Thursday, 1 October 2026 · IST · Bihar + National · 11 items · 2 MCQs
Bihar's cabinet approved a Green Hydrogen Policy 2026 targeting 1 lakh tonnes a year by 2031, alongside a ₹2,761.55 crore farm-feeder solarisation plan, while the Gandak rose above its highest flood level and breached embankments in Saran and Muzaffarpur. Nationally, gross GST rose 14.7% to ₹2,03,521 crore, the Election Commission dropped the SIR declaration from Form-6 in states where revision is complete, and diesel/ATF export levies were cut from 1 October.
Today at a glance — things to remember
Bihar Green Hydrogen Policy 2026: target 1 lakh tonnes/yr by 2031; nodal agency BREDA.
Cabinet: ₹2,761.55 cr to solarise 2,554 farm feeders (2,585 MW).
21,644 households in Kaimur–Rohtas to get grid power under RDSS.
Gandak crossed its HFL; peak discharge 5.43 lakh cusecs at Valmikinagar.
Gadkari reviews Bihar NH projects in Patna; JP Ganga Path Phase-2 = 35 km, ₹5,500 cr.
Bihar signs Statement of Intent with Google for AI teacher training.
GS-II: Bihar economy – energy & industrial policy; role of S&T in development. Prelims: Bihar schemes, renewable energy, National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Context
The Samrat Choudhary cabinet on 30 Sept 2026 cleared 30 agendas, the biggest being the Bihar Green Hydrogen Policy 2026 to attract private investment, cut carbon emissions and create green jobs.
Key facts
Target: 0.1 MMT (1 lakh tonnes) of green hydrogen per year by 2031.
Capacity: 1 GW electrolysers backed by 2.5 GW of renewable energy.
Expected investment ~₹16,000 crore; ~12,000 direct + indirect jobs.
Nodal agency: BREDA (Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency).
Aligned with National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) and net-zero 2070.
Way forward
Link electrolysers to solar parks & Ganga water sources, and create offtake in fertiliser, refining (Barauni) and transport.
Concept
Green hydrogen = H₂ made by electrolysis of water using renewable power (zero CO₂). Grey H₂ uses natural gas; blue H₂ adds carbon capture.
Stat tiles of Bihar Green Hydrogen Policy 2026: 1 lakh tonnes per year by 2031, 1 GW electrolysers, 2.5 GW renewable energy, about ₹16,000 crore investment and about 12,000 jobs. — StudyForGS
2. ₹2,761.55 cr farm-feeder solarisation; 21,644 homes to join the grid
The same cabinet meeting approved solar power for agricultural feeders, rural electrification of uncovered habitations and several welfare and law-and-order outlays.
Key facts
₹2,761.55 cr to solarise 2,554 farm feeders – 2,585 MW of solar plants.
Split: ₹2,714.25 cr grants (₹1.05 cr/MW) + ₹47.30 cr incentives to gram panchayats at 946 substations.
21,644 households in 177 habitations of Kaimur & Rohtas – ₹351.85 cr under RDSS.
₹477 cr for Anganwadi honoraria; ₹26.33 cr (first year) for a haemophilia treatment scheme.
₹62.52 cr for 30 water cannons and 86 Vajra vehicles for the police.
Way forward
Daytime solar power to farm feeders can cut diesel irrigation cost and the cross-subsidy burden on DISCOMs; timely land and grid evacuation is key.
Concept
Feeder-level solarisation = PM-KUSUM Component C: solar plants near substations power a whole agricultural feeder. RDSS (2021) aims to cut AT&C losses to 12–15%.
Horizontal bar chart of major Bihar cabinet outlays on 30 September 2026: farm feeder solarisation ₹2,761.55 crore, Anganwadi honoraria ₹477 crore, Kaimur–Rohtas electrification ₹351.85 crore, police water cannons and Vajra vehicles ₹62.52 crore, haemophilia scheme ₹26.33 crore. — StudyForGS
Heavy rain in Nepal and eastern UP pushed the Gandak above its previous Highest Flood Level (HFL); Bagmati and Kosi also rose, hitting 2 lakh+ people in North Bihar.
Key facts
Peak 2026 discharge 5,43,500 cusecs at Valmikinagar barrage on 28 Sept.
Dumariaghat (Gopalganj) ~22 cm above HFL for ~36 hours.
Breaches: Panapur (Saran) right embankment and Tirhut Main Embankment (Sahebganj, Muzaffarpur).
Worst hit: West & East Champaran, Gopalganj; also Saran, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur.
Saran alone: 48 villages, ~24,725 people; 33 boats and NDRF/SDRF teams deployed.
Way forward
Raise and strengthen embankments, build Indo-Nepal flood forecasting and storage dams, and adopt 'room for the river' flood-plain zoning.
Concept
Gandak (Narayani/Saligrami in Nepal) enters Bihar at Valmikinagar (West Champaran) and meets the Ganga at Hajipur–Sonepur. HFL = highest water level ever recorded at a gauge.
Schematic of the Gandak flood: rain in Nepal and UP flows to Valmikinagar barrage (5.43 lakh cusecs), then past Bagaha, Gopalganj (22 cm above HFL), Saran (Panapur breach) and Vaishali to the Ganga at Hajipur, with Muzaffarpur's Tirhut embankment breach shown alongside. — StudyForGS
4. Gadkari reviews Bihar NH projects in Patna; JP Ganga Path Phase-2 lined up
GS-II: Bihar economy – transport infrastructure, PPP models. Prelims: expressways and corridors through Bihar.
Context
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is in Patna on 1 Oct to review National Highway projects with CM Samrat Choudhary; the state seeks faster central approvals for pending proposals.
JP Ganga Path Phase-2: Digha–Sherpur–Koilwar, 35 km, ₹5,500 cr; work from Nov 2026.
18 km elevated four-lane (Digha–Sherpur) + 17.65 km embankment road (Sherpur–Koilwar).
Built on Hybrid Annuity Model: builder 60%, state 40%; 15-year maintenance.
Patna–Buxar travel expected to fall to ~2 hours.
Way forward
Clear land acquisition, forest and encroachment hurdles; integrate with Purvanchal Expressway and Patna Metro for logistics gains.
Concept
HAM (2016): government pays 40% during construction, rest as annuity over operation – a mix of EPC and BOT-Toll, sharing risk between state and developer.
Donut chart of JP Ganga Path Phase-2 (35 km, ₹5,500 crore): 18 km elevated Digha–Sherpur section and 17.65 km embankment Sherpur–Koilwar section. — StudyForGS
5. Bihar ties up with Google to train teachers in AI tools
BIHARBPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-II (S&T in Development / Education)
Syllabus linkage
GS-II: role of science & technology in Bihar's development; education reform. Prelims: digital-education initiatives, NEP 2020.
Context
Bihar's Science, Technology & Technical Education Department signed a Statement of Intent with Google (29 Sept) to integrate AI in teaching and teacher training.
Key facts
Teachers to be trained in Gemini and NotebookLM for lesson planning and admin work.
Training in Hindi and English with locally adapted content; hybrid mode with competency-based assessment.
Support for ICT labs, smart classrooms, digital libraries and language labs.
Google Educator Groups for peer learning among Bihar teachers.
Comes as Bihar Board marksheets go on DigiLocker for the first time.
Way forward
Pair AI training with rural connectivity and data-privacy safeguards so that tools reach government schools, not just urban ones.
Concept
NEP 2020 stresses technology-enabled learning and set up the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF); DIKSHA is India's national teacher platform.
6. Pitru Paksha Mela at Gaya Ji draws pilgrims; digital push for pind daan
SOCIETYBPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-I (Culture of Bihar)
Syllabus linkage
GS-I: Indian culture – Bihar's role, fairs & pilgrimage. Prelims: Gaya, Vishnupad temple, Phalgu river, state fairs.
Context
The state-run Pitru Paksha Mela (25 Sept – 10 Oct 2026) at Gaya Ji and Punpun is in its second week, with crowds at the Vishnupad temple vedis for pind daan.
Key facts
Mela inaugurated by CM Samrat Choudhary; venues Gaya Ji and Punpun.
'Pinddaan Gaya Ji' app and website for rituals, vedis, stay and transport.
2,500-bed tent city at Gaya Ji; 5,000-capacity pandal at Punpun Ghat.
150 free e-rickshaws for elderly and differently abled pilgrims.
Security: 5 zones, 54 sectors, CCTV and drone surveillance.
Way forward
Build a year-round pilgrimage circuit linking Gaya–Bodh Gaya–Rajgir–Nalanda with better Phalgu riverfront and waste management.
Concept
Pind daan = rite offering rice-ball (pinda) to ancestors in Pitru Paksha (Bhadrapada/Ashwin Krishna Paksha). Gaya lies on the Phalgu river; Vishnupad temple was rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar (1787).
7. Windfall levy on diesel and ATF exports cut from 1 October
GS-II: Indian economy – taxation, energy security, external sector. Prelims: windfall tax, SAED, fuel pricing.
Context
Amid West Asia tensions, the Centre had imposed Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on fuel exports on 27 March to keep domestic supplies secure; it has now trimmed the levy for the second time in a month.
Key facts
Diesel export levy: ₹20 → ₹16 per litre.
ATF export levy: ₹15 → ₹10.50 per litre.
Petrol unchanged at ₹0.50 per litre.
Levy reviewed every two weeks in line with global crude and product prices.
No change in domestic excise duty on fuels.
Way forward
Phase out the levy as crack spreads ease, to restore refinery export competitiveness while protecting domestic availability.
Concept
Windfall tax = levy on unexpected, above-normal profits caused by external shocks. India first used SAED on crude and fuel exports in July 2022.
Grouped bar chart of export levy per litre before and after 1 October 2026: diesel ₹20 to ₹16, ATF ₹15 to ₹10.50, petrol unchanged at ₹0.50. — StudyForGS
8. Pathfinder: India's first orbital data-centre satellite set for launch
SCI-TECHBPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-II (Role of S&T)
Syllabus linkage
GS-II: role and impact of science & technology; space sector. Prelims: satellites, hyperspectral imaging, space start-ups.
Context
Pathfinder, built by Bengaluru's Pixxel with Sarvam AI models on board, is scheduled for launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California – putting India alongside the US, China and Japan in processing data in space.
Key facts
~200 kg satellite with data-centre-class GPUs.
Carries Pixxel's hyperspectral camera; runs Sarvam's Indian-language AI models in orbit.
Processes imagery on board and sends down insights, not raw data.
Uses continuous solar power; avoids land, water and energy limits of ground data centres.
Use in-orbit AI for disaster alerts (e.g., Bihar floods) and support start-ups under IN-SPACe and the Space Policy 2023.
Concept
Hyperspectral imaging captures hundreds of narrow spectral bands, identifying crops, minerals and pollutants. Edge computing in space cuts downlink bandwidth and latency.
Flowchart comparing traditional satellite data flow (capture, downlink raw data, ground analysis, decision) with Pathfinder's in-orbit AI flow (capture, on-board GPU analysis, downlink insight, faster decision). — StudyForGS
9. EC drops SIR declaration from Form-6 in states where revision is over
GS-II: Indian polity – Election Commission, electoral rolls. Prelims: Article 324, 326, RP Act 1950, Form-6.
Context
The Election Commission of India has removed the extra Special Intensive Revision (SIR) declaration from Form-6 in states where SIR is complete; new voters there fill only the statutory form. Bihar was the first state to undergo SIR (2025).
Key facts
Declaration had asked applicants to link themselves/parents/grandparents to an earlier intensive-revision roll.
Removed from ECINET and CEO websites in SIR-completed states.
Still applies in 16 states and 3 UTs where SIR is underway.
Form-6 is prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
Followed a 26 Sept meeting of all three ECs led by CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Way forward
Keep enrolment simple and inclusive while ensuring roll purity – via Aadhaar-linked de-duplication with consent and transparent claims & objections.
10. Modi and Trump speak by phone; reaffirm Global Strategic Partnership
IRBPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-II (International Relations)
Syllabus linkage
GS-II: India and its foreign relations – India–US ties. Prelims: strategic partnerships, groupings (Quad).
Context
PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation on 30 Sept 2026, reviewing cooperation and global developments.
Key facts
Discussed trade, defence, energy and critical technologies.
Reaffirmed the India–US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
Exchanged views on regional issues and global peace and security.
Agreed to maintain close engagement going forward.
Comes as a first tranche of an India–US trade agreement is under negotiation.
Way forward
Convert political goodwill into an early trade deal and progress on technology & defence co-production.
Concept
India–US ties were raised to Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in 2020. Foundational defence pacts: LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018), BECA (2020).
11. THE World University Rankings 2027: IISc best in India at 254
REPORTBPSC: Prelims + Mains GS-II (Reports & Indices / Education)
Syllabus linkage
GS-II: education & human-resource development. Prelims: reports & indices, rank of Indian institutions.
Context
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, released on 30 Sept, assessed 2,297 universities from 118 countries and territories.
Key facts
143 Indian institutions ranked – India's largest presence yet.
IISc Bengaluru at 254 – the only Indian entry in the top 300.
IISc scored 98.0 on Industry but 31.1 on International Outlook.
Global top: Oxford (1), MIT (2), Princeton & Stanford (joint 3).
In Asia, Tsinghua is placed 11th.
Way forward
Raise research quality, foreign faculty/students and funding via the Anusandhan National Research Foundation to break into the top 200.
Concept
THE uses 5 pillars: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry and International Outlook. India's own ranking is NIRF (since 2016).
Data point of the day
₹2,03,521 crore (+14.7% YoY)
Gross GST collection – September 2026 Domestic ₹1,37,996 cr (+10.1%), imports ₹65,525 cr (+25.9%); refunds ₹27,001 cr; net GST ₹1,76,520 cr (+18.1%). Above ₹2 lakh crore for the third straight month; H1 FY27 total ₹12,46,278 cr (+11.6%). GST Council meets on 7 Oct.
Prelims rapid-fire
Bihar birth/death registration: Free within 21 days; 1–2 years late needs SDM/DM approval (from 1 Oct).
Patna property tax: Unpaid dues in PMC areas attract 1.5% monthly interest from 1 Oct.
LPG subsidy: Needs Biometric Aadhaar Authentication from 1 Oct 2026.
Asian Games 2026: Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, 19 Sept–4 Oct; India's first gold – women's cricket.
Gandhi Jayanti (2 Oct): Gandhi's first satyagraha in India – Champaran, 1917.
Practice MCQs — BPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to the Bihar Green Hydrogen Policy 2026, consider the following statements:
1. It targets production of 1 lakh tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2031.
2. Bihar State Power Holding Company is its nodal agency.
3. It envisages 1 GW of electrolyser capacity.
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 nodal agency is BREDA (Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency), so statement 2 is wrong. The target is 1 lakh tonnes/yr by 2031 with 1 GW electrolysers.
Q2. The Gandak river, which recently crossed its highest flood level in Bihar, enters the state at which of the following places and joins the Ganga near which town?
Raxaul; Patna
Valmikinagar; Hajipur–Sonepur
Birpur; Kursela
Jogbani; Munger
Show answer
Answer: B The Gandak enters Bihar at Valmikinagar (West Champaran), where the Gandak barrage stands, and meets the Ganga near Hajipur–Sonepur. Birpur is near the Kosi barrage.
Mains practice question
Q. North Bihar faces floods almost every year despite a large network of embankments. Examine the causes and suggest a sustainable flood-management strategy for the Gandak–Kosi basin. (BPSC Mains GS-II, 38 marks)
