Bihar Politics & Governance

Union Budget announces ship-repair facility for Patna

1 February 2026

The Union Budget 2026–27 announced ship-repair facilities in Patna and Varanasi to support inland-waterway transport. The announcement included a ship-repair ecosystem in Patna; it did not establish that the facilities were operational.

Key Facts

• Before the planned Patna facility, vessels had to travel to Kolkata for repairs.

Union Budget announces Varanasi–Siliguri high-speed rail corridor

1 February 2026

The Union Budget 2026–27 announced a Varanasi–Siliguri high-speed rail corridor as one of seven planned corridors. The announcement identified a proposed link with relevance to Bihar; details such as the precise route, stations and journey times in some subsequent coverage are not established by the Budget announcement.

Bihar Economic Survey estimates 8.6% real growth in 2024–25

2 February 2026

Bihar’s 2025–26 Economic Survey, tabled in the Assembly on 2 February, estimated real GSDP growth of 8.6% in 2024–25 and growth of 13.1% at current prices. It put per-capita GSDP at ₹76,490 at current prices and ₹40,973 at constant 2011–12 prices.

The survey reported that the secondary sector’s share of state GVA at constant prices rose from 21.1% in 2020–21 to 26.8% in 2024–25.

Key Facts

• Construction and manufacturing expansion helped raise the secondary sector’s share of Bihar GVA.

Bihar Budget Session opens; Economic Survey tabled

2 February 2026

The Bihar Legislature’s Budget Session opened on 2 February 2026, with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan addressing a joint sitting of both Houses. The 2025–26 Economic Survey was tabled in the Assembly, and the House adjourned after a condolence motion.

The session was scheduled to run through 27 February, with 19 sittings planned. The 2026–27 state Budget was scheduled for presentation on 3 February.

Key Facts

• The Assembly is the lower house of Bihar’s bicameral legislature.

Reiga sugar mill resumes operations in Sitamarhi

2 February 2026

The Reiga sugar mill in Sitamarhi resumed operations after being closed for five years, with sugarcane-laden vehicles arriving at its yard. Its restart gives nearby farmers a local outlet for their cane, and the report also notes renewed employment opportunities for local residents.

Key Facts

• The reopened mill provides nearby sugarcane farmers with a local outlet for their crop.

Bihar presents its 2026–27 state budget

3 February 2026

Bihar Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav presented the state’s 2026–27 budget, with a total outlay of ₹3,47,589.76 crore. The largest departmental provision was for education and higher education at about ₹68,217 crore, followed by rural development at ₹23,701 crore and health at ₹21,270 crore.

The budget estimates ₹2,10,074 crore in receipts from the Centre, including tax devolution and grants, and ₹95,203 crore in the state’s own tax and non-tax revenue.

Key Facts

• The budget reports ₹10,000 already provided to over 1.56 crore women in self-help groups, with further business assistance planned.
• Education and skills development are presented as foundations for strengthening Bihar’s economy.

Bihar proposes additional annual assistance for eligible farmers

3 February 2026

Bihar’s 2026–27 budget announced an additional ₹3,000 in annual assistance for eligible farmers under the Jananayak Karpoori Thakur Kisan Samman Nidhi. The proposed state assistance would supplement the ₹6,000 annual PM-KISAN benefit, bringing combined annual support to ₹9,000 for farmers eligible for the central scheme.

Key Facts

• PM-KISAN provides eligible farmers up to ₹6,000 annually as minimum income support.

Bihar announces degree colleges in 213 blocks and 55 centres of excellence

4 February 2026

Bihar announced plans to open degree colleges in 213 blocks that currently have no degree college, under the education component of Saat Nischay-3. The Chief Minister set a target for classes to begin in these blocks by July 2026.

The state also selected 55 educational institutions for development as centres of excellence, with plans to seek suggestions from experienced teachers and students.

Key Facts

• The block-level college plan aims to make higher education more accessible, particularly for girls.

Bihar issues safety guidelines for girls’ hostels and lodges

4 February 2026

Bihar’s Home Department issued safety guidelines for girls’ hostels and lodges across the state. The requirements include registration, round-the-clock women wardens and police verification of staff; CCTV coverage must include key areas, with recordings retained for at least 30 days.

The guidelines restrict men from entering the accommodation areas containing ...