Thursday, 24 September 2026 · IST · Bihar + National · 11 items · 2 MCQs
Flood remains the day's biggest Bihar story with the Ganga, Kosi and Gandak above the danger mark and 47.33 lakh people affected across 15 districts, even as the state pushes new universities, a Sports Policy 2026 and its Rs 23,698 crore agriculture roadmap. Nationally, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY completed eight years, Moody's raised India's FY27 growth forecast to 7%, and India deepened space and strategic ties through the ISRO-ESA pact and the Jaishankar-Rubio talks.
Today at a glance — things to remember
Bihar floods: 47.33 lakh people affected across 15 districts; Ganga, Kosi, Gandak above danger.
27 SDRF + 10 NDRF teams, 1,876 boats and 1,221 community kitchens deployed for relief.
Bihar clears Maa Sita Mahila University (Patna) & Ramdhari Singh Dinkar University (Begusarai).
Bihar Sports Policy 2026 approved with a 'Win a Medal, Get a Job' guarantee.
Rs 23,698 crore sanctioned for Bihar's Fourth Agriculture Roadmap.
Bihar Legislative Council polls: 4 candidates named for graduate & teacher seats.
North Bihar's flood crisis has deepened, with the Ganga, Kosi and Gandak flowing above the danger mark and relief operations scaled up across the affected belt.
Key facts
About 47.33 lakh people affected across 15 districts including Bhagalpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Katihar & Buxar.
At Sultanganj (Bhagalpur) the Ganga was 2.12 m above the danger level; Patna's Gandhi Ghat crossed the 2016 record.
Prelims: North vs South Bihar rivers, their origins. Mains GS-II: Bihar drainage & flood geography.
Context
Alongside the Ganga, several Himalayan (north-bank) and peninsular (south-bank) tributaries are in spate, underlining Bihar's unique drainage vulnerability.
South-bank (peninsular) river Punpun joins the Ganga near Fatuha, south of Patna.
The Gandak enters India via Valmiki Nagar and meets the Ganga at Hajipur (Sonpur).
Way forward
Basin-wide flood forecasting, Indo-Nepal cooperation on the Kosi high dam, and afforestation in catchment areas.
Concept
North-bank rivers rise in Nepal/Himalayas (perennial, flood-prone); south-bank rivers rise in the Chotanagpur plateau (seasonal). Sonpur hosts the world-famous cattle fair at the Gandak–Ganga confluence.
Schematic of Bihar's seven rivers flowing above the danger mark. — StudyForGS
3. Two new state universities cleared for Patna and Begusarai
The state cabinet approved two new universities, expanding women's and regional higher education with an initial outlay of about Rs 15 crore.
Key facts
Maa Sita Mahila University to come up in Patna (women's university).
Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar University approved for Begusarai.
Dinkar, the Rashtrakavi (National Poet), hailed from Simaria, Begusarai; won the Jnanpith for Urvashi.
Part of a larger cabinet package clearing 24 agendas.
Way forward
Faster faculty recruitment and NEP-2020-aligned curricula to lift Bihar's Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education.
Concept
Naming a women's university after Sita (linked to Sitamarhi/Punaura Dham, her birthplace in tradition) ties higher education to Bihar's cultural heritage.
4. Bihar Sports Policy 2026 approved with 'Win a Medal, Get a Job'
The cabinet cleared a new Sports Policy 2026 that guarantees government jobs to medal-winning athletes, aiming to build a sporting culture in the state.
Key facts
'Win a Medal, Get a Job' provision for medal winners at recognised events.
Complements Bihar's investment in the Rajgir Sports Complex/Academy.
Bihar hosted the Women's Asian Champions Trophy (Hockey) at Rajgir in 2024.
Seeks to stem migration of Bihar's sporting talent to other states.
Way forward
Transparent job-linkage rules, district sports infrastructure and grassroots talent scouting.
Concept
Job-for-medal schemes exist in several states; they are direct incentives distinct from cash awards, aiming at long-term athlete security.
5. Rs 23,698 crore sanctioned for Bihar's Fourth Agriculture Roadmap
Timely fund release, better value chains for GI crops (makhana, litchi) and expansion of micro-irrigation.
Concept
Bihar's Agriculture Roadmap began in 2008; it earlier won global praise. Bihar leads India in makhana (~85%+) and litchi production; a National Makhana Board (HQ Bihar) was announced in the Union Budget.
Bar chart of Bihar cabinet's key farm-sector allocations. — StudyForGS
6. Bihar Legislative Council polls: candidates named for graduate & teacher seats
Prelims: Vidhan Parishad composition (Art. 171). Mains GS-II: bicameralism; role of a second chamber.
Context
Candidates were announced for upcoming Bihar Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) elections from graduate and teacher constituencies.
Key facts
Seats include Patna & Tirhut graduate and Saran & Darbhanga teacher constituencies.
Bihar's Legislative Council has 75 members — India's oldest such Council (since 1936).
Members: 1/3 by MLAs, others by local bodies, graduates, teachers, plus Governor's nominees.
MLC term is 6 years; the House is permanent (1/3 retire every 2 years).
Way forward
Councils allow experts & local voices in law-making; debate continues on their utility versus cost.
Concept
Only 6 states have a Legislative Council. It can be created/abolished under Article 169 by Parliament on a state assembly's special-majority resolution.
Donut chart of the Bihar Legislative Council's 75-seat composition. — StudyForGS
EAM S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed trade and the implications of US sanctions legislation affecting buyers of Russian crude.
Key facts
Talks touched the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act enabling tariffs on Russian-crude buyers.
India defends energy security and diversified crude sourcing.
Bilateral ties span trade, defence (Yudh Abhyas 2026) and technology.
India stresses strategic autonomy in its foreign policy.
Way forward
Balancing energy needs and partnership with the US while safeguarding trade interests.
Concept
Strategic autonomy lets India engage multiple powers without alignment. Russia remains a major crude supplier after 2022; the US is India's top trade partner.
10. ISRO-ESA pact extended to 2032; new radar facility for Assam
A UN report on progress toward gender equality under the 2030 Agenda warned that many institutions supporting women's rights have been weakened.
Key facts
Released by UN Women and UN DESA.
Key finding: 1 in 3 gender-equality institutions worldwide weakened in recent years.
Tracks progress on SDG-5 (Gender Equality) of the 2030 Agenda.
Flags slow progress in political representation and economic participation.
Way forward
Stronger funding and legal backing for women-focused institutions and gender-responsive budgeting.
Concept
SDG-5 targets gender equality by 2030. India's steps include the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (women's reservation) and schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
Data point of the day
47.33 lakh people
Bihar flood impact affected across 15 districts; relief includes 1,221 community kitchens, 1,876 boats and 27 SDRF + 10 NDRF teams as the Ganga, Kosi & Gandak stay above the danger mark.
Prelims rapid-fire
Kosi — called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' — is a north-bank Himalayan river prone to shifting course.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY was launched on 23 September 2018; cover of Rs 5 lakh per family/year.
Bihar has 75 Legislative Council seats — the oldest state Council in India (1936).
GIFT City, India's first IFSC, is regulated by the IFSCA at Gandhinagar.
Bihar produces about 85%+ of India's makhana; a National Makhana Board was announced for the state.
ISTRAC, ISRO's tracking network, is headquartered in Bengaluru; ESA has 22 member states.
Practice MCQs — BPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to the Bihar Legislative Council, consider the following statements:
1. It is the oldest State Legislative Council in India.
2. One-third of its members are nominated by the Governor.
3. A State Legislative Council can be created or abolished under Article 169.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B The Bihar Legislative Council (since 1936) is India's oldest such Council (1 correct). Under Art. 171, about 1/12 of members are Governor-nominated, not 1/3 (2 wrong). Art. 169 lets Parliament create/abolish a Council on a state assembly's special-majority resolution (3 correct).
Q2. Consider the following pairs of rivers and their features in Bihar:
1. Kosi — north-bank Himalayan river
2. Punpun — south-bank peninsular river
3. Gandak — enters India via Valmiki Nagar
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Only one
Only two
All three
None
Show answer
Answer: C All three are correct. The Kosi is a Himalayan north-bank tributary; the Punpun rises in the Chhotanagpur plateau and joins the Ganga south of Patna; the Gandak enters India at Valmiki Nagar and meets the Ganga at Hajipur (Sonpur).
Mains practice question
Q. Bihar is India's most flood-prone state. Discuss the geographical factors behind its recurring floods and evaluate the effectiveness of the state's flood-management measures.
Hint / approach
Cover Himalayan north-bank rivers (Kosi, Gandak) with high silt & shifting courses, Nepal-origin catchments, flat Gangetic plains and heavy monsoon; then assess embankments, barrages, NDRF/SDRF response, relief logistics and the case for basin-wide, Indo-Nepal cooperation.
