Welcome to the Ujiyari Bihar Current Affairs notes for 21 August 2026, prepared for BPSC and other State PCS aspirants. CM Samrat Choudhary, addressing The Economic Times’ World Leaders Forum, outlined Bihar’s economic roadmap under the “Build Bihar, Believe in Bihar” initiative, citing job-creation, power, irrigation and women’s-empowerment achievements while setting new targets and pressing the Centre on Ganga water-sharing rights. Each item below carries a Prelims fact table and a Mains angle, followed by five practice MCQs.

1. CM Sets Target to Quadruple Bihar’s Economy, Create 1 Crore Jobs

Why in News: CM Samrat Choudhary, addressing The Economic Times’ World Leaders Forum on 21 August 2026, outlined Bihar’s economic roadmap under the “Build Bihar, Believe in Bihar” initiative.

What happened: The CM cited 5.3 million (53 lakh) jobs delivered by 2025, set a new target of 1 crore (10 million) jobs over the next five years, and announced a goal to quadruple the state economy within four years, alongside a stated shift from an agrarian economy toward manufacturing, education, tourism, transport and inland waterways.

Bihar Relevance:

  • Prelims: 5.3 million jobs delivered by 2025; new target 1 crore jobs in 5 years; goal to quadruple state economy in 4 years.
  • Mains: Discuss Bihar’s economic diversification strategy away from agrarian dependence toward manufacturing and services (GS3 state economic policy).

2. CM Cites Power and Irrigation Expansion Figures

Why in News: At the same forum on 21 August 2026, CM Choudhary presented infrastructure-achievement figures as part of Bihar’s investor pitch.

What happened: Power availability was cited as rising from roughly 350 MW to over 10,000 MW, with approximately Rs 23,000 crore extended in power subsidies, and irrigated land expanding from 2.1 million to 4.4 million hectares.

Bihar Relevance:

  • Prelims: Power availability 350 MW → 10,000+ MW; irrigated land 2.1 million → 4.4 million hectares.
  • Mains: Discuss Bihar’s power and irrigation infrastructure expansion as a foundation for industrial and agricultural growth (GS3).

3. CM Presses Centre on Ganga/Farakka Water-Sharing Rights

Why in News: CM Choudhary, at the same forum on 21 August 2026, argued Bihar supplies most of the water reaching the Farakka Barrage but does not receive its due share for drinking, irrigation and industrial use.

What happened: The CM said he had met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to press for a Kosi-Mechi river-linking action plan, and separately flagged the Son-Phalgu river-linking proposal to address South Bihar’s drought-prone areas.

Bihar Relevance:

  • Prelims: Farakka Barrage water-sharing dispute; Kosi-Mechi and Son-Phalgu river-linking proposals.
  • Mains: Discuss inter-state river water-sharing disputes and river-linking policy under the National Perspective Plan (GS1 geography, GS2 Centre-state relations).

4. Women’s Empowerment Statistics Highlighted at the Forum

Why in News: CM Choudhary cited women-centric welfare and representation figures as part of Bihar’s development narrative at the World Leaders Forum on 21 August 2026.

What happened: Figures cited included over 4.3 million women enrolled as “Lakhpati Didis,” over 40,000 women police personnel (claimed the highest among Indian states), and 59% women’s representation in elected panchayati raj positions.

Bihar Relevance:

  • Prelims: 4.3 million Lakhpati Didis; 59% women in panchayati raj positions (Bihar mandates 50% reservation).
  • Mains: Discuss Bihar’s panchayati raj women’s-reservation record and its link to broader social-empowerment outcomes (GS1/GS2).

5. Industrial Policy Focus on Semiconductors, GCCs and New Townships

Why in News: CM Choudhary outlined forward-looking industrial priorities to investors at the World Leaders Forum on 21 August 2026.

What happened: The CM flagged a focus on semiconductor and Global Capability Centre (GCC) sectors, along with a master plan for 12 new townships across an area of roughly 3.5 lakh acres.

Bihar Relevance:

  • Prelims: Focus sectors: semiconductors, GCCs; 12 new townships planned.
  • Mains: Discuss Bihar’s emerging-sector industrial policy as part of its broader economic-diversification strategy (GS3).

Practice MCQs

1. CM Samrat Choudhary’s target announced at the ET World Leaders Forum on 21 August 2026 aims to create how many new jobs over the next five years?

a) 53 lakh b) 1 crore c) 50 lakh d) 75 lakh

Answer: b Explanation: CM Choudhary set a new target of 1 crore (10 million) jobs over the next five years, building on the 5.3 million jobs the state government said it had already delivered by 2025.

2. According to figures cited by CM Choudhary on 21 August 2026, Bihar’s power availability has risen from roughly 350 MW to what level?

a) Over 5,000 MW b) Over 10,000 MW c) Over 2,000 MW d) Over 15,000 MW

Answer: b Explanation: CM Choudhary cited power availability rising from roughly 350 MW to over 10,000 MW, alongside approximately Rs 23,000 crore extended in power subsidies, as part of Bihar’s infrastructure-achievement pitch to investors.

3. CM Choudhary’s remarks on Centre-state water disputes on 21 August 2026 centred on Bihar’s water contribution to which barrage?

a) Farakka Barrage b) Bhakra Nangal Dam c) Hirakud Dam d) Sardar Sarovar Dam

Answer: a Explanation: CM Choudhary argued Bihar supplies most of the water reaching the Farakka Barrage but does not receive its due share for drinking, irrigation and industrial use, while pressing the Centre for a Kosi-Mechi river-linking action plan.

4. The women’s empowerment figures cited by CM Choudhary on 21 August 2026 claimed what percentage of panchayati raj positions are held by women in Bihar?

a) 33% b) 50% c) 40% d) 59%

Answer: d Explanation: CM Choudhary cited 59% women’s representation in elected panchayati raj positions in Bihar, which mandates 50% reservation for women in panchayati raj institutions, alongside over 4.3 million women enrolled as Lakhpati Didis.

5. CM Choudhary’s industrial-policy remarks on 21 August 2026 flagged a master plan for how many new townships?

a) 5 b) 20 c) 12 d) 8

Answer: c Explanation: CM Choudhary flagged a focus on semiconductor and Global Capability Centre sectors, alongside a master plan for 12 new townships across roughly 3.5 lakh acres, as part of Bihar’s forward-looking industrial priorities.