Ahead of the big budget reveal, the Economic Survey 2025-26 dropped a bombshell: Bihar is India’s undisputed poorest state by per capita income, clocking in below Rs 70,000 per year. Bottoming out the list of 34 states and UTs, this statistic has supercharged political rhetoric in Patna.
Bihar’s economy, valued at Rs 8 lakh crore GSDP in 2024-25, grows at 13.07%—outstripping 22 states. But here’s the catch: it’s smaller than 12 others and has underperformed its own recent growth benchmarks. This discrepancy fuels accusations of hollow progress.
RJD’s Shakti Yadav led the charge: ‘Nitish Kumar’s 20-year reign has left Bihar poorest in the nation. He dodges responsibility by finger-pointing at old regimes—what’s his excuse now?’
Defending the CM, JD(U)’s Neeraj Kumar highlighted the turnaround: ‘Nitish dragged Bihar from being a total mess to a frontrunner in key indicators.’
The survey underscores a critical truth—growth rates dazzle but per capita woes persist, pointing to issues like population pressure, low industrialization, and migration outflows. Bihar’s story is a cautionary tale for lopsided development. Opposition demands special category status grow urgent, as Nitish’s long tenure faces its toughest test yet. Can the upcoming budget rewrite this narrative?