Friday, 25 September 2026 · IST · Bihar + National · 12 items · 2 MCQs
Bihar's Cabinet cleared 24 proposals — two new universities, a revived Warisaliganj sugar mill and livestock/health schemes — while the Chief Minister ordered a long-term Kosi flood-risk strategy with a new barrage as floods hit 47.33 lakh people across 15 districts. Nationally, Make in India completed 12 years with manufacturing GVA at 15.6%, the RBI ramped up liquidity absorption, and a CEC-removal row revived debate on the Election Commission's independence.
Today at a glance — things to remember
Bihar Cabinet clears 24 proposals; two new state universities approved.
CM orders long-term Kosi flood strategy with a new barrage.
Floods hit 47.33 lakh across 15 districts; Ganga tops its 2016 mark.
Mains GS-II - Bihar polity & economy. Prelims - state schemes, budgetary allocations, new universities.
Context
The Bihar Cabinet, chaired by CM Samrat Chaudhary, cleared 24 proposals on 24 September 2026, spanning higher education, agro-industry, livestock and health digitisation.
Key facts
Two new universities: Mata Sita Women's University, Patna and Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar' University, Begusarai (Rs 15 crore each).
Warisaliganj sugar mill (Nawada) on 99.39 acres with over Rs 500 crore investment - to aid Nawada, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Jamui farmers.
At a 24 September 2026 review, CM Samrat Chaudhary ordered a long-term Kosi flood-risk strategy, shifting from annual relief to permanent river-corridor management.
Key facts
Directed a new Kosi barrage and silt management as the core of the plan.
Double sheet piling along the first 100-km high-risk stretch.
Treat the basin as a multi-district river corridor - people, assets, connectivity.
Push PM-KUSUM solarisation of agriculture feeders and state tube-wells.
Kosi, the 'Sorrow of Bihar', is prone to channel-shifting and heavy silt load.
Way forward
Trans-boundary silt-data sharing with Nepal and sustained desilting are key to a durable fix.
Concept
Kosi = antecedent Himalayan river; PM-KUSUM = solar pumps/feeders scheme (MNRE); embankment vs. silt-load trade-off.
Flowchart of the Kosi long-term flood-mitigation strategy from silt management to solarisation. — StudyForGS
3. Bihar floods: 47.33 lakh affected across 15 districts as Ganga tops 2016 record
Bihar's Fourth Agriculture Roadmap (2023-28), backed by a Rs 23,698 crore outlay, anchors farm-sector modernisation, paired with a new Sports Policy 2026.
Key facts
Rs 23,698 crore for the Fourth Agriculture Roadmap; Rs 9,748 crore for irrigation under PMKSY.
Rs 198 crore released to Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour; 22,000 Anganwadi posts being filled (ICDS).
Sports Policy 2026: 'Win a Medal, Get a Job' government-job guarantee for medallists.
The NSO's Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey 2025-26 (NSS 80th Round) mapped how and why Indians travel.
Key facts
Pilgrimage/religious trips make up 48% of overnight travel.
Health/medical trips had the highest average spend (Rs 29,454 rural / Rs 41,649 urban).
Uttar Pradesh is the top destination (15.7% of visitor-trips).
Sample: 2,46,113 households across 24,778 first-stage units.
Way forward
Faith and health tourism can be leveraged for jobs and regional infrastructure.
Concept
NSO/MoSPI conducts NSS rounds; tourism is a major services-sector growth and employment driver.
Donut chart of overnight-trip purposes from the NSO 2025-26 tourism survey. — StudyForGS
Data point of the day
Rs 23,698 crore
Bihar's Fourth Agriculture Roadmap (2023-28) Approved outlay to modernise farming - the largest farm-sector commitment in the state's roadmap series, with Rs 9,748 crore for irrigation under PMKSY.
Prelims rapid-fire
Mithila Makhana carries a GI tag; Bihar leads India's makhana output.
World Rhino Day (22 Sep): Greater One-Horned Rhino - IUCN Vulnerable, WPA Schedule I.
PM-KUSUM solarises farm feeders and tube-wells (Ministry: MNRE).
NSO Tourism Survey: Uttar Pradesh top destination at 15.7% of trips.
Kosi = the 'Sorrow of Bihar', an antecedent Himalayan river.
CERT-In cyber-incident reporting deadline in India: 6 hours.
Practice MCQs — BPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to Bihar's Fourth Agriculture Roadmap, consider: 1) It covers the period 2023-28. 2) Its approved outlay is about Rs 23,698 crore. 3) Irrigation is supported under the PMKSY. Which are correct?
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: D All three statements are correct - the roadmap runs 2023-28 with an outlay of about Rs 23,698 crore and irrigation support under PMKSY.
Q2. Regarding the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), consider: 1) The CEC can be removed only in the same manner as a Supreme Court judge. 2) Removal requires a special majority in both Houses of Parliament. 3) Several CECs have been removed since 1950. Which are correct?
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: A Statements 1 and 2 are correct; no CEC has ever been removed, so statement 3 is wrong.
Mains practice question
Q. Recurring floods in north Bihar are as much a problem of silt and river management as of rainfall. In this light, examine the shift towards a 'long-term river-corridor' strategy for the Kosi. (BPSC Mains GS-II)
Hint / approach
Cover the Kosi's antecedent Himalayan character, its silt load and channel-shifting, the limits of embankments, the new barrage + double-sheet-piling plan, the PM-KUSUM solarisation link, and Indo-Nepal cooperation.
📌 One-line revision: Remember: Bihar Cabinet 24 proposals - Kosi long-term flood strategy + new barrage - 47.33 lakh flood-hit - Rs 23,698 cr Agriculture Roadmap - Patna Metro 30.91 km - Make in India @12 (GVA 15.6%) - RBI VRRR Rs 71,971 cr - CEC removal = like an SC judge.
