Bihar journey pension: Taking a historic decision in the interest of journalists, the Bihar government has increased the monthly pension amount from ₹ 6,000 to ₹ 15,000 under the Bihar Journalist Samman Pension Scheme (BPSPY). Along with this, after the death of the journalist, a provision of ₹ 10,000 monthly pension has been made to his widow. The announcement was made on 26 July 2025, which reflects the government’s commitment to journalists’ economic security.
Let us tell you that this scheme started in Bihar in March 2020 and it was Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who started this scheme. Initially, 48 journalists were selected in the scheme, of which 40 received pension from November 2019 and the rest from March 2020. However, the new pension amount for journalists is ₹ 15,000/ month and if the journalist is not there, her widow will get ₹ 10,000/ month pension. It is mandatory to get this pension, to be a resident of Bihar. At least 20 years of experience in journalism. Age 60 years or more and recognition from State Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD).
Role of journalist organizations: Constant efforts of Bihar Press Club and National Journalist Unions made it possible to increase pension, relaxation and transparency in the application process.
Other states hall
Pension schemes are applicable for journalists in many states of India, but there is a variation in funds and eligibility.
Assam: ₹ 8,000 – ₹ 10,000/month, ≥20 years service, ≥60 years of age, 50% pension to family.
Tripura: ₹ 10,000/month, ≥10 years service, ≥60 years, income less than ₹ 3 lakh, Family Pension.
Jharkhand: ₹ 7,500/month, ≥20 years service, ≥58 years, 50% family pension.
Haryana: ₹ 15,000/month, recognized journalist, accident/illness aid.
West Bengal: ₹ 2,500/month, ≥15 years service, ≥60 years, no other pension.
Maharashtra: The amount is not certain, ≥30 years service, ≥60 years, recognition is necessary.
Uttarakhand: ₹ 8,000/month, eligibility according to Welfare Fund.
Role of journalist organizations
The Indian Journalists Association (IJU) and the National Union of Journalists (India) are demanding minimum ₹ 25,000 monthly pension and uniform eligibility. Organizations such as regional organizations Kashmir Penn advocate affidavit based eligibility. The Editors Guild of India Press is active for freedom and journalist security.
Journalist pension status in Uttar Pradesh
There is currently no journalist pension scheme in Uttar Pradesh. The plan was assured at a high -level meeting in 2024, but no progress has been made by July 2025. Broadly, it is believed to be responsible for fiscal pressure, budget priorities, and lack of political will.
The special thing is that the limited definition of a recognized journalist is very limited, due to which a large number of journalists get out of the pension scheme, while pension should be found to all the journalists who are reporting to the district level whose reports are constantly being published. Journalists who are working on the desk, whose ESI or EPF is being cut.
Journalists have also become two -forwarded and backward journalists. One is a recognized journalist who lives in luster bungalows who have many vehicles for which this pension has no significance. In the second line, there are a large number of journalists who are working as a stinger, who get money according to the news. Or three to four thousand rupees per month for newspapers are working from districts on honorarium.
Deficies of journalist organizations: If we talk about journalist organizations, then there is no organization representing all the journalists of UP. Those who are forward journalists are so busy in eating cream by taking advantage of their politics shining their politics that they do not see the problem of fellow journalists. They have mutual division in the fight for interest, are silent due to the second political inclination and the third category leadership is engaged in struggle.
Representation of rural/tehsil level journalists is very weak. Irregular membership and lack of verification are prominent in this. A thing like a joint movement is not shown in which state level agitation or memorandum has been given by incorporating journalists from all the districts.
By the way, there is a demand for ₹ 10,000 – ₹ 25,000 monthly pension for journalists in UP, the minimum service period is 10 years and 60 years after the age of 60 years.
Bihar’s pension growth is a milestone towards journalist welfare, which is an inspiration for other states. For all journalists in Uttar Pradesh, the government and journalist organizations will have to take concrete steps and take concrete steps only when something is possible.
