Summary of the Scheme
Name of Scheme	Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana
Benefits	Provides SHG funding, loans, skills, livelihood support, & market access
Beneficiary	Poor rural women and families
Nodal Agency	Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (CGSRLM)
Subscription	Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme
Mode of Apply	Offline

Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana 2026: Eligibility, Benefits, SHG Funding, Documents & Application Process

The Government of Chhattisgarh is implementing the Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana to improve the financial and social conditions of poor rural women by promoting self-employment, financial inclusion and livelihood opportunities.

The scheme is officially implemented through the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (CGSRLM). Under this initiative, rural women are organised into Self-Help Groups (SHGs), where they receive support through savings, bank loans, skill development, revolving funds and livelihood activities.

Eligible Self-Help Groups can receive ₹15,000 as a Revolving Fund (RF) and ₹50,000–₹60,000 as a Community Investment Fund (CIF). They can also access bank loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh to start or expand income-generating activities.

If you are a rural woman in Chhattisgarh looking for financial support and self-employment opportunities, this article explains the scheme’s benefits, eligibility criteria, documents and application procedure.

1. Overview of Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana

Particulars	Details
Scheme Name	Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana
Official Name	Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (CGSRLM)
Launched By	Government of Chhattisgarh
Implementing Department	Panchayat and Rural Development Department
Nodal Agency	Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission
Beneficiaries	Poor and deprived rural women and families
Main Objective	Rural poverty reduction and women’s empowerment
Revolving Fund	₹15,000
Community Investment Fund	₹50,000–₹60,000
Bank Loan	₹50,000–₹3 lakh
Application Mode	Offline
Official Website	https://bihan.gov.in/
Membership	Through village-level SHGs

2. What Is Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana?

Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana is a rural livelihood development programme designed to improve the economic conditions of poor and deprived rural families, particularly women.

The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, launched the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) in June 2011 to reduce rural poverty.

On 1 June 2011, the Panchayat and Rural Development Department of Chhattisgarh established the Chhattisgarh Rajya Gramin Aajeevika Samvardhan Samiti to implement the mission in the state.

The state named this programme Bihan, meaning dawn or a new beginning.

The primary objective is to organise at least one woman from every poor and deprived rural household into a Self-Help Group (SHG). Through these groups, women develop regular savings habits, access financial services, receive skill training and establish self-employment opportunities.

The programme also promotes higher-level community organisations, including:

• Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
• Village Organisations (VOs)
• Cluster Level Federations (CLFs)
• Block Level Federations (BLFs)
• District Federations

These organisations help women manage community funds, access bank credit, develop livelihoods and improve their household income.

3. Latest Benefits of Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana

Bihan provides financial assistance primarily to Self-Help Groups and their federations rather than giving a fixed cash payment directly to individual women.

The major financial benefits are explained below.

A. Revolving Fund (RF)

Eligible Self-Help Groups receive ₹15,000 as a Revolving Fund.

Eligibility conditions:

• The SHG must be at least three months old.
• The group must follow the Panchsutra principles.
• The group must maintain regular meetings, savings and records.

B. Community Investment Fund (CIF)

Eligible SHGs can receive financial assistance of ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 through the Community Investment Fund.

Eligibility conditions:

• The SHG must be at least five months old.
• The group must prepare a Micro Credit Plan (MCP).
• The Micro Credit Plan must be prepared with support from trained MCP master trainers.

C. Bank Loan Facility

Eligible SHGs can access bank loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh for livelihood activities.

Eligibility conditions:

• The SHG must be at least six months old.
• The group must follow the Panchsutra.
• The group must maintain proper financial records and repayment practices.

D. Vulnerability Reduction Fund (VRF)

Village Organisations can receive financial assistance of up to ₹1.50 lakh to support extremely poor and vulnerable families.

E. Start-up Fund

Under the scheme:

• Each Village Organisation can receive ₹35,000.
• Each Cluster Level Federation can receive ₹2 lakh.

F. Community Enterprise Fund

Rural entrepreneurs can receive initial financial support in the form of loans, along with bank linkage, under the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), subject to business plan approval.

4. Eligibility Criteria for Bihan Yojana

Women must fulfil the following conditions to participate in the Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana:

1. The applicant should be a woman belonging to a poor or deprived rural household in Chhattisgarh.
2. The scheme primarily targets families listed in the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011.
3. Women should join an existing Self-Help Group or form a new SHG with other eligible women.
4. A Self-Help Group generally consists of 10 to 15 women members.
5. The group must follow the Panchsutra principles to receive financial assistance.

Priority Beneficiaries

Special priority is given to the following groups:

• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• Women with disabilities.
• Women-headed households, including widowed, abandoned and divorced women.
• Landless families.
• Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) families.
• Poor households excluded from earlier surveys.

5. What Is Panchsutra Under Bihan Yojana?

Panchsutra refers to five important principles that every Self-Help Group should follow to maintain financial discipline and become eligible for financial assistance.

The five principles are:

1. Regular Meetings: SHG members should organise meetings regularly.
2. Regular Savings: Members should contribute savings consistently.
3. Regular Internal Lending: The group should provide loans to its members according to their needs.
4. Regular Loan Repayment: Members should repay their loans on time.
5. Proper Record-Keeping: The group should maintain accurate financial and meeting records.

Following these five principles is important for accessing Revolving Funds, Community Investment Funds and bank loans.

6. Required Documents for Bihan Yojana

Women interested in joining an existing SHG or forming a new group may need the following documents:

1. Aadhaar Card.
2. Bank Passbook or Bank Account Details.
3. Residence Proof, if required.
4. Recent Passport-Size Photograph.
5. Ration Card, where applicable.
6. SECC-related information, where required.

The Community Resource Person (CRP) or Bihan officials may request additional documents depending on the group formation and verification process.

7. How to Apply for Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana?

The Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana does not provide a separate individual online application form.

Women can join the programme through the Self-Help Group formation process at the village level.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Contact the Community Resource Person (CRP)

Visit your village-level Community Resource Person, an active SHG member or the nearest Bihan office to enquire about joining the programme.

Step 2: Join an Existing SHG or Form a New Group

Women can join an existing Self-Help Group or form a new group consisting of 10 to 15 eligible women from poor rural households.

Step 3: Start Regular Savings and Meetings

After joining the group, members should organise regular meetings, contribute savings, provide internal loans and maintain proper financial records.

Step 4: Access Banking Facilities

Bihan helps SHGs connect with banking services through Bank Mitras and Bank Sakhis.

Step 5: Receive Revolving Fund

After completing three months and following the Panchsutra, eligible SHGs can receive ₹15,000 as a Revolving Fund.

Step 6: Apply for Community Investment Fund

After five months, trained MCP master trainers help the group prepare a Micro Credit Plan. Eligible groups can then receive ₹50,000–₹60,000 as a Community Investment Fund.

Step 7: Access Bank Loans

After six months, eligible SHGs can access bank loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh for livelihood activities.

Step 8: Join Higher-Level Federations

The SHG can become part of its Village Organisation and Cluster Level Federation to access additional funds, livelihood programmes and market support.

8. Livelihood and Skill Development Opportunities Under Bihan

Apart from financial support, the mission connects rural women with different livelihood and skill development programmes.

Important initiatives include:

1. Krishi Mitra: Supports agricultural livelihood activities and helps farmers access relevant guidance.

2. Pashu Sakhi: Promotes livestock-related activities and provides support to rural households engaged in animal husbandry.

3. Tool Banks: Help improve access to agricultural tools and equipment.

4. Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP): Supports rural entrepreneurs in establishing and expanding small businesses.

5. Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): Provides skill development and employment-oriented training to eligible rural youth.

6. RSETI Training: Offers entrepreneurship and skill development training through Rural Self Employment Training Institutes.

7. Project LIFE-MGNREGA: Connects livelihood development activities with MGNREGA-related initiatives.

8. Bihan Bazaar: Promotes marketing opportunities for products made by Self-Help Group members.

These initiatives help women develop sustainable income sources through agriculture, livestock, manufacturing, services and small businesses.

9. Other Government Schemes for Women in Chhattisgarh

Along with Bihan, the Chhattisgarh Government operates other schemes to improve women’s financial independence.

A. Mahtari Vandan Yojana

Under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, eligible married women receive ₹1,000 per month directly into their bank accounts, subject to the scheme’s eligibility conditions.

B. Mukhyamantri Saksham Suraksha Yojana

This scheme provides eligible women with low-interest loans of up to ₹2 lakh to establish small businesses and income-generating activities.

Women should check the latest official guidelines before applying for these programmes.

10. Important Terms and Conditions

Applicants and SHG members should remember the following points:

• Bihan primarily supports rural women from poor and deprived households.
• Financial assistance is provided mainly to SHGs and their federations.
• Individual women do not automatically receive a fixed cash benefit.
• SHGs must follow all five Panchsutra principles.
• Revolving Fund eligibility generally requires the group to be at least three months old.
• Community Investment Fund eligibility generally requires the group to be at least five months old and have an approved Micro Credit Plan.
• Bank loan access generally requires the group to be at least six months old and follow the required financial practices.
• Financial support is subject to verification and the applicable programme guidelines.
• Women can join an existing SHG or form a new group throughout the year. There is no fixed membership deadline mentioned in the scheme information.

11. Contact Details and Official Website

For additional information about the Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana, applicants can contact the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission.

Official Website: https://bihan.gov.in/

Helpline Number: 0771-2512395

Helpdesk Email: mdsrlm.cg@nic.in

Nodal Agency: Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (CGSRLM)

Implementing Department: Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Government of Chhattisgarh.

Applicants can also contact their village-level Community Resource Person, Block Mission Management Unit or District Mission Management Unit for assistance.

12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is Bihan Yojana in Chhattisgarh?

Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana is a rural livelihood mission that organises poor rural women into Self-Help Groups and provides financial, skill development and livelihood support.

Q2. Who can join Bihan Yojana?

Women belonging to poor and deprived rural households in Chhattisgarh can join the programme through an existing or newly formed Self-Help Group.

Q3. How many women can form one Bihan SHG?

Generally, one Self-Help Group consists of 10 to 15 women members.

Q4. How much Revolving Fund does an SHG receive under Bihan?

Eligible SHGs that are at least three months old and follow the Panchsutra can receive ₹15,000 as a Revolving Fund.

Q5. How much Community Investment Fund is available?

Eligible SHGs can receive ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 after meeting the required conditions and preparing a Micro Credit Plan.

Q6. How much bank loan can an SHG get under Bihan?

Eligible SHGs can access bank loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh for livelihood activities.

Q7. What is the Panchsutra in Bihan Yojana?

Panchsutra consists of five principles: regular meetings, regular savings, regular internal lending, timely loan repayment and proper record-keeping.

Q8. Does Bihan give money directly to individual women?

No. The programme mainly provides funds to Self-Help Groups and their federations, which use the funds to support members and livelihood activities.

Q9. What is the last date to join Bihan Yojana?

There is no fixed membership deadline mentioned in the supplied scheme information. Rural women can contact local Bihan officials to join an existing SHG or form a new one.

Q10. What is the age limit for DDU-GKY training under Bihan?

The supplied Bihan scheme information does not specify a separate age limit for DDU-GKY training. Applicants should check the current DDU-GKY eligibility guidelines.

Q11. Can I apply online for Bihan Yojana?

No separate individual online application form is available under Bihan. Women must join through the village-level SHG process.

Conclusion

The Chhattisgarh Bihan Yojana plays an important role in promoting women’s empowerment, financial inclusion and rural self-employment.

Through Self-Help Groups, eligible rural women can access a ₹15,000 Revolving Fund, a ₹50,000–₹60,000 Community Investment Fund and bank loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh.

The programme also connects women with skill development, entrepreneurship, agriculture, livestock and marketing opportunities.

Women interested in joining the scheme should contact their village-level Community Resource Person or the nearest Bihan office to become part of an existing SHG or form a new group.