The Times of India

A 17-year-old girl from Sheikhpura was allegedly raped in Patna after being lured with promises of a zoo and metro visit. The 35-year-old accused, a Nalanda native with a prior liquor smuggling conviction, was arrested and remanded to jail. The victim, a Class 12 student, was assaulted on April 13-14. Investigations are ongoing, with medical reports awaited.

A dispute over a thresher turned deadly in Bihar's Sheikhpura district, claiming two lives. Cousins Puna Yadav and Premranjan Yadav were killed in a violent clash between rival groups in Akauna village. Gunfire erupted after an argument escalated, leading to the fatal shootings. Police have detained five individuals and deployed forces to maintain order.

Bihar's development achievements need stronger national branding, CM Samrat Choudhary urged. He directed the information department to effectively showcase the state's progress and governance initiatives. Officials were also tasked with identifying government land for revenue generation and improving tourist information at heritage sites. The CM emphasized technology, including AI, for real-time government work monitoring.

A heritage walk in Patna, organized by INTACH, highlighted the city's rich architectural past. Retired professor Wasi Ahmad shared insights into the 400-year-old Patna College structure, emphasizing the need for conservation. Discussions also covered the importance of formally classifying heritage sites to ensure their preservation for future generations. The event drew artists, students, and residents.

Patna Municipal Corporation has kicked off the 2026-27 fiscal year with a strong Rs30 crore in stamp duty revenue by mid-April, driven by property registrations. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, with funds earmarked for crucial urban infrastructure development and maintenance. Residents can avail a 5% rebate on property tax paid by June 30, 2026.

West Champaran police successfully rescued two minor girls from an alleged trafficking ring in Chautarwa, arresting two individuals. The accused reportedly lured the children with financial promises to work in an orchestra. Authorities are actively pursuing 'Naya Savera' to dismantle such networks, ensuring strict action against exploiters. Further investigations are ongoing.

Governor Syed Ata Hasnain urged DMI graduates to become transformational leaders, driving social change for national development. He emphasized that true success lies beyond classroom learning, requiring strong listening skills, embracing challenges, and patience. The convocation celebrated 50 graduates, with speakers highlighting DMI's commitment to innovation and the crucial role its alumni will play in rural development.

Bihar Congress has launched a statewide digital membership drive, 'Srijan Saathi Jansampark Abhiyan,' allowing individuals aged 18 and above to join. Simultaneously, a three-day training camp, 'Sarvodaya Sankalp Shivir,' is underway for 40 selected workers, focusing on Gandhian principles. These trained individuals will later be deployed to district and block units across the state.

District Magistrate Sahila urged immediate preservation of Buxar's historical heritage and rare manuscripts under the Gyan Bharatam Mission. This national initiative aims to revive India's knowledge tradition by digitizing and making ancient documents accessible. A 100-150 year old handwritten manuscript on Tantra, astrology, and mantra shastra, written in Braj Hindi and Devanagari, was highlighted for its historical and spiritual significance.

Nalanda district magistrate Kundan Kumar reviewed renovation progress at Brahmakund temple complex for the upcoming Malmas Mela, scheduled May 17-June 15. Emphasizing its religious and tourism significance, officials were directed to ensure a clean, safe, and appealing environment. Special arrangements for pilgrims, including enhanced facilities and crowd management, are being finalized to prevent any inconvenience during the auspicious triennial fair.

Bihar farmers are set to benefit as the Centre approves procurement of masur, chana, and mustard at Minimum Support Prices. Lentil procurement has already begun, with gram and mustard to follow. These initiatives aim to boost farmer income and significantly increase crop production and acreage in the state over the next five years, supported by a new seed production strategy.

Bihar's Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav have been upgraded to Z-category security. This decision follows a review of their existing arrangements, ensuring a dedicated team of armed personnel. The move comes after former CM Nitish Kumar was recently granted Z-plus security.

Exciting news for aspiring high school students in Bihar! The secondary education directorate has announced that model schools across all state blocks are now accepting applications for the 2026-27 academic year. Admission to Grade 9 will be determined by merit, based on scores from the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship exam, requiring a minimum cut-off of 50%.

In a passionate response, BJP and JD(U) leaders called out opposition parties for their inability to support the Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill, which aimed to secure 33% of legislative seats for women.

In a proactive move, Patna's District Magistrate conducted an in-depth review of traffic management and anti-encroachment initiatives. With over 2 crore gathered in fines, a significant portion attributed to traffic and encroachment violations, officials have been directed to pinpoint areas of congestion, ensure that all CCTV systems are operational, and remove blockages on critical thoroughfares.

In a recent declaration, Bihar's new Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, has reaffirmed the state's stringent liquor ban, emphasizing its historical importance and the backing it receives from key figures like Nitish Kumar and PM Modi.

In a significant transition, JD(U) figurehead Nitish Kumar plans to shift to his new residence in Patna next week. Accompanied by his son, he recently toured the 7, Circular Road bungalow. Additionally, Kumar is to receive a Type 8 bungalow in the prestigious Sunehri Bagh locality of Delhi.

Patna's Census 2027 self-enumeration phase has begun, with citizens able to submit data online until May 1, 2026. The house listing and housing census follows in May 2026. Extensive training for enumerators is underway, utilizing a mobile app for digital data collection. Over 14,000 personnel are involved in this crucial exercise for policy formulation.

Amid rising debates, Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar reaffirmed that the states prohibition policy will stand strong, pointing to its successful impacts despite growing calls for its dismissal. He also brushed aside rumors of divides within the ruling coalition surrounding the new Chief Minister's selection, stressing a united front.

With Nitish Kumar transitioning to the Rajya Sabha, the JD(U) is poised to choose a new leader for its legislative party on April 20. While many have anticipated that Nishant Kumar would take the mantle, his focus has been on enhancing the party's organizational framework.

In an effort to prepare for the monsoon season, the Patna Municipal Corporation has intensified its focus on sanitation and drainage management. Zonal inspectors are now under strict orders to maintain accountability for waste disposal efforts, which include utilizing an online portal to clear construction debris and conducting proactive night operations.

Bihar and Jharkhands Income Tax department is rolling out an innovative outreach initiative to demystify the new Income Tax Act, 2025, while rejuvenating tax collections that saw a decline last year. Aiming to foster understanding and streamline compliance, the program will target the region's expansive pool of seven crore PAN holders, which includes a large workforce and burgeoning entrepreneurial sectors.

As we look ahead to the monsoon of 2026, Bihar is bracing for troubling times, with the Indian Meteorological Department predicting below-average rainfall. This troubling forecast follows a decade marred by insufficient precipitation, with seven of those years affecting crucial Kharif crops such as paddy and jute.

IIT-Patna has witnessed a remarkable surge in its 2026 placement season, securing 582 job offers from over 215 companies, including startups and PSUs. The institute saw a significant increase in first-time recruiters, with global brands like VISA and Hyundai Motors making their debut. This success underscores IIT-Patna's dedication to academic excellence and industry preparedness.

In an effort to eliminate persistent delays in pension disbursements, university educators in Bihar are advocating for a shift to a nationalized bank, like SBI, to handle pension payments.

Central University of South Bihar will launch a four-year BA BEd and BSc BEd program from 2026-27, aligning with NEP 2020. Admissions will be through the National Common Entrance Test (NCET), not CUET. This integrated program aims to produce highly skilled teachers, with 50 seats per stream. By 2030, this will be the minimum qualification for school educators.

In a decisive move, West Champaran District Magistrate Taranjot Singh has taken action against two revenue officials, Lalan Kumar Bharti and Rahul Ranjan, for their role in obstructing government operations. These employees allegedly motivated mass absenteeism, which severely affected vital services such as land record updates and Aadhaar registrations, jeopardizing preparations for the upcoming Census 2027.

Headmasters in Buxar are fuming as 463 schools haven't received Rs 20,000 each for educational tours held in March. Despite submitting bills, funds remain elusive. Meanwhile, payments for parent-teacher meetings are also pending for 45 schools. Authorities claim funds for most tours were released Friday, but some schools faced action for non-compliance.

In a disturbing turn of events in Patna's Khusrupur region, a young man of 19 lost his life to his own elder brother, following a heated altercation. The tragic stabbing reportedly arose from jealousy and suspicion of a romantic connection between the victim and the brother's wife. The incident occurred amidst wedding festivities, shortly after the victim's return from Delhi.

Madhubani is making strides in addressing the issue of stray cattle through a new initiative spearheaded by the local administration. Under the leadership of Municipal Commissioner Umesh Kumar Bharati and Sadar SDO Chandan Kumar Jha, the operation focuses on the safe relocation of wandering livestock to designated cow shelters.

Deputy CM Bijendra Prasad Yadav, taking charge as Rural Works Minister, stressed that quality paved roads are crucial for Bihar's rural economy. He highlighted the department's pivotal role in state development, emphasizing seamless connectivity to remote areas to boost farmers' incomes and empower rural markets. Yadav assured accelerated construction with a focus on durability.

As he assumed his role as Rural Works Minister, Deputy CM Bijendra Prasad Yadav emphasized the importance of high-quality roads for enhancing Bihar's rural economy. He pinpointed the crucial role of his department in the broader landscape of state development, advocating for better connectivity to remote regions that can significantly increase farmers' profits and invigorate rural markets.

In a bold move towards progress, Bihar's chief secretary has taken a closer look at advancements in four districts impacted by Maoist activities. With the region now officially Maoist-free, the emphasis shifts to developing essential infrastructure such as roadways and mobile towers, ensuring streamlined permissions to elevate connectivity.

In a proactive move, Bihar's Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit is driving the establishment of 19 new Kendriya Vidyalayas across the state. To make this vision a reality, departmental secretaries and district magistrates are on the front lines, accelerating the processes for land identification, obtaining NOCs, and removing encroachments.

In the heart of West Champaran, a visionary headmaster named Lakhan Prasad has reimagined a government primary school, turning it into a pioneering eco-friendly model. Through engaging home visits and innovative learning environments, he has not only increased student attendance but has also empowered a neglected community by restoring their sense of pride.

During a recent event at Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University's newly established butterfly garden, attendees were thrilled to spot over 100 different butterfly species. This remarkable observation is a testament to the university's effective ecological projects and the thriving condition of the surrounding ecosystem.

In response to the soaring demand for summer travel, Indian Railways has introduced three exclusive trains linking Bihar with northern and southern regions of India. These routes, including stops at Supaul, Jogbani, and Yeshwantpur, are designed to alleviate the influx of passengers and provide essential travel solutions during this bustling season.

In a troubling incident in Biharsharif, a 25-year-old man, the son of a prominent JD(U) figure, has been found dead in a nearby field. His family believes there are sinister circumstances surrounding his untimely demise, pointing towards potential foul play instead of a natural cause.

In Bhagalpur, the education department is transforming the futures of schoolgirls by introducing digital literacy in 25 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas. With the launch of state-of-the-art ICT labs and smart classrooms, young girls from underprivileged rural backgrounds are stepping into the world of computers and the internet, bridging the digital gap.

Amidst the financial turmoil gripping three women's colleges affiliated with Magadh University, critical necessities such as electricity and sanitation hang in the balance. The government's unfulfilled promise to reimburse expenses accrued from offering free education to female students has left these institutions teetering on the edge, endangering their UGC accreditation.

In a heart-wrenching incident on the Sheikhpura-Barbigha main road in Nalanda, the life of 20-year-old Mohammad Mijan was tragically cut short. His motorcycle tragically collided with a temple wall near the Ratoiya river bridge. Despite the valiant efforts of a local teacher who rushed him to the hospital, Mijan could not be saved from his grave injuries.