Welcome to your Bihar daily current affairs digest for 24 June 2026, prepared for BPSC and all State PCS aspirants. Today’s edition is dominated by a packed Samrat Choudhary cabinet that cleared a wide slate of higher-education, tourism, urban-development and judicial-infrastructure proposals, alongside the monsoon’s expected advance into Bihar and the BPSC 72nd examination timeline. Each item is mapped to the BPSC Prelims and Mains syllabus, followed by a Fact File and five practice MCQs.
1. Bihar Cabinet Clears Five New Private Universities
Why in News: At a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary at the Main Secretariat in Patna on 24 June 2026, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of five new private universities across the state as part of a large set of higher-education and infrastructure proposals.
Background: The five sanctioned institutions are Shanja University in Madhubani, a private university in Siwan, SA University at Ashok Nagar in Nawada, Himalaya University in Patna, and Sityog University at Jasoiya Mor in Aurangabad. The cabinet also cleared Rs 34.33 crore for judicial infrastructure including new courtrooms at Maharajganj, and Rs 76.48 crore for the Chhapra sewerage network under AMRUT 2.0. The move is meant to widen access to higher education and reduce the out-of-state migration of Bihar students for college admissions. This connects to Bihar education and human-resource development.
BPSC Relevance: Prelims: districts hosting the new private universities (Madhubani, Siwan, Nawada, Patna, Aurangabad); AMRUT 2.0 as an urban scheme. Mains GS2 (education policy, governance, social-sector capacity) and GS3 (skill and human-capital base for the state economy).
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| New private universities | 5 |
| Districts | Madhubani, Siwan, Nawada, Patna, Aurangabad |
| Judicial infrastructure outlay | Rs 34.33 crore (Maharajganj) |
| Chhapra sewerage (AMRUT 2.0) | Rs 76.48 crore |
| Cabinet chaired by | CM Samrat Choudhary |
2. Cabinet Approves Sindhu Darshan Yatra Subsidy Scheme
Why in News: The Bihar cabinet approved a financial-assistance scheme for residents undertaking the Sindhu Darshan Yatra to Leh-Ladakh, offering reimbursement of up to Rs 20,000 per pilgrim.
Background: Under the scheme, the state will reimburse 50 per cent of the travel cost or a maximum of Rs 20,000 per person, whichever is lower. The applicant must be a resident of Bihar and aged 18 years or above, and in the initial phase the beneficiary count is capped at 100 pilgrims per year. The Sindhu Darshan festival, held on the banks of the Indus (Sindhu) river near Leh, is a national-integration and pilgrimage event. The subsidy mirrors Bihar’s earlier pilgrimage-assistance models for sites such as Kailash Mansarovar. This connects to Bihar tourism, welfare and cultural policy.
BPSC Relevance: Prelims: Sindhu Darshan location (Leh, Ladakh, on the Indus river), eligibility cap of 100 pilgrims, ceiling of Rs 20,000. Mains GS1 (Indian culture, pilgrimage) and GS2 (state welfare schemes, fiscal support to citizens).
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Sindhu Darshan Yatra financial assistance |
| Destination | Leh-Ladakh (Indus river) |
| Assistance | 50 per cent of cost, max Rs 20,000 |
| Eligibility | Bihar resident, age 18 and above |
| Initial annual cap | 100 pilgrims |
3. Cabinet Clears Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme 2026
Why in News: The same cabinet approved the Chief Minister Bihar Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme 2026, to provide faster connectivity between key tourist destinations using aircraft and rented helicopters.
Background: Under the first phase, running from 15 July 2026 to 15 January 2027, the state will use its own aircraft for the Valmikinagar route, while helicopter services for Kaimur and Rajgir will use rented helicopters. The scheme initially covers Valmikinagar in West Champaran, the Maa Mundeshwari temple in Kaimur, and Rajgir in Nalanda. The aim is to improve access to remote tourism circuits and boost spiritual and wildlife tourism. This connects to Bihar tourism and infrastructure.
BPSC Relevance: Prelims: phase-one destinations (Valmikinagar, Maa Mundeshwari, Rajgir) and their districts (West Champaran, Kaimur, Nalanda). Mains GS3 (tourism as an economic driver, connectivity) and GS1 (cultural and heritage sites of Bihar).
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme 2026 |
| Phase-one period | 15 July 2026 to 15 January 2027 |
| Destinations | Valmikinagar, Maa Mundeshwari (Kaimur), Rajgir |
| Districts | West Champaran, Kaimur, Nalanda |
4. Cabinet Approves 11 Satellite and Greenfield Townships
Why in News: The cabinet cleared the development of satellite and greenfield townships across 11 cities to ease urban congestion and promote planned, environment-sensitive development.
Background: The townships span nine divisional towns along with Sonepur and Sitamarhi, and have been given new identities such as Hariharnathpuram (Sonepur) and Sitapuram (Sitamarhi). Locations include Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Purnia, Munger, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur and Chapra. Zonal and master plans are being prepared with core and special development zones, and land transactions in these areas have been temporarily restricted until the planning frameworks are finalised. The townships will prioritise solar energy, water bodies, rainwater harvesting and modern waste systems. This connects to Bihar urban planning and infrastructure.
BPSC Relevance: Prelims: number of townships (11), the renamed townships (Hariharnathpuram, Sitapuram), and the host cities. Mains GS1 (urbanisation) and GS3 (planned development, sustainable urban infrastructure).
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Townships approved | 11 |
| Renamed townships | Hariharnathpuram (Sonepur), Sitapuram (Sitamarhi) |
| Sample cities | Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, Purnia, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Chapra |
| Land transactions | Temporarily restricted pending master plans |
| Green features | Solar, water bodies, rainwater harvesting |
5. IIT Patna Research Park Gets Cabinet Nod
Why in News: The cabinet approved setting up a dedicated research park at IIT Patna to strengthen industry-academia linkages and innovation in the state.
Background: The research park has an estimated total cost of about Rs 480.71 crore, of which the state contribution is Rs 305 crore, with the balance through central assistance. Research parks are meant to host start-ups, incubation units and industry collaboration around premier technical institutions, on the model of IIT research parks elsewhere in the country. The approval came alongside the township and higher-education decisions, signalling a focus on technology-led growth. This connects to Bihar science, technology and innovation policy.
BPSC Relevance: Prelims: IIT Patna research park cost (about Rs 480.71 crore) and state share (Rs 305 crore). Mains GS3 (science and technology, innovation ecosystem, industry-academia linkage).
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project | Research park at IIT Patna |
| Total estimated cost | About Rs 480.71 crore |
| State contribution | Rs 305 crore |
| Balance funding | Central assistance |
6. Southwest Monsoon Set to Advance into Bihar
Why in News: As of 24 June 2026, the India Meteorological Department reported that conditions are favourable for the southwest monsoon to advance into the remaining parts of Jharkhand and Bihar over the next 2 to 3 days.
Background: The monsoon had already advanced into parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, the remaining parts of Maharashtra, and more of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. In Bihar, several rivers including the Buri Gandak in Khagaria, Bagmati in Sitamarhi, Kosi in Katihar and Gandak in Muzaffarpur are being monitored for flood trends. The IMD Patna office tracks rainfall forecasts for the Kosi, Gandak and Buri Gandak basins as part of its hydrometeorological flood services, which feed into the state’s disaster-preparedness planning. This connects to Bihar geography and disaster management.
BPSC Relevance: Prelims: river-district pairings (Buri Gandak to Khagaria, Bagmati to Sitamarhi, Kosi to Katihar, Gandak to Muzaffarpur) and the role of IMD Patna. Mains GS1 (monsoon, Indian geography) and GS3 (flood management, disaster preparedness in north Bihar).
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Forecast date | 24 June 2026 |
| Expected advance | Remaining Jharkhand and Bihar in 2 to 3 days |
| Monitored rivers | Buri Gandak, Bagmati, Kosi, Gandak |
| Monitoring agency | IMD Patna (hydrometeorological services) |
7. BPSC 72nd Prelims Scheduled for 26 July 2026
Why in News: The Bihar Public Service Commission has fixed the 72nd Combined Competitive Examination preliminary test for 26 July 2026 (Sunday), to be held in a single shift across centres in the state.
Background: The 72nd CCE notification was released on 5 May 2026, with vacancies revised to 1,186 posts. The prelims is a single-day, single-paper screening test of objective questions, after which qualified candidates proceed to the mains and interview stages. The BPSC conducts the CCE to recruit for Bihar Administrative Service, Bihar Police Service and other state civil-service posts. This connects to Bihar polity and public administration.
BPSC Relevance: Prelims and exam awareness: 72nd CCE prelims date (26 July 2026), notification date (5 May 2026), revised vacancies (1,186). Mains GS2 (state public service commission, recruitment and governance).
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Examination | BPSC 72nd CCE Prelims |
| Prelims date | 26 July 2026 (Sunday) |
| Notification date | 5 May 2026 |
| Revised vacancies | 1,186 |
BPSC Practice MCQs
Q1. The Bihar cabinet on 24 June 2026 approved the establishment of how many new private universities in the state?
- (a) Three
- (b) Four
- (c) Five
- (d) Seven Answer: (c) Five, located in Madhubani, Siwan, Nawada, Patna and Aurangabad.
Q2. Under the Sindhu Darshan Yatra assistance scheme approved by Bihar, what is the maximum reimbursement per pilgrim?
- (a) Rs 10,000
- (b) Rs 20,000
- (c) Rs 25,000
- (d) Rs 50,000 Answer: (b) Rs 20,000, being 50 per cent of cost or Rs 20,000 per person, whichever is lower.
Q3. The first phase of the Bihar Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme 2026 initially covers which of the following?
- (a) Bodh Gaya, Sasaram and Patna
- (b) Valmikinagar, Maa Mundeshwari and Rajgir
- (c) Nalanda, Vaishali and Munger
- (d) Gaya, Sitamarhi and Purnia Answer: (b) Valmikinagar, Maa Mundeshwari and Rajgir, covering West Champaran, Kaimur and Nalanda districts.
Q4. Under the Bihar satellite township plan, which town has been renamed Hariharnathpuram?
- (a) Sitamarhi
- (b) Sonepur
- (c) Chapra
- (d) Saharsa Answer: (b) Sonepur, while Sitamarhi’s township has been named Sitapuram.
Q5. The BPSC 72nd Combined Competitive Examination preliminary test is scheduled to be held on which date?
- (a) 5 May 2026
- (b) 24 June 2026
- (c) 26 July 2026
- (d) 15 August 2026 Answer: (c) 26 July 2026, a single-shift test for 1,186 revised vacancies.
