For Prelims: Free Electricity Scheme (Bihar), Voluntary Opt-Out / 'Give Up' Campaign, Chief Minister of Bihar, Scheme Benefit, Current Context, Related Event
For Mains: Universal electricity access, fiscal prudence, voluntary subsidy surrender, education financing
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Bihar provides 125 units of free electricity per month to each household.
- The voluntary opt-out campaign starts on 1 December 2026.
- CM Samrat Choudhary is the Chief Minister of Bihar.
- Those who opt out will be called 'donors'.
- PM Modi is proposed to visit Vaishali on 21 November 2026.
Why in the news?
Bihar's government provides 125 units of free electricity per month to every household under a scheme attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. From 1 December 2026, a campaign will encourage financially able families to voluntarily opt out, with savings redirected to children's education. PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Vaishali on 21 November for the NDA government's first anniversary.
Summary
- Bihar provides 125 units of free electricity per month to every household, regardless of caste, religion or income.
- A special campaign from 1 December 2026 will encourage capable families to voluntarily give up this benefit.
- Those who opt out will be called 'donors' and the saved funds will be used for children's education.
Highlights
125 Units Free Power for All
125 Units Free Power for All: Every Bihar household gets 125 units of free electricity monthly under a scheme attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Background
The Bihar government provides 125 units of free electricity per month to each household. This scheme was initiated under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and former CM Nitish Kumar. It aims to ensure universal access to electricity without discrimination based on caste, religion or economic status. The current CM Samrat Choudhary continues the scheme.
Key Analysis and Impact
The voluntary opt-out campaign mirrors the earlier 'Give Up Gas Subsidy' initiative, where thousands of families voluntarily surrendered LPG subsidies for national interest. Here, savings from opt-outs will be redirected to children's education. This approach promotes fiscal prudence without withdrawing benefits from the needy, but has also sparked political debate in the state.
Way Forward
The campaign starting 1 December 2026 will identify 'donor' families who voluntarily give up the benefit. The funds saved can augment education budgets. Additionally, PM Modi's proposed visit on 21 November 2026 to Vaishali may bring new development announcements for Bihar.
Bihar connection
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Free Electricity Scheme (Bihar)
- A state government scheme providing 125 units of free electricity per month to every household in Bihar, irrespective of income or social status.
- Voluntary Opt-Out / 'Give Up' Campaign
- A government initiative where capable beneficiaries voluntarily surrender a subsidy or free service, allowing resources to be redirected to the needy.
- Chief Minister of Bihar
- The head of the state government of Bihar, currently Samrat Choudhary, appointed by the Governor.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: 125 units free electricity per month per household in Bihar
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may swap 'voluntary opt-out' with 'mandatory withdrawal' or 'scheme cancellation'. The scheme continues for all; only those who choose to give up are affected.
Write these in mains answers
- Universal electricity access, fiscal prudence, voluntary subsidy surrender, education financing
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The Bihar government gives 125 units of free electricity every month to every home in the state. From 1 December 2026, a campaign will ask people who can afford it to give up this free electricity voluntarily. The money saved will be used for children's education. This is similar to an earlier campaign where people gave up their LPG subsidy.
- Bihar provides 125 units of free electricity per month to each household.
- The voluntary opt-out campaign starts on 1 December 2026.
- CM Samrat Choudhary is the Chief Minister of Bihar.
- Those who opt out will be called 'donors'.
- PM Modi is proposed to visit Vaishali on 21 November 2026.
- Governance: State schemes and policies
- Economy: Subsidies and fiscal policy
Related concepts: Free Electricity Scheme (Bihar), Voluntary Opt-Out / 'Give Up' Campaign, Chief Minister of Bihar
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which state government provides 125 units of free electricity per month to each household?
Explanation: The Bihar government provides 125 units of free electricity per month to every household under a scheme of CM Samrat Choudhary and PM Modi. Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh have different electricity schemes.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding Bihar's free electricity scheme:
- 1.Every household in Bihar receives 125 units of free electricity per month.
- 2.The free electricity benefit is only for families below the poverty line.
- 3.A voluntary opt-out campaign will start from 1 December 2026.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: every household gets 125 units free. Statement 2 is incorrect: the scheme is for all households, not only BPL. Statement 3 is correct: a voluntary opt-out campaign begins 1 December 2026. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Easy
What is the monthly free electricity unit provided to each household under Bihar's scheme?
Explanation: The scheme provides 125 units of free electricity per month per household. 100 units, 150 units and 200 units are figures from other states' schemes.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary purpose of the voluntary opt-out campaign for free electricity in Bihar?
Explanation: CM Samrat Choudhary stated that money saved from those who voluntarily give up the benefit will be spent on children's education. Ending the scheme or increasing tariffs is not intended; the scheme continues for all others.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many units of free electricity does every Bihar household get per month?
Every household in Bihar receives 125 units of free electricity per month under a state scheme.
2. When does the voluntary opt-out campaign for free electricity in Bihar start?
The campaign begins on 1 December 2026.
3. Who is the Chief Minister of Bihar who announced this campaign?
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced the voluntary opt-out campaign.
4. What will happen to the money saved from those who opt out?
The saved money will be used for children's education.
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- Original8 November 2026 · Read story
