Bihar Stipend Scheme for Advocate

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Bihar Stipend Scheme for Advocates is a financial support initiative of the Bihar Government for young advocates beginning their legal careers in the state. The scheme forms part of the government's broader advocate welfare policy and provides financial assistance during the initial years of professional practice. It aims to ease the financial difficulties newly enrolled advocates face as they establish themselves in the legal profession.

Under the Bihar Advocates Welfare Stipend Scheme, eligible advocates are provided a stipend of ₹5,000 per month for three years. This translates into financial assistance of up to ₹1.80 lakh over the three years for an advocate who receives the stipend for the full duration. The support is particularly significant for young lawyers who may require time to develop their practice, gain professional experience and establish themselves in the legal profession.

The Bihar Government already runs monthly stipend schemes for young people. The Mukhyamantri Pratigya Yojana gives youths ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 every month for skill development. Many new lawyers may have also used the Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme to fund their law degree, which offers a loan of up to ₹4 lakh. One scheme helps pay for the degree. The other now helps during the first years of practice.

The scheme covers advocates enrolled with the Bihar State Bar Council on or after 1 January 2024, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions. Applicants must meet the specified age, residence and professional practice requirements, practise in a Court or Tribunal in Bihar, and be members of an Advocates' Association in the state. The concerned Advocates' Association must also certify that the advocate is actively practising law.

The scheme also sets conditions for receiving and continuing the stipend. These include the prescribed parental income limit, restrictions on engaging in another occupation or business, passing the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) within the specified period and meeting the prescribed legal practice requirements for continuation of the benefit. These conditions ensure that the financial assistance reaches young advocates who are actively pursuing legal practice in Bihar.

For advocates looking for information on the Bihar Stipend Scheme for Advocates, it is important to follow the latest instructions issued by the concerned authorities before applying. The scheme is governed by the 2025 advocate welfare policy and the detailed stipend advertisement issued by the Bihar Advocates Welfare Trustee Committee. Applicants should also check subsequent official orders for any updates or clarifications regarding the application and implementation process.

Scheme Benefits

The stipend provides financial assistance to eligible advocates at the beginning of their professional journey, helping them manage the initial challenges of establishing a legal practice in Bihar.

• Eligible advocates will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000.
• The stipend will be provided for up to three years, subject to the scheme conditions.
• The scheme provides financial assistance to newly enrolled advocates during the early years of their legal practice.

Eligibility Requirements

The Bihar Advocates Welfare Stipend Scheme is designed for young advocates who are beginning their legal practice in Bihar. Applicants must meet the prescribed age, enrolment, residence and professional practice requirements to qualify for the stipend.

• The advocate must be between 22 and 32 years of age on the date of enrolment with the State Bar Council.
• The advocate must be enrolled with the Bihar State Bar Council, Patna.
• The advocate should be an original/native of Bihar.
• The advocate must be practising in a Court or Tribunal in Bihar.
• The advocate must be a member of an Advocates' Association in Bihar.
• The concerned Advocates' Association must certify that the advocate is engaged in active legal practice.
• The advocate must submit the prescribed practice/experience certificate from the concerned Advocates' Association.
• An advocate who was initially enrolled with another State Bar Council and subsequently migrated to or enrolled with the Bihar State Bar Council may also be considered, subject to the conditions prescribed under the scheme.

Required Documents

Applicants need to submit supporting records that establish their educational background, Bar Council enrolment, residence, income and professional status. The scheme notice also requires specific declarations and certificates for verifying the applicant's eligibility.

• Matriculation (10th) certificate
• Bihar State Bar Council enrolment certificate
• Certificate of practice/experience issued by the concerned Advocates' Association
• Certificate confirming active legal practice
• Income certificate of the applicant's father or mother
• Certificate proving that the applicant is an original/native resident of Bihar
• PAN card
• All India Bar Examination (AIBE) certificate, where applicable
• Affidavit stating that the applicant has not been convicted or punished in any criminal case by the State Bar Council or Bar Council of India
• Affidavit declaring that the applicant is not engaged in any other occupation or business
• Other documents prescribed by the Bihar Advocates Welfare Trustee Committee, as applicable

Steps to Apply

Applicants can use the prescribed application form to apply for the Bihar Advocate Stipend Scheme. The currently available information indicates that the application is submitted through an offline process with verification by the concerned Bar Association.

• Obtain and complete the prescribed application form for the stipend scheme.
• Attach the required supporting documents with the application.
• Submit the completed application to the concerned Advocates' Association.
• The Advocates' Association will forward the application to the Bihar Advocates Welfare Trustee Committee.
• The applicant does not need the signature of the Convener of the Bihar Advocates Welfare Trustee Committee.
• The Trustee Committee will examine and scrutinise the applicant's eligibility under the scheme.
• Eligible applicants will receive the stipend as per the applicable scheme provisions.

Relevant Links

• Bihar State Bar Council Official Portal
• Bihar Advocate Stipend Scheme Order

Contact Information

• Bihar State Bar Council Phone Number: 0612-2505583
• Bihar State Bar Council Email: [email protected]