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

Padma Awardees from Bihar in 2025

Why in News?

In 2025, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards to 139 exceptional individuals at Rashtrapati Bhavan, honoring their contributions in various fields. Among the awardees, seven distinguished personalities from Bihar were recognized for their remarkable achievements.

Padma Awardees from Bihar

• Dr. Sharda Sinha: Awarded Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous) in the field of Art. She was renowned as the "Bihar Kokila" and gained national fame for her Chhath songs, which are deeply connected to the spiritual and cultural aspects of the Chhath festival.
• Sushil Kumar Modi: Honored with Padma Bhushan (Posthumous) for his contributions to Public Affairs. A former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, he was recognized posthumously for his distinguished service in public affairs.
• Kishore Kunal: Received Padma Shri (Posthumous) for his contributions in Civil Service. A former IPS officer and Chairman of the Mahavir Mandir Trust, he was recognized for his religious and charitable service.
• Bhim Singh Bhavesh: Awarded for his work in Social Work as a journalist. He worked extensively with the Musahar community, a marginalized group in Bihar, helping children gain access to formal education.
• Hemant Kumar: Recognized in the field of Medicine for his instrumental role in treatment and preventive education around kidney diseases, raising awareness and improving patient outcomes.
• Nirmala Devi: Conferred Padma Shri for her work in folk and traditional art, specifically Sujni embroidery. Sujni is a traditional folk textile art from Bihar, known for storytelling through stitches.
• Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Ji Maharaj: Honored with Padma Shri for his contributions to Spiritualism, particularly in spiritual education and practice in Bihar.

Overview of Padma Awards

• The Padma Awards are among India's highest civilian honors, established in 1954. They are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day and presented by the President of India.
• The awards recognize exceptional and distinguished service in various fields, including Art, Social Work, Science, Medicine, Literature, Civil Service, Sports, and more.
• All individuals are eligible for the awards, except government servants (excluding doctors and scientists). Nominations are open to the public, and self-nomination is permitted.
• The Padma Awards Committee, headed by the Cabinet Secretary and comprising other officials and eminent persons, evaluates the nominations.
• Awards are typically presented in March or April each year, and recipients receive a certificate and medallion. The award is not a title and cannot be used as a prefix or suffix.
• A maximum of 120 awards are usually given per year, with some exceptions for posthumous awards and foreign recipients. A minimum gap of five years is required between two Padma awards for the same individual, unless justified.

Nalanda University

Why in News?

On May 21, 2025, economist Sachian Chaturvedi was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University in Bihar.

Key Points 
About Nalanda University

1. Founding and Early Flourishing:

• Gupta Emperor: Nalanda University was established in 427 CE by Kumaragupta in present-day Bihar. It thrived for approximately 800 years until the 12th century.
• Pala Dynasty: The university gained prominence under rulers like Harshavardhana and the Pala dynasty.

2. Notable Visitors and Scholars:

• Xuanzang (Hsuan Tsang), a 7th-century Chinese Buddhist monk, studied at Nalanda for about five years and brought back many scriptures to China.
• Another Chinese pilgrim, I-Tsing, visited in 670 CE and documented Nalanda’s large student population (around 2,000 students) and funding from 200 villages.
• Nalanda attracted students from across Asia, including China, Mongolia, Tibet, and Korea. Scholars like Nagarjuna, Aryabhatta, and Dharmakirti made significant intellectual contributions. The region is also spiritually significant, as Buddha and Mahavira meditated nearby.

3. Attacks and Decline:

• Nalanda suffered attacks by the Hunas (5th century) and the Goudas (7th century), both causing destruction but followed by restoration efforts.
• The final blow came in 1193 CE when Bakhtiyar Khilji destroyed the university. It was rediscovered in the 19th century by British surveyors Francis Buchanan-Hamilton and Sir Alexander Cunningham.

4. Revival Efforts:

• The idea to revive Nalanda gained momentum in the early 2000s, with support from former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Singapore government, and East Asian Summit leaders.
• The revival is envisioned as a regional knowledge hub emphasizing collaboration between India and East Asian countries.

5. Legal and Institutional Framework:

• The Nalanda University Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in 2010, providing the legal basis for the new institution.
• The Bihar government allotted a 455-acre site near the ancient ruins for the university campus.

6. Campus Design and Features:

• The campus was designed by eminent architect B.V. Doshi, blending eco-friendly principles with modern amenities.
• ‘Net Zero’: It is a Green Campus, with features including a solar power plant, water treatment and recycling systems, and extensive water bodies covering 100 acres.

7. Academic Programs:

• Nalanda University now offers postgraduate courses in fields such as Buddhist Studies, Historical Studies, Ecology and Environmental Studies, and International Relations.

8. Recognition:

• UNESCO World Heritage Site: The ruins of ancient Nalanda University were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, highlighting its global cultural significance.

iGOT Karmayogi Platform

Why in News?

​The iGOT Karmayogi platform under the Government of India’s Mission Karmayogi initiative has crossed 1 crore registered users, significantly advancing the capacitybuilding agenda of Indian civil services. 
Bihar is among the top five contributing states besides Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Mission Karmayogi

• The iGOT Karmayogi platform, part of the Government of India's initiative, has surpassed 1 crore registered users, making significant progress in enhancing the capacity-building agenda for Indian civil services.
• Bihar ranks among the top five contributing states, alongside Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Mission Karmayogi aims to develop a professional, well-trained, and future-ready civil service to support India's developmental goals and national programs.
• The mission focuses on transitioning from rule-based to role-based training, adopting a competency-driven approach that balances Attitude, Skills, and Knowledge (ASK).
• It employs the 70-20-10 learning model, emphasizing 70% experiential learning, 20% peer learning, and 10% formal training, while linking learning outcomes to career progression and ensuring objective performance assessments.

Digital Public Infrastructure

• iGOT Karmayogi Digital Learning Platform is a sustainable, scalable, and secure digital ecosystem for continuous learning in the public sector.
• It is a crucial part of India’s National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (Mission Karmayogi).
• Managed by Karmayogi Bharathas, the platform offers over 2,400 courses in 16 languages.
• All courses align with the Karmayogi Competency Model, based on Indic wisdom and the principles of Mission Karmayogi.

Related Initiatives for Training of Civil Servants

• National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutions (NSCSTI). Developed by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) to establish a baseline for Central Training Institutes, aiming to enhance training delivery capacity and harmonize standards for civil servant training.
• CBC operates under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
• AARAMBH. An initiative to unite probationers of All India Services, Group-A Central Services, and Foreign Services for a Common Foundation Course (CFC), aiming to equip civil servants to lead transformations and work seamlessly across departments and fields.

International Buyer-Seller Meet 2025

Why in News?

Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) Bihar showcased its agricultural and food processing potential at the International Buyer-Seller Meet (IBSM) 2025 held in Patna. This event was a collaborative effort between the Bihar government, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, APEDA, and TPCI. The meet is significant for several reasons:

• Boosting Agri-Exports: The IBSM 2025 aims to enhance Bihar's role in India's agricultural exports through various activities like Business-to-Business meetings, technical sessions, and exhibitions.
• Attracting Global Interest: The event drew attention from international buyers, including those from the UAE, Japan, and Germany, interested in procuring large quantities of Bihar's rice, spices, makhana, and fruits.
• Creating Market Linkages: The meet focuses on establishing new market connections, improving procurement for local and international markets, and transforming Bihar's agricultural strengths into export opportunities.
• Rural Economic Growth: The event is seen as a milestone for rural economic development and aligns with the government's vision of 'Viksit Bharat @2047'.
• Future Prospects: The meet also highlighted the formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises under the PMFME Scheme, with Bihar leading in loan sanctions for food processing.
• NIFTEM Institute: The upcoming National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) in Bihar is expected to be a hub for food technology innovation.
• Focus on Makhana Exports: The event emphasized boosting exports of GI-tagged products like Makhana, Shahi Litchi, and Bhagalpuri Zardalu mango, with a strategic report on enhancing Makhana exports released during the event.
• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag: The Mithila Makhana, a special variety of Euryale ferox cultivated in Bihar and Nepal, received a GI tag in 2022, contributing significantly to India's Makhana production.
• National Research Centre for Makhana: The Centre in Darbhanga was upgraded to include research on other aquatic crops, enhancing its role in Makhana and aquatic crop research.
• Makhana Board: Proposed in the Union Budget 2025–26, the Makhana Board in Bihar aims to improve cultivation practices, provide technical support, ensure price stability, and enhance marketing and export potential for Makhana.

Bihar Government Renames Gaya to Gaya Ji

Why in News?

The Bihar government has officially changed the name of the historic city of Gaya to ‘Gaya Ji’. This decision is meant to honor the city’s deep religious and historical importance.

Boosting Religious Tourism

• The renaming aims to enhance religious tourism in Gaya, attracting more pilgrims and visitors.
• This, in turn, is expected to strengthen the local economy and create more livelihood opportunities for the residents.

Historical Background of Gaya Ji

• Ancient Significance: Gaya was once part of the ancient Magadh Empire, a kingdom of great historical importance in India.
• Geographic Importance: The city is situated on the banks of the Falgu River, which adds to its spiritual and geographical significance.

Religious Importance of Gaya Ji

• Pitrapaksh Festival: Gaya is a major Hindu pilgrimage destination, especially known for the Pitrapaksh festival. During this time, millions of people perform Pind Daan to honor their ancestors.
• Mythological Significance: According to local mythology, during the Treta Yuga, a demon named Gayasur performed penance in this area and was granted a boon by Lord Vishnu, leading to his transformation into a pure soul. This is how the place got its name, Gaya.
• Bodhgaya: Located in Gaya district, Bodhgaya is where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. This site is one of the most significant Buddhist pilgrimage centers in the world.

Sacred Surroundings

• Gaya is surrounded by sacred hills, including Mangala-Gauri, Shringa-Sthan, Ram-Shila, and Brahmayoni, which add to its spiritual significance.

Falgu River

• The Falgu River flows on the east side of Gaya.
• During the monsoon season, the river carries water, but for the rest of the year, its riverbed appears dry. However, water can be found beneath the mud.

Pitrapaksh Festival (Pitru Paksha)

• Pitrapaksh, also known as Pitru Paksha or Shraddha, is a 16-day Hindu festival observed during the lunar month of Ashwin (September–October).
• The festival begins on the full moon day (Purnima) and ends on the new moon day (Amavasya).

Khelo India Youth Games 2025 Concluded in Bihar

Why in News?

The Khelo India Youth Games 2025, a key event under the government's Khelo India initiative, took place in Bihar from May 4 to May 15. This was the 7th edition of the Games, which aims to promote sports at the grassroots level.

About Khelo India Youth Games 2025

• The event was organized across five districts in Bihar, namely Patna, Rajgir, Begusarai, Gaya, and Bhagalpur.
• Major events like gymnastics, shooting, and cycling were held in New Delhi.
• The mascot for this year's Games was Gajasimha.
• Over 12 days, athletes competed in 27 sports, with a total of 285 gold medals up for grabs.

Top Performing States

• Maharashtra topped the medal tally with 158 medals (58 gold, 47 silver, 53 bronze), marking its fifth consecutive win.
• Haryana came in second with 117 medals, including 39 gold.

Bihar Ranks First in PMFME Scheme

Why in News?

Bihar has been recognized as the leading state in India under the Prime Minister Micro Food Processing Enterprises Upgradation (PMFME) Scheme.

About the PMFME Scheme

• The PMFME Scheme is designed to enhance the competitiveness of existing private micro-enterprises in the unorganised food processing sector.
• It aims to formalize this sector by promoting structured growth and regulatory integration.
• The scheme is implemented over five years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25, with a total budget of Rs 10,000 crore.

Focused Areas

• One District One Product: This approach aims to optimize procurement, common services, and product marketing by focusing on specific products in each district.
• Waste to Wealth Products: Initiatives that convert waste materials into valuable products.
• Minor Forest Produce: Promoting the processing and marketing of minor forest products.
• Aspiring Districts: Supporting districts that are on the path to development in the food processing sector.

Assistance Available under PMFME Scheme

• Individual/Group Category Micro Enterprises:. credit-linked capital subsidy of 35% of the eligible project cost, with a maximum limit of Rs 10 lakh per unit.
• Self Help Groups (SHGs) for Seed Capital: Seed capital of up to Rs 40,000 per member engaged in food processing, with a maximum of Rs 4 lakh per SHG for working capital and small equipment purchases.
• Support for Common Infrastructure:. credit-linked capital subsidy of 35%, with a maximum of Rs 3 crore, to support government agencies in setting up Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), SHGs, cooperatives, and common infrastructure.

Capacity Building

• The scheme includes training for Entrepreneurship Development Skilling (EDP+), tailored to meet the needs of the food processing industry and specific product skills.
• District Resource Persons (DRPs) are appointed to assist micro food processing enterprises in complying with FSSAI and other statutory requirements.

Buddha Purnima

Why in News?

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar emphasized the significance of Gautam Buddha's teachings and extended greetings on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.

Key Points

About Gautam Buddha:

• Early Life: Gautama Buddha, originally named Siddhartha Gautama, was born in Lumbini around 563 BCE. He belonged to the Shakya clan.
• Enlightenment: Buddha attained enlightenment (bodhi) under a pipal tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar.
• First Sermon: He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. This event is known as Dharmachakra Pravartan, meaning the turning of the wheel of law.
• Death: Buddha passed away at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, in an event known as Mahaparinirvana.
• Dashavatara: In the Dashavatara, the ten principal avatars of Lord Vishnu, Buddha is revered as the eighth incarnation.          

Neera Production in Bihar

Why in News?

The Bihar government has launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Neera Samvardhan Yojana’ on 30 April 2025 to support palm tree owners and toddy tappers involved in the extraction of Neera, an unfermented palm sap drink. This initiative aims to provide employment and financial assistance to those engaged in Neera production.

Implementation of the Scheme:

• The scheme is being implemented by the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (Jeevika) in collaboration with the Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is used to ensure timely payments to the beneficiaries.
• The scheme operates during the toddy season, from April to July 2025.

Financial Support for Toddy Tappers:

• The Bihar government will provide Rs 8 per litre of Neera to 20,000 toddy tappers.
• The production target is set for 2 lakh palm trees identified across the state.

Support for Palm Tree Owners:

• Palm tree owners will receive an incentive of Rs 3 per litre of Neera for up to 10 trees.
• This amounts to Rs 585 per tree, with a maximum of Rs 5,850 for 10 trees.
• The incentives will be transferred directly to the beneficiaries' bank accounts through DBT by Jeevika.

Health Benefits of Neera:

• Neera is packed with essential minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus.
• It acts as a natural probiotic, boosting immunity and increasing hemoglobin levels.
• These health benefits are a significant reason for the state government's promotion of Neera.

Contaminated Mid-Day Meal

Why in News?

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of the incident where over 100 students fell ill due to contaminated mid-day meals in Patna, Bihar.

About the Mid-Day Meal Scheme:

• The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) is the largest school nutrition program in the world, providing meals to students enrolled in government schools from classes 1 to 8.
• The primary goal of this scheme is to increase school enrollment.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education
• Background: The program was originally initiated in 1925 in the Madras Municipal Corporation for underprivileged children. It was later launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on a pilot basis in 1995 for children in Classes 1 to 5. By October 2007, the MDMS was extended to include Class 8.

Development Projects Inaugurated in Bihar

Why in News?

The Prime Minister of India inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects in Madhubani, Bihar.

Rail Connectivity and Projects:

• The Prime Minister launched several important projects to boost rail connectivity.
• Amrit Bharat Express between Saharsa and Mumbai, Namo Bharat Rapid Train between Jaynagar and Patna, and trains between Pipra, Saharsa, and Samastipur were flagged off. Along with this, new railway lines and bridges were inaugurated in Bihar.
• This will provide better transportation facilities in various parts of the state and promote socio-economic development.

Power Projects:

• The foundation stone of projects worth Rs 1,170 crore was laid to strengthen the power infrastructure in Bihar.
• Several projects worth more than Rs 5,030 crore were also inaugurated under the Restructured Distribution Area Scheme.
• This will improve power supply in rural and urban areas and give a new direction to development.

Prime Minister Housing Scheme:

• Under this scheme, more than one lakh beneficiaries took home the housewarming ceremony, and keys were handed over to more than 54,000 beneficiaries.

Assistance to Self Help Groups:

• Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), assistance of about Rs 930 crore was distributed to more than two lakh self-help groups in Bihar under the Community Investment Fund.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G):

• Launch: To achieve the objective of “Housing for All”, the erstwhile rural housing scheme Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) was restructured into Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme from 1 April 2016.
• Concerned Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development.
• Objective: To provide assistance to rural people living below the poverty line (BPL) for the construction of housing units and upgradation of existing unusable kutcha houses by providing full subsidy.
• Beneficiaries: Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, freed bonded labourers, and persons belonging to non-SC/ ST categories, widows or next of kin of defence personnel killed in war, ex-servicemen and retired members of paramilitary forces, persons with disabilities, and minorities.
• Selection of Beneficiaries: Through three-step verification like Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011, Gram Sabha, and Geo-tagging.
• Cost Sharing: The Centre and the States share the cost in the ratio of 60:40 in case of plain areas and 90:10 in case of North Eastern States, two Himalayan States, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. In case of other Union Territories including Union Territory of Ladakh, the Centre bears 100% of the cost.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U):

• Launch: Launched on 25 June 2015, the scheme aimed to provide housing for all in urban areas by the year 2022.
• Concerned Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Status: A total of 118.64 lakh houses have been sanctioned and more than 88.02 lakh houses have been completed/delivered to the beneficiaries.
• Features: To address the urban housing shortage among the urban poor including slum dwellers by ensuring pucca houses to the eligible urban poor. The Mission covers the entire urban area, including statutory towns, notified planning areas, development authorities, special area development authorities, industrial development authorities, or authorities entrusted with the function of urban planning and regulation under State legislation. The Mission promotes women empowerment by providing ownership of houses in the name of women members or in joint names.