departments, approves MoU with NSE for youth skilling, and clears multiple key cabinet decisions.

The Bihar government has raised the Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees and pensioners by 5 percent and sanctioned the establishment of three new departments, namely the Civil Aviation Department, the Youth, Employment and Skill Development Department, and the Higher Education Department.

The decisions were made during the second cabinet meeting of the newly established Bihar government convened in Patna on Tuesday. A total of 19 agenda items were authorized during the meeting.

The Dearness Allowance has been raised from 252 to 257 percent for government employees, pensioners, and family pensioners of the state receiving salary or pension under the 6th Central Pay Commission. This shall become effective starting from 1 July 2025.

State government employees, pensioners, and family pensioners receiving salary or pension under the 5th Central Pay Commission will be granted a Dearness Allowance of 4.74 percent instead of 4.66 percent. This will also become effective commencing 1 July 2025.

A new Civil Aviation Department will be established to enhance the development of civil aviation within the state and to improve the accessibility and convenience of air travel. Currently, matters concerning civil aviation are managed by the Civil Aviation Directorate within the Department of the Cabinet Secretariat.

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The cabinet also sanctioned the establishment of the “Youth, Employment and Skill Development Department” to promote comprehensive youth development, expand employment opportunities, and cultivate a competent workforce.

The government approved the establishment of the “Higher Education Department” to enhance the caliber of higher education within the state. At present, the responsibilities pertaining to higher education are centralized within the Education Department.

Approval has also been granted for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bihar government and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSEIL), Mumbai, to facilitate the execution of the Student Skilling Programme dedicated to the empowerment and skill development of Bihar’s youth.

Under the Student Skilling Programme, NSEIL, Mumbai, will organize investor awareness and training initiatives through online webinars and offline seminars to enhance knowledge among students, beneficiaries, and business communities.

The compassionate appointment of Md. Imdad Raza, dependent son of BSF Sub-Inspector Late Md. Imtiyaz, who was martyred during Operation Sindoor, has also received sanction from the cabinet.