BPSC Monthly Current Affairs: June 2025 | Monthly Current Affairs BPSC - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Bihar Cabinet Approves Rural Welfare Initiatives

Why in News?

The Bihar Cabinet approved village infrastructure, social pensions, subsidised meals, and strengthened and welfare measures.

Key Points

• Jeevika Didi Ki Rasoi:
  • Operationalisation of Jeevika Didi Ki Rasoi: The Cabinet has sanctioned the operationalisation of units at block-level offices, as well as at sub-divisional and district headquarters, to provide affordable meals.
  • Expansion to Medical Institutions: The Didi Ki Rasoi initiative will be extended to government medical colleges and hospitals, offering subsidised meals priced under a projected budget of ₹5 crore.
• Financial Assistance for Women Entrepreneurs: A committee headed by the Development Commissioner has been formed to establish criteria for disbursing ₹2 lakh financial assistance to women entrepreneurs from economically disadvantaged families identified in the recent caste-based survey.
• Increase in Social Security Pensions: The Cabinet has approved an increase in social security pensions for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and widows, raising the monthly pension from ₹400 to ₹1,100.
• Expenditure Ceiling for MGNREGA: The expenditure ceiling for works approved by gram panchayats under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has been raised from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
• Allowances for Panchayati Raj Representatives: Allowances for elected representatives in the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions and members of the Gram Kutchery have been enhanced by 1.5 times.
  • Ex gratia for Panchayat and Gram Kutchery Members: An ex gratia of ₹5 lakh will be provided to the next of kin in case of the natural death of panchayat or Gram Kutchery members during their term.
• Marriage Hall Construction: Each marriage hall will be constructed at a cost of ₹50 lakh, implemented in a phased manner over five years, starting from the current financial year.

Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project

JEEViKA:

• The Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project aims to socially and economically empower the rural poor in Bihar.
• It is managed by the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS), an autonomous body under the Department of Rural Development, Government of Bihar.
• Initially supported by the World Bank, the project was later expanded to include the Livelihoods Restoration component of the Bihar Kosi Flood Recovery Project (BKFRP).
• The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) has designated BRLPS as the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) for Bihar, implementing NRLM's poverty alleviation strategies.

Didi Ki Rasoi Initiative:

• Launched in 2018 and inspired by the Kerala Kudumbashree model, the Didi Ki Rasoi initiative aims to provide affordable meals in Bihar.
• Supported by the World Bank under the Bihar Transformative Development Project and implemented by BRLPS (JEEViKA), the first center was established in Vaishali.
• Currently, there are over 83 centers operating across 38 districts in Bihar, including in hospitals, medical colleges, and schools.
• The initiative has created employment for over 1,200 women entrepreneurs and 150 full-time staff, with support from hotel management and catering experts.
• Women entrepreneurs receive training in cleanliness, accounting, and customer service through a 7-day program provided by JEEViKA.

Bihar's First Nuclear Power Plant

Why in News?

Bihar is set to become one of the first six states in India to establish its first atomic power plant using Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology.

About First Nuclear Power Plant

• Announcement and Approval: The Union Power Minister announced the Centre's approval for Bihar to set up a nuclear power plant during the 5th Eastern Region Power Ministers' meeting in Patna.
• Significance for Bihar: This project is expected to transform Bihar's energy landscape by ensuring a stable electricity supply, attracting industrial investment, generating employment, and driving technological advancement.
• The initiative is particularly important given Bihar's historical challenges with power deficits and limited infrastructure.

Nuclear Energy Mission

• Ambitious Capacity Expansion: The mission aims to increase India’s nuclear power capacity from the current 8,180 MW to 100 GW by 2047, making nuclear energy a major part of India’s energy mix.
• Focus on Indigenous Technology: The mission emphasizes developing indigenous technologies, especially SMRs, with an investment of ₹20,000 crore. The goal is to develop at least five indigenously designed SMRs by 2033.
• Private Sector Participation: Legislative changes are planned to encourage private sector investment in nuclear projects by amending the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. This will facilitate faster deployment of nuclear projects and innovation, with private entities contributing land, capital, and funding.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

• SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with a capacity of up to 300 MW(e), about one-third of traditional reactors.
• SMRs represent an advanced, cost-effective, and safer nuclear technology suitable for regions with moderate power demands, especially where large-scale plants are not feasible.
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is working on SMRs for repurposing retiring coal-based power plants and meeting the energy needs of remote areas.
• Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is also focusing on developing reactors such as high-temperature gas-cooled reactors for hydrogen generation and molten salt reactors to utilize India’s vast thorium resources.

Other Recent Developments in Power Sector

• Battery Energy Storage Projects: The Central Government has approved a 1,000 MW battery storage capacity project in Bihar to support renewable energy integration, grid stability, and viability gap funding.
• Energy Storage System (BESS): The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a 500 MWh BESS project in Siwan.
• Additional Support to Bihar: The Centre has agreed to supply an additional 500 MW of electricity to Bihar to support peak summer demand.
• Smart Meters: Bihar was commended for installing eight million smart meters and reducing technical and commercial losses, indicating significant progress in the power sector.

 Advantages of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) 

•  Enhanced Safety:  SMRs are designed with advanced safety features that allow for passive safety systems. These systems can automatically shut down the reactor without the need for human intervention or external power, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.
•  Cost-Effectiveness:  The smaller size and modular nature of SMRs mean they can be built in factories and transported to the site, potentially lowering construction costs and time. Additionally, they can be deployed in regions with smaller electricity grids where large reactors would be impractical.
•  Flexible Deployment:  SMRs can be deployed in a variety of settings, including remote locations and areas with limited infrastructure. Their smaller footprint and lower water usage make them suitable for places where traditional reactors would not be feasible.
•  Reduced Environmental Impact:  By generating low-carbon energy, SMRs contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Their smaller size also means less land is required for installation compared to traditional nuclear power plants.
•  Economic Development:  The deployment of SMRs can stimulate local economies by creating jobs in construction, operation, and maintenance. Additionally, they provide a stable source of energy that can support local industries and businesses.

 Disadvantages of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) 

•  High Initial Costs:  Although SMRs are smaller and potentially cheaper to build than traditional reactors, the initial research, development, and regulatory approval costs can be very high. This can make the upfront investment risky for developers.
•  Regulatory Challenges:  The nuclear industry is heavily regulated, and new reactor designs need to go through rigorous safety and environmental assessments. This can lead to long delays in getting SMRs approved for use, which can deter investors.
•  Limited Track Record:  As a relatively new technology, there are few operational examples of SMRs. This lack of a proven track record can make investors and regulators cautious about their safety and reliability.
•  Public Perception:  Public concern about nuclear safety can be a significant barrier. Even with advanced safety features, any incident related to nuclear power can lead to public opposition, which can impact the feasibility of SMR projects.
•  Waste Management:  Like all nuclear reactors, SMRs produce radioactive waste that needs to be managed. Developing effective and safe waste management solutions is a significant challenge and a potential drawback for nuclear power in general.

Bihar Leads India with E-Voting for Urban Local Body Elections

Why in News?
Bihar has become the first state in India to introduce an e-voting system for urban local body elections.
The Bihar State Election Commission (SEC) will implement this digital voting method through two mobile applications “e-Voting SECBHR” developed by C-DAC and another app developed by the Bihar State Election Commission.

Understanding E-Voting

• E-voting systems can utilize electronic voting machines or kiosks at polling stations.
• These machines record votes instantly and provide receipts without the need for internet connectivity.

Bihar's Pioneering Step

• Bihar is the first state in India to adopt an e-voting system for municipal and urban body elections.
• This initiative mirrors global practices, as Estonia was the first country to implement online voting in 2005.

Technological Advancements in Bihar's E-Voting System

• The e-voting system in Bihar incorporates advanced technological features to ensure secure and reliable voting.
• Tamper-Proof Voting: The system uses blockchain technology to secure votes, making the process tamper-proof.
• Biometric Authentication: Biometric methods such as liveness detection and face matching are employed to verify voters' identities.
• Digital Innovations: The SEC in Bihar has introduced various digital innovations, including:
• Face Recognition System: Used for voter verification.
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Utilized for counting votes and announcing results.
• Digital Locks: Implemented for securing strong rooms where voting materials are stored.

Significance of E-Voting in Bihar

• E-voting in Bihar holds significant importance for various reasons:
• Inclusive Voting: E-voting enables a diverse range of voters, including migrants, remote voters, disabled individuals, pregnant women, seniors, and those with serious illnesses, to cast their votes from anywhere.
• Increased Turnout: The initiative is expected to boost voter participation by making the voting process more accessible and convenient for all.

History of Electronic Voting Machines in India

• 1977: Idea of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) proposed by Chief Election Commissioner S.L. Shakdhar.
• 1980-81: Development and demonstration of EVMs by Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).
• 1982-83: First use of EVMs in 50 polling stations in Kerala, followed by 11 Assembly constituencies across various states.
• 1984: Supreme Court halts EVM usage, citing legal amendments needed for the Representation of the People Act.
• 1988: Amendment of the Representation of the People Act, legalizing EVM use from 1989.
• 2013: Introduction of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) for transparency in EVMs.
• 2018: Supreme Court rejects petitions for reverting to ballot papers, upholding EVM use.

Sahitya Akademi Yuva and Bal Puraskar 2025

Why in News? 

The Sahitya Akademi, which is India’s National Academy of Letters, has declared the recipients of its esteemed Yuva Puraskar and Bal Sahitya Puraskar for the year 2025.
For Maithili, Neha Jha Mani has been honored with the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025 for her poetry collection titled “Banaras Aa Hum”.

Noteworthy Awardees:

Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025:

• English: Advait Kottary for “Siddhartha: The Boy Who Became the Buddha” (Novel)
• Hindi: Parvati Tirkey for “Phir Ugna” (Poetry)
• Urdu: Neha Rubab for “Mazharul Haque: Thareek-e-Azadi-e-Hind: Hind Ka Faramosh Kardah Qaaed” (Novel)

Bal Sahitya Puraskar:

• English: Nitin Kushalappa MP for “Dakshin South Indian Myths and Fables Retold”
• Hindi: Sushil Shukla for “Ek Batey Bara”
• Maithili: Munni Kamat for a collection of short stories for children titled “Chukka”
• Urdu: Ghazanfar Iqbal for “Quami Sitare” (Articles)

Introduction to Sahitya Akademi

Establishment: The Sahitya Akademi was officially inaugurated on March 12, 1954, by the Government of India as the National Academy of Letters.

Purpose: Its primary aim is to promote Indian literature, set high literary standards, encourage dialogue across different languages, and foster cultural unity.

Languages: The Akademi works in 24 Indian languages, which include all 22 constitutional languages, as well as English and Rajasthani.

Activities:

• Publications: The Akademi publishes a wide range of materials, including books, journals, dictionaries, and encyclopedias. So far, it has published over 6,000 books, averaging about one new book every 19 hours.
• Events: It organizes nearly 300 events per year, such as seminars, workshops, and literary meets, both across India and abroad.
• Translation Centres and Archives: The Akademi runs translation centres and archives and actively promotes tribal and oral literature.
• Awards: It presents 24 annual literary awards, 24 translation awards, the Bhasha Samman, fellowships, and cultural exchange programs.

Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar

• Established: 2010 to honor exceptional children's literature aimed at readers aged 9 to 16.
• Languages: Awarded in 24 Indian languages recognized by the Sahitya Akademi.
• Award Components: Includes a cash prize of ₹50,000, an engraved plaque, a shawl, and a citation.
• Eligibility:
  • Original and creative work published within the last five years.
  • There must be at least three eligible books in the language for that year.
  • Adaptations of myths and posthumous works (within five years) are permitted.
• Ineligible: Translations, anthologies, abridgements, theses, and works by Board members, Fellows, or Bhasha Samman awardees are not eligible.

 Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 

• Overview: The Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar was initiated in 2011 to recognize and honor young Indian writers, aged 35 or below, for their original literary works in languages recognized by the Sahitya Akademi.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Age Limit: The author must be an Indian national, aged 35 or less on January 1st of the award year.
  • Originality: The work submitted must be original and not a translation, abridgement, thesis, or a work that has been awarded previously.
  • Posthumous Works: Works by authors who are deceased are not eligible for consideration.
  • Minimum Books Requirement: There must be a minimum of three eligible books available in the language for the award year.
• Award Components: The award includes a cash prize of ₹50,000, along with a plaque, a shawl, and a citation.
• Nomination Process: The Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar is unique in that it is open for self-nomination by authors and publisher nomination, making it accessible for young writers to be considered for the award.

Bihar Biofuels Production Promotion (Amendment) Policy, 2025

Why in News? 

The Bihar government has revised its Biofuels Production Promotion Policy to encourage greater private sector involvement and increase bioenergy output.

Bihar Biofuels Production Promotion Policy, 2023

• Ethanol
• Compressed Bio-Gas

The Bihar Biofuels Production Promotion Policy, 2023, was launched to expand the scope of biofuel production beyond ethanol to include Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) and bio-CNG units.

National Policy on Biofuels, 2018

The policy aims to boost farmers’ incomes, create jobs, and align with renewable energy goals by promoting biofuel production using agricultural residues, animal dung, and waste.

Objectives

• Enable production of 100% fuel-grade ethanol and CBG/bio-CNG from all permitted feedstocks under the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018.
• Promote greenfield standalone units for these biofuels in Bihar.

Coverage

• Greenfield standalone distilleries producing 100% fuel-grade ethanol (single or dual feed).
• Units producing Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG)/bio-CNG.

Incentives

• Capital subsidy of 15% of plant and machinery cost or Rs 5 crore (whichever is lower).
• For SC, ST, EBC, women, differently-abled, war widows, acid attack victims, and third gender entrepreneurs, the subsidy is 15.75% or Rs 5.25 crore (whichever is lower).

Key Changes in Bihar Biofuels Production Promotion (Amendment) Policy, 2025

• Land Lease. Up to 25% of BIADA-managed industrial land can now be leased for CBG units, with a 30-year lease at Rs 75,000 per acre annually.
• Date Extension. Stage-1 clearance deadline for CBG units extended to 31st March, 2027 via the Single Window Clearance Portal.
• Financial Approval Deadline. Extended to 31st March, 2028 for CBG projects, applicable to private players and oil marketing companies (OMCs).

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)

Why in News? 

Bihar has been recognized as the leading state in India under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), achieving an impressive 92% online OPD registration rate through the Scan-and-Share QR code feature.

Since the inception of ABDM in 2021, there have been a total of 11.38 crore OPD registrations, with Bihar contributing significantly by accounting for 2.94 crore registrations. Following Bihar are Uttar Pradesh with 2.25 crore registrations and Andhra Pradesh with 1.70 crore registrations.

About the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM):

• Launched: The ABDM was initiated in 2021 by the Government of India.
• Objective: The mission aims to establish a robust digital health ecosystem that ensures the secure, efficient, and inclusive exchange of health data, while enhancing accessibility, equity, and the overall quality of healthcare services across the nation.
• Budget Allocation: The initiative was launched with a five-year budget of ₹1,600 crore, covering the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Major Components of ABDM:

• ABHA Number (Ayushman Bharat Health Account): The ABHA app enables users to generate an ABHA address, link their health records, and manage consent for sharing personal health data.
• ABHA Mobile App (Personal Health Record - PHR): This app facilitates the creation of ABHA addresses and the linking of health records, allowing users to manage their consent for data sharing.
• Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR): HPR is a national digital platform that verifies healthcare professionals, making it easier for users to access qualified service providers.
• Health Facility Registry (HFR): HFR is a comprehensive database of public and private healthcare facilities, improving service coordination and system integration.

Benefits of the Digital Health Ecosystem:

• Digital storage of patients’ health records eliminates the need for physical documents, reducing paperwork and enhancing efficiency.
• Real-time access to prescriptions, diagnostic results, and treatment history facilitates quicker hospital processes and ensures continuity of care during future visits, with patient consent.

Canal Bank Solar Power Project

Why in News? 

​Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of Bihar has launched the Bikram Lock Canal Bank Solar Power Project in Patna district. This initiative is part of the larger 'Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali' campaign aimed at promoting renewable and green energy to mitigate the environmental impact caused by traditional energy sources.

About the Project: The solar power project is situated along a 2-kilometer stretch of the main canal at Bikram in Patna. It boasts an installed capacity of 2 megawatts and covers an area of 5.7 acres, with the land being allocated by the Water Resources Department. The project was developed under the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model, involving a private firm responsible for the installation, operation, and maintenance of the system.

Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission (JJHM):

• Background: JJHM is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and operates under the Rural Development Department of the Government of Bihar. Launched in 2019, the mission aims to promote climate sustainability and resource conservation through a multi-stakeholder approach.
• Motto: The mission's motto is “Water, Life and Greenery — only then will be Prosperity,” reflecting its focus on these essential elements for sustainable development.
• Objectives: JJHM aims to enhance climate sustainability, water conservation, pollution-free ecosystems, and climate-resilient agriculture. It also promotes the use of renewable energy, energy conservation, and public awareness about climate issues.
• Empowerment: The mission empowers citizens to contribute to building a greener future through targeted and time-bound actions that have a lasting ecological impact.

Key Components of JJHM:

• Repair of public water structures
• Survey and restoration of ponds, lakes, wells, and steps
• Restoration of public wells
• Construction of wells and check dams near canals and streams
• Building check dams in small rivers and hilly areas
• Transferring water from surplus to deficit areas
• Construction of rainwater harvesting structures
• Improvement of animal drinking water sources
• Promotion of alternative crops and modern agricultural techniques
• Promotion of solar energy and conservation practices
• Awareness campaign on Water, Life, and Greenery

50th Anniversary of Sampoorna Kranti

Why in News? 

The 50th anniversary of the call for Sampoorna Kranti (Total Revolution) was recently observed in Patna.

About Sampoorna Kranti:

• Launch: On 5th June 1974, Jayaprakash Narayan called for a Total Revolution at Gandhi Maidan, Patna.
• Objective: The 1974 movement sought societal reforms to address hunger, corruption, injustice, economic hardship, and political oppression.
• Impact: United diverse opposition groups in the 1970s to challenge the ruling establishment. Non-electoral focus and mass movements shaped future political strategies and actions.
• The Total Revolution: Inspired political change, spreading to Delhi and influencing national politics.
• Emergency in 1975: Growing unrest from the movement contributed to the declaration of the Emergency.

Jayaprakash Narayan:

• He is popularly known as Loknayak.
• He was a revolutionary, political philosopher, and mass leader.
• He was born in Sitabdiara, Bihar on October 11, 1902.
• He became a prominent leader in India’s freedom struggle and post-independence democratic revival.

Gram Swaraj:

• Initially influenced by Marxism, he later embraced Gandhian Sarvodaya, focusing on non-violence, village self-reliance, and social reforms.
• He actively participated in the Indian freedom struggle and later helped form socialist organizations like the Congress Socialist Party and the Praja Socialist Party.
• In March 1943, JP, along with leaders like Ram Manohar Lohia, Phoolena Prasad Verma, Suraj Narayan Singh, and Yogendra Shukla, formed the Azad Dasta in the Rajvilas forest (Terai region of Nepal).
• The Azad Dasta was a revolutionary guerrilla group with the goal of sabotaging British administrative operations, destroying communication lines, and spreading anti-British propaganda.
• He played a key role in forming the Janata Party in 1977, advocating for civil liberties and ethical politics, leaving a lasting impact on India’s democratic movements.