State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 04 Feb 2026

Bihar Budget 2026–27

Why in News? 

On 3 February 2026, Bihar Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav presented the ₹3,47,589.76 crore budget for the financial year 2026–27 in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.  

• The budget was presented under the Saat Nischay-3 vision emphasizing inclusive growth, employment, education, women empowerment, agriculture, infrastructure and welfare for common people.  

Key Points 

• Key Provisions of the Budget: 
  • Total Budget: ₹3,47,589.76 crore — the largest in Bihar’s history. 
  • Budget size increased by ~₹30,694 crore over FY 2025-26. 
  • Revenue & Committed Expenditure: ₹2,25,434 crore (≈65%). 
  • Capital Expenditure: ₹63,455.84 crore (~18.26% of total). 
  • Scheme Expenditure: ₹1,22,155 crore (≈35%).  
  • Fiscal deficit estimated at around ~2.99% of GSDP. 
  • Budget guided by Saat Nischay-3 roadmap with aim to double per-capita income and create 1 crore jobs. 
• Education: The education sector receives the highest allocation of ₹68,216 crore, showing priority for schooling, teacher support, infrastructure and learning quality. 
  • Model schools at every Panchayat to boost quality education. 
• Women Empowerment & Social Welfare:The budget emphasises support for 1.56 crore women through self-help group assistance and related welfare schemes.  
  • Social welfare provisions include ₹7,724 crore for schemes benefiting women, children, elderly and weaker sections.  
• Agriculture & Farmers: Enhanced support: ₹9,000/year to eligible farmers under “Jananayak Karpoori Thakur Kisan Samman Nidhi” — ₹3,000 more than earlier. 
• Employment & Jobs:Under Saat Nischay-3, the goal is to create 1 crore employment opportunities by 2030.  
  • Special provisions under the Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme with financial support up to ₹2 lakh per eligible woman. 
  • Skill development hubs under hub-and-spoke model for employment -ready skills.  
• Infrastructure & Connectivity: Major infrastructure projects including five new expressways, improved road networks and urban development were announced. 
  • Development of airports and regional air connectivity projects underway. 
• Health & Medical Services:The budget enhances healthcare provisioning with funds for hospital upgrades and expanded medical access.  
  • Expansion of PMCH beds and establishment of new medical colleges across additional districts. 
• Industry & Investment:The new industrial policy aims to attract large scale investment and deepen private sector participation. 
  • Measures to attract private investment up to ₹50 crore in the industrial sector. 
  • Revival of closed sugar mills under industrial support mission. 

Read More: Women empowerment, Agriculture, Inclusive growth 

Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana Launched in Gujarat

Why in News? 

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana to strengthen rural governance and infrastructure. 

Key Points 

• Launch venue: Foundation stones laid at Bhadran village, Anand district, Gujarat. 
• Coverage: 2,666 villages to receive Gram Panchayat buildings-cum-Talati residences for strengthening local governance. 
  • Funding: Project sanctioned at ₹663 crore to provide functional panchayat infrastructure at the village level. 
• Urban‑Like Facilities: Scheme includes modern amenities such as roads, water, sanitation, solar street lights, e-Gram digital services, and community halls. 
• Focus: Initial development targets 114 villages functioning as taluka headquarters without municipal status. 
  • Aims to reduce rural‑urban divide by bringing essential services closer to rural citizens. 
• Future Expansion: Planned to cover other large gram panchayats (population >10,000) across Gujarat. 
• Significance: Enhances rural governance capacity, improves service delivery, and creates infrastructure parity with urban areas. 

Read More:  Rural governance, 

Australian Open 2026

Why in News? 

The 2026 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year held in Melbourne, Australia, concluded with Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina crowned as the men’s and women’s singles champions respectively. 

Key Points 

• Men’s Singles Winner: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) won the men’s singles title at the 2026 Australian Open by defeating Novak Djokovic (Serbia) in the final. 
  • Runner-Up: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) finished second after losing to Alcaraz in the final clash. 
• Historic (Men’s): This victory was Alcaraz’s first Australian Open title and his seventh major singles title overall.  
• Women’s Singles Winner: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) clinched the women’s singles title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus).  
  • Runner-Up: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) was the runner-up, losing to Rybakina in the championship match. 
• Women’s Achievement: The victory marked Rybakina’s second Grand Slam singles title, her first Australian Open crown, showcasing her ability to triumph over the world No. 1. 
• Venue: The tournament was played on the hard courts of Melbourne Park, attracting top tennis talent from around the world.

Exercise Agni Pariksha: Army-ITBP Joint Initiative

Why in News?

The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) recently concluded a six-day joint training exercise named “Agni Pariksha” in Arunachal Pradesh, aimed at strengthening inter-force operational synergy along border regions.

Key Points: 

• Location: The exercise was conducted at Sigar in the East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. 
• Objective:The primary purpose of the drill was to familiarise non-artillery personnel — including infantry and ITBP troops — with artillery procedures, fire control systems, coordination mechanisms, and the execution of firing missions under realistic field conditions. 
• Participants: Spearhead Gunners of the Indian Army’s Spear Corps alongside infantry regiments and personnel from the ITBP. 
• Significance: Improves coordination between the Army and paramilitary forces for border security and combat operations. 
  • Operational readiness: Ensures troops are better prepared for complex battlefield scenarios, especially in high-altitude border sectors.

Read More: ITBP 

India at the 64th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development

Why in News?

India is participating in the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) at the UN Headquarters in New York. 

Key Points 

• Leadership: India’s delegation to the 64th Session of CSocD at the UN Headquarters in New York was led by Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur.  
• Commission: The Commission for Social Development (CSocD) is a key United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) body that focuses on international cooperation for social development, including poverty eradication, social inclusion, equity, and welfare policies.  
• Chair: The 64th session was presided over by Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn (Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN) and saw participation from over 100 UN member states. 
  • India is an elected member of the 64th session, which brings together member states to assess progress and share lessons on social development issues. 
• India’s Statement: India highlighted that social justice and social protection are firmly anchored in constitutional guarantees and aligned with the country’s long-term vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”. 
  • The guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” was emphasised as reflecting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure no one is left behind. 

Read More: Viksit Bharat 2047, ECOSOC, UN