State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 06 Sep 2025

Bhutan Prime Minister Visit to Bodh Gaya

Why in News?

The Prime Minister of Bhutan visited the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, offered prayers before Lord Buddha’s statue, and meditated under the sacred Bodhi tree.

Mahabodhi Temple

• About: The Mahabodhi temple marks the site where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. 
  • The original shrine was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, while the present structure dates back to the 5th–6th centuries CE.
  • Architectural Features: The complex comprises the 50 m high main temple (Vajrasana), the sacred Bodhi Tree, and six other associated sacred sites of Buddha’s enlightenment, surrounded by ancient votive stupas. 
  • It is among the earliest surviving brick temples of the Gupta period, with the Vajrasana (Diamond Throne) installed by Ashoka to mark Buddha’s meditation spot.
• Sacred Sites: Key sites include the Bodhi Tree (a direct descendant of the original tree), the Animesh Lochan Chaitya (where Buddha meditated after enlightenment), and other related spots.
• Recognition: The Mahabodhi Temple was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

Telangana Tops India in Per Capita Income

Telangana has emerged as the state with the highest per capita income (PCI) in India for 2024-25, surpassing Karnataka and Haryana, marking its first top position in five years.

Key Points

• Per Capita NSDP: Telangana’s per capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) stands at ₹3.87 lakh, ahead of Karnataka (₹3.8 lakh) and Haryana (₹3.5 lakh).
• Consistent Growth:The state has maintained an average growth rate of over 10% in per capita income over the past decade, with nearly 12% growth in the last two years despite nationwide slowdowns.
• Agricultural Backbone: Commercial crops like cotton and horticulture are credited as the backbone of rural economic growth, driving market activity and contributing significantly to NSDP.
• Decadal Transformation: Per capita income has more than tripled in a decade (from under ₹1 lakh to over ₹3.8 lakh), while overall NSDP rose from ₹13.47 lakh (2023-24) to ₹14.87 lakh (2024-25).
• Diversified Growth: The state’s success is attributed to a combination of agricultural strength, industrial expansion, and service sector growth, making it a dynamic economic benchmark.

Net State Domestic Product

• Definition: NSDP measures the total value of goods and services produced within a state after deducting depreciation of capital assets.
• Formula: NSDP = Gross State Domestic Product – Depreciation.
• Significance: Unlike GSDP, NSDP reflects a clearer picture of sustainable economic output and the financial well-being of people in a state.