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Economy of Bihar

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• Table Of Contents

Agriculture engages nearly three-fourths of Bihar’s population, and Bihar is one of India’s top producers of vegetables and fruits. Despite significant gains in mining and manufacturing in the late 20th century, the state has continued to lag behind other Indian states in per capita income; by government standards, a large segment of the population remains below poverty level. At the turn of the 21st century the creation of the state of Jharkhand from Bihar’s southern region further strained Bihar’s struggling economy.

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About half of Bihar is under cultivation, but population pressure has pushed cultivation to the furthest limits, and little remains to be developed. The transitional nature of the climatic zone is reflected in the cropping pattern, which shows a mixture of wet and dry crops. Rice is everywhere the dominant crop, but wheat, corn (maize), barley, and pulses (legumes) are important supplementary crops. Sugarcane is grown in a fairly well-defined belt in the northwest. Jute, a crop of the hot, moist lowlands, is found only in the easternmost plain districts. There are three harvests in a year: bhadai , dominated by corn that is sown from May to June and gathered in August and September; aghani , consisting primarily of rice sown in mid-June and gathered in December; and rabi , made up largely of wheat that ripens in the plains in the spring (March to May).

Fruits and vegetables are grown extensively. Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga are particularly noted for mangoes, bananas, and litchi fruits. Vegetables are important in the vicinity of large towns. The potato-growing area near Bihar Sharif , in Patna district, produces the best variety of seed potato in India. Chilies and tobacco are important cash crops on the banks of the Ganges .

Bihar’s mineral wealth was virtually depleted when the mineral-rich Chota Nagpur plateau became part of Jharkhand. Still, there are a few pockets in the state where minerals are found. Bauxite is found in Munger . The Rohtas district has dolomite, glass sand, cement mortar, and other minerals. Mica deposits are found in Gaya , Nawada, and Munger. Gaya and Munger also produce salt, as does Muzaffarpur.

Bihar’s energy is provided by a small number of thermal and hydroelectric power stations, but these do not meet the needs of the entire state. Several power stations were lost with the partitioning of Jharkhand. In the early 21st century less than half of the state’s villages had regular electricity.

Bihar has been slow to develop industry. A number of agencies have been set up by the state government to boost the pace of development. Most workers in the manufacturing sector are employed in household industries; the rest are employed in steel and other metal-based and food-processing industries.

The larger industries are mainly in Dalmianagar (paper, cement, chemicals), Baruni (petrochemicals), and Patna (light manufacturing). Among the agriculturally based industries are sugar refining, tobacco processing, silk production, and jute milling. Traditional cottage industries are popular in Bihar; they most notably include sericulture (raising of silkworms and raw silk production), lac (resin used to produce shellac) and glasswork, handloom products, brassware, and pottery. Paintings of mythological stories produced on cloth in and around the town of Madhubani have become a foreign-exchange item.

The waterways, once important, are now of little significance. Although all-weather roads reach just over one-third of Bihar’s villages, several national highways pass through the state, including the venerable Grand Trunk Road, which is one of India’s oldest roadways. Road service is best around Patna, where Allied operations during World War II brought many improvements. The rail line between Kolkata (Calcutta) and Delhi , which crosses Bihar, opened in 1864. Because of the dense population, the railways carry a heavy load of traffic. They generally run parallel to the rivers because of the difficulty of constructing bridges. Consequently, travel between important towns is often long and tedious. Regularly scheduled airlines serve Patna.

• Bihar Geography

Agriculture of Bihar: problems & solutions

• Rajneesh Kumar Thakur in Bihar Geography 4 years ago

In this article, I will discuss the agriculture of Bihar, the agro-climatic zones in Bihar, the major challenges faced by the agriculture of Bihar, etc. After reading this article, you will get a crisp idea about the agriculture of Bihar.

Table of Contents

Agriculture of Bihar

Agriculture is the mainstay of Bihar’s economy. According to the census of 2011 , about 74% of the workforce in Bihar depend directly or indirectly on agriculture and allied activities for their subsistence. Around 88.7% of the population of Bihar resides in the rural areas therefore agriculture sector plays a vital role in the overall growth of the state’s economy.

In 2017-18, the contribution of the agricultural sector to Bihar’s Gross State Value Addition (GSVA) stands around 20%. The agriculture of Bihar helps in generating employment opportunities, poverty alleviation, and improving livelihood. Due to the bifurcation of Bihar in 2000, the bulk of mineral resources is currently in Jharkhand. Consequently, agriculture is the only sector that has maximum potential in Bihar.

Agro-climatic zones in Bihar

Based on the profile of soil, rainfall, temperature, and topography, there are four agro-climatic zones in Bihar. These agro-climatic zones are as following types.

• Zone-1 North-west alluvial plain.
• Zone-2 North-east alluvial plain.
• Zone-3 (a) South-east alluvial plain.
• Zone-3 (b) South-west alluvial plain.

Out of four agro-climatic zones of Bihar, the zone-1& 2 are located on the north of Ganga river . On the other hand, zone-3 is entirely located in the south of Ganga. However, the floods in Bihar cause huge loss to the northern agro-climatic zone i.e. zone-1 & 2.

In terms of precipitation, zone-3 receives the lowest rainfall while the agro-climatic zone-1 and 2 receive moderate and high rainfall respectively. However, the rainfall during the monsoon is highest in zone-2 (1105.9mm).

Agro-climatic zone-1

Topographically, the zone-1 slopes towards the south-east direction, having alluvial plains with a very low gradient. The Saran, Vaishali and Samastipur situated in this zone are water-logged. The western portion of this zone is under the influence of the Adhwara System of rivers. For instance, Gandak, Burhi Gandak and Ghaghra. Geologically, this zone has calcareous nodules. The following are the six broad soil association groups of this zone.

• Sub-Himalayan and forest soil
• Recent alluvial Tarai soil
• Young Alluvial calcareous soil
• Young alluvial calcareous saline soil
• Young alluvial non-calcareous, non-saline soil
• Recent alluvial calcareous soil

Read more: A detailed geography of Bihar bpsc . For more article on Bihar.

Agro-climatic zone-2

This agro-climatic zone is marked by alluvial plains formed by the sediments carried by the rivers namely Kosi, Ganga, Mahananda and its tributaries. Also, this region is marked by floods, caused by the Kosi river. Topographically, the general slope of the plains is toward the south-east.

Unlike agro-climatic zone-1, the soil of this zone is non-calcareous but rich in acidic minerals. The salinity and alkalinity are more in Saharsa, western parts of Purnia and Katihar district. The following are the three broad soil association groups of this zone.

Agro-climatic zone-3

The plains of this zone have alluvial and red & yellow soils formed by the river Ganga and those flowing from the south, having their origins in the Chhotanagpur plateau. This zone-3 is marked by backwater known as Tal lands extending from Buxar to Bhagalpur. Locally, the Tal lands are known as Diara lands. The following are the broad soil association groups in this zone.

• The recent alluvial calcareous soil.
• Tal land soil, light grey, dark grey medium to heavy textured soil.
• Old alluvial reddish yellow, yellowish-grey centenary soil.
• Old alluvial grey, greyish-yellow, heavy texture soil with cracking nature.
• The recent alluvial yellowish to reddish-yellow non-calcareous non-saline soils.
• Old alluvial yellowish to red-yellow soil of foothills.
• Old alluvial saline and saline-alkali soils.

Land use pattern at the district level

The district such as Kaimur, Jamui, West Champaran, Gaya, Rohtas, and Nawada together accounted for a total of 5.06 lakh hectare of forest area, more than 80% of the total forest area in Bihar.

The agriculture of Bihar faces multifaceted challenges. The following are the major factors contributing to low productivity in Bihar.

Major challenges to the agriculture of Bihar

Bihar is an agrarian state in eastern India that is predominantly rural and heavily dependent on agriculture. Despite being one of the most fertile regions in India, the state’s agricultural sector faces several problems that impact its productivity and growth. Some of the major problems facing agriculture in Bihar are:

• Low agricultural productivity: Bihar’s agricultural productivity is lower than the national average. This is due to a combination of factors such as a lack of irrigation facilities, low soil fertility, inadequate use of modern inputs, and limited access to credit.
• Fragmentation of land holdings: Most of Bihar’s farmers have small and fragmented land holdings, which makes it difficult to adopt modern farming practices and techniques that require economies of scale.
• Lack of infrastructure: Bihar’s rural areas lack basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and storage facilities, which makes it difficult to transport and store agricultural products.
• Inadequate market linkages: Bihar’s farmers often lack access to reliable and transparent markets, which results in low prices for their products.
• Climate change: Bihar is vulnerable to extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, which can severely impact agricultural production.

Some possible solutions to address these challenges are:

• Improving irrigation facilities: Increased investment in irrigation facilities such as canals, borewells, and ponds can help improve agricultural productivity and reduce the risk of crop failure due to water scarcity.
• Promoting sustainable agriculture: Encouraging the use of organic farming practices, improving soil fertility through better soil management practices, and promoting the use of modern inputs such as high-yielding seeds and fertilizers can help improve agricultural productivity and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Land consolidation: Consolidating small and fragmented land holdings can help farmers adopt modern farming practices, achieve economies of scale, and increase productivity.
• Developing rural infrastructure: Improving rural infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and storage facilities can help farmers transport and store their products more efficiently, reducing post-harvest losses.
• Strengthening market linkages: Developing reliable and transparent markets for agricultural products can help farmers get better prices for their products and reduce the risk of market failures.
• Climate-resilient agriculture: Encouraging farmers to adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices such as crop diversification, water harvesting, and integrated farming systems can help them cope with the impacts of climate change.

Uneven Monsoon

• Although the water resources of Bihar are abundant and it receives 999mm of average rainfall. However, the variation in the onset of monsoon on year to year basis results in flood and the drought-like situation in Bihar simultaneously.

Do You Know: How the south-west monsoon is formed in India ?

Wastage of water

• The current method of flood irrigation in Bihar results in about 35% loss of water.
• About 60% of the water diverted or pumped for irrigation is wasted via runoff, evapotranspiration, percolation and seepage.

Technological factors

• Despite having agricultural universities, colleges and research centres, the productivity of crops is low in Bihar due to loss adoption of modern technologies by farmers. Consequently, the yield of almost all major crops is lower than the all-India average.

Small size of lands

• The size of landholding is very small in Bihar that compels the small cultivators to resort to the subsidiary occupation.
• More than 90% of all land-holding fall in the category of marginal holding with a farm size less than 1 hectare.

Declining investment in agriculture

• Due to high risk and uncertainty in the agro-climatic zones, prices, productivity, etc, the financing in the farm sector become a problem.
• The slow pace implementation of Kisan Credit Cards leaves the small farmers to highly dependent on non-institutional credit sources.
• The moneylenders demand exorbitant interest rate and farmers get trapped in huge debt cycles.

Rainfed agriculture

• Still, the agriculture of Bihar highly dependent on south-west monsoon of India.

Weeds directly deplete the soil nutrients and moisture thus reducing the crop yield.

Seed related issues

• Due to exorbitant prices of seeds, a majority of farmers, especially small and marginal farmers are deprived of good quality seeds.
• Due to the stable price of urea and increase the price of Potash and Phosphorous farmers use more urea than Potash and Phosphorous.

Inadequate marketing and processing

• Due to inadequate food processing units and marketing facilities, farmers compel to sell their crops at low prices.

Floods and Droughts

• Bihar experience both floods and droughts simultaneously. Click this to read a complete article on floods in Bihar .

Quick facts on major crops of Bihar

FAQs on agriculture in Bihar

Which district has the highest net sown area in bihar.

East Champaran in Tirhut Division has the highest net sown area (2.83 lakh hectare) in Bihar.

Which district has the lowest net sown area in Bihar?

Sheohar in Tirhut Division has the lowest net sown area (0.23 lakh hectare) in Bihar.

Which district has the maximum cropping intensity in Bihar?

Saharsa in Kosi Division has the maximum cropping intensity (1.95) in Bihar.

Which district has the minimum cropping intensity in Bihar?

Bhojpur in Patna Division has the minimum cropping intensity (1.07) in Bihar during 2017-18.

Which district has the highest uncultivable land in Bihar?

Gaya in Magadh Division has the highest uncultivable land in Bihar.

The top three mango producing district of Bihar?

Darbhanga, East Champaran and Muzaffarpur together contributed nearly 24.8 % of the total mango production in Bihar during 2018-19.

Which district is the largest producer of Litchi in Bihar?

Muzaffarpur in Tirhut Division is the largest producer of Litchi in Bihar.

The largest producer of Banana in Bihar?

Katihar, Vaishali and Muzaffarpur are the largest producers of Banana in Bihar.

Major References

• Government of Bihar.
• Weather and Crop.
• Economic survey of Bihar (2019-20)

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• Forest in Bihar: Detailed summary with map

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Bihar is the fourth largest producer of vegetables and the eighth largest producer of fruits in India.

Bihar State Presentation

Bihar is located in the eastern part of India. The state is surrounded by Nepal in the north, West Bengal in the east, Uttar Pradesh in the west, and Jharkhand in the south. The state enjoys a unique location-specific advantage because of its proximity to the vast markets of eastern and northern India, access to ports such as Kolkata and Haldia, and to raw material sources and mineral reserves from the neighbouring states.

In 2024-25, Bihar’s GSDP at current prices is projected to be Rs. 9.76 trillion (US$ 116.45 billion). The state’s GSDP expanded at a CAGR (in Rs.) of 11.31% between 2015-16 and 2024-25.

Bihar has witnessed strong growth in per capita net state domestic product. At current prices, the per capita NSDP of the state grew at a CAGR of 8.45% (in Rs.) between 2015-16 and 2021-22.

Bihar is the fourth-largest producer of vegetables and the eighth-largest producer of fruits in India. Bihar has high agricultural production, making it one of the strongest sectors of the state. The percentage of the population employed in agricultural production in Bihar is around 80%, which is much higher than the national average. Food processing, dairy, sugar, manufacturing, and healthcare are some of the fastest-growing industries in the state. The state has planned initiatives for the development of other sectors such as education and tourism and provides incentives for information technology and renewable energy projects.

The state has a large base of cost-effective industrial labour, making it an ideal destination for a wide range of industries. The state enjoys a unique location-specific advantage because of its proximity to the vast markets of eastern and northern India, access to ports such as Kolkata and Haldia, and to raw material sources and mineral reserves from the neighbouring states.

As of FY24, Bihar had a total installed power generation capacity of 7,513.90 MW, of which 6,363.75 MW was contributed by central utilities, 70.70 MW by state utilities and 1,079.45 MW by private utilities.

Key Sectors:

• The state government has approved a scheme to provide a grant of Rs. 2 lakh (US$ 2,392) to poor households for setting up a small business. The estimated budget allocation for this initiative is Rs. 1,000 crore (US$ 120 million) in FY25, aiming to improve the financial condition of underprivileged households by supporting them in establishing their own small enterprises.
• In 2021-22, the total production of horticulture crops in the state was expected to be 22,872.91 thousand metric tonnes, and the area under production was 1,294.67 thousand hectares. In 2021-22, the total production of vegetables and fruits in the state was estimated at 17,767.84 thousand metric tonnes and 4,986.74 thousand metric tonnes, respectively.
• In March 2021, the state government announced that they will provide an electricity connection to every agricultural land at a lower rate in the state by the end of March 2022.
• According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), cumulative FDI inflows in Bihar were valued at US$ 214.63 million between October 2019- March 2024.
• With 64.31 million mobile subscribers as of March 2022, Bihar accounted for the sixth-largest mobile subscriber base among all Indian states.
• Total merchandise exports from the state stood at US$ 2,050.00 million in 2023-24. Key items exported from the state included petroleum products, buffalo meat, other cereals and rice (other than basmati).
• During the sugar season 2019-20, 11 sugar mills were operating in the state of Bihar. During 2019-20, 220.50 lakh MT of sugar is estimated to have been produced in Bihar. In FY22, Bihar exported US$ 6.35 million worth of sugar.
• In 2021, foreign tourist arrivals stood at 1,046, and domestic tourists stood at 2.5 million.

Geographical Area (sq km)

State language, literacy rate, key industries:, food and beverages, rubber and plastics, transport equipment, related sites, related news.

India will drive 20% of global economic growth over the next decade, set to become the third-largest economy by surpassing Japan and Germany.

India is set for transformation with US$ 3.41 billion (Rs. 28,602 crore) approved for 12 projects under NICDP, creating a network of industrial smart cities across 10 states.

Retail brands are expanding into religious cities to cater to growing tourism, offering tailored experiences for pilgrims' needs.

Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi recently launched and initiated the groundwork for 112 National Highway projects worth around US$ 12.1 billion (Rs. 1 Lakh Crore) in Gurugram, Haryana.

Bihar’s rapid GDP growth and prompt strides in health and education sectors provides great potential under the One District – One Product (ODOP) programme to contribute to India’s rising exports, stated Mr. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles.

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Understanding agricultural growth and performance in Bihar, India

• Original Article
• Published: 06 October 2021
• Volume 1 , article number  145 , ( 2021 )

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• Ghanshyam Pandey   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9138-2483 1 &
• Seema Kumari 2  

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In this study, we examine the growth of the agricultural sector in Bihar after its bifurcation into Bihar and Jharkhand in 2000. The paper is based on secondary data collected from various sources for the years 2000–2016. It uses the simple OLS method to estimate the determinants of overall growth of the agricultural sector. It also uses the growth accounting approach to decompose agricultural growth into area, price, technology, and price effect. The results indicate that diversification towards high-value crops and technological improvement were the main drivers of agricultural growth in Bihar. In addition, increased fertilizer uses per hectare, capital formation, and cropping intensity have further driven agricultural growth in Bihar.

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Pandey, G., Kumari, S. Understanding agricultural growth and performance in Bihar, India. SN Bus Econ 1 , 145 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43546-021-00150-w

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• IAS Preparation
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• Bpsc Geography of Bihar

Geography of Bihar: BPSC Notes

Every year, lakhs of aspirants prepare for the state service exams or the UPSC Civil Service Exams. The Bihar Public Service Commission Combined Competitive Exam (CCC Exam) is the common entry point for about 20 prestigious posts in the Bihar administration. The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) conducts recruitment exams to fill up Group A, B and C vacancies in the Bihar state administration. 

Similar to the IAS exam which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the BPSC exam comprises three stages:

• Stage 1 – Prelims
• Stage 2 – Mains
• Stage 3 – Interview

Therefore, aspirants who want to take the BPSC exam should strategise their BPSC preparation in coordination with the UPSC IAS Exam preparation. The main difference between preparing for the BPCS exam and the UPSC exam is that in the latter, applicants must acquire particular about the state of Bihar, including its history, geography, politics and current affairs.

Learn about the BPSC Exam in detail, by visiting the linked article.

In this article, the Geography of Bihar is discussed in detail, in order to help aspirants prepare for the BPCS exam. 

BPSC Notes- Geography Of Bihar- Download PDF Here

About Bihar

Bihar is located in the eastern region of India. It is a landlocked state that shares borders with West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand in India. Bihar borders West Bengal in the south, Jharkhand in the south, Uttar Pradesh in the west, and Nepal in the north. With a 94,163 sq km area, it is the twelfth-largest state in terms of both territory and population. Additionally, Bihar is the fourth-most populous state in India. Some facts about the state are given below:

All aspirants studying for any Bihar government exam should be familiar with Bihar geography. Important rivers, the climate, the soil, the land area, etc. are all part of Bihar’s geography. We have provided detailed information on Bihar’s geography in the article given below, which will be helpful for the BPSC exam.

Aspirants preparing for the BPSC Exam must visit the following articles to know the exam details:

Physiography of Bihar: Location and Geological Structure

Location : 

• The eastern state of Bihar is located between latitudes 24°20’10″N and 27°31’15″N and longitudes 83°19’50″E and 88°17’40″E. 
• In a subtropical area of the temperate zone, the state of Bihar is fully landlocked. 
• Bihar occupies a transitional position in terms of climate, economy, and culture because it is situated between the humid West Bengal in the east and the slightly less humid Uttar Pradesh in the west. It is bordered by Jharkhand in the south and Nepal in the north. 
• The Ganges River cuts across the centre of the Bihar Plain, dividing it into two unequal parts (North Bihar and South Bihar). 
• The terrain in Bihar is generally 173 feet above sea level.
• Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and 
• West Bengal. 
• The state also shares a border with Nepal in the north. The length of Nepal border – 601 km
• West Champaran, 
• East Champaran, 
• Sitamarhi, Madhubani, 
• Supaul, Araria, and 
• Gopalganj, 
• Aurangabad, 
• Gaya, Nawada, 
• Jamui, Banka, 
• Bhagalpur and
• Kishanganj, 
• Purnia and 
• Ghaghara and
• Sone river forms a boundary with Jharkhand in Rohtas district

On basis of physical and structural conditions Bihar has been divided into three parts: 

• The Southern Plateau Region
• Bihar’s Gangetic Plain
• The Shivalik Region

The rocks to the north are younger, while rocks of the south are relatively older rocks. The north-west is the Terai region, the Central region is the Gangetic plain and south is the Plateau region. The Bihar plain is the youngest to be formed. Each of the divisions are discussed in detailed in the following paragraphs:

Shivalik Region: 

• The state of West Champaran is shadowed by the area in the sub-Himalayan foothills of the Shivalik range spanning an area that is 32 km long and 6-8 km wide. 
• There is a band of moist deciduous woodland covering the West Champaran district. This includes reeds, grass, and scrub in addition to trees.

Bihar’s Gangetic Plain : 

• The Southern Plateau and the Northern Mountains are separated by Bihar’s Plain. The 150-meter contour line forms its northern and southern boundaries. 
• The Ganges River divides the huge, rich Bihar Plain into two unequal regions known as North Bihar and South Bihar. 
• The Northern Bihar Plain is located in the plains of Samastipur, Begusarai, Saharsa, and Katihar, as well as East Champaran and West Champaran (Terai areas with higher elevation). 
• Saryu, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, Kamla-Balan, Kosi, and Mahananda, along with their tributaries, drain the region. 
• Due to the numerous hills in this area, including the hills of Gaya, Rajgir, Giriyak, Bihar Sharif, Sheikhpura, Jamalpur, and Kharagpur, the southern Bihar Plain is narrower than the northern Plain of Bihar and triangular in shape.

Southern Plateau Region: 

• The area is situated between Banka in the East and the Kaimur district in the West. 
• Hard rocks like gneiss, schist, and granite make up its structure. 
• This area is home to numerous conical hills formed of batholim, including Pretshil, Ramshila, and Jethian Hill.

Aspirants preparing for the competitive exams can read more about the major Landorms of Earth , in the linked article.

Related Links:

Geological Structure of Bihar:

With the oldest formation, the Dharwar Rock System, located in the southern portion of the state, bordering Jharkhand, and the youngest formation, the Quaternary Rock System, located in the central part of the state, Bihar has an unified framework of its geological formations (in between Dharwar System and Tertiary rock system of North-Western Terai Region of Bihar).

A four-part division of Bihar’s geological structure is as follows:

• Dharwar Rock System
• Vindhyan Rock System
• Tertiary Rock System
• Quaternary Rock System

Given below is the detailed information about each of the rock system of Bihar:

• Dharwar Rock System:
• The Dharwar Rock Formation is a part of the oldest Archaean Rock System, which dates back between 3100 and 2100 million years (3.1-2.1 Arab years ago).
• This Dharwar Rock System created the southern regions of the Bihar districts of Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui, and Munger.
• Quartzite, Phyllite, Gneiss, Schist, Shale, and Slate made up this rock system. Schist and mica are abundant in the area.
• Its name comes from the abundantly populated Dharwar district of Karnataka.
• Vindhyan Rock System:
• Vindhyan Rocks may be found in Rohtas District’s Son Valley and Kaimur District’s Son Valley.
• This is part of the Purana Rock System, which formed between 130 and 600 million years ago (1.3-0.6 Arab years ago). 
• The Vindhyan Ranges served as the basis for the naming of this rock formation. 
• Sandstone, limestone, dolomite, quartzite, and shale are the main constituents of Vindhyan rocks.
• Large reserves of limestone and pyrite are present, both of which are used commercially.
• Tertiary Rock System:
• In the course of the Himalayan Ranges’ formation, this rock system was developed. 
• They are found in the Himalayan Terai region of Bihar and were created 60 to 70 million years ago.
• The Tertiary Rock System of Bihar can be found in the Western Champaran districts in the state’s Upper North-Western regions or in the Terai Region of the Shivalik Ranges.
• These are the result of sediments in the Tethys Sea being warped downward by the tectonic movements of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
• Sandstone, sandy shale, mudstone, and conglomerate make up this rock system.
• Quaternary Rock System:
• It is situated between the northern Chhotanagpur plateau region and the southern Himalayan Terai region of Bihar.
• The formation of this rock system began in the last million (10 lakh) years during the Pleistocene, and it is still continuing on today.
• This rock structure was created by the rapid deposition of alluvium by Himalayan and Peninsular rivers like the Ganga, Ghaghra, Gandak, Koshi, Bagmati, Koshi, Son, Mahananda, and Punpun, which slowly deposited and crushed to create the Quaternary rocks.
• Sandstone, conglomerate, coarse gravels, and other materials are used to make quaternary rocks.

Candidates can check the exam dates as released by the Bihar Public Service Commission by visiting the BPSC Calendar , in the linked article. We also have compiled Geography questions that will be helpful for BPSC candidates as well. Check them below:

• UPSC Prelims Geography Questions
• UPSC Mains Geography Questions
• 100+ Daily Geography Questions for IAS Preparation

Political Geography of Bihar

The state is organised into 9 divisions, 38 districts, 101 subdivisions and 534 circles. For administrative purposes, there are 12 municipal corporations, 49 Nagar Parishads and 80 Nagar Panchayats.

For other PSC Exam notifications, check the linked articles mentioned in the table below:

Climate of Bihar

• Bihar has a humid subtropical climate and is entirely located in the Subtropical section of the Temperate Zone. Generally speaking, it has a subtropical climate, with hot summers and freezing winters. 
• Although there are very few tropical and humid months, the climate is fairly warm. 
• The climate of Bihar shows a transition between humid to sub-humid or dry climate. Basically, the Eastern part of Bihar is more or less humid in nature and the Western part of Bihar is sub-humid or dry in nature.
• Many months of the year are warm to hot with temperatures that are consistently above 25°C, occasionally reaching 29°C. 
• The optimum travel season is from October to April because there is less rain during that time.

Some facts important for the exam are given below:

Factors influencing the climate of Bihar:

The climate of Bihar is influenced mainly by following five factors: 

• Proximity to Himalayas.
• Proximity to Tropic of Cancer.
• Proximity to Bay of Bengal.
• Activities of South-West monsoon.
• Nor-westers and Summer Winds.

Seasons in Bihar

Bihar experiences three distinct seasons because it is located in a tropical area:

• Summer Season: March to June
• Rainy Season: July to October
• Winter Season: November to February

Summer Season: 

• It begins in March with the Inter Tropical Convergence zone moving slowly and gradually towards the Tropic of Cancer and extends up to Ganga Plains. 
• It causes the air pressure to drop and the temperature to rise in the area. Bihar experiences the greatest temperatures, which can reach up to 45 °C, particularly in Gaya, the state’s hottest region.
• In the Bihar plains, a strong summer wind known as “Loo” blows in the months of April, May, and early June. There are many health conditions and even deaths in Bihar as a result of the dry, hot air.
• Nearly every week in the afternoon and evening in the months of April and May, Bihar encounters thunderstorms (carrying dust and high wind) that frequently result in light rain but occasionally also include hailstorms that seriously harm Rabi Crops, particularly wheat.

Rainy Season:

• Nearly 91% of Bihar’s yearly rainfall falls during the rainy season, and that too in just three months: June, July, and August.
• The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which draws the South-West monsoon from the Arabian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, completely shifts over the Ganga Plain in the middle of June. 
• S-W Monsoon branch in the Bay of Bengal.
• S-W Monsoon’s Arabian Ocean Branch.
• In Bihar, paddy cultivation takes place during the rainy season, which is heavily dependent on the monsoon. 
• The Northern Part of Bihar experiences good rainfall virtually every year, and almost every year floods occur due to excess water released by Nepal through several streams rather than heavy rain (especially Koshi river). Each year, floods in Northern Bihar result in significant losses.
• However, the monsoon in Bihar, particularly in the south, is exceedingly irregular, and droughts here almost always happen every two to three years. 
• In addition to floods and drought, Bihar faces a large number of diseases during the rainy season, including malaria, typhoid, dengue, and others. The amount of rainfall received by Bihar in the rainy season is given below:

Retreating Monsoon:

• The S-W Monsoon slows down and begin to retreat after August.
• It is accompanied by little to no rain. 
• Monsoon retreat comes to a close in early November. Little rain due to the Monsoon’s retreat throughout the months of September, October, and early November slowly ushers in the winter season in the state.
• The average temperature drops from 34° Celsius in July and August to (25° Celsius to 30° Celsius) by the end of October.

Winter Season:

• After the summer and rainy season ends, there is a decreased heating of the land surface. The fall in temperature marks the beginning of the winter season.
• The day length significantly shortens, and the nights are chilly and long. 
• The temperature often drops the most in December and January. 
• From 19.4° to 22.2° Celsius in November to 10.5° to 7° Celsius in January, the temperature drops.
• The Shiwalik Ranges in North-Western Bihar experience frost in January, which significantly damages agriculture in the area (especially Potato).
• Light rain (approximately 5% to 10% of the year’s total rainfall) is brought on by North-Western Disturbances in the months of January and February, which aids in the growth of Rabi Crops.

Learn about the Climate of India in detail, in the linked article. 

The agro-climatic zones of Bihar are given below:

• Rainfall in the 13 districts that make up the North-West zone ranges from 1040 to 1450 mm annually.
• With an average yearly rainfall of 1200 to 1700 millimetres and loam or clay-loam soil, the north-east zone includes 8 districts.
• Rainfall in the South Zone ranges from 990 to 1300 mm, with 17 districts covered and soil types including sandy loam, loamy, clayey, and clay-loam.

Important Rivers of Bihar

Bihar’s economy is heavily dependent on rivers because the state is dominated by agriculture. There are numerous perennial and seasonal rivers in Bihar. In Bihar, these rivers provide the majority of the surface water. Bihar’s alluvial plains, both in the north and in some areas of the south, always have water available. Bihar is split into two unequal portions by the Ganga river. As a result, the rivers of Bihar have been divided into two main groups: rivers in North Bihar and rivers in South Bihar.

• Rivers in North Bihar: North Bihar Plains are an alluvial plain in Bihar that is located north of the Ganga river. Numerous rivers, some of which are seasonal and perennial, flow through these plains. Some of the most significant rivers in north Bihar are :
• Burhi Gandak, 
• Mahananda. 

All of these rivers drain into the Ganges. On the other hand, through the Kosi river, the Bagmati-Adhwara, Kamla-Balan, etc. fall into the Ganga river. Some important characteristics of these rivers are as follows:

• The main rivers in northern Bihar originate in the Himalayas.
• A sizable percentage of their catchment is located in the glacial area.
• These rivers, which originate in the Himalayas, are situated between Nepal and Tibet.
• These rivers receive an abundance of precipitation during the monsoon season that is 80 to 90 times greater than the dry season.
• Additionally, these rivers create chaurs (Ox-bow lakes) as they change their route.
• A few of the rivers in this area, including the Gandak, Burhi Gandak, and Ghagra, are rather stable.
• The Baghmati, Adhawra Group, Kamla-Balan, and Kosi rivers in northern Bihar, on the other hand, continue to be very unstable.
• Rivers in South Bihar: The major rivers in south Bihar are:
• Badua Chandan
• These rivers flow into the Ganga and are primarily responsible for draining the south region of Bihar. Some of the characteristics of the river in southern Bihar are:
• The Vindhyanchal hills or the hills of Chhotanagpur and Rajmahal are where the rivers of southern Bihar originate.
• The drainage of the area is impeded by the Ganga’s leeve-like southern bank.
• Additionally, the Tal formation, a low-lying area created by the paths of multiple rivers, is a distinguishing feature of Bihar’s southern plains.
• Fatuha Tal, Bakhtiyarpur Tal, Barh Tal, More Tal, Mokama Tal, Barahiya Tal, Singhaul Tal are the tals formed by these rivers. 
• The soils of tal areas and their vicinity are medium to heavy textured and slightly to moderately alkaline.

The Ganga River spans 445 kilometres in Bihar. Additionally, it has a 5473 sq km catchment area. The other three significant rivers in terms of catchment area are the Kosi (74,030 sq km), Sone (70,228 sq km), and Gandak river (40553 sq km). All the necessary information about the important rivers of Bihar are covered below:

Waterfalls and Hot Springs of Bihar:

Some of the mains waterfalls and hotsprings of the state of Bihar are:

Learn about the Major River Systems in India , in the linked article.

Flora and Fauna of Bihar

One of India’s most biodiverse states is Bihar. Bihar boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna (plants and animals, respectively). Bihar has 3 national parks and 21 animal sanctuaries. Around 800 sq km of land is covered by the Valmiki National Park, which is located in Bihar’s West Champaran region, close to Nepal. Shorea robusta, a damp sal-bearing forest, makes up the majority of the park. Some important fact about the flora and fauna of the state from the exams point of view are given below:

• Total forest area – 7299 sq. km which is 7.75% of total area (1.04% of India’s forest).
• Minimum forest area – Sheikhpura
• Maximum forest area – Kaimur district
• The total area under very dense forest is in West Champaran
• The Dry Deciduous forest is most abundant in Bihar, Kaimur, Purnia, Raxaul etc.
• The Moist Deciduous forest is found in Kishanganj, West Champaran, Kaimur, Gaya etc.

The important National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Tiger Reserves in the state of Bihar are :

Candidates can read about other important Geography topics in the articles linked below:

Soil in Bihar

In Bihar, which is a state with a large agricultural sector, agriculture is the main source of income. The soils in Bihar are separated into North Bihar Plains and South Bihar Plains based on their composition, regional distribution, and physical characteristics.

• Soils of North Bihar
• Piedmont Swamp Soil
• Recent Alluvium Soil- Khadar and Bhangar
• Soils of South Bihar
• Old Alluvium Soil
• Balthar Soil
• Red Sandy Soil

Different types of soil found in Bihar are given below with some important feature of these:

Candidates are advised to visit Classification of Soil in India – Types of Soil in India , to learn about types of soil in India.

Candidates should go through the links given below to understand and compare the IAS Exam and the BPSC Exam:

Frequently Asked Questions about Geography of Bihar

Q1. which river is the longest in bihar, q2. what river goes by the common name sorrow of bihar, q3. name the river of bihar which is sacred for both hindu and buddhist, q4. what is the ghaghra river’s alternate name, q5. what river separates bihar into its two regions, q6. which district in bihar has the smallest area, q7. which is the largest district of bihar in terms of area, q8. which bihar districts are most susceptible to flooding, q9. which is the state bird of bihar, q10. which is the state animal of bihar.

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