📚 Complete Static GK 2026: Bihar State
Located in eastern India along the Gangetic Alluvial Plain, Bihar holds immense historical, cultural, and socio-economic significance. Mastering updated static knowledge and official 2011 Census data for Bihar is indispensable for candidates preparing for the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) and other state competitive examinations. Following major leadership shifts and the release of the 20th Bihar Economic Survey (2025–26), this post outlines core facts, census statistics, and recent developments.
1. Administrative & Leadership Hub (2026) 🏛️
| Key Designation / Office |
Incumbent / Authority |
Details & Context |
| 📍 Capital (राजधानी) |
Patna |
Administrative and commercial center of Bihar |
| 👨💼 Chief Minister (मुख्यमंत्री) |
Samrat Choudhary (BJP) |
Sworn in on April 15, 2026, following the transition of Nitish Kumar to the Rajya Sabha |
| 🤝 Deputy Chief Ministers |
Vijay Kumar Chaudhary & Bijendra Prasad Yadav |
Executive ministry leadership support |
| 🏛️ Governor (राज्यपाल) |
Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain |
43rd Governor of Bihar, sworn in on March 14, 2026 |
| 🗓️ State Formation (स्थापना) |
March 22, 1912 (Province) / January 26, 1950 (State) |
Carved out of Bengal Presidency; Bihar Diwas celebrated on March 22 |
| ⚖️ High Court & Chief Justice (मुख्य न्यायाधीश) |
Patna High Court – Justice Valluri Kameswar Rao |
Established on February 3, 1916; sanctioned strength of 53 judges |
2. Geographical & Demographic Profile (2011 Census Data) (भूगोल एवं जनसांख्यिकी) 🗺️
| Category |
2011 Census Official Data |
| 📐 Total Geographical Area |
94,163 sq km |
| 📊 Area Rank in India |
12th largest state by landmass |
| 👥 Total Population (Census 2011) |
10,40,99,452 (10.41 crore; 3rd most populous state in India) |
| 🏢 Population Density |
1,106 persons per sq km (1st rank among Indian states) |
| 🚻 Sex Ratio |
918 females per 1,000 males |
| 📖 Literacy Rate |
61.80% (Male: 71.20%, Female: 51.50%) |
| 🌾 Rural Population Share |
88.71% |
| 🏙️ Urban Population Share |
11.29% |
3. Legislative & Judicial Structure 🗳️
| Legislative / Judicial Organ |
Total Seats / Strength |
Operational Structure & Leadership |
| 🏛️ Legislative Assembly (विधानसभा) |
243 Seats |
Lower House (directly elected; Speaker: Prem Kumar) |
| 📜 Legislative Council (विधान परिषद) |
75 Seats |
Upper House (63 Elected + 12 Nominated; Chairman: Awadhesh Narain Singh) |
| 🗳️ Lok Sabha Representation |
40 Seats |
Lower House representation in Indian Parliament |
| 🏛️ Rajya Sabha Representation |
16 Seats |
Upper House representation in Indian Parliament |
| 🗺️ Administrative Subdivisions |
38 Districts, 9 Divisions |
Comprising 101 Subdivisions and 534 Blocks/Circles |
4. Hydrology: Rivers, Lakes & Water Infrastructure (जल संसाधन) 🌊
| Water Feature / Facility |
Name / Location |
Key Characteristics & Exam Significance |
| 🌊 Main River Basin |
Ganga River |
Flows west-to-east for 445 km, bisecting Bihar at Chausa in Buxar district |
| 🏔️ Northern Himalayan Rivers |
Kosi, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, Kamala, Mahananda |
Kosi known as “Sorrow of Bihar”; Gandak feeds Triveni Canal at Valmikinagar |
| 🪷 Ramsar Wetland Sites |
Kabartal (Kanwar Lake), Nagi & Nakti Bird Sanctuaries |
Kabartal in Begusarai (first Ramsar site of Bihar); Nagi & Nakti in Jamui district |
| 🏗️ Major Dams & Barrages |
Durgavati Dam (Kaimur), Indrapuri Barrage (Son River) |
Essential for South Bihar irrigation and water conservation |
5. Culture: Festivals, Art & Folk Dance (संस्कृति) 🎭
| Cultural Element |
Category |
Details & Cultural Context |
| 🪔 Chhath Puja |
Major Festival |
Ancient Vedic festival dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya |
| 🎨 Madhubani (Mithila) Painting |
Traditional Folk Art |
Features geometric patterns, double-line borders, and natural dyes from minerals/plants |
| 💃 Jat-Jatin |
Folk Dance |
Dramatizes folk figures Jat and Jatin during monsoon season |
| 🪔 Jhijhiya |
Ritual Folk Dance |
Navratri ritual in Mithila where women balance perforated earthen pots containing lamps |
| 📜 Bidesia |
Folk Drama |
Created by Bhikhari Thakur, portraying labor migration and social challenges |
| 🪆 Sama-Chakeva |
Winter Folk Theater |
Winter ritual celebrating sibling affection through clay idols |
6. National Parks & Ecological Architecture 🐅
| Protected Area |
District / Location |
Ecological Features & Key Fauna |
| 🌲 Valmiki National Park & Tiger Reserve |
West Champaran (Gandak basin) |
Sole National Park and Tiger Reserve of Bihar (335 sq km core Sal forest area) |
| 🦅 Kabartal Wetland Sanctuary |
Begusarai district |
Oxbow lake on Burhi Gandak River; vital Central Asian Flyway waterfowl habitat |
| 🦆 Nagi & Nakti Bird Sanctuaries |
Jamui district |
Recognized Ramsar sites hosting wintering Bar-headed Geese and Pintails |
7. Energy Grid & Power Infrastructure ⚡
| Power Plant / Facility |
District / Location |
Fuel Source / Type |
Installed Capacity & Key Details |
| 🏭 Kahalgaon STPS |
Bhagalpur |
Thermal (Coal) |
2,340 MW (Major NTPC generation hub) |
| 🏭 Nabinagar STPP |
Aurangabad |
Thermal (Coal) |
1,980 MW (NTPC subsidiary power plant) |
| 🏗️ Buxar Power Project |
Chausa, Buxar |
Thermal (Coal) |
1,320 MW greenfield thermal plant under SJVN |
| ☀️ Darbhanga Floating Solar |
Darbhanga |
Floating Solar PV |
2 MW (First floating solar plant of Bihar under BREDA) |
| ☀️ Durgavati Dam Solar |
Kaimur |
Floating Solar PV |
30 MW floating solar installation on Durgavati Reservoir |
8. Economic Survey (2025–26) & Current Affairs Highlights 📰
| Metric / Project |
Value / Location |
Strategic Significance & Highlights |
| 📊 GSDP Current Prices (2024–25) |
₹9,91,997 crore |
13.1% nominal annual expansion |
| 📈 GSDP Constant (2011–12) Prices |
₹5,31,372 crore |
8.6% real growth (outpacing 6.5% national average) |
| 💰 Highest Per Capita Income District |
Patna (₹2,41,220) |
Leading commercial and service sector hub |
| 📉 Lowest Per Capita Income District |
Sheohar (₹24,332) |
High agricultural dependency |
| ✈️ Sonepur International Airport |
Saran district |
Greenfield international airport approved by state cabinet |
| 🌉 New 6-Lane Ganga Bridge |
Patna to North Bihar |
Connecting Patna to North Bihar with ADB support (₹4,988 crore) |
| 🔌 Bihar EV Policy 2026 |
Statewide |
Budget of ₹110 crore; targets 30% EV share in new registrations by 2030 |
Practice Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 📝
Q1. Who was appointed Chief Justice of Patna High Court?
(A) Justice Sangam Kumar Sahu
(B) Justice Valluri Kameswar Rao
(C) Justice Sudhir Singh
(D) Justice Rekha Doshit
Answer: (B) Justice Valluri Kameswar Rao
Q2. On which date was Bihar carved out of Bengal Presidency as a separate province?
(A) January 26, 1950
(B) March 22, 1912
(C) August 15, 1947
(D) March 14, 1937
Answer: (B) March 22, 1912
Q3. According to official 2011 Census data, what is the population density of Bihar?
(A) 1,102 persons per sq km
(B) 1,106 persons per sq km
(C) 828 persons per sq km
(D) 1,029 persons per sq km
Answer: (B) 1,106 persons per sq km
Q4. What is the overall literacy rate of Bihar as per the 2011 Census?
(A) 63.82%
(B) 61.80%
(C) 51.50%
(D) 71.20%
Answer: (B) 61.80%
Q5. As per the 20th Bihar Economic Survey (2025–26), what was the GSDP of Bihar at current prices for 2024–25?
(A) ₹5,31,372 crore
(B) ₹7,64,900 crore
(C) ₹9,91,997 crore
(D) ₹3,74,134 crore
Answer: (C) ₹9,91,997 crore
Q6. Which river is traditionally referred to as the “Sorrow of Bihar”?
(A) Gandak
(B) Kosi
(C) Son
(D) Bagmati
Answer: (B) Kosi
Q7. What is the total number of districts and administrative divisions in Bihar?
(A) 38 Districts and 9 Divisions
(B) 40 Districts and 10 Divisions
(C) 35 Districts and 8 Divisions
(D) 38 Districts and 7 Divisions
Answer: (A) 38 Districts and 9 Divisions
Q8. Which folk dance of Bihar involves women balancing perforated earthen pots with burning lamps during Navratri?
(A) Jat-Jatin
(B) Domkach
(C) Bidesia
(D) Jhijhiya
Answer: (D) Jhijhiya
Q9. The new greenfield international airport approved by the Bihar Cabinet is located in which district?
(A) Gaya
(B) Saran (Sonepur)
(C) Darbhanga
(D) Muzaffarpur
Answer: (B) Saran (Sonepur)
Q10. Who was the inaugural Chief Minister of Bihar post-independence?
(A) Anugrah Narayan Sinha
(B) Sri Krishna Singh
(C) Rabri Devi
(D) Jayaprakash Narayan
Answer: (B) Sri Krishna Singh
Q11. What is the installed power capacity of Bihar according to the 2025–26 Economic Survey?
(A) 9,903 MW
(B) 11,764 MW
(C) 7,743 MW
(D) 15,139 MW
Answer: (B) 11,764 MW
Q12. Which bird sanctuary in Jamui district was recognized as an international Ramsar site alongside Nakti Bird Sanctuary?
(A) Kabartal Lake
(B) Nagi Bird Sanctuary
(C) Gogabil Lake
(D) Kusheshwar Asthan
Answer: (B) Nagi Bird Sanctuary
Q13. What target share for Electric Vehicles (EV) in new vehicle registrations by 2030 is set under the Bihar EV Policy 2026?
(A) 15%
(B) 25%
(C) 30%
(D) 50%
Answer: (C) 30%
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ❓
Q1: Who was sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar on April 15, 2026?
A: Samrat Choudhary took oath as Chief Minister of Bihar on April 15, 2026, following the transition of Nitish Kumar to the Rajya Sabha.
Q2: Who is the current Governor of Bihar in 2026?
A: Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain serves as the 43rd Governor of Bihar, having taken oath on March 14, 2026.
Q3: What was the total population of Bihar according to official 2011 Census data?
A: According to the 2011 Census, the total population of Bihar stood at 10,40,99,452 (10.41 crore), making it the 3rd most populous state in India.
Q4: What is the population density of Bihar as per the 2011 Census?
A: The population density of Bihar is 1,106 persons per square kilometer, which ranks 1st among all Indian states.
Q5: What is the official literacy rate of Bihar as recorded in Census 2011?
A: The total literacy rate of Bihar is 61.80% (Male literacy: 71.20%, Female literacy: 51.50%).
Q6: What real economic growth rate did Bihar achieve in the 20th Economic Survey (2025–26)?
A: Bihar achieved a real GSDP growth rate of 8.6% at constant prices, outperforming the national average growth rate of 6.5%.
Q7: Which district in Bihar recorded the highest per capita income?
A: Patna district recorded the highest per capita Gross District Domestic Product at ₹2,41,220, followed by Begusarai at ₹1,05,600.
Q8: What is the sole National Park and Tiger Reserve located in Bihar?
A: Valmiki National Park and Tiger Reserve, located in West Champaran district along the Gandak river basin.
Q9: What was the first Ramsar Wetland site designated in Bihar?
A: Kabartal (Kanwar Lake) in Begusarai district was designated as the first Ramsar site of Bihar in 2020.
Q10: What is the seat capacity of the Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad in Bihar?
A: The Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) has 243 seats, while the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) has 75 seats.