Weekly at a glance
- Mon 21 Sep — Bihar floods hit 47 lakh across 15 districts; state pushes an integrated sugar-ethanol policy, while the Supreme Court flags a uniform law on court deposits
All topics — key facts for revision
21 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →BIHAR Bihar Floods 2026: 47 Lakh Affected as Ganga Breaches 2016 Peak
- 47.33 lakh people affected across 15 districts, including Bhagalpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali and Katihar.
- The Ganga at Gandhi Ghat, Patna crossed its previous maximum recorded level of 2016.
- Relief: 1,221 community kitchens, 15 relief camps, 1,876 boats, 27 SDRF + 10 NDRF teams.
- September rainfall about 27% above normal (104.1 mm); four embankment breaches in Bhagalpur.
ECONOMY Bihar's Integrated Sugar-Ethanol Push: 25 New Mills in Five Years
- Target of 25 new sugar mills in Bihar over five years (Sugarcane Industries Dept.).
- Foundation of 2 mills on 20 Nov 2026 at Sakri (Madhubani) and Raiyam (Darbhanga).
- Integrated model links sugar + ethanol + cogen power + CBG for value addition.
- Rs 2,137.83 crore sugarcane dues cleared for 2025-26; 266 acres secured for Motipur mill.
BIHAR Mithila Makhana: GI Crop Anchored by the National Makhana Board
- Mithila Makhana holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag (granted 2022).
- National Makhana Board (Budget 2025-26) is headquartered in Bihar.
- Makhana Vikas Yojana 2026-27 funds seed, ponds, processing and FPO linkage.
- Bihar grows nearly 90% of India's makhana, centred on Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea.
ECONOMY ADB to Back Bihar with Over $1 Billion for Industry and Social Sectors
- Support of over $1 billion (about Rs 9,000 crore) across sectors.
- New industrial hubs planned at Gaya and Muzaffarpur to boost manufacturing and logistics.
- Funds target the Buddhist Circuit, irrigation modernisation and smart-grid energy.
- Includes Bihar Health and Medical Education Transformation and school-readiness reforms.
SOCIETY Women-Centric Welfare: Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana Scales Up
- Initial grant of Rs 10,000 each transferred to lakhs of women via DBT.
- Second phase offers scaling support of up to Rs 2 lakh for viable enterprises.
- Targets Jeevika self-help group members across rural Bihar.
- Part of a wider push on women-led development and financial inclusion.
BIHAR Bihar Metro Web Widens Beyond Patna's First Corridor
- Patna Metro first phase became operational in October 2025.
- Metro/rapid transit planned for Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Darbhanga and Bhagalpur.
- Urban transport tied to new industrial hubs and tourism circuits.
- Aims to cut congestion and vehicular emissions in growing cities.
POLITY Supreme Court Seeks a Uniform National Law on Court Deposits
- Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe referred the issue to the Law Commission.
- Current system forces repeated case-by-case decisions on investment, renewal and interest.
- The court suggested studying the US Court Registry Investment System as a model.
- Aim: consistent, transparent handling of large sums parked in litigation.
POLITY FCRA Amendment Bill 2026: Foreign Funds to Vest with Government on Cancellation
- Foreign funds/assets to vest in a designated authority upon licence cancellation.
- About 22,496 FCRA registrations cancelled since 2015; roughly 14,466 active.
- Domestic philanthropy projected near Rs 1.43 lakh crore; CSR spend about Rs 22,563 crore (FY25).
- Seen as tightening oversight of foreign funding of NGOs.
SCI-TECH Semiconductor Mission Phase 2 Shifts from Assembly to Fabrication
- About Rs 1.27 lakh crore committed under the mission's next phase.
- Investor interest of roughly Rs 1 lakh crore received.
- Focus shifts from ATMP (assembly/testing) to design, fabrication, equipment, materials.
- Five-year target: chips for automobiles, power systems and appliances.
IR Russia Stays India's Top Crude Supplier Amid Fresh US Sanctions Pressure
- Russia = 51% of India's crude oil imports (July 2026).
- US law authorises up to 100% tariffs on Russian-oil buyers, stacking on existing duties.
- Any levy needs a presidential waiver justification to the US Congress.
- India balances energy affordability against external pressure and diversification.
ECONOMY India-China Trade Deficit Widens as Imports Surge, Exports Stay Flat
- Bilateral trade about $167.6 billion (2025).
- Imports up 71% from $87.5B to $149.5B (2021-2025); exports roughly flat.
- About 70% of imports are intermediate goods; 22% capital goods.
- Rising import dependence in electronics and machinery components.
Prelims rapid-fire — 6 facts
| Mithila Makhana carries a GI tag; the National Makhana Board is based in Bihar. |
| Patna Metro first phase started operations in October 2025. |
| RBI repo rate is 5.25% with a neutral monetary-policy stance. |
| Russia supplied 51% of India's crude oil imports in July 2026. |
| The Kosi is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar'; the Kosi-Mechi link aids flood control. |
| Shahi Litchi (Muzaffarpur) and Katarni rice (Bhagalpur) are Bihar GI products. |
Data points of the period
Repo 5.25% | CPI 4.82% | Core 4.2%
India's Real Policy Rate Turns Modestly Positive
With retail inflation (CPI) at 4.82% in August 2026 and the RBI repo rate at 5.25% under a neutral stance, the real policy rate is mildly positive. Food inflation stood at 5.95% and bank credit growth at 19.1%.
With retail inflation (CPI) at 4.82% in August 2026 and the RBI repo rate at 5.25% under a neutral stance, the real policy rate is mildly positive. Food inflation stood at 5.95% and bank credit growth at 19.1%.
2 practice MCQs — BPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to Mithila Makhana, consider the following statements: 1. It has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. 2. The National Makhana Board is headquartered in Bihar. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
Mithila Makhana received a GI tag (2022) and the National Makhana Board announced in the Union Budget is based in Bihar. Hence both statements are correct.
Mithila Makhana received a GI tag (2022) and the National Makhana Board announced in the Union Budget is based in Bihar. Hence both statements are correct.
Q2. Which of the following rivers is popularly known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar'?
- Gandak
- Bagmati
- Kosi
- Punpun
Show answer
Answer: C
The Kosi, notorious for shifting its course and causing severe floods in north Bihar, is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar'.
The Kosi, notorious for shifting its course and causing severe floods in north Bihar, is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar'.
Mains practice questions
- Bihar remains India's most flood-prone state even as it pursues rapid agro-industrial growth. Examine the challenges of river management in north Bihar and suggest a sustainable strategy that also supports the state's economy.
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