Welcome to the Ujiyari Bihar daily current affairs edition for 19 July 2026, prepared for BPSC and other State PCS aspirants. This edition covers the state’s aviation revival at Birpur in Supaul, the statewide airports and heliports vision, Bihar’s first river-linking channel, the Patna Metro Blue Line extension, and the education technology push through AI-assisted live classes and free competitive-exam coaching. Each item carries Prelims-ready facts and a Mains angle so you can revise governance, infrastructure and welfare themes in a single sitting.
1. Birpur Airport Revival Cleared Under UDAN Scheme
Why in News: In mid-July 2026, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) granted technical clearance and allocated Rs 28.42 crore for a new runway and passenger terminal at Birpur Airport in Supaul district.
Background: Birpur airstrip was originally built during the construction of the Kosi Barrage project in the 1950s and 1960s and had remained largely abandoned for decades. The revival, under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) regional connectivity scheme, will lay a reinforced bitumen runway, build an integrated passenger terminal, and install advanced Air Traffic Control (ATC) communication systems. Because Supaul shares a porous border with Nepal, the airport carries both connectivity and border-security significance. This connects to the Union government’s regional air-connectivity policy and Bihar’s push to bring tier-3 towns onto the aviation map.
Bihar Relevance:
- Prelims: Birpur lies in Supaul district; the airstrip dates to the Kosi Barrage era; the reviving scheme is UDAN.
- Mains: Evaluate how UDAN and airstrip revival can decongest road travel, boost tourism and improve last-mile connectivity in Bihar’s border and flood-prone districts.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airport | Birpur Airport |
| District | Supaul |
| Funds allocated | Rs 28.42 crore |
| Clearing agency | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Scheme | UDAN (regional connectivity) |
| Strategic note | Supaul borders Nepal |
2. Bihar Plans Airports and Heliports in Every District
Why in News: In July 2026, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary highlighted the state’s aviation infrastructure push, reiterating the target of airports and heliports in every district and the development of multiple airports under the 2025-26 budget plan.
Background: Beyond the single Birpur revival, Bihar is pursuing a statewide aviation vision that combines new greenfield airports, the upgradation of existing airstrips and district-level heliports. The plan is designed to shorten travel times to tourism and religious circuits such as Rajgir, Valmikinagar and Kaimur, attract private investment and generate employment ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. This connects to the broader theme of infrastructure-led development and cooperative federalism between the state and the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Bihar Relevance:
- Prelims: The aviation vision aims for airports and heliports across districts; the Chief Minister is Samrat Choudhary.
- Mains: Discuss whether district-level aviation infrastructure is economically viable for a state with dense rail and road networks, and how it can be sustainable.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Announced by | CM Samrat Choudhary |
| Target | Airports and heliports in every district |
| Budget window | 2025-26 plan |
| Nodal Union ministry | Civil Aviation |
| Sample circuits | Rajgir, Valmikinagar, Kaimur |
| Objective | Tourism, investment, jobs |
3. Bihar’s First River-Linking Channel Under Bagmati-Burhi Gandak Scheme
Why in News: In July 2026, Bihar advanced the Belwa-Minapur Link Channel in Sheohar as the state’s first river-linking project under the Bagmati-Burhi Gandak River Link Scheme.
Background: The scheme seeks to divert surplus monsoon water from the Bagmati into the Burhi Gandak system through an engineered link channel, aiming to reduce flood pressure in north Bihar while improving irrigation availability in the lean season. Sheohar, one of Bihar’s smallest districts, sits in the Bagmati flood plain and stands to benefit from better water regulation. This connects to India’s larger interlinking of rivers policy and to Bihar’s recurring challenge of managing Himalayan-fed rivers that swell during the monsoon.
Bihar Relevance:
- Prelims: The link channel is Belwa-Minapur in Sheohar; the parent scheme links the Bagmati and Burhi Gandak rivers.
- Mains: Assess the flood-control and irrigation trade-offs of intra-state river-linking in north Bihar, along with ecological and siltation concerns.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project | Belwa-Minapur Link Channel |
| District | Sheohar |
| Scheme | Bagmati-Burhi Gandak River Link |
| Significance | Bihar’s first river-linking project |
| Twin objectives | Flood control and irrigation |
| Region | North Bihar flood plain |
4. Patna Metro Blue Line Extended to Malahi Pakdi
Why in News: In early July 2026, CM Samrat Choudhary inaugurated the extension of Patna Metro services up to Malahi Pakdi, adding two stations to the Blue Line.
Background: The extension deepens Patna’s first operational metro corridor by improving connectivity in the eastern part of the city, cutting travel time and offering commuters a faster public-transport option. Patna Metro forms part of Bihar’s urban mobility strategy under central and state funding, and further extensions to key nodes are planned. This connects to the theme of urban infrastructure, sustainable transport and the reduction of road congestion in state capitals.
Bihar Relevance:
- Prelims: The extension reaches Malahi Pakdi on the Blue Line, adding two stations.
- Mains: Examine how metro rail can be made financially viable and well-integrated with feeder buses and last-mile transport in Patna.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| System | Patna Metro |
| Line | Blue Line |
| New terminus | Malahi Pakdi |
| Stations added | Two |
| Inaugurated by | CM Samrat Choudhary |
| Theme | Urban public transport |
5. AI-Powered School Live Classes Begin in Patna Government Schools
Why in News: On 15 July 2026, CM Samrat Choudhary announced the School Live Classes programme, which began in 150 government schools in Patna from 16 July 2026.
Background: The programme streams live, technology-assisted lessons to government-school classrooms, aiming to standardise teaching quality and address the shortage of subject teachers in rural and semi-urban schools. It reflects the state’s education-technology push and its intent to bridge the learning gap between government and private schools. This connects to the constitutional Right to Education (Article 21A) and to the National Education Policy 2020 emphasis on digital and equitable learning.
Bihar Relevance:
- Prelims: School Live Classes launched in 150 Patna government schools from 16 July 2026.
- Mains: Analyse the promise and pitfalls of live and AI-assisted classes in bridging Bihar’s teacher-shortage and learning-outcome gaps.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | School Live Classes |
| Announced on | 15 July 2026 |
| Rollout from | 16 July 2026 |
| Initial coverage | 150 government schools, Patna |
| Constitutional link | Article 21A, Right to Education |
| Policy link | NEP 2020 |
6. Free JEE and NEET Coaching Launched in Model Schools
Why in News: In mid-July 2026, the Bihar government launched free JEE and NEET coaching in 10 model schools in Patna, with plans to expand to 146 model schools across the state.
Background: The initiative offers competitive-exam preparation to students from government and model schools who often cannot afford private coaching, targeting engineering and medical aspirants. By pairing it with the School Live Classes rollout, Bihar is building a public alternative to the private coaching economy and widening access to professional-course pathways. This connects to the equity and social-justice dimension of education policy and to the state’s human-capital strategy ahead of the assembly elections.
Bihar Relevance:
- Prelims: Free JEE and NEET coaching started in 10 Patna model schools, to expand to 146 model schools.
- Mains: Discuss how state-funded competitive-exam coaching can improve social mobility and reduce dependence on private coaching hubs.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initiative | Free JEE and NEET coaching |
| Initial schools | 10 model schools, Patna |
| Planned expansion | 146 model schools statewide |
| Target exams | JEE (engineering), NEET (medical) |
| Beneficiaries | Model and government-school students |
| Objective | Equity in professional education |
Practice MCQs
Q1. Birpur Airport, which received Rs 28.42 crore for revival under the UDAN scheme in July 2026, is located in which district of Bihar?
- (a) Sheohar
- (b) Supaul
- (c) Begusarai
- (d) Kaimur
Answer: (b) Birpur Airport lies in Supaul district, which shares a porous border with Nepal. The airstrip dates back to the Kosi Barrage construction era and is being revived under the Airports Authority of India with UDAN funding.
Q2. The Belwa-Minapur Link Channel, described as Bihar’s first river-linking project, connects which two rivers?
- (a) Ganga and Sone
- (b) Kosi and Gandak
- (c) Bagmati and Burhi Gandak
- (d) Sone and Punpun
Answer: (c) The Belwa-Minapur Link Channel in Sheohar district falls under the Bagmati-Burhi Gandak River Link Scheme. It aims to divert surplus monsoon water to cut flood pressure in north Bihar while boosting lean-season irrigation.
Q3. The Patna Metro extension inaugurated in early July 2026 took services up to which station?
- (a) Malahi Pakdi
- (b) Rajgir
- (c) Danapur
- (d) Patliputra
Answer: (a) The Blue Line of the Patna Metro was extended to Malahi Pakdi, adding two stations and improving connectivity in eastern Patna. It was inaugurated by CM Samrat Choudhary.
Q4. The School Live Classes programme that began in July 2026 was initially rolled out in how many government schools in Patna?
- (a) 50
- (b) 100
- (c) 150
- (d) 213
Answer: (c) The School Live Classes programme, announced on 15 July 2026, started in 150 government schools in Patna from 16 July. It streams technology-assisted lessons to address the shortage of subject teachers and standardise teaching quality.
Q5. As per the Fact File, who are the Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar?
- (a) Samrat Choudhary and Tarkishore Prasad
- (b) Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav
- (c) Renu Devi and Ashok Choudhary
- (d) Sushil Kumar Modi and Mangal Pandey
Answer: (b) Bihar’s Deputy Chief Ministers are Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav, serving under Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. The Governor of Bihar is Syed Ata Hasnain, and the state capital is Patna.
