Politics · India · 8 hrs ago
Bihar orders bank accounts and birth records for government schoolchildren
Bihar has ordered government schools to keep birth certificates for every enrolled child and help each child open a bank account.
The directive applies across the state and was sent to district education officials.
Schools must arrange individual or joint accounts at government or nationalised banks, with priority for children eligible for scholarships.
Birth certificates are needed to open bank accounts and are also required for school admission.
Accounts will help the government transfer scheme payments directly to children, including scholarship benefits.
Headmasters are to work with nearby banks and local officials to help obtain certificates.
The department says both tasks must be completed by December 31, 2026, through a special campaign.
Bihar has ordered government schools to keep birth certificates for every enrolled child and ensure each child has an individual or joint bank account.
The Education Department issued the instructions to district education officials and programme officers.
Schools must work with nearby government or nationalised banks to open accounts, prioritising children eligible for scholarships.
Headmasters must also contact village panchayat leaders to help obtain birth certificates.
The department set December 31, 2026, as the deadline for completing both tasks through a special campaign.
- Who
- The Bihar Education Department has directed government schools and district education officials to act.
- What
- Schools must maintain enrolled children’s birth certificates and ensure each has an individual or joint bank account.
- When
- The instructions were issued on November 5, 2026. The tasks must be completed by December 31, 2026.
- Where
- Government schools across Bihar.
- Why
- Birth certificates are required for school admission and bank accounts, and accounts can help the government transfer scheme funds through Direct Benefit Transfer.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Central government has emphasised opening bank accounts for everyone in government banks under its financial inclusion initiative.
Bihar’s Education Department issued instructions on school records and bank accounts for government schoolchildren.
Schools are to complete both tasks through a special campaign by this deadline.
- State
- Bihar
- Birth records
- Birth certificates must be kept for every child enrolled in government schools
- Bank accounts
- Each child must have an individual or joint account in a government or nationalised bank
- Priority
- Children eligible for scholarship benefits
- Deadline
- December 31, 2026