Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday, 11 June presented the state's development agenda and sought substantial financial and institutional support from the Centre at the 11th NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers from states and Union Territories across the country.

Education and Skill Development Push

Choudhary highlighted Bihar's progress in early childhood care, noting that nutrition gardens (Poshan Vatikas) have been set up in 10,579 of the 11,529 approved Saksham Anganwadis. Around 8,400 Anganwadi centres have been co-located with nearby schools, and 34,682 centres are linked to primary schools within a 500-metre radius. APAAR IDs have been issued to nearly 70 percent of the 40.28 lakh children enrolled in the 3–6 years age group.

On digital infrastructure, the Chief Minister said internet connectivity has been extended to 91 percent of Bihar's 76,202 government schools, with more than 9,000 smart classrooms now operational. 100 percent toilet coverage has been achieved in girls' schools, and out-of-school children in the 15–19 years age group are being re-enrolled through Bihar's own Open School Board.

In skill development, Choudhary stated that 1.18 lakh artisans have been trained under the PM Vishwakarma scheme. The Aryabhatta International Skill Hub is being established in Patna at a cost of ₹640 crore. Bihar requested ₹750 crore from the Centre for a pilot under the Integrated Scheme in Skilling Architecture (ISSA), and sought ₹1,500 crore for the Jannayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University, along with support for a National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Bhagalpur.

Higher Education, Sports, and Tourism Bids

Degree colleges are being established in 211 blocks across Bihar. The state also urged the Centre to support regional branches of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) and the School of Planning and Architecture in the state.

On the sports front, Bihar successfully hosted several national and international events in 2024, including the Asian Women's and Men's Hockey Championship, the Asian Rugby Championship, and the Khelo India Youth Games 2025. The state has now sought special central assistance to host the National Youth Games in 2028, the Hockey World Cup in 2030, and the National Games in 2031.

For tourism, Choudhary said Bihar is developing Gayaji, including Bodhgaya, as an international spiritual and cultural destination under the One State: One Global Destination initiative. Integrated development work is underway for the Vishnupad Corridor, Mahabodhi Corridor, and the Rajgir–Nalanda–Bodhgaya circuit. The state has requested special support for improving international air connectivity to the region.

Agriculture, Energy, and Industrial Growth

Bihar is implementing the Agri Stack initiative to provide unique IDs to farmers, with around 61 percent of PM-KISAN beneficiaries already enrolled. The state requested the establishment of a Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture in Bihar and sought Centre approval for a National Makhana Board office. It also urged early establishment of the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), for which 100 acres of land has already been transferred.

In the energy sector, Bihar is progressing on a 2,400 MW thermal power project at Pirpainti in Bhagalpur. The Chief Minister noted that the country's largest battery-based solar power plant has been established at Kajra in Lakhisarai, and the state is committed to installing nearly 10 lakh rooftop solar plants beyond its allocated target under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

On industrialisation, Choudhary said approval has been granted for 14,037 acres of new industrial land. Through the Bihar Industrial Investment and Promotion Package 2025, Semiconductor Policy 2026, Bihar Global Capability Center Policy 2026, and the Bihar AI Mission, the state is building a new economy centred on AI, electronics, and advanced manufacturing. In the last two years, Bihar has attracted more than ₹1 lakh crore in private investment across solar, energy, road infrastructure, and industrial sectors. The state has also set a target to develop 14 greenfield satellite townships across more than 3 lakh acres.

₹18,000 Crore Water Mission Demand and Viksit Bharat Commitment

A significant ask at the meeting was Bihar's request for approximately ₹18,000 crore in central assistance related to the Jal Jeevan Mission. The state said it had achieved the national goals of the mission under its Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal programme but could not draw down the allocated central funds for various reasons. Bihar sought ₹13,000 crore for expenditure already incurred and an additional ₹5,000 crore for ongoing projects.

Notably, Bihar ranks first in the country under the Centre's Lakhpati Didi Yojana, with 48.30 lakh Lakhpati Didis, with women from Self-Help Groups playing a central role. Choudhary concluded by assuring Prime Minister Modi that Bihar remains committed to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and will continue to advance on the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.' With multiple large-scale bids now formally placed before the Centre, the state's ability to convert these requests into disbursements will be the key metric to watch in the months ahead.