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Bihar Current Affairs: 1 August

From makhana exports and dengue serotypes to Gram Manchitra, urban infrastructure, rainfall and the sugar industry: 12 important exam topics in one detailed article.

Prelims + BPSC Focus
Economy and Agriculture

1. Flavoured Makhana Exported from Darbhanga to Canada

In a major step towards linking Bihar's makhana sector with global value chains, 7 metric tonnes of value-added flavoured makhana were exported to Canada. The consignment moved from Darbhanga through Mundra Port in Gujarat.

7 MTFlavoured makhana exported
CanadaDestination market
2022GI tag for Mithila Makhana
About 85%Bihar's share in Indian production
  • The export was facilitated by APEDA. Nutrivine Agro Private Limited processed and packed the product in accordance with international quality and food-safety standards.
  • The importer was identified as JKB Foods, Canada. Value addition and direct international market access could give farmers returns that are more than 50% higher.
  • Makhana is the popped seed of the aquatic plant Euryale ferox. It grows in ponds, wetlands and shallow water bodies.
  • Major producing districts include Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnia, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj.

APEDA and the Makhana Board

APEDA stands for the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, established under the APEDA Act, 1985, and operational from 13 February 1986. The Union Budget 2025-26 announced the establishment of a Makhana Board in Bihar. Its focus areas include production, processing, value addition, marketing, FPO organisation, quality seed, research, training, branding, quality control and export promotion.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 1 • Select the correct answer

Question 1

With reference to makhana and export promotion, consider the following statements:

  1. The flavoured makhana consignment from Darbhanga to Canada was facilitated by APEDA and routed through Mundra Port.
  2. Mithila Makhana received a GI tag in 2022.
  3. The Makhana Board in Bihar was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
  4. APEDA functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Health and Science

2. Dual Dengue Serotypes Detected in Bihar

An investigation by the Virology Department of IGIMS, Patna, found two dengue virus serotypes at the same time in 15 of 70 samples, or about 21.4%. DENV-3 was the most frequently detected serotype in the Bihar samples, while DENV-2 accounted for about 51% of the samples studied nationally.

70Samples examined
15Dual-serotype infections
DENV-3Predominant in Bihar samples
4Serotypes from DENV-1 to DENV-4

Dual-Infection Combinations

DENV-1 + DENV-3: 7 cases; DENV-1 + DENV-4: 5 cases; DENV-2 + DENV-3: 3 cases.

Dengue Basics

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by a virus of the Flaviviridae family. The principal vector is the female Aedes aegypti; Aedes albopictus may also act as a vector. These mosquitoes primarily bite during the day.

India's indigenous live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine candidate, DengiAll, is being developed by Panacea Biotec in collaboration with ICMR. Serotype mapping helps identify regional prevalence and informs preparations for a future vaccine rollout.

Exam Trap: Concurrent dual-serotype infection means two serotypes are present at the same time. Secondary infection occurs when a person is infected later by a different serotype. They are not the same condition.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 2 • Select the correct answer

Question 2

With reference to the recent dengue serotype findings in Bihar, consider the following statements:

  1. DENV-3 was the most frequently detected serotype in the Bihar samples.
  2. Simultaneous infection with two serotypes was found in 15 of 70 samples.
  3. Concurrent dual-serotype infection and secondary dengue infection refer to the same condition.
  4. A tetravalent dengue vaccine is intended to protect against all four serotypes.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Governance and Law

3. Ten Regional Motor Accident Claims Tribunals

Bihar has established 10 regional Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACTs) to provide faster compensation to road-accident victims and the legal representatives of deceased persons. Together, they cover all 38 districts.

  • Locations: Patna, Saran, Bhagalpur, Purnia, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Darbhanga, Munger, Dehri and Saharsa.
  • Claims can be submitted through the state's online accident-claim portal.
  • Under Section 165 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a state government may constitute one or more Claims Tribunals through an Official Gazette notification.
  • A claim may be filed by the injured person, the owner of damaged property, a legal representative of the deceased or an authorised agent.

A MACT is a specialised adjudicatory body that decides compensation claims arising from death, bodily injury or property damage caused by the use of a motor vehicle. It is intended to provide a relatively faster remedy than an ordinary civil suit. Fixed compensation in hit-and-run cases was stated as Rs 2 lakh for death and Rs 50,000 for grievous injury.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 3 • Select the correct answer

Question 3

With reference to MACTs and Bihar's recent arrangement, consider the following statements:

  1. The 10 regional tribunals together cover all 38 districts.
  2. They are constituted by the state government under Section 165 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
  3. A claim may be filed only by the injured person, not by a legal representative of a deceased victim.
  4. Fixed hit-and-run compensation is Rs 2 lakh for death and Rs 50,000 for grievous injury.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Transport Infrastructure

4. District-Level Airport Expansion in Bihar

Bihar is expanding regional air connectivity through new airports, civil enclaves and redevelopment of existing airstrips. However, 19 of the state's 38 districts were reported to remain outside the announced development network, raising concerns about unequal access and regional imbalance.

Operational and Proposed Network

The functional airports mentioned are Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, Gaya International Airport, Darbhanga Airport and Purnia Airport. Proposed locations include Bihta, Purnia, Raxaul, Sonepur, Madhubani, Saharsa, Birpur, Muzaffarpur, Munger, Bhagalpur, Valmikinagar, Chhapra, Siwan, Gopalganj, Ulao in Begusarai and Motihari.

  • A new civil enclave is being developed at Bihta Air Force Station, about 35 km from Patna.
  • Estimated cost: Rs 1,413 crore; initial capacity: 50 lakh passengers annually, with provision for further expansion.
  • The project is intended to reduce capacity pressure on Patna Airport.
  • Connectivity concerns were highlighted for Shahabad-Magadh and districts such as Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Vaishali, Samastipur, Katihar and Kishanganj.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 4 • Select the correct answer

Question 4

With reference to the expansion of air connectivity in Bihar, consider the following statements:

  1. A civil enclave is being developed at Bihta Air Force Station to reduce pressure on Patna Airport.
  2. Ulao, a proposed airport location, is in Begusarai district.
  3. All districts of the Shahabad region are included in the announced airport development programme.
  4. Announcement of an airport project necessarily means that scheduled commercial flights have begun.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Good Governance

5. Sahyog Camps and Time-Bound Public Services

Twelve Sahyog camps held between 19 May and 30 July received 5.83 lakh applications, of which 5.33 lakh were reported as disposed of. The camps are generally held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at gram panchayat, block and urban local-body levels.

5.83 lakhApplications received
5.33 lakhApplications disposed of
1100Toll-free helpline
30 daysRedressal time frame

The highest numbers of complaints were reported from Bhojpur, West Champaran, Patna, Begusarai and Muzaffarpur. Citizens may raise delays in government services, pensions and social-security benefits, certificates, documentation, local infrastructure, welfare schemes and departmental inaction. Those unable to attend a camp may use the Real Time Monitoring System-based Sahyog portal. Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans provide 64 public services; 33.48 lakh of 33.77 lakh applications were reported as disposed of.

Bihar Right to Public Services Act, 2011

Provides a statutory right to receive notified public services within a specified period.

Bihar Right to Public Grievance Redressal Act, 2015

Provides the right to a hearing and redressal of grievances involving public authorities.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 5 • Select the correct answer

Question 5

With reference to Bihar's public-service delivery and grievance-redressal mechanisms, consider the following statements:

  1. Sahyog camps facilitate complaint registration and monitoring at panchayat, block and urban local-body levels.
  2. The 2011 Act provides for time-bound delivery of notified public services.
  3. The 2015 Act gives citizens the right to a hearing and redressal of grievances.
  4. The toll-free helpline associated with the Sahyog system is 1100.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Urban Development

6. Development Works in 54 Cities and Six New Bypasses

The Bihar government announced Rs 968 crore of infrastructure works across 54 cities and a Rs 351.98 crore plan for six bypasses. An immediate allocation of Rs 320 crore was mentioned for the urban works.

  • Urban works include small and medium roads, neighbourhood links, drainage, small bridges and culverts, footpaths, street lights, hand pumps, public toilets, small parks and community buildings.
  • Bihar's Planning and Development Department is associated with plan formulation, implementation and monitoring for the 54 cities.
  • The six bypasses were linked to National Highway 333A, with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways responsible for the highway component.
  • The urban works fall under the Chief Minister Area Development Scheme. Approved works are executed through government agencies; money is not handed directly to MLAs. The annual recommendation allocation was stated as Rs 4 crore per MLA.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 6 • Select the correct answer

Question 6

With reference to Bihar's recent infrastructure initiatives, consider the following statements:

  1. Works worth Rs 968 crore were approved for 54 cities.
  2. The urban projects fall under the Chief Minister Area Development Scheme.
  3. Six bypasses are associated with NH-333A.
  4. The bypass project will be implemented entirely by Bihar's Urban Development Department.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Environment and Fisheries

7. Conservation and Commercial Farming of Indigenous Fish

Bihar launched an initiative in 2026-27 to promote the conservation and farming of declining indigenous fish species. Their reported availability fell from about 1-1.25 lakh tonnes four to five decades ago to roughly 5,000-7,000 tonnes today.

130Targeted minor-carp units
125Targeted catfish units
50%General-category subsidy
70%SC, ST and EBC subsidy

The Animal and Fisheries Resources Department is associated with implementation, and applications may be submitted online. The estimated unit cost is about Rs 94,000 for minor carp and Rs 1.34-1.35 lakh for catfish. Species mentioned include Bachwa, Bhena, Tengra, Mangur, Singhi, Pabda, Bata, Rewa, Garai, Kabai, Kothi, Chenga and Sara. Bata and Rewa are examples of minor carp, while Mangur, Singhi, Tengra and Pabda are catfish examples.

Exam Trap: Do not confuse minor carp with Indian major carp such as catla, rohu and mrigal.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 7 • Select the correct answer

Question 7

With reference to Bihar's Indigenous Fish Development Initiative for 2026-27, consider the following statements:

  1. The scheme promotes the farming of indigenous minor carp and catfish.
  2. The subsidy is 50% for the general category and 70% for SC, ST and EBC beneficiaries.
  3. The target is 130 catfish units and 125 minor-carp units.
  4. Minor carp are distinct from Indian major carp such as catla, rohu and mrigal.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Geography and Agriculture

8. Sixth Consecutive July with Below-Normal Rainfall

Bihar received only 203 mm of rainfall in July 2026 against a normal of 340 mm, a deficit of about 40%. It was the sixth consecutive July with below-normal rainfall, and 33 districts recorded less than their normal rainfall.

  • The IMD bulletin dated 31 July placed cumulative monsoon rainfall at 291.7 mm, with a seasonal deficit of about 42%.
  • Sitamarhi recorded the largest deficit at about 71%. Darbhanga, Jehanabad, Sheohar, Madhubani, Jamui, Banka, Kaimur, Saharsa and Bhagalpur were also among the major deficit districts.
  • Siwan recorded rainfall 18% above its local normal, while Khagaria recorded a positive departure of about 1%.
  • Under the IMD classification, a +18% departure is still normal, not excess. A departure of -60% or lower falls in the large-deficient category.
Concept: A rainfall deficit alone does not automatically establish agricultural drought. Indicators such as soil moisture and crop stress are also required.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 8 • Select the correct answer

Question 8

With reference to Bihar's rainfall in July 2026, consider the following statements:

  1. Bihar received 203 mm of rainfall against a July normal of 340 mm.
  2. July 2026 marked the sixth consecutive July with below-normal rainfall.
  3. Siwan's +18% rainfall departure is classified by the IMD as excess rainfall.
  4. A rainfall deficit by itself does not automatically establish agricultural drought.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Education

9. Indian Knowledge Systems and Vedic Mathematics in the Sanskrit Curriculum

The Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Board has initiated curriculum revision in line with the National Education Policy 2020. Its curriculum committee decided to include Indian Knowledge Systems and Vedic Mathematics in the revised syllabus.

The reform aims to make Sanskrit education qualitative, value-based, contemporary and employment-oriented. The meeting was chaired by board chairman Mrityunjay Kumar Jha. Indian Knowledge Systems are not confined to religious or philosophical literature; they include language, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, architecture, governance, agriculture, ecology, art, music, drama, literature, logic, debate and methods of knowledge.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 9 • Select the correct answer

Question 9

With reference to the proposed curriculum reforms of the Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Board, consider the following statements:

  1. Indian Knowledge Systems and Vedic Mathematics are proposed for inclusion in the revised curriculum.
  2. The revision seeks to align Sanskrit education with the National Education Policy 2020.
  3. Indian Knowledge Systems are confined exclusively to religious and philosophical literature.
  4. The reform aims to make Sanskrit education contemporary, value-based and employment-oriented.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Digital Governance

10. Gram Manchitra: GIS-Based Digital Mapping of Villages

Bihar's Panchayati Raj Department is preparing detailed digital village maps under the Gram Manchitra initiative. Roads, lanes, public facilities, natural resources and development assets will be recorded on a GIS-based platform.

  • Every internal village road is proposed to receive a unique alphanumeric code.
  • The platform will map roads, fields, ponds, schools, health sub-centres, government buildings, housing schemes and other infrastructure.
  • It is expected to make rural addresses easier to locate and enable citizens and panchayat officials to monitor development works digitally.
  • The national Gram Manchitra application was created by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as a unified geospatial platform for village-level spatial planning and preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans.

A Geographic Information System collects, stores, analyses and displays information connected to geographical locations. Gram Manchitra should not be treated as identical to Google Maps. The SVAMITVA scheme, meanwhile, is primarily associated with drone-based mapping of rural inhabited areas and the issue of property cards.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 10 • Select the correct answer

Question 10

With reference to Gram Manchitra and related digital platforms, consider the following statements:

  1. Gram Manchitra uses GIS for spatial planning and visualisation of village assets.
  2. Under the proposed system, every internal village road may receive a unique alphanumeric code.
  3. SVAMITVA is associated with drone mapping of rural inhabited areas and property cards.
  4. Gram Manchitra and Google Maps are identical platforms.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Higher Education

11. Annual Faculty Development Programme in Bihar Universities

Under the direction of Bihar's Governor and Chancellor, Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, a steering committee has been constituted at Bihar Lok Bhavan to monitor implementation of the Faculty Development Programme in the state's universities.

6 daysAnnual programme duration
36 hoursTotal training
15Universities covered
MandatoryFor teachers in covered institutions

Participation is mandatory for teachers of the covered universities and their constituent and affiliated colleges. Professor Vinod Kumar Tripathi, Adviser for Faculty Excellence and Academic Development, will provide strategic guidance. The UGC Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centres at Patna University and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, will function as state resource centres.

An FDP is a structured continuing professional-development programme designed to improve subject knowledge, teaching methodology, research capability, digital competence, institutional leadership, student mentoring and understanding of new education policies. It is not a degree programme.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 11 • Select the correct answer

Question 11

With reference to the Faculty Development Programme introduced in Bihar universities, consider the following statements:

  1. A steering committee at Bihar Lok Bhavan will monitor its implementation.
  2. The annual programme will run for six days.
  3. The centres at Patna University and BRABU will function as state resource centres.
  4. Participation is optional for teachers.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Agro-Industry

12. Bihar's Sugar Production and Recovery Rate

Bihar's 10 operational sugar mills produced approximately 5.87 lakh tonnes of sugar during the reported crushing season. About 56.9 lakh tonnes of sugarcane were crushed, with a recovery rate of 10.3%.

10Operational sugar mills
5.87 lakh tonnesApproximate sugar output
56.9 lakh tonnesApproximate cane crushed
10.3%Sugar recovery rate

Bihar was reported to contribute about 2.5% of India's sugar output and rank seventh among producing states. Harinagar recorded the highest production, while Riga recorded the lowest. Reopening Riga Sugar Mill after an interruption of about four years was described as an important development for the local sugar economy. The government's focus on ethanol production also makes the sector important for examinations.

Recovery Rate: A recovery rate of 10.3% means that about 10.3 kg of sugar is obtained from 100 kg of sugarcane.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 12 • Select the correct answer

Question 12

With reference to Bihar's sugar industry, consider the following statements:

  1. Ten operational mills produced approximately 5.87 lakh tonnes of sugar.
  2. About 56.9 lakh tonnes of sugarcane were crushed.
  3. Harinagar recorded the highest sugar production, while Riga recorded the lowest.
  4. A 10.3% recovery rate means about 10.3 kg of sugar is obtained from 100 kg of sugarcane.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
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