Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Bihar Approves Payments for Viral Government Scheme Videos
Bihar changed its social media rules to pay creators who make videos about government schemes.
A creator can earn money when many people watch a video.
The payment can reach Rs 1 lakh for a video with 10 lakh views.
The government will assess the video’s performance after 30 days.
Supporters may see this as a way to spread information about public programmes.
Critics say many views do not prove that the right people saw or understood the message.
They also say videos can become popular for sensational or misleading reasons.
Critics would rather see more public money spent on schools, roads and hospitals.
The policy comes as the Bihar government faces criticism about governance and infrastructure.
Bihar’s Cabinet approved amendments to its social media rules during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
Influencers and content creators can receive payments for videos about Bihar government schemes and programmes.
Creators will be paid Rs 10,000 per one lakh views and up to Rs 1 lakh for 10 lakh views after 30 days.
Payments for any single video are capped at Rs 1 lakh.
Critics argue that viral content may not reach beneficiaries and could divert public funds from schools, roads and hospitals.
- Who
- The Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, approved the amendment; social media influencers and content creators may receive payments.
- What
- Bihar amended its Social Media and Other Online Media Rules, 2026, to pay creators for content about government schemes and programmes.
- When
- The amendment was approved at a Cabinet meeting held on a Wednesday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Bihar, India.
- Why
- The stated mechanism is to reward content promoting government schemes, while critics say it may help project a positive image instead of addressing governance and infrastructure problems.
Government Promotion
Critics’ Concerns
Purpose of the payments
Government Promotion
The amended rules create a payment system for creators who produce content about Bihar government schemes and programmes.
Critics’ Concerns
Critics say the policy could be used to project a positive image of the government and shield it from criticism.
Value of viral reach
Government Promotion
The rules use view counts to measure the performance of government-related videos and determine payments.
Critics’ Concerns
Critics argue that viral videos may result from sensationalism, controversy, misleading content or algorithmic promotion rather than useful public communication.
Use of public funds
Government Promotion
The government is directing money toward online communication about its programmes.
Critics’ Concerns
Critics say the money could instead support improvements to Bihar’s schools, roads and hospital infrastructure.
- Policy
- Amendment to the Bihar Social Media and Other Online Media Rules, 2026.
- Approval
- Approved alongside 12 other proposals by the Bihar Cabinet.
- View-based payment
- Rs 10,000 for one lakh views and Rs 1 lakh for 10 lakh views.
- Payment timing
- Payments are made after 30 days of performance.
- Video cap
- The maximum payment for one video is Rs 1 lakh.
- Eligible creators
- Social media influencers and content creators producing content on Bihar government schemes and programmes.
- Main criticism
- Virality may not ensure that scheme information reaches or is understood by beneficiaries.