Monday, 28 September 2026 · IST · Bihar + National · 11 items · 2 MCQs
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary announced mandatory computer education in all government schools from the next academic year, while heavy rain in Nepal pushed the Gandak and Kosi to seasonal highs and put 17 districts on high alert. Nationally, Russia backed India for a permanent UNSC seat, forex reserves saw the sharpest weekly fall since Nov 2024 to $765.9 bn, and the Lok Sabha crossed 46 days without prorogation.
Today at a glance — things to remember
Computer education to be mandatory in all Bihar govt schools from 2027 session
17 north Bihar districts on high flood alert; Gandak at 4.24 lakh cusecs (Valmikinagar)
354.37-km four-lane road planned on both Kosi embankments (Birpur–Kursela/Koparia)
New double-line Mokama rail bridge over Ganga to open 5 Oct; speed up to 90 km/h
Rajgir moves closer to hosting 2030 FIH Women's Hockey World Cup
Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar takes VRS, named Chief Information Commissioner
Forex reserves fall $14.88 bn to $765.90 bn (week ended 18 Sept)
Russia backs India & Brazil for permanent UNSC seats; opposes Germany, Japan
UNGA declaration (24 Sept): sea-level rise will not end statehood
India at 20th Asian Games: 37 medals (4G-16S-17B), 12th place
Detailed notes
1. Bihar makes computer education mandatory in all government schools
Mains GS-II: Bihar's social sector & education policy; role of S&T. Prelims: Bihar schemes, NEP 2020, NIPUN Bharat.
Context
On 27 Sept 2026, CM Samrat Choudhary, attending a Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) at the Government Middle School, Ramjichak (Danapur, Patna), announced that computer education will be compulsory in all govt schools.
Key facts
Rollout from the next academic year (2027) across all government schools.
Staffing model: one computer instructor for a cluster of 2-3 schools.
Announced at a PTM focused on NIPUN goals — foundational reading, writing & numeracy.
CM's message: children must be connected with modern technology now.
Way forward
Ensure electricity, internet & ICT labs in rural schools, train teachers, and link the curriculum to coding & AI basics under NEP.
Concept
NEP 2020 recommends coding from Class 6. NIPUN Bharat (July 2021) targets FLN by Grade 3. Education moved to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Amendment (1976); Art. 21A + RTE Act 2009 guarantee free education for 6-14 yrs.
2. Nepal rain swells Gandak & Kosi; 17 north Bihar districts on high flood alert
Heavy rainfall in Nepal's catchment pushed both rivers to seasonal highs. Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit reviewed preparedness with DMs; villages between the Kosi embankments in Saharsa are already inundated.
Key facts
Gandak at Valmikinagar barrage: 4.24 lakh cusecs (27 Sept, 11 am), expected near 5 lakh.
Kosi at Birpur barrage: 3.13 lakh cusecs on 26 Sept — season's highest.
17 districts incl. W & E Champaran, Gopalganj, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Darbhanga, Khagaria.
Shift from embankment-only defence to basin-level planning with Nepal, real-time flood forecasting, and 'living with floods' livelihood models.
Concept
Kosi = 'Sorrow of Bihar'; barrage at Bhimnagar (near Birpur) under the Kosi Agreement 1954. Gandak barrage (Valmikinagar) under the Gandak Agreement 1959. About 73% of Bihar's area is flood-prone; 2008 Kusaha breach changed the Kosi's course.
Schematic showing heavy rain in Nepal feeding the Gandak (Valmikinagar barrage, 4.24 lakh cusecs) and Kosi (Birpur barrage, 3.13 lakh cusecs) into 17 alert districts of north Bihar, with response measures NDRF/SDRF, helpline 1070 and evacuation. — StudyForGS
3. 354-km four-lane road planned along both Kosi embankments
Mains GS-II: Bihar infrastructure & regional development of Kosi-Seemanchal. Prelims: NH numbers, Kosi-belt towns, expressways.
Context
The state is planning a 354.37-km four-lane corridor on both Kosi embankments to give flood-prone north Bihar an all-weather alternative route during the monsoon.
Western embankment ~230 km: Birpur → Kursela (Katihar) via Madhepur, Kiratpur, Alauli, Naugachhia.
Links 5 NHs — NH-27, NH-31, NH-131, NH-231, NH-527A — and the Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway.
Benefits 8 districts; land need about 94,200 acres (34,700 E + 59,500 W).
Way forward
Design must strengthen, not weaken, embankments; adopt flood-resilient road engineering and fair R&R for families living inside the embankments.
Concept
Kosi embankments were built after the Kosi Project (1955); many villages still live between them. Related Bihar corridors: Loknayak Ganga Path (Patna), Patna Outer Ring Road, Gandak & Ganga river-side four-lanes (planned).
Stat-tile row for the Kosi four-lane corridor: 354.37 km total, 124 km eastern embankment, 230 km western embankment, 8 districts, 5 national highways, about 94,200 acres of land. — StudyForGS
4. New double-line Mokama rail bridge over Ganga to open on 5 October
Mains GS-II: transport infrastructure & Bihar economy. Prelims: Ganga bridges of Bihar, railway zones.
Context
A new double-line rail bridge built parallel to Rajendra Setu at Mokama will start train operations on 5 Oct 2026 after CRS inspection (3-4 Oct); a mega block runs 20 Sept–4 Oct.
Key facts
Bridge length about 1.86 km; total project about 14 km; cost about ₹1,700 crore.
Train speed up to 90 km/h vs 40-50 km/h on the ageing single-line Rajendra Setu.
Serves Hathidah, Rampur Dumra, Simaria, Barauni; eases the Howrah–Delhi corridor.
Executed by East Central Railway (HQ Hajipur).
Way forward
Use the capacity gain for more freight & MEMU services linking Begusarai–Barauni industrial belt with Patna.
Concept
Rajendra Setu (opened 1959) was Bihar's first rail-cum-road bridge over the Ganga, named after Dr Rajendra Prasad. Other Ganga links: Digha–Sonpur (J.P. Setu), Munger (Shri Krishna Setu), Aunta–Simaria six-lane road bridge.
Bar chart comparing train speeds: 40-50 km/h on the old Rajendra Setu versus up to 90 km/h on the new double-line Mokama bridge. — StudyForGS
5. Rajgir moves closer to hosting the 2030 FIH Women's Hockey World Cup
BIHARBPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-I (Current Events)
Syllabus linkage
Prelims: sports events & venues in Bihar. Mains GS-I: current events of national importance; GS-II: sports infrastructure in Bihar.
Context
Bihar Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh said the state's proposal to host the 2030 FIH Women's Hockey World Cup at Rajgir has been accepted (as per state officials), after talks at the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya (Japan).
Key facts
Talks involved Sports Secretary Deepak Anand and Hockey India Secretary-General Bhola Nath Singh.
Rajgir hosted the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 and the Men's Asia Cup 2025.
Venue: Rajgir Sports Complex (Nalanda district), home to Bihar Sports University.
Slogan: 'The world's daughters should come to Bihar'.
Way forward
Await formal FIH confirmation; upgrade hotels, air connectivity (Gaya/Patna) and grassroots women's hockey programmes.
Concept
FIH (founded 1924, HQ Lausanne) governs hockey. Women's Hockey World Cup began in 1974; the 2026 edition was co-hosted by Belgium & Netherlands. Rajgir — ancient Rajagriha, first capital of Magadha, site of the First Buddhist Council.
6. Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar takes VRS, appointed State Chief Information Commissioner
Mains GS-II: statutory bodies, transparency & police reforms. Prelims: RTI Act 2005, State Information Commission.
Context
The state approved the voluntary retirement of DGP Vinay Kumar (1991-batch IPS) on 25 Sept 2026, relaxing the 3-month notice, months before his December superannuation; he is to head the Bihar State Information Commission.
Key facts
Appointed Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of Bihar.
Preeta Verma (1991 batch) continues as Acting DGP.
Kumar had been on medical leave earlier in September.
Way forward
Appoint a regular DGP via UPSC empanelment (Prakash Singh norms) and clear RTI appeal backlogs at the Commission.
Concept
RTI Act 2005, Sec. 15: State CIC is appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a committee of CM, Leader of Opposition & a Cabinet Minister nominated by the CM. RTI (Amendment) Act 2019 lets the Centre fix tenure & salary. Prakash Singh (2006): minimum 2-year tenure for DGP.
7. Russia backs India & Brazil for permanent UNSC seats, rejects Germany & Japan
IRBPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-I (International Affairs)
Syllabus linkage
Mains GS-I: current events of international importance; India & UN. Prelims: UN Charter, UNSC composition, G4.
Context
At the UN General Assembly debate (26 Sept 2026), Russian FM Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed support for India and Brazil as permanent members and said reform cannot add seats for Western countries, especially Germany and Japan.
Key facts
Mauritius backed the G4 & L.69 positions and India's candidature.
Portugal supported permanent representation for Africa, Brazil & India.
China has not endorsed India's bid — any P5 member can block reform.
UNSC last expanded in 1965 (11 → 15 members).
Way forward
Push text-based negotiations in the IGN process and build a Global South coalition with the African Union.
Concept
Charter amendment (Arts. 108-109) needs 2/3 of UNGA + ratification by 2/3 of members incl. all P5. Blocs: G4 (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan), Uniting for Consensus (Italy, Pakistan…), Ezulwini Consensus (AU: 2 permanent + 5 non-permanent). India has been a non-permanent member 8 times (last 2021-22).
Mind-map of UNSC reform: centre node UNSC reform linked to Russia's stand, G4, Uniting for Consensus, African Union Ezulwini Consensus, Charter amendment rule, and India's record. — StudyForGS
8. UNGA declaration: rising seas will not erase statehood or maritime zones
ENVIRONMENTBPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-I (International Affairs)
Syllabus linkage
Prelims: UNCLOS zones, climate diplomacy. Mains GS-I: international events; GS-II: role of S&T in climate adaptation.
Context
On 24 Sept 2026 the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a declaration that low-lying states keep their statehood, UN membership and maritime zones even if rising seas submerge territory.
Key facts
Baselines stay fixed even if coastlines retreat.
Protects Tuvalu, Fiji, Vanuatu and other small island states.
It is non-binding; no new adaptation finance or relocation plan.
India link: Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar, Sundarbans and a large EEZ.
Way forward
Back it with loss-and-damage finance at COP31 (Antalya, Nov 2026) and codify it in a binding instrument.
Concept
UNCLOS 1982: Territorial sea 12 nm, Contiguous zone 24 nm, EEZ 200 nm. Australia–Tuvalu Falepili Union (2023) offers climate mobility. India's net-zero target: 2070; 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.
9. Lok Sabha crosses 46 days after sine die adjournment without prorogation
The Monsoon Session was adjourned sine die on 13 Aug 2026, but the Lok Sabha remains un-prorogued as of 28 Sept — 46+ days, the third-longest such gap since Independence.
Key facts
Longer gaps only in the Bofors years: 76 days (1987) and 61 days (1989).
Previous high since 2014: 28 days (2015).
An un-prorogued House can be recalled by the Speaker without fresh summons.
Reports suggest a possible October sitting for amendments on delimitation & women's reservation.
Way forward
Codify a minimum number of sitting days and clear conventions on prorogation to protect parliamentary accountability.
Concept
Art. 85: President summons & prorogues; gap between sessions ≤ 6 months. Sine die adjournment is by the Speaker/Chair; prorogation ends the session. Art. 123: ordinances only when both Houses are not in session — govts usually prorogue first.
Bar chart of the longest gaps between sine die adjournment and prorogation of the Lok Sabha: 76 days in 1987, 61 days in 1989, 46 days and counting in 2026, and 28 days in 2015. — StudyForGS
10. Voter deletions via ECINet revive debate: is the right to vote statutory or fundamental?
In Goa, 97 eligible voters were dropped as the centralised ECINet software did not let EROs correct errors; Election Commissioners reportedly recorded 14 dissent notes in 10 months. In Patna, opposition parties protested alleged voter-list irregularities on 28 Sept.
Key facts
Kuldip Nayar v. UoI (2006): voting is a statutory right.
Rajbala v. Haryana (2015): called it a constitutional right.
Anoop Baranwal (2023): Justice Ajay Rastogi linked it to Arts. 19(1)(a) & 21.
Deletion also hit welfare — Goa's Mediclaim scheme uses the roll for eligibility.
Way forward
Keep a 'human in the loop' — ERO override with audit trail, prior notice & hearing (audi alteram partem) before any deletion.
Concept
Art. 326: universal adult suffrage (age 18 since the 61st Amendment, 1988). Art. 324: Election Commission. RPA 1950 governs electoral rolls; RPA 1951 governs conduct of elections.
11. 20th Asian Games: India's tally reaches 37 medals after athletics & squash haul
Prelims: sports — venues, medal winners, records. Mains GS-I: current events of national importance.
Context
On 27 Sept 2026 India won 7 medals (4 silver, 3 bronze) at the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya (Japan), taking the tally to 37 (4 G, 16 S, 17 B); India is 12th.
Bronze: Tejaswin Shankar (decathlon), Harita Bhadra, Parul Chaudhary (3000m steeplechase — national record 9:08.67).
Golds so far include men's & women's kabaddi and women's cricket.
Top of table: China (205 medals), Japan, South Korea.
Way forward
Convert silvers into golds via TOPS-style targeted support and Khelo India talent pipelines.
Concept
Asian Games are run by the Olympic Council of Asia (HQ Kuwait); the 1st edition was held in New Delhi (1951). India's best haul: 107 medals at Hangzhou 2022 (held in 2023).
Bar chart of India's medal tally at the 20th Asian Games as of 27 September 2026: 4 gold, 16 silver, 17 bronze, total 37. — StudyForGS
Data point of the day
$765.90 bn
India's foreign exchange reserves (week ended 18 Sept 2026) Down $14.88 bn in one week — the sharpest weekly fall since Nov 2024 — from $780.8 bn; all-time high $785.7 bn (5 Sept). Foreign currency assets $631 bn, gold $111.3 bn, SDRs $18.7 bn, IMF reserve position $4.9 bn. Cause: RBI dollar sales to steady the rupee as crude crossed $105/barrel and US yields rose above 5%.
Prelims rapid-fire
Vishnupad Temple Corridor (Gaya) — Bihar cabinet gave ₹2,520 crore approval on 15 Sept, modelled on Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.
Poompuhar (Mayiladuthurai, TN) — undersea finds incl. a West Asian 'torpedo jar'; port of the early Cholas (Sangam age).
Incendiamoeba cascadensis — amoeba replicating at 63°C, a record for eukaryotes.
Mann Ki Baat (138th episode, 27 Sept) — hailed pygmy hog recovery (~190) in Assam & Modhera solar village.
COP31 — Antalya, Türkiye (Nov 2026), with Australia leading negotiations.
Practice MCQs — BPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. Consider the following statements about the proposed Kosi four-lane corridor in Bihar: 1. It will run along both Kosi embankments for about 354 km. 2. Its western section runs from Birpur to Kursela. 3. It will connect with the Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: D All three are correct: 354.37 km on both embankments; west Birpur → Kursela (~230 km), east Birpur → Koparia (~124 km); it links 5 NHs and the Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway.
Q2. Under the RTI Act, 2005, the State Chief Information Commissioner is appointed by:
The Chief Minister
The Governor on the recommendation of a committee
The President of India
The Chief Justice of the High Court
Show answer
Answer: B Sec. 15(3): the Governor appoints on the recommendation of a committee of the CM, Leader of Opposition and a Cabinet Minister nominated by the CM.
Mains practice question
Q. "Floods in north Bihar are as much a governance challenge as a geographical one." Discuss with reference to the Kosi and Gandak basins and suggest a long-term strategy. (BPSC Mains GS-II, ~250 words)
