Weekly at a glance
- Sat 5 Sep — Bihar Cabinet extends the Student Credit Card Scheme to 2030-31 and clears the 336-km Buxar-Bhagalpur Expressway; the SCO Bishkek Summit and India's 7.8% Q1 growth headline national affairs.
- Sun 6 Sep — Ganga breaches Patna's all-time flood record as 16.85 lakh reel across 11 Bihar districts; State Cabinet clears 27 proposals; ISRO's EOS-05 rides GSLV-F17 to orbit.
All topics — key facts for revision
5 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →BIHAR Bihar Cabinet extends Student Credit Card Scheme to 2030-31
- Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme extended to 2030-31; education loan of up to Rs 4 lakh.
- Mukhyamantri Samagra Shahari Vikas Yojana also extended to 2030-31.
- Rs 40 crore for Bihar & Patna Museum upkeep; Rs 39.80 crore for Nehru Path widening.
- Chaired by the Chief Minister; 27 agenda items approved in all.
BIHAR 336-km Buxar-Bhagalpur greenfield expressway cleared on PPP
- Length 336 km, six-lane, fresh alignment; developed via PPP under BSRDCL.
- Passes through Bhojpur, Arwal, Jehanabad, Gaya, Nawada, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Jamui, Munger, Banka.
- An economic corridor with commercial hubs planned along the route.
- Consultant for DPR and a transaction adviser to be appointed.
- Aims to cut travel time between southern and eastern Bihar.
BIHAR Patna Metro gets Rs 628.32 crore under SASCI capital-aid
- Network: ~31 km, 24 stations, two corridors; total cost Rs 13,925 crore.
- Funding split: 60% JICA (Japan) loan, 20% Union, 20% Bihar.
- Interchange stations at Patna Junction and Khemnichak.
- A 3.6-km elevated Blue Line stretch is already operational.
BIHAR Bihar-Jharkhand ink Sone river water-sharing MoU
- Bihar 5.75 MAF and Jharkhand 2 MAF of the 7.75 MAF under the 1973 Bansagar Agreement.
- Makes the Indrapuri Barrage (Rohtas district, Bihar) fully operable.
- Benefits Magadh-belt irrigation in Bihar; Palamu & Garhwa in Jharkhand.
- Sone is a major south-bank tributary of the Ganga.
BIHAR Bihar renews push for MSP on makhana as Makhana Board rolls out
- Bihar grows about 90% of India's makhana; Mithila Makhana got a GI tag in 2022.
- National Makhana Board (Rs 100 crore) announced in Union Budget 2025-26, based in Bihar.
- Research anchored at the ICAR-NRC makhana centre, Darbhanga.
- MSP sought to shield growers from price volatility.
- Makhana is a high-value, low-fat superfood with rising export demand.
IR 26th SCO Summit concludes at Bishkek; Bishkek Declaration adopted
- English added as an official SCO language alongside Russian and Chinese.
- Universal Security Centre approved for intelligence-sharing; Anti-Drug Centre regulations cleared.
- Green Technology Corridor framework (2026-2030) adopted.
- India stressed zero double standards on terrorism and sovereignty-respecting connectivity.
- Pakistan takes the next chair (2026-27); SCO has 10 full members.
DEFENCE India-Belgium sign defence LoI; RAKSHA diplomacy document unveiled
- India appoints its first Defence Attache to Brussels; a Fast Trade Mechanism set up.
- RAKSHA rests on four pillars: strategic partnerships, capacity building, indigenous exports, maritime security.
- India's defence exports were Rs 21,083 crore in FY 2023-24.
- Belgium hosts NATO HQ, adding strategic weight to the pact.
POLITY Supreme Court: Bar Council of India has no jurisdiction over law students
- Ruling by a three-judge bench; universities - not the BCI - govern law students.
- BCI's authority begins only after enrolment as an advocate.
- Upheld Article 19(1)(a) (free speech) and Article 19(1)(c) (association).
- Arose from a students' protest at a national law university.
- Reaffirms limits on statutory bodies exceeding their mandate.
SCI-TECH DBT launches BIO-NIVESH to channel private capital into biotech startups
- Inaugural edition: about 20 startups and 50 investors.
- Anchored by BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council).
- Aligns with the BioE3 Policy (2024) and the Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund.
- India targets a Rs 20 lakh crore bioeconomy by 2030.
- Focus areas: bio-manufacturing, health and sustainability.
SOCIETY Teachers' Day: President confers National Teachers' Awards on 48 teachers
- 48 awardees (26 men, 22 women) across states, UTs and central bodies.
- Selected via a three-stage process; each gets a certificate, medal and cash award.
- 5 September marks the birth anniversary of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
- Radhakrishnan was India's first Vice-President and second President.
- India's school teaching workforce is about 1.5 crore.
6 September 2026
Full notes with diagrams →BIHAR Ganga Breaches Patna's All-Time Flood Record; 16.85 Lakh Hit Across Bihar
- 16.85 lakh (1.685 million) people affected across 11 districts — Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Araria.
- Ganga at Gandhi Ghat (Patna) touched 50.53 m, above the previous HFL of 50.52 m (Aug 2016); forecast to reach 50.62 m.
- 50 blocks and 201 gram panchayats affected; September rainfall 60.8 mm — 69% above normal.
- Relief: 858 boats, 27 SDRF teams, 7 NDRF groups, 38 community kitchens, 12,300 polythene sheets.
- Gandak, Kosi, Burhi Gandak, Punpun & Ghaghara also flowing above danger levels.
POLITY Bihar Cabinet Clears 27 Proposals; Student Credit Card Extended to 2030-31
- Student Credit Card scheme extended 5 years (FY2026-27 to 2030-31); loans up to ₹4 lakh.
- ₹9,169 crore for all municipal corporations under the 16th Finance Commission as basic + performance grants.
- E-Cabinet system approved with ₹2.75 crore from the Contingency Fund for paperless governance.
- New Medical College & Hospital at Arwal on 25 acres; Nehru Path (Patna) widening at ₹49.80 crore.
- ₹14.79 crore Goat Farming Cooperative Federation (Saat Nischay-3); ₹40 crore grant to Bihar Museum.
BIHAR Bihar & Jharkhand End 25-Year Sone Water Dispute; Bihar Gets 5.75 MAF
- Of the 7.75 MAF under the 1973 Bansagar Agreement, Bihar gets 5.75 MAF and Jharkhand 2 MAF.
- Enables full operation of the Indrapuri Barrage in Rohtas, Bihar.
- Unlocks new irrigation for the Magadh belt (Bihar) and Palamu & Garhwa (Jharkhand).
- Sone is a major right-bank tributary of the Ganga, joining near Maner (Patna).
- Resolves a long-standing hurdle to irrigation expansion in south-west Bihar.
SOCIETY ₹10,000 DBT Reaches Over 21 Lakh Women Under Mahila Rojgar Yojana
- ₹10,000 one-time seed grant credited via DBT to women SHG (Jeevika Didi) members.
- Beneficiaries can access a follow-on micro-enterprise loan up to ₹2 lakh plus skill training.
- Aims to cover a large base of women self-help group members statewide.
- Rides on Bihar's strong JEEViKA network of rural women's self-help groups.
- Seeks to boost female labour-force participation and rural livelihoods.
ECONOMY Barauni Land Bank: 700 Acres Cleared to Power Bihar's Industrial Push
- 700 acres at Barauni earmarked for a new industrial area to draw investment.
- Barauni already hosts a major refinery, thermal power and fertiliser complex.
- Aims to generate fresh employment and anchor manufacturing in north Bihar.
- Part of a wider land-bank strategy to offer ready plots to investors.
- Complements Bihar's push under its industrial and investment-promotion policy.
ECONOMY Mithila Makhana: Bihar's GI-Tagged Superfood Anchors a Growing Farm Economy
- Mithila Makhana received the GI (Geographical Indication) tag in 2022.
- Bihar produces the bulk of India's makhana, concentrated in Darbhanga, Madhubani & Purnia.
- A protein-rich superfood driving exports and value-added processing.
- Supported by makhana research and a dedicated push for branded, packaged products.
- Part of Bihar's basket of GI/agri specialities alongside Shahi Litchi and Katarni rice.
ECONOMY New National Accounts: GDP Base Year Shifts to 2022-23; Q1 Growth 7.8%
- GDP base year revised from 2011-12 to 2022-23.
- Producer Price Index (PPI) replaces the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
- New indices introduced — IIP revamp and a Banking Services Price Index (BkSPI).
- Q1 FY2026-27: real GDP growth 7.8%, nominal 10.3%.
- Covers final estimates for 2022-24 and provisional for 2025-26.
POLITY Supreme Court Pushes States to Raise District Judge Retirement Age to 62
- Retirement age to be raised from 60 to 62, subject to a suitability review at 60.
- Backdrop: 5.18 crore cases pending in district courts.
- Seven states have already agreed — including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal.
- Remaining states/UTs given two weeks to decide.
- Aims to retain experienced judicial officers and cut vacancies.
SCI-TECH ISRO Launches EOS-05 Imaging Satellite Aboard GSLV-F17
- GSLV-F17 placed the 2,367-kg satellite in a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.
- India's first dedicated imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit (~36,000 km).
- 19th GSLV mission and 107th launch from Sriharikota.
- Planned nine-year operational lifespan.
- Ends an eight-month hiatus after two earlier PSLV setbacks.
IR India Joins 26th SCO Summit at Bishkek; Bishkek Declaration Adopted
- Bishkek Declaration signed; a Universal Security Centre approved.
- Green Technology Corridor framework (2026-2030) and anti-drug centre regulations cleared.
- English added as an official SCO language alongside Russian and Chinese.
- India stressed 'zero double standards on terrorism' and sovereignty-first connectivity.
- SCO has 10 full members; Pakistan chairs the bloc for 2026-27.
ENVIRONMENT UN Flags Likely Breach of the 1.5°C Paris Target
- Current warming is about 1.4°C above the pre-industrial baseline.
- Under existing policies, warming may reach 2.6°C by century's end.
- New fallback framework: cap overshoot at 1.8°C, then scale up carbon removal.
- Reversing one decade of excess warming could take 50+ years.
- Reinforces urgency ahead of climate negotiations and NDC updates.
Prelims rapid-fire — 12 facts
| International Day of Charity is observed on 5 September, marking Mother Teresa's death anniversary (1997). |
| Teachers' Day (5 Sept) honours Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, India's 1st Vice-President and 2nd President. |
| The RBI repo rate stands at 5.25% with a neutral stance; the inflation target is 4% (+/- 2%). |
| Mithila Makhana received its GI tag in 2022; the ICAR-NRC makhana centre is at Darbhanga. |
| The Indrapuri Barrage on the Sone river lies in Rohtas district, Bihar. |
| BioE3 Policy (2024) targets a Rs 20 lakh crore bioeconomy by 2030. |
| Ganga crossed its previous all-time HFL of 50.52 m (2016) at Patna's Gandhi Ghat. |
| ISRO's EOS-05 rode GSLV-F17 — the 19th GSLV mission and 107th launch from Sriharikota. |
| National Accounts base year revised 2011-12 → 2022-23; Producer Price Index (PPI) replaces WPI. |
| Sone river pact: Bihar gets 5.75 MAF, Jharkhand 2 MAF of the 7.75 MAF 1973 Bansagar share. |
| 26th SCO Summit was held at Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan); Pakistan chairs the bloc in 2026-27. |
| Supreme Court asked states to raise district judge retirement age from 60 to 62 amid 5.18 crore pending cases. |
Data points of the period
7.8%
India Real GDP Growth - Q1 FY2026-27
Real GDP rose 7.8% (nominal 10.3%) in April-June 2026, computed on the new 2022-23 base year - among the fastest for a major economy despite global headwinds.
Real GDP rose 7.8% (nominal 10.3%) in April-June 2026, computed on the new 2022-23 base year - among the fastest for a major economy despite global headwinds.
₹9,169 crore
Bihar's 16th Finance Commission grant to Urban Local Bodies (FY2026-27 to 2030-31)
Approved by the State Cabinet as basic + performance grants for all municipal corporations — among the largest devolutions to Bihar's urban bodies, aimed at water, sanitation and civic infrastructure.
Approved by the State Cabinet as basic + performance grants for all municipal corporations — among the largest devolutions to Bihar's urban bodies, aimed at water, sanitation and civic infrastructure.
4 practice MCQs — BPSC Prelims pattern
Q1. With reference to the recently approved Buxar-Bhagalpur Greenfield Expressway, consider the following statements: 1) It is a six-lane expressway of about 336 km. 2) It is being developed on PPP through BSRDCL. 3) It passes through Nalanda and Gaya districts. 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 are correct - the ~336 km six-lane greenfield expressway is being built on PPP via BSRDCL and passes through Nalanda and Gaya among 11 districts.
All three are correct - the ~336 km six-lane greenfield expressway is being built on PPP via BSRDCL and passes through Nalanda and Gaya among 11 districts.
Q2. The 26th SCO Summit of 2026, which adopted the Bishkek Declaration, was hosted by which country?
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Uzbekistan
- China
Show answer
Answer: B
The 26th SCO Summit was held at Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on 3-4 September 2026.
The 26th SCO Summit was held at Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on 3-4 September 2026.
Q3. The Indrapuri Barrage, recently in the news in the context of a Bihar–Jharkhand water-sharing agreement, is built on which river?
- Kosi
- Gandak
- Sone
- Bagmati
Show answer
Answer: C
The Indrapuri Barrage lies on the Sone river in Rohtas district. The 2026 Bihar–Jharkhand pact, allocating Bihar 5.75 MAF, allows its full operation and irrigation in the Magadh belt.
The Indrapuri Barrage lies on the Sone river in Rohtas district. The 2026 Bihar–Jharkhand pact, allocating Bihar 5.75 MAF, allows its full operation and irrigation in the Magadh belt.
Q4. With reference to India's revised National Accounts released in 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The base year for GDP was revised to 2022-23. 2. The Producer Price Index (PPI) replaced the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C
The new National Accounts Statistics 2026 shifted the base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23 and introduced the PPI in place of the WPI, alongside new indices like the Banking Services Price Index.
The new National Accounts Statistics 2026 shifted the base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23 and introduced the PPI in place of the WPI, alongside new indices like the Banking Services Price Index.
Mains practice questions
- Inter-state water-sharing accords are central to Bihar's water security. In light of the recent Sone river MoU, examine how such agreements can strengthen irrigation and flood management in Bihar. (BPSC Mains GS-II)
- The 2026 Ganga floods have again exposed the structural vulnerability of Bihar's river systems. Examine the causes of recurrent flooding in Bihar and suggest a sustainable flood-management strategy. (BPSC Mains GS-II)
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