Geographical Overview

Bihar is situated in eastern India, bordered by Nepal to the north, West Bengal to the northeast, Uttar Pradesh to the west, and Jharkhand to the south and southeast. The state capital is Patna, a city with deep historical roots. Bihar's geography is naturally divided by the Ganges River into the North Bihar Plains and South Bihar Plains, part of the middle Gangetic Plain. The North Bihar Plain is flat and alluvial, less than 250 feet (75 meters) above sea level, and prone to flooding, with rivers like Ghaghara, Gandak, Baghmati, Kosi, and Mahananda flowing from Nepal. The South Bihar Plain has varied terrain, including hills and the Kaimur Plateau in the southwest, with sandstone over limestone. Bihar lies in northeastern India, largely in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It covers about 94,163 km². The state stretches from the Ganges in the north to the Chotanagpur Plateau in the south. The Ganges River bisects Bihar; its major Himalayan tributaries – the Gandak, Burhi (“Old”) Gandak, Kosi and others – drain into it. The Son River is a significant southern tributary. These rivers deposit fertile alluvial soil, making the plain agriculturally rich. Northern Bihar is flat and fertile, while the south has low hills (Rohtas, Kaimur ranges) with limited mineral deposits.

Climate and Environment

Bihar experiences three distinct seasons: hot-weather (March to mid-June), monsoon rains (mid-June to October), and cold-weather (November to February). The hottest month is May, with temperatures often exceeding 90°F (32°C), while January is the coolest, with lows in the low 70s F (22°C). Annual rainfall varies, with 40 inches (1,000 mm) in west-central areas and over 60 inches (1,500 mm) in the extreme north, mostly occurring from June to October. Natural vegetation includes deciduous forests, though forested areas are small, mostly in the Himalayan foothills. Trees like sal (Shorea robusta), bamboo, reeds, grasses, banyans, Bo trees, and palmyra palms are common. Fauna includes Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants, and deer in inaccessible forests, with crocodiles along the Kosi River and endangered adjutant storks in the Kosi and Ganges floodplains. Small mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish are also prevalent.

Key Demographic Indicators

Research suggests Bihar's population is around 131 million as of 2025, making it one of India's most populous states. The majority live in rural areas, with a high population density, and the state has a young demographic, with almost 58% below 25 years of age. Bihar is likely the second most populous state in India, with an estimated population of 131,041,000 (131.04 million or 13.04 crore) as of July 1, 2025, according to projections by the Technical Group of the National Commission. This figure aligns with recent estimates, such as 130,725,310 from the 2023 Bihar Caste Census, indicating a high population growth rate. The state accounts for 9.24% of India's total population, the highest since 1901, and has a sex ratio of 107.955 males per 100 females in 2025, with 68,027,000 males and 63,014,000 females. Population density is high, at 1,307 persons per square kilometer in 2021, exceeding the national average, with 88% residing in rural areas as of 2023. The dependency ratio is 70.2%, also above the national average, reflecting a significant proportion of young and elderly dependents. Almost 58% of the population is below 25 years of age, the highest in India, with a low urbanization rate of 11.27%, the second-lowest after Himachal Pradesh. Major cities include Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Munger, and Bihar Sharif. Religiously, 82% practice Hinduism, with 17.7% following Islam, and smaller communities of Christians, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists. The population composition includes upper castes (Brahmans, Bhumihars, Rajputs, Kayasthas), Backward Classes (Yadavas, Kurmis, Banias), Scheduled Castes (formerly untouchables like Chamars, Dusadhs, Mushars), and Scheduled Tribes (mostly Hindus, some Christians, e.g., Munda, Santhal, Ho, Oraon).

Languages and Culture

The primary languages are Indo-European, with Hindi and Urdu sharing official status, the latter predominantly among Muslims. Native Bihari languages include Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi, with Bhojpuri spoken in areas like Bhojpur and Rohtas, Maithili in Darbhanga and Saharsa, and Magahi in Patna, Gaya, and Munger. Austroasiatic languages are spoken by groups like Munda and Santhal, and Dravidian by the Oraon. Culturally, Bihar is rich, with festivals, music, dance, and food reflecting its diversity, and it attracted Punjabi Hindu refugees during the 1947 Partition of British India.

Economic Landscape

Bihar's economy, traditionally agrarian, is growing rapidly. Agriculture employs a large portion of people; key crops include rice, wheat, maize, pulses, sugarcane, and potatoes. Its output has risen due to irrigation and input improvements. Industry is smaller: sugar mills, cement plants, fertilizer factories, and light manufacturing (textiles, leather goods, steel utensils) are present, mostly clustered around industrial towns. The service sector (government services, banking, education, telecom) has expanded and now contributes the largest share of GDP. In FY2023–24, Bihar's GDP grew ~9.20%, among India’s fastest, with a nominal growth of ~14.5%. Per capita income was about ₹36,333 (2011–12 prices), reflecting steady improvement. **Mineral Resources**: Limestone, quartz, silica; industrial growth around cement, fertilizer, and sugar mills. **Growth Initiatives**: Recent state budgets have targeted infrastructure (roads, riverfront development in Patna), electricity access, and skill-development programs to curb migration. **Industrial Initiatives**: **Bihar Startup Policy 2024**: Fostering entrepreneurship in agri-tech and IT. **Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)**: Collaboration with Tata Tech for robotics, IoT, and electric vehicle training. Once an industrial hub with giants like TISCO and TELCO, Bihar faced economic decline. Today, it’s rebounding with efforts to diversify beyond agriculture into **Information Technology**, **Infrastructure**, **Education and Healthcare**. By 2020, Bihar achieved **98.8% electrification**, and recent investments, such as the Adani Group’s ₹25,000 crore pledge, promise over 50,000 jobs.

Transforming Infrastructure

The state government’s focus on infrastructure is supporting growth: a special central package (announced in 2015) funded dozens of highway, rail and airport projects. One analysis notes “the state is witnessing a visible transformation in its transport infrastructure” – new highways, expanded rail networks and upgraded airports. Such investments are expected to stimulate industry (e.g. logistics, power, manufacturing) and services (trade, tourism) in the coming years.

Key Educational Initiatives & Institutions

Education in Bihar has expanded but still faces challenges. The overall literacy rate (2011) was 70.70% (up from 47% in 2001), with 79.70% for males and 60.5% for females, showing a 20% growth in female literacy over the decade. The sex ratio at birth (2019-21) is 908 females per 1,000 males, lower than the national average, indicating gender disparities. Educational institutions are numerous, with efforts to improve access, though challenges remain in rural areas. Government initiatives also aim to uplift living standards in education and healthcare.

Comparative Analysis & Future Trajectory

Compared to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar has been noted for lower crime rates and better power supply in some X posts, though it lags in industrialization and urban development. Its high population density and rural focus contrast with more urbanized states, impacting economic opportunities and infrastructure needs. Despite progress, Bihar faces hurdles like poverty mitigation, quality education access, and climate resilience. Current strategies emphasize: **Skill Development**: Centers of Excellence in ITIs for advanced manufacturing training. **Sustainable Tourism**: Promoting Buddhist circuits (Bodh Gaya-Rajgir-Nalanda) and Sikh heritage (Patna Sahib). **Gender Equity**: Women-centric theater festivals and artisan empowerment during Bihar Diwas.