Satat Jeevikoparjan Yojana (SJY): ₹60,000–₹1L Grant for Bihar Households

The Satat Jeevikoparjan Yojana (SJY) is a Government of Bihar livelihood scheme that began on 5 August 2018. Day-to-day delivery is handled by the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society, better known as JEEViKA. Its design follows the Graduation Approach — an internationally recognised model for moving the very poorest households into stable self-employment rather than simply topping up their consumption.

The scheme's stated target is roughly 100,000 ultra-poor households across the state. Each participating household receives a productive asset along with a small monthly stipend, structured training and two years of individual handholding, so that the asset — a micro-enterprise, a livestock unit or a farming activity — can mature into a dependable source of income.

Participants are also linked to insurance cover and to public entitlements they may not have been accessing, and can draw on relief support during shocks such as COVID-19. Village Organizations (VOs) provide community-level oversight and help identify which households qualify.

Intake is continuous — there is no closing date for applications.

• Productive asset transfers with an average value of ₹60,000 and a maximum of ₹1,00,000
• ₹1,000 per month for the first seven months — ₹7,000 in total
• 24 months of personalised mentoring by a Master Resource Person
• Uses the Graduation Approach, targeting about 100,000 ultra-poor households in Bihar
• Implemented by JEEViKA under the Government of Bihar since 5 August 2018
• Rolling intake — applications stay open all year, with no deadline

SJY eligibility is built around household status rather than business registration, which makes it quite different from a typical startup grant.

• Domicile: the applicant must be a resident of Bihar.
• Household category: the household must be ultra-poor and must have been identified as such through the programme's participatory selection process.
• Social and economic vulnerability: the scheme focuses on households from socially or economically disadvantaged groups, including SC/ST communities.
• Livelihood position: the household should not have a significant alternative source of livelihood.

Because identification happens with the community through Village Organizations, an applicant cannot simply self-certify ultra-poor status. The household has to be recognised through that process first, and only then are documents submitted for verification.

Satat Jeevikoparjan Yojana (SJY): ₹60,000–₹1L Grant for Bihar Households is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

Satat Jeevikoparjan Yojana (SJY): ₹60,000–₹1L Grant for Bihar Households accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

Livelihood gap assistance

• ₹1,000 per month for the first seven months, adding up to ₹7,000, to cover basic household needs while the new livelihood is being set up.

Productive asset transfer

• An income-generating asset for a micro-enterprise, livestock rearing or agricultural activity, with an average value of ₹60,000 and a ceiling of ₹1,00,000.
• The transfer is normally released in 2–3 tranches rather than as one lump sum.

Insurance

• Premiums are covered under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.

Mentoring and training

• 24 months of personalised guidance from a Master Resource Person (MRP).
• Capacity-building sessions that develop confidence and entrepreneurial skills.
• Life-skills coaching covering household management and decision-making.

Community and social support

• Focused backing for ultra-poor households, including those who work in informal sectors, with participation strengthened through Village Organizations (VOs).

Satat Jeevikoparjan Yojana (SJY): ₹60,000–₹1L Grant for Bihar Households is offered by Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (JEEViKA), a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.

Selection starts with identification rather than an open application form. Village Organizations (VOs) run a participatory exercise to shortlist ultra-poor households in their area.

Shortlisted households then submit documents to JEEViKA representatives — typically identity proof, address proof, and papers confirming ultra-poor status and community affiliation.

Programme authorities verify the submitted documents and check the household against the scheme's eligibility criteria.

Approved households are enrolled in the programme and paired with a Master Resource Person (MRP) who guides them through the support period. Financial and other assistance then begins as per the programme structure.

The process is designed to ensure that support reaches the intended vulnerable groups, on the basis of criteria fixed in advance.

Before you apply to Satat Jeevikoparjan Yojana (SJY): ₹60,000–₹1L Grant for Bihar Households, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

Satat Jeevikoparjan Yojana (SJY): ₹60,000–₹1L Grant for Bihar Households is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹60,000 – ₹1L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.