The Times of India

In Vaishali, the CTET Paper 2 faced disruption as two examination centres saw cancellation due to a delay in the arrival of question papers. Frustrated candidates voiced their grievances as the exam, originally set for 9:30 AM, did not commence until over an hour later.

A 20-year-old student, Saurabh Kumar, tragically died by suicide in Saharsa district on Friday night after a three-year battle with liver disease. His family discovered him hanging in his room the following morning. Doctors at a private clinic declared him brought dead. Police have been informed and an FSL team will investigate the scene.

Police apprehended Arjun Paswan, the primary shooter in the 2025 murder of property dealer Vijay Gupta and his driver. Paswan, arrested in a mango orchard, confessed to the Rs 5 lakh contract killing, stating Gupta was shot while inspecting land and the driver was killed for raising an alarm. Four individuals, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested so far.

A 25-year-old man, Vinayak Pandit, was discovered hanging in a locked room in Katihar district. His family reported him missing after he left for dinner. His alleged girlfriend claimed he had been harassing her and had locked himself in her room. Both women are now accusing each other of murder, with police investigating a possible love affair.

Bihar's Education Minister Sunil Kumar launched Umang-2026, a state-level sports and literary-cultural competition for government engineering and polytechnic students. This initiative, aimed at fostering leadership skills, began in the 2023-24 academic session. The event features a three-tier selection process, with polytechnic competitions from Feb 7-9 and engineering contests from Feb 10-12. Around 900 polytechnic students are expected to participate.

Nalanda Open University's two-day webinar on graduate employability concluded with a strong emphasis on improving undergraduate communication skills in Bihar. Vice-Chancellor Ravindra Kumar highlighted the university's dedication to equipping students with skills for successful careers and facing life's challenges. Experts discussed employment prospects post-graduation, underscoring the need for skill-oriented training.

Bihar's Census 2027 will unfold in two phases over 45 days, starting April 17 with self-enumeration, followed by a house-to-house survey until May 31. This comprehensive exercise, including caste data, will be strictly confidential. Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha also urged revenue officers to return to duty, warning of disciplinary action for absentees.

Bihar's Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav urged the central government for dedicated pulse support, including a tailored package and recognition of specific pulse crops. He advocated for a national seed hub, cluster farming, enhanced irrigation subsidies, and machinery support. Yadav also pushed for improved MSP procurement, value addition incentives, and research grants to boost Bihar's pulse self-reliance within five years.

In a significant update, Bihar's Education Minister has confirmed that the roster for the TRE-4 teacher recruitment has been finalized, paving the way for the hiring of more than 30,000 educators. The Bihar Public Service Commission is now overseeing the process to bring on board around 40,000 teachers.

In a decisive move, Madhepura officials shut down a private clinic amidst troubling claims of inflated fees and neglect that allegedly resulted in a newborn's tragic death. Subsequently, patients were relocated to the sadar hospital for continued care.

A man with a significant criminal past, Sunil Kumar, was fatally shot in Patna's Phulwarisharif area. Having recently secured bail, Kumar was targeted in his colony, with police suspecting old enmity as the motive. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and have taken two individuals into custody for questioning as a special investigation team probes the incident.

In a heart-wrenching incident in Gopalganj, a school busdriven by the owner's brother without consentcollided with a hut, tragically claiming the lives of two young boys, Arish and Intaz, aged four and two. The bus was parked after dropping off students when the unauthorized driver lost his grip on the vehicle.

East Champaran police have launched a crackdown on a 'police-mitra' job scam targeting the unemployed. Two arrests have been made, with the investigation revealing a gang leader, Ashok Samrat, and two associates who allegedly charged Rs25,000 per candidate. Rewards have been announced for their capture. The police are also probing potential involvement of officers and digital media personnel.

On Friday, the ashes of Ajit Pawar were gracefully released into the serene waters of the Falgu River at Dev Ghat, Gaya, a poignant tribute following the tragic plane crash that claimed his life on January 28. Rana Ranbir Singh, national secretary of the NCP, officiated the emotional rites alongside the esteemed Gayapal panda community acharyas.

In a significant crackdown, the Bhojpur cyber police arrested a trio, including a bank official, over the creation of mule accounts that were exploited for illicit financial activities. A total of 27 unsuspecting locals were lured with minor payments to set up these accounts, which spiraled into a web of fraudulent transactions.

In Gaya, the crisis of vanishing water bodies is reaching alarming proportions, with around 800 water sources either lost or under threat from real estate developers. Despite urgent warnings and orders from the Supreme Court, genuine efforts for restoration have yet to materialize, often reduced to mere speeches. Even government structures stand where once vibrant ponds thrived.

During the recent Bihar Assembly's question hour, a storm brewed as Health Minister Pramod Kumar Chandravanshi faced tough questions regarding the state's infant mortality rate and health spending. Amid rising tensions, senior ministers swooped in to shed light on topics like the cashless healthcare plan for lawmakers and the staffing shortages at local health centers.

In preparation for the Holi festivities, Indian Railways is rolling out an extraordinary fleet of 1,409 special trains from March 1st through 22nd. The East Central Railway is taking the lead with 285 dedicated services, a remarkable increase from last year.

Bihar's 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name in history with a blistering 175 off 80 balls in the U19 World Cup final against England. His record-breaking century, featuring 15 sixes, ignited celebrations back home in Samastipur. The young prodigy's remarkable performance has earned praise from Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and his coaches, who highlight his dedication and talent.

Tragedy struck Rohtas district as five individuals, including a woman, lost their lives in three separate road accidents on Friday. An autorickshaw crash near Jamuhar claimed two lives, while a truck collision under Karghar police station resulted in two more fatalities. A sand-laden truck hitting a motorcycle near Tar Bangla Chowk led to the fifth death. Several others sustained injuries.

To enhance access to higher education for rural students, the Bihar government is launching new degree colleges across 213 blocks, with four specifically located in Buxar district. This initiative seeks to tackle the dropout crisis, particularly among young girls, by alleviating the challenges of travel and financial burden.

Bihar's government employees and legislators are set to receive cashless healthcare, a significant shift from the current reimbursement system. Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary announced the upcoming implementation, aiming to benefit approximately one million individuals. The state also plans to expand medical education through public-private partnerships, addressing infrastructure and staff shortages in government medical colleges.

In a landmark decision, the Patna High Court has reinforced stringent noise pollution regulations, instituting a comprehensive night-time prohibition on loudspeakers and firecrackers. Residents are empowered to report breaches through the 112 emergency hotline.

The infamous Prince Kumar, a fugitive linked to murder and a slew of other grave crimes, met his end during a police shootout in Vaishali. With a bounty of Rs 2 lakh on his head and a history of evading law enforcement, Kumar's reign of terror has finally been halted.

In a shocking turn of events, a woman named Nishu Kumari has been taken into custody in Muzaffarpur, suspected of collaborating with her lover, Mantu Kumar, in the murder of her husband, Manoj Kumar. His lifeless body was discovered late Tuesday, sending ripples of horror through the community.

Bihar's urban landscape is on the brink of transformation as the Buidco rolls out a rigorous work schedule for project directors and engineers.

NIT-Patna and IIIT-Bhagalpur have united in a groundbreaking MoU aimed at enhancing collaboration in academia and research. This alliance promises to create joint educational programs, facilitate exchanges between students and faculty, and share valuable resources. Together, they aspire to elevate learning experiences and spearhead innovation, significantly impacting India's educational landscape and technological advancement.