Gandak hits all-time high of 91.25 m as North Bihar floods worsen; Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar picked as State Chief Information Commissioner; India's net FDI touches 5-year high
Wednesday, 30 September 2026 · IST · Bihar + National · 11 items · 2 MCQs
Bihar's top story is the record flood in the Gandak — the river touched 91.25 m at Bagaha after heavy rain in Nepal, with breaches in the Champaran embankment — while DGP Vinay Kumar moves to the State Information Commission and Preeta Verma becomes the state's first woman acting DGP. Nationally, net FDI hit a 5-year high in July 2026, four ports were notified as India's first 'mega ports', and Sagarmala Finance launched India's first blue bond.
Today at a glance — things to remember
Gandak hits all-time high of 91.25 m at Bagaha (2024 record: 90.90 m)
Two breaches in the Champaran embankment at Khairatwa & Fuliyakhad
DGP Vinay Kumar (1991 IPS) takes VRS; selected as Bihar's Chief Information Commissioner
Preeta Verma — Bihar's first woman acting DGP
BPSC TRE-4 posts raised by 832 to 33,220
Buxar gets its first PNG supply — 498 homes in Dumraon first
Net FDI in July 2026: US$ 7.3 bn — highest in 5 years
4 mega ports notified under Sec 73, Indian Ports Act, 2025
SMFCL launches India's first Blue Bond (₹600 cr + ₹500 cr green shoe)
India 31st in WEF TTDI 2026 (was 39th in 2024); Japan tops
Detailed notes
1. Gandak crosses all-time high of 91.25 m; embankments breached as North Bihar floods worsen
GS-II: Geography of Bihar — rivers, floods, disaster management. Prelims: Gandak origin & confluence, barrages, flood-prone districts, India–Nepal water agreements.
Context
Heavy rain in Nepal's catchment pushed the Gandak to its highest-ever level of 91.25 m at the Bagaha gauge; on 30 Sept the flood situation in North Bihar worsened, with embankments breached at several places.
Key facts
Valmikinagar barrage released 5,43,500 cusecs on 28 Sept (2024 peak: 5,62,500), yet the level beat the 2024 record of 90.90 m by 0.35 m.
Two breaches in the Champaran embankment (left bank) at Khairatwa and Fuliyakhad, West Champaran; one breach on the right bank in Kushinagar (UP).
169 seepage/piping points plugged; engineer teams deployed at Bagaha, Bettiah, Motihari and Gopalganj.
At risk: West & East Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali; CM Samrat Choudhary made an aerial survey on 28 Sept.
Earlier September floods had hit 50.49 lakh people across 15 districts.
Way forward
Real-time India–Nepal hydro-data sharing, pre-monsoon embankment audits, flood-plain zoning and village-level early warning.
Concept
Gandak (Narayani/Shaligrami; ancient Sadanira) rises in the Nepal Himalaya, enters Bihar at Valmikinagar and joins the Ganga at Hajipur–Sonpur. The Gandak Project rests on the India–Nepal agreement of 1959. About 73% of Bihar's area is flood-prone.
Flow schematic of the Gandak flood: Nepal catchment rain, Valmikinagar barrage discharge of 5,43,500 cusecs, Bagaha record level of 91.25 m versus 90.90 m in 2024, embankment breaches, districts at risk and confluence with the Ganga at Hajipur-Sonpur. — StudyForGS
2. DGP Vinay Kumar selected as Bihar CIC; Preeta Verma first woman acting DGP
Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar (1991-batch IPS) opted for VRS and has been selected as the state's Chief Information Commissioner, a post vacant since 31 July 2026. Preeta Verma (1991 batch) is the first woman acting DGP of Bihar.
Key facts
Selection committee headed by CM Samrat Choudhary, with LoP Tejashwi Yadav and Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Choudhary.
Previous CIC Tripurari Sharan completed his term on 31 July 2026.
Vinay Kumar had been DGP since 13 Dec 2024; his superannuation was due on 12 Dec 2026.
State Information Commission: 1 SCIC + up to 10 SICs; term 3 years or till 65, no reappointment.
For a regular DGP, the state sends a panel to UPSC, which shortlists 3 officers (Prakash Singh case, 2006).
Way forward
Clear the backlog of RTI second appeals, push suo motu disclosure (Sec 4), and appoint a regular DGP on time as per SC norms.
Concept
RTI Act, 2005: State Information Commission under Section 15; SCIC appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a committee of CM (chair), LoP and a cabinet minister nominated by the CM. Prakash Singh (2006): minimum 2-year tenure for DGP.
3. BPSC TRE-4 expanded: 832 more posts take teacher vacancies to 33,220
GS-II: Bihar governance — social sector, human resources. Prelims: RTE norms, constitutional articles on education, state recruitment data.
Context
The Education Department added 832 posts for secondary and higher-secondary schools to BPSC's Teacher Recruitment Exam-4 (TRE-4), lifting total vacancies from 32,388 to 33,220.
Largest subject pool: Chemistry 3,695 (HS), then Physics 1,758 and English 1,321.
BPSC got zero applications for 218 HoD posts in government polytechnics even after reopening the window.
Bihar Board 2026 marksheets & certificates will be available on DigiLocker.
Way forward
Subject-wise gap mapping (science & maths), a fixed recruitment calendar, and better pay/eligibility norms to attract technical faculty.
Concept
Art. 21A (86th Amendment, 2002) + RTE Act, 2009: PTR 30:1 (primary), 35:1 (upper primary). Education moved to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Amendment (1976). NEP 2020: 5+3+3+4 structure.
Donut chart of BPSC TRE-4 teacher vacancies by school level: Higher Secondary 16,101, Middle 8,563, Secondary 3,877 and Primary 3,847 (base 32,388), with 832 added posts taking the total to 33,220. — StudyForGS
4. Samrat Cabinet meets today; scheme watch from the 23 Sept meeting
CM Samrat Choudhary chairs a cabinet meeting at 5 PM on 30 Sept. The previous meeting on 23 Sept cleared 24 agendas — the key scheme decisions for BPSC are below.
Key facts
A Women's University in Patna named after Goddess Sita; Ramdhari Singh Dinkar University, Begusarai (₹15 crore approval).
CM Godhan Vikas Loan Scheme: 100% interest subsidy on bank loans to livestock farmers (outlay ₹1,600+ crore).
New sugar mill at Warisaliganj (Nawada) — ₹500+ crore; Kosi-region dairy: 8 projects, 500 new cooperative societies (₹126.07 crore).
50 drones for Bihar Police (₹24.5 crore); a Bihar Water Resources Development Corporation to be formed.
Early release of eligible prisoners on Gandhi Jayanti (2 Oct).
Way forward
Time-bound rollout with outcome dashboards; link new dairy societies to milk-processing and cold-chain capacity in the Kosi belt.
Concept
State Council of Ministers: Art. 163–164; remission by the state executive under BNSS Sec 473 vs Governor's pardon under Art. 161. Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar' (Simaria, Begusarai) — Rashtrakavi, Jnanpith 1972 for *Urvashi*.
Stat-tile row of Bihar cabinet decisions of 23 September 2026: 24 agendas approved, Rs 1,600+ crore Godhan Vikas loan interest subsidy, Rs 500+ crore Warisaliganj sugar mill, 500 new dairy cooperatives in Kosi region, 50 police drones and Rs 15 crore for Dinkar University. — StudyForGS
5. Buxar gets its first piped natural gas supply; PNG network now in 28 districts
GS-II: Bihar economy — infrastructure & energy. Prelims: city gas distribution, regulator, pipeline projects in Bihar.
Context
Buxar district will get PNG from next week — meters for 498 households in Dumraon block are being activated first, with a target of 1,000 connections in 2–3 months.
Key facts
Bihar's PNG distribution network now covers 28 districts.
Earlier launches include Bettiah (West Champaran) and Saharsa.
City gas licences are awarded by PNGRB under the PNGRB Act, 2006.
Trunk supply comes from the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (Jagdishpur–Haldia–Bokaro–Dhamra) pipeline built by GAIL.
Way forward
Extend CNG for transport and industrial gas to MSME clusters; fast-track road-cutting and right-of-way approvals.
Concept
Natural gas is mostly methane (CH₄); India aims to raise gas in its energy mix to 15% by 2030. PNG is cheaper and cleaner than LPG and gives 24×7 supply.
6. Rajgir rolls out single-ticket integrated parking at four heritage-tourism spots
BIHARBPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-I (Culture & Heritage of Bihar)
Syllabus linkage
GS-I: Indian culture & Bihar's role — Magadha, Buddhism, Jainism. Prelims: Rajgir sites, Buddhist councils, UNESCO sites of Bihar.
Context
Rajgir (Nalanda district) launched an integrated parking system at Zoo Safari, JP Park, Venuvan and Son Bhandar — one 8-hour ticket is valid at all four; fee ₹10–₹300 by vehicle type.
Key facts
Venuvan — bamboo grove gifted to the Buddha by King Bimbisara.
Son Bhandar — twin rock-cut caves with Jain associations (c. 3rd–4th century CE).
Rajagriha (Rajgir) was the first capital of Magadha under the Haryanka dynasty.
First Buddhist Council (c. 483 BCE) at Saptaparni cave, under Ajatashatru, presided by Mahakassapa.
Way forward
Integrate with the Buddhist Circuit (Bodh Gaya–Rajgir–Nalanda–Vaishali), e-ticketing, EV shuttles and carrying-capacity limits.
Concept
Bihar's UNESCO World Heritage sites: Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya (2002) and Nalanda Mahavihara (2016). Rajgir also hosts the Vishwa Shanti Stupa (Ratnagiri hill).
7. Kandla, JNPA, Paradip and Mundra notified as India's first 'mega ports'
Mundra is the only non-major, privately operated port in the list; Paradip is the only one on the east coast.
Criteria (issued 30 July 2026) are based on annual cargo volume, not ownership; status valid for 5 years.
India has 12 major ports and 200+ non-major ports.
Way forward
Deep-draft berths, rail-port connectivity and NW-1 (Ganga) linkage via Haldia/Kolkata can cut logistics costs for landlocked Bihar.
Concept
Major ports: Union List, Entry 27; other ports: Concurrent List, Entry 31. The 2025 Act replaced the Indian Ports Act, 1908. Sagarmala programme: 2015.
8. Sagarmala Finance opens India's first blue bond for maritime projects
GS-II: Indian economy — financial markets, sustainable finance. Prelims: green/blue bonds, blue economy terms, NBFCs.
Context
Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd (SMFCL) opened bidding on 28 Sept 2026 for India's first blue bond — base ₹600 crore plus a ₹500 crore green-shoe option.
Key facts
Tenor 10 years; rated AA+.
SMFCL — India's first maritime-focused NBFC, set up in June 2025.
Use of funds: maritime lending, greenfield ports and coastal roads.
Borrowing plan: ₹25,000 crore overall, ₹8,000 crore in the first year.
Way forward
A clear blue taxonomy and third-party impact reporting will be needed to avoid 'blue-washing' and draw long-term investors.
Concept
Blue bond: debt raised to fund ocean/marine projects (a subset of green finance). World's first sovereign blue bond: Seychelles (2018). India's first sovereign green bonds: Jan 2023.
Mind-map of India's first blue bond by Sagarmala Finance: size Rs 600 crore plus Rs 500 crore green shoe, 10-year tenor, AA+ rating, uses in maritime lending, greenfield ports and coastal roads, and blue economy linkages. — StudyForGS
9. Supreme Court flags 10-fold markup on cancer drug as 'broad daylight dacoity'
HEALTHBPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-II (Polity – Health & Governance)
Syllabus linkage
GS-II: Indian polity — judiciary, right to health, regulatory bodies. Prelims: NPPA, DPCO, NLEM, Articles 21 & 47.
Context
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta noted a cancer medicine with a retailer price of ₹2,700 but an MRP of ₹27,000 — a 10-fold markup — and sought responses from the Centre and industry.
Key facts
About 82% of medicines are non-scheduled — outside the DPCO price ceiling.
DPCO caps ~1,000 scheduled medicines, against 60,000+ brands in the market.
Non-scheduled drug prices can rise at most 10% a year, but launch prices are free.
PILs: Kishan Chand Jain (2023) and a 2026 petition on trade margins.
Way forward
Extend trade margin rationalisation (done for 42 cancer drugs in 2019, 30% cap), expand Jan Aushadhi and tighten Ayushman claim audits.
Concept
NPPA (1997) under the Dept of Pharmaceuticals enforces DPCO 2013, issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. NLEM 2022: 384 drugs. Right to health: Art. 21; Art. 47 (DPSP).
10. Edible oil import duties slashed ahead of festive season
India imports about two-thirds of its edible oil — from Indonesia, Malaysia and Argentina, among others.
Way forward
Balance consumer relief with farmer prices — push NMEO-Oilseeds (₹10,103 crore, 2024-25 to 2030-31) and NMEO-Oil Palm (2021).
Concept
Yellow Revolution = oilseeds. Bihar grows rapeseed-mustard in rabi. Customs duty is levied under the Customs Act, 1962; cutting it lowers imported inflation.
Grouped bar chart of basic customs duty on edible oils before and after 24 September 2026: crude palm and soybean 10% to 5%, crude sunflower 10% to 0%, refined palm and soybean 32.5% to 27.5%, refined sunflower 32.5% to 22.5%. — StudyForGS
11. India climbs to 31st in WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
Prelims: international reports & ranks. GS-II: tourism as a growth sector for India and Bihar.
Context
The World Economic Forum's TTDI 2026 (released 25 Sept) ranks India 31st of 110 economies, up from 39th in 2024.
Key facts
Top 5: Japan, USA, Spain, Australia, France.
92% of economies (101 of 110) improved their scores since 2024.
India's strengths: price competitiveness, cultural resources (top-10), business travel.
Gaps: tourist services, general infrastructure, sustainability and workforce skills.
Way forward
Bihar can leverage the Buddhist Circuit and Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with better last-mile connectivity and hospitality skilling.
Concept
TTDI is the biennial successor to the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI). It measures conditions for sustainable and resilient tourism, not just arrivals.
Data point of the day
US$ 7.3 billion
Net FDI inflow into India, July 2026 Highest monthly net FDI in 5 years, up 64% from US$ 4.5 bn in July 2025. Gross inflows: US$ 14.6 bn. April–July 2026 net FDI: US$ 13.4 bn (+38%). Mauritius, UAE and US gave ~70% of equity inflows.
Prelims rapid-fire
CJI Surya Kant opened India's first Victim Rights Centre at BSLSA, Patna on 26 Sept — a 12-month pilot.
Forest officials at Sasaram (Rohtas) seized ~10 kg of Indian pangolin scales — a Schedule I species (WPA, 1972).
Asian Games 2026 (Aichi–Nagoya): India won kabaddi gold in both men's (40–34) and women's (37–34) finals vs Iran.
Paradip is the only mega port on India's east coast; Mundra the only private one.
World's first sovereign blue bond: Seychelles, 2018.
Bihar's two UNESCO sites: Mahabodhi Temple (2002) and Nalanda Mahavihara (2016).
Practice MCQs — BPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to the Gandak river, consider the following statements: 1. It enters Bihar at Valmikinagar. 2. It joins the Ganga near Hajipur–Sonpur. 3. The Gandak Project was executed under an India–Bhutan agreement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: B The Gandak enters Bihar at Valmikinagar and meets the Ganga at Hajipur–Sonpur. The Gandak Project rests on an India–Nepal agreement (1959), not India–Bhutan.
Q2. Under the RTI Act, 2005, which of the following statements about the State Chief Information Commissioner is/are correct? 1. Appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a committee headed by the Chief Minister. 2. The Leader of Opposition in the Assembly is a member of the selection committee. 3. The appointee is eligible for reappointment.
1 and 2 only
2 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: A Section 15(3): the Governor appoints on the recommendation of the CM (chair), LoP and a cabinet minister. The SCIC is not eligible for reappointment.
Mains practice question
Q. "Floods in North Bihar are as much man-made as natural." Examine this statement in the light of the record Gandak floods of September 2026 and suggest an integrated flood-management strategy for Bihar.
Hint / approach
Natural: Himalayan rivers from Nepal, heavy sediment, flat terrain. Man-made: embankment breaches, silted channels, encroached flood plains. Use data (91.25 m record, 5.43 lakh cusecs, 50.49 lakh affected earlier). Way out: India–Nepal data sharing and storage dams, embankment audits, flood-plain zoning, early warning, SDRF/NDRF preparedness, crop insurance.
📌 One-line revision: Gandak record 91.25 m (Bagaha) • CIC Vinay Kumar • Acting DGP Preeta Verma • TRE-4 33,220 • FDI July US$ 7.3 bn • 4 mega ports (Sec 73) • First blue bond — SMFCL • TTDI India 31st
