Bihar Government to Open Degree Colleges in 213 Blocks | 06 Feb 2026

Why in News? 

The Bihar government has announced a major initiative to open degree colleges in 213 blocks of the state aiming to improve access to higher education, especially in rural and underserved areas. 

Key Points. 

• Addressing Inequality: Out of 534 blocks in Bihar, 213 currently lack degree college facilities, and this gap is being addressed through the first phase of expansion to promote equitable access to higher studies. 
• Programme Framework: This initiative is part of ‘Saat Nischay-3’ under the theme “Advanced Education – Bright Future (Unnat Shiksha – Ujjwal Bhavishya)”.  
  • This initiative was announced by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. 
• Focus: The key objective is to make higher education more accessible to girls and rural students, who often face challenges traveling long distances for college. 
  • This will support gender equity in education and contribute to broader socio-economic development. 
• Centres of Excellence: Alongside new colleges, the government will develop 55 existing prestigious educational institutions as Centres of Excellence to provide quality, employment-oriented higher education. 
• Human Capital: By expanding higher education infrastructure, Bihar aims to build a skilled workforce equipped for employment opportunities and economic growth.