Bihar Govt to Provide ₹5,000 Monthly Stipend to New Advocates, Says Patna HC Bar Leader

In a move aimed at easing the early struggles of young legal professionals, the Bihar government has announced a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for newly enrolled advocates for a period of three years. The initiative, unveiled by Deputy Chief Secretary Samrat Choudhary, has drawn praise from senior members of the state’s legal fraternity.

Welcoming the decision, Mrs. Chhaya Mishra, Vice President of the Patna High Court Advocates’ Association and a senior woman advocate, called it “a long-awaited measure to ensure financial stability for young lawyers beginning their careers.”

Mrs. Mishra, who has championed this cause for over a decade, recalled that she first raised the demand in 2014, repeatedly submitting memoranda to successive Law Ministers. “This stipend will provide crucial support during the formative years of practice, when income is often uncertain,” she said.

The senior advocate also pointed to broader national efforts, noting that in October 2024 the Bar Council of India recommended a monthly stipend of ₹20,000 for new advocates, underscoring the pressing need for such assistance across the country.

In addition to financial support, Mrs. Mishra lauded the government’s commitment to improving court infrastructure for women lawyers. She highlighted the decision to build dedicated “pink toilets” across all courts in Bihar, calling it “a welcome step towards ensuring dignity and better working conditions for women in the profession.”

Legal circles in Patna view the combined measures as a positive signal from the state government, reflecting a recognition of the practical challenges faced by young advocates—and particularly by women—at the start of their legal careers.