66th Prelims Re 2021

Explanation:

Nepal’s first Transnational Petroleum pipeline started from Motihari in Bihar. It was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of India and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli of Nepal in 2019 through video conference. The pipeline, stretching 69 km from Motihari to Amlekhgunj, has a capacity of 2 million metric tons per annum and aims to provide cleaner petroleum products at an affordable cost to the people of Nepal. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

The first Integrated Checkpost in Bihar was established at Raxaul-Birgunj in 2018. On January 21, 2020, the second Integrated Check Post was inaugurated at Jogbani-Viratnagar, located in Araria district. An Integrated Checkpost (ICP) is a trade facilitation centre at the borders of India, designed to boost bilateral trade and cross-border movement of people. Its objectives include facilitating trade and movement, ensuring better border management, and improving customs, immigration, and security processes. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

India’s first Dolphin Observatory is being built in Bhagalpur district of Bihar at the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary. It is constructed on the Sultanganj Aguwani Ghat bridge over the Ganga. The structural design of the observatory promotes eco-tourism by allowing people to observe dolphins without disturbing their natural habitat. This initiative is part of the government’s effort to conserve the endangered Gangetic dolphins and promote wildlife tourism. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

Kanwar Lake, located in Manjhaul village of Begusarai district, is Bihar’s first Ramsar site. It is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake and attracts a variety of migratory birds from Central Asia during winter months. The lake is important for biodiversity conservation and acts as a habitat for migratory waterfowl and resident bird species. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

Rajgir city of Bihar, located in Nalanda district, is surrounded by five hills: Ratnagiri, Vipulachal, Vaibhavagiri, Songiri, and Udaygiri. It is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains, known for its historical, religious, and archaeological significance. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, belonged to Bihar. He was born on December 3, 1884, in the village of Ziradei in Saran district (presently part of Siwan district). He served as President from January 26, 1950, to May 13, 1962, and was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly on December 11, 1946. He was honored with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1962 and was known by the sobriquets Deshratna and Ajatshatru. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

The 16th session of the Bihari Student Conference took place in Hazaribagh in 1921. The first session was organized in 1906 at Patna College. Dr. Rajendra Prasad played a key role in establishing the conference to prepare youths for the Indian freedom struggle and instill nationalistic values. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

The first Neolithic culture in the Ganga valley was discovered at Chirand, located on the left bank of the Ganga in Saran district near the confluence of Ganga and Ghaghra rivers. The Neolithic period at Chirand is dated between 2500-1500 BC. Inhabitants manufactured beads from semi-precious stones like agate, jasper, and carnelian and used polished stone tools and antler bone tools. Other Neolithic sites in Bihar include Chechar (Vaishali), Senuwar (Rohtas), Maner (Patna), and Taradih (Bodh Gaya). [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

Baba Thakur Das established the Ramkrishna Mission Society at Patna in 1906-07. Founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897, the mission's objectives include spreading the teachings of Vedanta as embodied in the life of Saint Ramakrishna and improving the social conditions of Indian people. The society focuses on education, philanthropy, religious studies, and spirituality. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

Kunwar Singh, born in November 1782 in Jagdishpur, Bhojpur district (Ujjainiya Rajput clan), entered Jagdishpur on April 22, 1858, during the First War of Independence. At the age of 80, he actively led armed resistance against the British and died on April 26, 1858. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

The Champaran movement protested the agricultural policies of the British Government, specifically the Tinkathiya system that forced farmers to grow indigo. It was a part of the wider Swadeshi and boycott movement (1905-08) opposing British colonial policies. Mahatma Gandhi led the movement in 1917 with the support of Rajkumar Shukla, Rajendra Prasad, and other local leaders. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

The Golden League was established in 1904 at Deoghar in Bihar to promote the Swadeshi movement and boycott British goods. Formed by a group of teachers, the society became a hub for revolutionary activities, with notable members like Barin Ghose and Manindra Basu advocating for India’s independence through active resistance. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

All India Azad Dasta at Bakri Ka Tapu was organized during the Quit India Movement by Jayaprakash Narayan. The revolutionary organization aimed to paralyze government machinery and train volunteers for independence activities. Camps were set up, including one in Nepal, to prepare cadres for establishing branches of Azad Dasta across Bihar. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

The Bihar Herald, the first English newspaper in Bihar, was started in 1872 by Baba Guru Prasad Sen. Other notable English dailies included Indian Chronicle (1881), The Bihari, and Bihar Times. These publications advocated for the creation of an independent Bihar. The Bihar Times merged with Bihar News in 1906 to form The Bihari and was converted into a daily in 1912, later replaced by Searchlight in 1917 under Sayyid Haider Hussain. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

Jairamdas Daulatram was the first Governor of Bihar after Independence. He assumed office following India’s independence in 1947 and served during the formative years of the state administration. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

Three districts of Bihar had less than 10 lakh population according to the 2011 Census. These districts were Arwal (700,843), Sheikhpura (636,342), and Sheohar (656,246). [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

Maize has the highest per hectare yield in Bihar, as evident from the Economic Survey 2022-23. It is predominantly grown in Katihar, Khagaria, and Purnea districts. Maize cultivation in Bihar outperforms rice, wheat, and barley in yield per hectare due to better adaptation to local soil and climate conditions. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

The leading fish producer districts in Bihar are Madhubani and Darbhanga. Together with East Champaran, these districts account for 29.8% of Bihar’s total fish production. Fisheries contribute significantly to the state’s agricultural GSDP, about 8.4% in 2019-20. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

The top-ranking pulses in terms of acreage in Bihar are Moong and Masoor. According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, leading districts for pulse production in 2021-22 were Patna, Aurangabad, and Nalanda, with highest productivity recorded in Jehanabad, followed by Vaishali and Bhojpur districts. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

West Champaran is the leading sugarcane-producing district of Bihar, contributing over 56.98% of the state’s sugarcane output. Other major producers include East Champaran, Gopalganj, and Muzaffarpur. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

Rohtas district has the largest canal-irrigated area in Bihar, covering 3.07 lakh hectares. Overall gross irrigated area in Bihar increased marginally from 53.41 lakh hectares in 2016-17 to 54.96 lakh hectares in 2021-22. Tubewells and wells account for 63.4% of irrigation, canals for 30.9%, and tanks for 2%. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

Kishanganj and Saharsa districts had the lowest rural female literacy rates in 2001 and 2011 respectively. According to 2011 Census data, Bihar had a female literacy rate of 51.5%, male literacy 71.2%, overall literacy 61.8%, population density 1106 persons per sq.km., and decadal growth 25.42%. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

The share of Bihar in the divisible pool of Central taxes as per the 15th Finance Commission is 10.06%. This is an increase from 9.665% in the 14th Finance Commission period (2015-20). [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

The growth rate of Bihar’s economy in 2018-19 at constant prices was 10.53% and 15.01% at current prices, higher than the national growth rate. Bihar’s GSDP at current prices was Rs 5,57,490 crore and Rs 3,94,350 crore at constant 2011-12 prices. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

The power capacity availability in Bihar in 2019 was 4767 MW, with 82% from coal-based thermal, 11% from hydropower, and 7% from renewable sources. Ownership distribution: central sector 86%, private sector/IPPs 13%, and state sector 1%. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]

Explanation:

Bihar received the Krishi Karman Award in 2017-18 for wheat production. The award recognizes the best-performing states in foodgrain production and individual crops (rice, wheat, pulses, and coarse cereals). In 2016-17, Bihar received it for maize. [66TH BPSC PRELIMS RE-EXAM, 2021]