Bihar's Developmental Challenges: A Data-Driven Analysis Ahead of Elections
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Economy & Social Development (Human Development Index - HDI, Per Capita Income, Infant Mortality Rate - IMR, Social Indicators).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Society): Poverty and developmental issues; Regionalism; Role of women and population issues.
General Studies Paper 2 (Governance & Social Justice): Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources; Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
General Studies Paper 3 (Economy): Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it; Regional imbalances.
Key Highlights from the News
In the context of the Bihar Assembly elections, an analysis of the state's socio-economic indicators.
Bihar lags behind other states in almost all economic and social measures.
Women-related indicators:
Only 61% of women have attended school (second lowest rate in the country).
41% of women aged 20-24 were married before 18 (child marriage) (second highest rate in the country).
Health indicators:
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is 46.8 (Indian average 35.2).
Lowest number of people using improved sanitation facilities.
Highest number of underweight children.
Human Development Index (HDI): As per 2022 data, Bihar ranks last among 27 states (27th rank).
Economic indicators:
Ranks last in the country for per capita net State domestic product.
Very low employment participation in manufacturing (6%) and services (25%) sectors.
Education indicators:
Ranks 28th among 29 states in Gross Enrollment Rate (GER) in higher education.
Has the third highest dropout rate at the secondary school level in the country.
Environmental indicators: Low plastic waste generation and fossil fuel consumption. However, this is likely due to low industrial activity in the state.
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