State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 13 Mar 2026

Bihar Approved Sonepur Greenfield Airport

Why in News? 

The Bihar Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has approved the construction of a new greenfield international airport in Sonepur, Saran district. 

Key Points: 

• Project Cost: The Bihar Cabinet has approved the construction of a greenfield international airport at Sonepur with ₹1,302 crore allocated for land acquisition. 
  • The airport will be developed on about 4,200 acres in the Dariyapur Chanwar area, situated between Hajipur and Dumaria in Saran district of Bihar. 
• Target: The State government has set an ambitious target to complete the airport by 2030, marking a major infrastructure initiative for northern Bihar. 
  • The Sonepur Greenfield Airport is expected to be the fifth largest airport in India, after the international airports at Delhi, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, and Noida (Jevar). 
• Employment: The construction and operational phases are likely to create direct and indirect employment opportunities for thousands of people in the region. 
  • Land acquisition and planning are expected to incorporate environmental and ecological safeguards as part of the greenfield development. 
• Impact: The project is seen as a significant boost to regional connectivity in north Bihar, improving passenger and cargo movement, promoting tourism and strengthening economic growth in the region. 

Read More: India's Ambitious Airport Expansion Plan, Noida International Airport 

Bharat Tex 2026 — World’s Largest Integrated Textile Fair

Why in News? 

The Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, launched Bharat Tex 2026, set to be India’s flagship global textile event and the world’s largest integrated textile fair, signalling India’s growing leadership in the global textile economy. 

Key Points: 

• Event: Bharat Tex 2026 was unveiled by the Union Minister of Textiles, with industry and export promotion councils joining hands to host the landmark event.  
  • It is envisaged as the largest and most comprehensive global textile platform covering the entire textile value chain. 
  • The event will showcase the full textile ecosystem, including fibres and yarns, fabrics, apparel and fashion, home textiles, technical textiles, handlooms, handicrafts, and intelligent manufacturing technologies. 
• Venue: The event is scheduled to be held in July 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. 
• Focus: Special focus will be on sustainable and circular textiles, technical textiles, MSME integration, innovation, and global market access. 
  • Bharat Tex 2026 will provide Indian MSMEs, start‑ups, designers, and academia a platform to showcase innovations, connect with global manufacturers and buyers, engage in high‑level discussions, and form strategic partnerships. 
• Industry‑Led Initiative: The event will be organised by the Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) — an umbrella group of textile Export Promotion Councils and industry bodies — highlighting strong collaboration between government and industry stakeholders.  

Read More: MSME, Export Promotion Councils 

Jal Mahotsav 2026

Why in News? 

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, called for making water conservation an integral part of daily life while addressing the Jal Mahotsav 2026 in New Delhi, emphasising the critical role of sustainable water management for the nation’s future. 

Key Points 

• Event: Jal Mahotsav 2026, a nationwide campaign organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, is being observed in March 2026, to strengthen community participation in rural drinking water service delivery under the Jal Jeevan Mission. 
  • President Murmu urged citizens to view water not merely as a commodity but as a priceless national asset, and stressed that water conservation must become part of people’s daily life to secure future generations’ needs. 
  • She highlighted that water in India is deeply connected to culture, traditions, livelihoods, and community life, and recalled the historical struggle of villagers, especially women and children, who had to travel long distances to fetch drinking water. 
• Role: The Jal Jeevan Mission was launched to provide safe and adequate drinking water through functional tap connections in rural households, significantly improving water access and community health. 
• Community Ownership: The President emphasised the importance of community participation and ownership in water management, noting that involving local gram panchayats and Self‑Help Groups enhances sustainable conservation efforts. 
  • She also highlighted coordinated measures such as groundwater recharge, greywater management, and campaigns like Catch the Rain and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari as crucial in strengthening water security nationwide. 
• Focus: Awareness among the younger generation and the active role of women, particularly through Self‑Help Groups in water testing and management, were underlined as key to long‑term water conservation success. 

Read More: Jal Jeevan Mission, Self‑Help Groups,  Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari