Chapter 27: bihar arthik sarvekshan (navinatam)
1. Chapter Study Notes
1 Topic Notebihar arthik sarvekshan (navinatam) - Chapter Notes
Chapter 27: Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26
The Bihar Economic Survey is an annual document that presents a detailed assessment of the state's economic performance, sectoral development, income, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, employment, public finance and social development.
The Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26 was presented on 2 February 2026. It primarily analyses the economic performance of Bihar during 2024-25 and provides important indicators for understanding the state's economy.
1. What is the Economic Survey?
The Economic Survey is a comprehensive review of the economic condition of a state during a particular period. It analyses economic growth, sectoral performance, income, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, employment, public finance and social development.
2. Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26: Key Facts
| Indicator | Key Figure |
|---|---|
| Latest Economic Survey | 2025-26 |
| Year of presentation | 2026 |
| Major economic year analysed | 2024-25 |
| GSDP at current prices | тВ╣9,91,997 crore |
| GSDP at constant prices | тВ╣5,31,372 crore |
| GSDP growth at current prices | 13.1% |
| GSDP growth at constant prices | 8.6% |
| Per-capita income at current prices | тВ╣76,490 |
| Per-capita income at constant prices | тВ╣40,973 |
3. Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP)
Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is the monetary value of all final goods and services produced within the geographical boundaries of Bihar during a given period.
| Measure | 2024-25 |
|---|---|
| GSDP at current prices | тВ╣9,91,997 crore |
| GSDP at constant prices (2011-12) | тВ╣5,31,372 crore |
| Growth at current prices | 13.1% |
| Growth at constant prices | 8.6% |
4. Current Prices vs Constant Prices
| Current Prices | Constant Prices |
|---|---|
| Uses prices prevailing in the current year. | Uses prices of a fixed base year. |
| Includes the effect of price changes. | Reduces the effect of inflation. |
| Useful for measuring nominal value. | More useful for measuring real economic growth. |
5. Per-Capita Income
Per-capita income represents the average income per person. It is generally calculated by dividing the state income by the population.
| Indicator | 2024-25 |
|---|---|
| Per-capita income at current prices | тВ╣76,490 |
| Per-capita income at constant prices | тВ╣40,973 |
| Per-capita NSDP at constant prices | тВ╣36,342 |
6. Bihar's Per-Capita Income Compared with India
Bihar's per-capita income remains considerably below the national average. The Economic Survey highlights the continuing gap in per-capita income between Bihar and the all-India level.
7. Sectoral Structure of Bihar's Economy
Bihar's economy is divided into three broad sectors:
- Primary Sector
- Secondary Sector
- Tertiary Sector
| Sector | Share in GSVA, 2024-25 | Growth at Current Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Sector | 18.3% | 9.6% |
| Secondary Sector | 26.8% | 15.5% |
| Tertiary Sector | 54.8% | 13.5% |
Largest sector by contribution = Tertiary Sector
Fastest-growing broad sector in 2024-25 at current prices = Secondary Sector
8. Primary Sector
The primary sector includes agriculture and allied activities such as livestock, forestry and fishing.
Major Features
- Agriculture remains an important source of livelihood.
- The sector is important for rural employment.
- Crop production is influenced by rainfall, irrigation and floods.
- Livestock, dairy, fisheries and horticulture provide opportunities for diversification.
- The share of the primary sector in GSVA has declined as other sectors have expanded.
9. Agriculture and Foodgrain Production
Agriculture remains a crucial component of Bihar's rural economy. The state has considerable potential in rice, wheat, maize, vegetables, fruits, livestock, dairy and fisheries.
| Major Foodgrain | Approximate Share in Total Grain Production |
|---|---|
| Rice | 40.7% |
| Wheat | 32.1% |
| Maize | 27.1% |
10. Fisheries and Allied Activities
- Fisheries are an important source of rural income and employment.
- Bihar has significant potential for inland fisheries.
- Fish production has expanded over time.
- Madhubani has emerged as an important district in fish production.
- Expansion of fisheries can support rural diversification and income generation.
11. Secondary Sector
The secondary sector includes manufacturing, construction, electricity, gas, water supply and related industrial activities.
Major Drivers
- Construction activity.
- Manufacturing.
- Infrastructure development.
- Electricity and related utilities.
- Increasing investment in physical infrastructure.
12. Tertiary Sector
The tertiary sector includes trade, transport, communication, banking, financial services, public administration, real estate and other services.
Major Components
- Trade and commerce.
- Transport and communication.
- Financial services.
- Real estate and professional services.
- Public administration.
- Education and health services.
- Tourism and hospitality.
13. Structural Transformation of Bihar's Economy
| Sector | 2020-21 | 2024-25 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 21.9% | 18.3% | Declining share |
| Secondary | 21.1% | 26.8% | Increasing share |
| Tertiary | 57.0% | 54.8% | Still dominant |
The changing sectoral structure indicates increasing diversification of Bihar's economy, with the secondary sector gaining importance while services continue to remain dominant.
14. District-Level Economic Disparities
Economic development is not uniform across Bihar. There are substantial differences in per-capita income among districts.
| District | Position |
|---|---|
| Patna | Highest per-capita GDDP among districts |
| Begusarai | Among the highest |
| Munger | Among the highest |
| Sheohar | Among the lowest |
| Araria | Among the lowest |
| Sitamarhi | Among the lowest |
15. Employment and Labour Market
Bihar's labour market has a strong rural component and remains closely connected with agriculture and informal employment.
- Agriculture continues to absorb a large share of the workforce.
- Informal employment remains important.
- Seasonal and disguised unemployment are relevant in rural areas.
- Migration is an important feature of Bihar's labour market.
- Skill development is important for increasing non-farm employment.
16. Urban and Rural Employment Issues
| Rural Areas | Urban Areas |
|---|---|
| Seasonal unemployment | Educated unemployment |
| Disguised unemployment | Skill mismatch |
| Agricultural dependence | Informal employment |
| Low productivity | Competition for formal jobs |
17. Poverty and Human Development
Economic growth needs to be accompanied by improvements in education, health, nutrition, housing, sanitation and employment opportunities. Human development is therefore an important component of Bihar's long-term economic transformation.
тЖУ
Higher Productivity
тЖУ
Higher Income
тЖУ
Lower Poverty
18. Infrastructure and Economic Development
Infrastructure plays a major role in improving connectivity, reducing transaction costs and attracting investment.
- Road and bridge connectivity.
- Rail and transport infrastructure.
- Electricity supply.
- Irrigation infrastructure.
- Digital connectivity.
- Urban infrastructure.
- Industrial infrastructure.
19. Fiscal Position of Bihar
The Economic Survey also analyses Bihar's public finance, including government expenditure, revenue, fiscal deficit and public debt.
| Indicator | 2024-25 |
|---|---|
| Total Government Expenditure | About тВ╣2,81,939 crore |
| Fiscal Deficit | About 4.2% of GSDP |
| Outstanding Liabilities | About 37.7% of GSDP |
20. Disaster and Climate Challenges
Bihar's geographical location and river systems make the state vulnerable to floods and other natural hazards. The Economic Survey highlights the economic and social consequences of disasters.
- Floods affect agriculture and rural infrastructure.
- Waterlogging can damage crops and roads.
- Lightning is an important natural hazard.
- Heatwaves affect health and labour productivity.
- Disasters can increase migration and economic vulnerability.
21. Major Strengths of Bihar's Economy
- Large working-age population.
- Favourable agricultural potential.
- Availability of fertile alluvial soil.
- Large consumer market.
- Potential for agro-processing industries.
- Potential in dairy, fisheries and livestock.
- Growing infrastructure connectivity.
- Large potential for tourism.
- Growing services sector.
22. Major Challenges
- Low per-capita income compared with the national average.
- Regional disparities among districts.
- Dependence on agriculture for employment.
- Need for greater industrialisation.
- Unemployment and underemployment.
- Large informal sector.
- Flood and climate-related vulnerability.
- Need for higher private investment.
- Need for better human capital.
- Fiscal constraints and dependence on central transfers.
23. Way Forward for Bihar's Economy
- Promote industrialisation and manufacturing.
- Develop agro-processing and food-processing industries.
- Increase agricultural productivity.
- Expand irrigation and modern agricultural technology.
- Strengthen MSMEs and entrepreneurship.
- Improve technical and vocational education.
- Increase employment opportunities in the non-farm sector.
- Improve health and education outcomes.
- Strengthen flood management and climate resilience.
- Reduce regional disparities through district-specific development strategies.
- Attract private investment.
- Promote tourism and service-sector activities.
24. Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26: Quick Revision
| Topic | Important Fact |
|---|---|
| Latest Economic Survey | 2025-26 |
| Major year analysed | 2024-25 |
| GSDP at current prices | тВ╣9,91,997 crore |
| GSDP at constant prices | тВ╣5,31,372 crore |
| GSDP growth at current prices | 13.1% |
| GSDP growth at constant prices | 8.6% |
| Per-capita income, current prices | тВ╣76,490 |
| Per-capita income, constant prices | тВ╣40,973 |
| Primary sector share | 18.3% |
| Secondary sector share | 26.8% |
| Tertiary sector share | 54.8% |
| Highest per-capita district | Patna |
| Lowest-income district group | Sheohar, Araria and Sitamarhi among the lowest |
| Fiscal deficit, 2024-25 | About 4.2% of GSDP |
25. BPSC Important Questions
- What is the Economic Survey? Explain its importance for understanding Bihar's economy.
- Discuss the major findings of Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26.
- What was Bihar's GSDP growth rate in 2024-25 at current and constant prices?
- Discuss the trend of per-capita income in Bihar.
- Explain the sectoral structure of Bihar's economy.
- Why is the tertiary sector important for Bihar's economy?
- Discuss the increasing role of the secondary sector in Bihar.
- Explain the major regional disparities in Bihar's economy.
- Discuss the major challenges facing Bihar's economy.
- Suggest measures for accelerating inclusive economic growth in Bihar.
26. BPSC Data Traps
Trap 1: 13.1% = GSDP growth at current prices.
Trap 2: 8.6% = GSDP growth at constant prices.
Trap 3: тВ╣76,490 = per-capita income at current prices.
Trap 4: тВ╣40,973 = per-capita income at constant prices.
Trap 5: The tertiary sector has the largest share, while the secondary sector recorded the fastest growth among the three broad sectors at current prices in 2024-25.
Trap 6: The Economic Survey 2025-26 mainly describes the economic performance of 2024-25. Do not treat 2024-25 survey data as 2025-26 economic performance.
27. One-Page BPSC Summary
Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26 is the latest economic survey and analyses the state's economic performance, particularly for 2024-25.
Bihar's GSDP reached approximately тВ╣9.92 lakh crore at current prices in 2024-25. Growth was 13.1% at current prices and 8.6% at constant prices.
Per-capita income increased to тВ╣76,490 at current prices and тВ╣40,973 at constant prices.
The tertiary sector remained the largest contributor with about 54.8% of GSVA, followed by the secondary sector at 26.8% and the primary sector at 18.3%.
The major challenges include low per-capita income, regional disparities, agricultural dependence, unemployment, industrialisation gaps, infrastructure requirements and vulnerability to natural disasters.
Key development strategy: Agriculture + Industrialisation + Infrastructure + Human Capital + Skills + Services + Private Investment = Sustainable Economic Growth.
Source: Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26; Government of Bihar; MoSPI; PRS Legislative Research.
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