Current Affairs & Bihar General Knowledge

Comprehensive reference for BPSC CCE aspirants covering Bihar Geography, History, Economy, Governance, and National & International Affairs.

1. Bihar — Geography

Bihar is a landlocked state located in the eastern part of India, forming a critical corridor between the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the eastern highlands. It is bounded by Nepal to the north, West Bengal to the east, Jharkhand to the south, and Uttar Pradesh to the west. With an area of approximately 94,163 sq km, Bihar ranks 12th among Indian states in area but is one of the most densely populated, ranking 3rd in population.

Physical Features: Rivers and Hills

Bihar's landscape is dominated by the vast Gangetic alluvial plain, one of the most fertile stretches of land on earth. The terrain is broadly divided between the north Bihar plain (drained by tributaries of the Ganga originating in Nepal and the Himalayas) and south Bihar plain (drained by peninsular tributaries). A narrow belt of Shivalik foothills touches the extreme north in the Champaran region near the Nepal border, and the Kaimur and Vindhya ranges form the southern boundary.

The Rajgir Hills (also called Rajgir Pahad), a range of rocky hills surrounding the ancient city of Rajgir in Nalanda district, are geologically ancient and form one of the few elevated areas within the central plain. These hills have immense religious significance for both Buddhists and Jains.

Districts, Divisions, and Important Cities

Bihar is administratively organized into 9 Divisions comprising 38 Districts. Each division is headed by a Divisional Commissioner (IAS officer), while each district is headed by a District Magistrate/Collector.

Climate, Soil Types, and Natural Vegetation

Bihar has a sub-tropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. The Northeast receives the highest rainfall (Kishanganj, Purnia — over 1,500 mm annually) due to proximity to the Bay of Bengal current and the influence of the Himalayan foothills. Southern Bihar receives comparatively lower rainfall.

Bihar's soil types reflect its geomorphic diversity. The dominant soil across the Gangetic plain is alluvial soil, further divided into new alluvium (Khadar — near river banks, highly fertile, flooded annually) and old alluvium (Bhangar — raised areas, slightly less fertile). The southern fringe districts (Nawada, Jamui, Gaya, Aurangabad) contain patches of red laterite soils characteristic of the Deccan Plateau transition. Sandy soils are common along the Son river belt, while Tal (low-lying waterlogged) soils are found in north Bihar's floodplains.

Natural vegetation in Bihar includes tropical moist deciduous forests in the Champaran and Purnia terai zone (sal, teak), tropical dry deciduous forests in Gaya, Aurangabad, and Rohtas, and riverine grasslands along the Ganga banks. Forest cover is relatively low compared to Bihar's area (historically around 7% of state area), partly because large forested areas went to Jharkhand after the 2000 bifurcation.

Wildlife, Minerals, and Agricultural Importance

Bihar has several protected areas despite its comparatively limited forest cover:

Bihar's mineral resources, after the separation of the mineral-rich Jharkhand, are limited. Significant deposits include: pyrite at Amjhore in Rohtas district (historically mined for sulphuric acid production); mica in Nawada and Jamui districts; limestone in Rohtas and Kaimur districts; glass sand (silica sand) along the Son river valley; and soapstone (steatite) in the southern fringe.

Bihar's agricultural identity is defined by several unique crops. Makhana (fox nut / lotus seeds, Euryale ferox) is grown in the wetlands and ponds of the Mithila region — Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Saharsa, and Supaul districts. Bihar accounts for over 80–90% of India's makhana production. Shahi Litchi from Muzaffarpur is world-famous and holds a GI tag. Jardalu Mango from Bhagalpur region and Katarni Rice (aromatic variety from Bhagalpur-Banka) are other GI-tagged agricultural specialties. Sugarcane cultivation in the north Bihar belt (Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga) supports a large sugar mill industry. Bihar is also a significant producer of maize, wheat, potato, and vegetables.

2. Bihar — History

Bihar's historical significance is virtually unparalleled in the Indian subcontinent. It was the cradle of two of the world's greatest religions (Buddhism and Jainism), the seat of India's first continental empire (the Mauryas), and the site of one of the ancient world's greatest universities (Nalanda). Understanding Bihar's history is central to understanding Indian civilization itself.

Ancient Bihar: The Magadha Empire

The kingdom of Magadha, centered in the region corresponding to modern Patna, Nalanda, and Gaya districts, became the most powerful political entity in the ancient Indian subcontinent. Its rise from a small janapada (territorial unit) to the nucleus of a pan-Indian empire is one of history's most remarkable stories.

Chandragupta Maurya (322–298 BCE), guided by the statesman and philosopher Chanakya (Kautilya), overthrew the Nanda dynasty and established the Maurya Empire. Chanakya's Arthashastra — a treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy — is one of the world's earliest and most comprehensive works on governance, written during this period in Pataliputra.

Ashoka the Great (268–232 BCE) is the most celebrated Mauryan ruler. The Kalinga War (approximately 261 BCE) was a turning point — appalled by its carnage, Ashoka converted to Buddhism and adopted a policy of Dhamma (righteous conduct). He erected pillars and rock edicts across the empire, sent Buddhist missions to Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean world. His Lion Capital from Sarnath became India's national emblem, and the Dharma Chakra from his pillars appears on the Indian national flag.

Buddhist and Jain Heritage

Bihar is sacred ground for both Buddhism and Jainism, making it a destination of global religious tourism and scholarly interest.

Buddhist Sites in Bihar:

• Bodh Gaya (Gaya district) — Site where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree (sacred fig, Ficus religiosa). The Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Receives pilgrims from Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, and China.
• Rajgir (Nalanda district) — Ancient Rajagriha, capital of Magadha under Bimbisara and Ajatashatru. Buddha spent several rainy seasons here, delivered important discourses. The First Buddhist Council was held here after Buddha's Mahaparinirvana. Home to Griddhakuta (Vultures' Peak), Venu Vana (Bamboo Grove), and Jain temples.
• Nalanda (Nalanda district) — Site of Nalanda University, one of the greatest centers of higher learning in the ancient world (c. 5th–12th century CE). At its peak, it had 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers from India, China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, and Central Asia. Destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji around 1193 CE. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Vaishali (Vaishali district) — Location of the Ananda Stupa (Relic Stupa). The Second Buddhist Council was held here. Buddha delivered his last sermon before his Mahaparinirvana here.
• Kesariya (East Champaran) — Believed to house the world's tallest Buddhist stupa (approximately 104 feet / 32 metres).
• Vikramshila (Bhagalpur district) — Site of Vikramshila Mahavihara, another great Buddhist university founded by Pala king Dharmapala, also destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji.

Jain Sites in Bihar:

• Vaishali — Birthplace of Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism (599–527 BCE, traditional dates). His birth is celebrated at Vaishali Mahotsav.
• Pawapuri (Nalanda district) — Where Mahavira attained nirvana (moksha). The Jalmandir, a marble temple built in the middle of a lotus pond, marks this sacred site.
• Rajgir — Mahavira spent fourteen rainy seasons here. Several Jain temples on the hills.

Medieval Period

The Pala Dynasty (c. 750–1161 CE) was a Buddhist dynasty that ruled over Bengal and Bihar for nearly four centuries. Founded by Gopala, it reached its greatest extent under Dharmapala and Devapala, who were great patrons of Buddhism and learning. Both Nalanda and Vikramshila Universities flourished under Pala patronage. The Palas were followed by the Sena dynasty, which represented a Brahmanical revival.

Sher Shah Suri (c. 1486–1545) is Bihar's most celebrated medieval figure. Though born in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, his family had jagir (land grant) in Sasaram (modern Rohtas district, Bihar). He rose through service to the Afghan chieftains of Bihar, overthrew the Mughal Emperor Humayun at the Battle of Chausa (1539) and Battle of Bilgram (1540), and ruled as emperor until his death in 1545.

British Period and Post-Independence

Under British rule, Bihar was part of the Bengal Presidency. The region experienced major upheavals during colonialism.

1857 Revolt in Bihar: The uprising of 1857 had significant participation in Bihar. Kunwar Singh, a zamindar from Jagdishpur (modern Bhojpur district), emerged as the most celebrated hero of the 1857 revolt in Bihar. Despite being nearly 80 years old and losing an arm to a bullet (which he himself cut off and offered to the Ganga), he continued fighting until his death in April 1858. He is celebrated as Veer Kunwar Singh and his birth anniversary (November 23) is observed as a state holiday in Bihar.

Bihar's Administrative Separation from Bengal: Following the failed Partition of Bengal (1905–1911), when the Partition was annulled in 1911, Bihar and Orissa were carved out as a separate province in 1912. Subsequently, Orissa was separated from Bihar and Orissa Province to form a distinct Orissa Province in 1936, leaving Bihar as a standalone province.

Champaran Satyagraha (1917): Mahatma Gandhi's first satyagraha on Indian soil was conducted in Champaran district of Bihar. The British indigo plantation system (tinkathia) forced peasants to grow indigo on 3/20 (three kathas out of twenty kathas per bigha) of their land and sell it to British planters at fixed, below-market prices. Gandhi arrived in Champaran in April 1917, conducted an inquiry into peasant conditions, mobilized resistance, and the result was the Champaran Agrarian Act of 1918, which abolished the tinkathia system. Gandhi later called Champaran his first experience with "direct action" and civil disobedience in India.

Post-Independence Bihar and Formation of Jharkhand: After independence, Bihar struggled with economic underdevelopment, frequent floods, and political instability. A long-standing demand by tribal communities of the Chota Nagpur Plateau and Santhal Parganas for a separate state was eventually granted when Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar on November 15, 2000 (the birth anniversary of tribal hero Birsa Munda). The separation meant Bihar lost the mineral-rich southern plateau, significantly altering its economic character but leaving it with the fertile Gangetic plains.

3. Bihar — Economy

Bihar's economy is predominantly agrarian, with agriculture and allied activities being the livelihood of the majority of the state's population. While the state has recorded impressive GSDP growth rates in recent years, its per capita income remains among the lower tiers nationally, reflecting structural challenges of population density, historical underinvestment, and the effects of the Jharkhand bifurcation.

Agriculture — The Backbone

More than 60–65% of Bihar's workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied activities. The fertile alluvial soils of the Gangetic plain, combined with an extensive canal and groundwater irrigation network, make Bihar a significant contributor to India's food production.

Bihar practices two primary cropping seasons: Kharif (sown with the onset of monsoon in June–July, harvested in October–November) and Rabi (sown in October–November, harvested in March–April). A summer/Zaid crop is also cultivated in limited areas with irrigation.

Industries and Crafts

Sugar Industry: One of Bihar's oldest and most important industries. Cooperative and private sugar mills operate in the Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Siwan, and Gopalganj districts. The industry provides employment and market linkages for sugarcane farmers. Bihar has both government-owned cooperative mills and private mills.

Bhagalpur Silk Industry: Bhagalpur is known as the "Silk City of India" for its famous Bhagalpur Silk, also called Tussar Silk or Kosa Silk. It has a characteristic coarser texture, natural golden-bronze sheen, and is valued as an eco-friendly fabric. The silk weaving tradition in Bhagalpur dates back centuries, and the product is exported internationally. The Bhagalpur silk industry employs thousands of weavers from traditional weaving communities.

Leather Industry: Bihar, particularly Muzaffarpur and Patna, has tanneries and leather processing units. Bihar's cattle population and associated hides support this sector.

Folk Crafts and Handicrafts — A Cultural Economy:

• Madhubani (Mithila) Painting: World-famous folk art from Madhubani and Darbhanga districts. Characterized by intricate geometric patterns, mythological themes (Ramayana, Krishna legends), and natural motifs using natural and earth pigments. Practiced predominantly by women. GI tag protected. Recognized internationally; sold globally through government emporiums and online platforms.
• Sikki Grass Craft: Made from golden marsh grass (Sikki, Cyperus tegetiformis) found in north Bihar's wetlands. Woven into intricate decorative items — dolls, baskets, jewelry boxes — by Mithila women as part of their marriage trousseau tradition.
• Sujni Embroidery: Traditional quilt/embroidery art from Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, and Samastipur. Uses running stitch technique on cloth, depicting social and mythological scenes. GI tag protected.
• Manjusha Art: Unique scroll painting tradition from Bhagalpur, depicting the legend of Bihula-Bishahari (a local folk story). Painted on bamboo boxes in a characteristic snake-bordered style.
• Tikul and Stone Craft: Carved stone products from the Gaya and Nalanda region.

Infrastructure and Tourism Economy

Road Network: Bihar has a significant National Highway (NH) network connecting it to major urban centres. Key NHs include NH 19 (the Grand Trunk Road alignment through Buxar-Patna-Mohania corridor), NH 30, NH 31 (Kishanganj to Barhi), NH 28, NH 57 (Muzaffarpur to Purnia), and numerous state highways. The state has undertaken ambitious rural road development under PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana).

Railways: Bihar has an extensive railway network under the East Central Railway zone, headquartered at Hajipur — making Hajipur an important railway administrative centre. Major junctions include Patna Junction, Muzaffarpur Junction, Danapur, Gaya Junction, Bhagalpur Junction, and Darbhanga Junction. The Patna Metro Rail project is underway to address urban transportation needs.

Airports: Bihar has four operational airports: Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, Patna (the busiest); Gaya International Airport (receives chartered international flights, particularly from Southeast Asian Buddhist countries — Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Sri Lanka — for pilgrimage tourism); Darbhanga Airport; and Muzaffarpur Airport.

Bridges over Ganga: Connectivity across the Ganga is critical for Bihar's north-south integration. The Mahatma Gandhi Setu connecting Patna and Hajipur (approximately 5.575 km long) was one of the longest river bridges in Asia when built. Multiple new bridges over the Ganga (including at Digha-Sonepur and Arrah-Chheoki) and over the Kosi have been constructed to improve connectivity. The Vikramshila Setu connects Bhagalpur to Kahalgaon.

Tourism Economy: Bihar has immense but underutilized tourism potential. The state government has promoted several tourism circuits:

• Buddhist Circuit: Bodh Gaya–Rajgir–Nalanda–Vaishali–Kesariya. Receives significant international footfall, particularly from East and Southeast Asia.
• Sikh Heritage Circuit: Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Patna is the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, making it one of the five Takhts (supreme seats of authority) in Sikhism. It receives hundreds of thousands of Sikh pilgrims.
• Hindu Pilgrimage: Gaya's Vishnu Pad temple and the Falgu river are the destination for Pind Daan (ancestral death rites), one of the most important Hindu rituals. Gaya draws an estimated one million pilgrims annually during Pitru Paksha.
• Heritage and Cultural Tourism: Tomb of Sher Shah Suri (Sasaram), Golghar (Patna), Bihar Museum, Kumrahar excavations (Pataliputra), Rajgir Ropeway, and Nalanda ruins.

4. Bihar — Governance and State Schemes

State Government Structure

Bihar follows the parliamentary system of government as established by the Indian Constitution. The structure mirrors the Union government at the state level, with constitutional, executive, legislative, and judicial components.

State Legislature — Bihar is Bicameral: Bihar is one of the few Indian states with a bicameral (two-house) legislature, possessing both a lower house (Vidhan Sabha) and an upper house (Vidhan Parishad).

District Administration: Below the state government, Bihar's 38 districts are each headed by a District Magistrate (DM) / Collector, an IAS officer responsible for law and order, revenue administration, and coordinating government schemes. Sub-divisions are headed by Sub-Divisional Officers (SDO), and blocks are administered by Block Development Officers (BDO).

Patna High Court is one of India's older High Courts, established in 1916. It exercises jurisdiction over the entire state of Bihar (and prior to 2000, over Jharkhand as well).

Panchayati Raj in Bihar: Following the 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992), Bihar has implemented a three-tier Panchayati Raj system:

1. Gram Panchayat (village level) — Presided over by Mukhiya; handles village-level development, sanitation, minor infrastructure
2. Panchayat Samiti (block level) — Presided over by Pramukh; coordinates between village and district levels
3. Zila Parishad (district level) — Presided over by Adhyaksha; district-level planning and coordination

Bihar has implemented 50% reservation for women in panchayat elections, in line with the state's commitment to political empowerment of women. Reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) are also provided as per constitutional provisions.

Key Bihar Government Schemes

Bihar state government has launched numerous flagship schemes targeting education, health, infrastructure, and economic empowerment. Understanding these schemes is important for BPSC Paper-I (General Studies).

5. National Affairs

Indian Constitution — Key Provisions for BPSC

The Indian Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, making that date India's Republic Day. It is the longest written constitution of any sovereign nation in the world. The Constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly over approximately two years, eleven months, and seventeen days, presided over by Dr. H. C. Mookherjee (as President of the Assembly) and later Dr. Rajendra Prasad, with Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

Important Constitutional Amendments

Major National Schemes (BPSC-Relevant)

NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) replaced the Planning Commission on January 1, 2015. Unlike the Planning Commission, NITI Aayog does not allocate funds directly to states; instead, it functions as a policy think tank, provides strategic direction, and fosters cooperative federalism by giving states more voice in national planning. The Prime Minister chairs NITI Aayog; its Governing Council includes all Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors.

MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005) provides a legal guarantee of at least 100 days of unskilled manual work per year to every rural household whose adult members demand it. The scheme is demand-driven — the government must provide work within 15 days of demand or pay an unemployment allowance. Bihar is one of the states with high MGNREGA participation, particularly in works related to water conservation, road construction, and land development.

6. International Affairs

India's foreign policy is guided by several foundational principles and strategic interests. For BPSC, emphasis is on understanding major multilateral organizations, India's role in them, and recent developments in international relations relevant to India.

India's Foreign Policy Principles

India's foreign policy rests on principles established at independence and refined over decades: Non-alignment (independent position in Cold War disputes; India was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement initiated at the Bandung Conference in 1955 and formalized at the Belgrade Summit in 1961); Panchsheel (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, jointly enunciated by India and China in April 1954: mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, peaceful coexistence); Neighborhood First Policy (prioritizing relations with South Asian neighbors); Act East Policy (upgraded from Look East Policy in 2014, emphasizing deeper engagement with Southeast and East Asia); and a pragmatic pursuit of strategic autonomy.

Climate Change Agreements

• UNFCCC (1992): Framework treaty for international climate action; India is party.
• Kyoto Protocol (1997): Binding emission reduction targets for developed (Annex I) countries; India not required to cut emissions as a developing country.
• Paris Agreement (2015, COP21): All countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); aim to limit warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
• India's PANCHAMRIT (announced at COP26, Glasgow, 2021): 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030; 50% energy from renewables by 2030; reduce total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030; reduce GDP emissions intensity by 45% by 2030; achieve net-zero by 2070.

7. Awards and Honours

India's national honor system recognizes exceptional achievement in various fields. For BPSC, knowledge of Bihar-linked award recipients and the award system itself is tested.

Padma Awards — Three categories in descending rank: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. Announced on Republic Day (January 26) each year. Recipients from Bihar regularly include artists, musicians, folk performers, scholars, and public servants.

Sharda Sinha, the beloved folk singer from Bihar known for her iconic Chhath Puja songs and Maithili and Bhojpuri compositions, received the Padma Bhushan in 2018. Her songs are inseparable from Bihar's cultural identity, particularly the Chhath Puja festival on the banks of the Ganga.

Ramdhari Singh Dinkar (1908–1974), poet from Simaria, Begusarai district, is one of India's great Hindi poets. His epic works including Kurukshetra, Rashmirathi, and Urvashi established him as a poet of national stature. He received: the Sahitya Akademi Award (for Sanskriti ke Char Adhyay), the Padma Bhushan (1959), and the Jnanpith Award (1972, for Urvashi). He was also elected to the Rajya Sabha. He is Bihar's greatest Hindi literary figure.

Phaniswarnath Renu (1921–1977), from Araria district, is a towering figure in Hindi literature. His novel Maila Anchal (1954) is considered one of the greatest Hindi novels, depicting rural Bihar through the "anchlik" (regional realist) style. His short stories were adapted into the film Teesri Kasam (1966), which won the National Film Award.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are given for distinguished contribution to Indian music, dance, and theatre. Bihar's folk traditions — including Bidesia theatre (created by Bhikhari Thakur, 1887–1971, the "Shakespeare of Bhojpuri" from Saran district), Jat-Jatin folk dance, and classical kathak practitioners from Bihar — have been recognized through these awards.

8. Bihar's Geographical Indication (GI) Tags

9. Sports in Bihar

Sports development in Bihar is overseen by the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA), a government body responsible for identifying talent, maintaining sports infrastructure, organizing state-level competitions, and implementing central government sports programs within the state. The state government also has a Department of Art, Culture, and Youth Affairs which coordinates with BSSA on youth sports programs.

Sports Infrastructure

• Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, Patna — The main cricket ground, historically Bihar's premier sports venue.
• JSCA International Cricket Stadium, Patna — Developed by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (which covered Bihar before the Jharkhand Cricket Association became operational); Bihar's main venue for first-class cricket.
• Patna Sports Complex, Kankarbagh — Multi-sport facility with facilities for athletics, wrestling, boxing, and other indoor and outdoor sports.
• District Sports Stadiums across major districts provide training infrastructure for local athletes.

Traditional and Popular Sports

Bihar has a rich tradition of rural and folk sports alongside modern competitive sports. Kabaddi is enormously popular across villages in Bihar, forming part of the daily sporting culture of rural life. Kushti (wrestling / dangal) has deep roots in Bihar, with Muzaffarpur, Saran, and Bhojpur districts being strongholds. Traditional dangal (wrestling meets) are still held at fairs and festivals. Kho-kho, volleyball, and football are popular at school and collegiate levels. Boat racing and naukadubi (traditional boat capsizing sport) are water-based folk sports celebrated during festival seasons on the Ganga and other rivers.

Khelo India Program has been implemented in Bihar to identify and support young sporting talent. Under this national initiative, sports infrastructure has been upgraded in several districts, and promising athletes from Bihar in disciplines including wrestling, boxing, athletics, archery, and shooting have received coaching support and financial assistance. Bihar Youth Athletic Championships and State Sports Meets are organized annually to identify talent at the grassroots level.