The Bihar government has introduced stricter rules for the Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme to ensure transparency and prevent fraud. The Education Department issued immediate instructions on Thursday to all District Magistrates regarding the new process. Nodal Officer Vinayak Mishra stated that these changes are necessary due to the high volume of applications received for the 2025–26 academic session and to filter out misleading claims.
Which documents are now mandatory?
The government has made it compulsory to submit specific documents to prove the genuineness of the application. The most important change is the requirement of a handwritten self-declaration. The student or the co-applicant must write that they understand this is a repayable education loan and not a government grant or scholarship.
Apart from the declaration, the authorities have made other proofs mandatory to stop misuse. Students must submit the following papers during the verification process:
- Admission Receipt: This must clearly mention the admission number, course name, academic session, student’s name, and parent’s name.
- University Registration Slip: This document must be presented during verification at the DRCC or before the loan agreement is signed.
Why did the government change the rules?
The decision comes after reports surfaced that some educational institutions and intermediaries were misleading students. They were promoting the credit card loan as a free scholarship or grant, causing confusion about repayment liabilities. To stop this misuse, the department has tightened the verification process significantly.
District-level committees have been asked to carefully check all applications before approval. While the scheme continues to offer loans up to ₹4 lakh for higher education, the new checks ensure that only genuine students who clearly understand the loan terms receive the benefit.
