Bihar’s economic standing has hit rock bottom, according to the freshly tabled Economic Survey 2025-26. Ranking dead last among 34 states and UTs in per capita income at less than Rs 70,000 annually, the state embodies India’s persistent regional disparities. Presented just before the national budget, this report has thrust Bihar’s governance under intense scrutiny.

Delving deeper, Bihar’s GSDP stands at Rs 8 lakh crore for 2024-25, trailing 12 other states despite a robust 13.07% growth rate on current prices—better than 22 peers. However, this growth masks a slowdown from the state’s own trajectory over the last three years, raising red flags on sustainability.

The political slugfest erupted immediately. RJD’s Shakti Yadav accused Nitish Kumar of squandering 20 years in power without tangible progress. ‘Twenty years of Nitish’s rule, and Bihar is still the poorest. Enough with the excuses pinning blame on predecessors,’ he thundered.

JD(U)’s Neeraj Kumar fired back, crediting Nitish for transforming a failed state into a growth contender. ‘Bihar was in the dumps before Nitish; now it’s topping charts in multiple areas,’ he claimed.

Critics argue that while growth numbers shine, they fail to address the dire per capita income, signaling weak job creation and investment. Bihar’s development story remains one of unrealized potential, where high percentages don’t translate to absolute gains. As debates rage, the state government faces mounting pressure to deliver beyond rhetoric, especially with central aid in focus.