Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and others during the 80th Independence Day celebrations, at Gandhi Maidan, in Patna, on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary hoisted the national flag for the first time since assuming office at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day on Saturday (August 15, 2026).
Amid the ongoing agitation over the alleged irregularities in the competitive examination in several States, including Bihar, Mr. Choudhary said that a State-level examination reform committee will be constituted to make examinations in Bihar smooth, transparent, fair, and modern. He also said that a high-level committee will be formed to further strengthen the quality of education.
He asserted that to ensure the prompt redressal of students’ grievances, a ‘Student Support Portal’ will be launched on August 17 to receive applications. This initiative will extend the successful support portal system to students and ensure the resolution of student-related complaints within 30 days, the Chief Minister added.
Free coaching for entrance exams
Mr. Choudhary reiterated that arrangements for free coaching for entrance exams to various higher education institutions, including IIT-JEE and NEET, are being made across the 551 ‘Saraswati Vidya Niketans’ opened in the State.
Speaking after hoisting the national flag, Mr. Choudhary said: “On this auspicious occasion of the 80th Independence Day, I first extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all the countrymen and the 14 crore people of Bihar. This holy day reminds us of our nation’s glorious history. It symbolises the sacrifice and martyrdom of those great freedom fighters and immortal heroes who laid down their lives to secure our freedom.”
Assistance camps
Mr. Choudhary pointed out that after assuming the post of Chief Minister, he pledged to ensure equal opportunities for every citizen of the State, a transparent administration, and a life of dignity for everyone. He added that with this vision, ‘Sahyog Shivirs’ (assistance camps) have been launched in the State, which is a significant initiative to bring the administration directly to the people’s doorstep.
The Chief Minister stated that a safe, peaceful, and fear-free society is the hallmark of any developed State.
He mentioned that in Bihar, too, the government has adopted a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy towards crime to ensure the continuity of our development momentum, and several steps have been taken to modernise the police force.
Mr. Choudhary emphasised that the honour, dignity, and safety of women and daughters are our top priority.
For the welfare of farmers, Mr. Choudhary said that under the Chief Minister’s Agricultural Electricity Connection Scheme (Phase-II), 1.68 lakh free agricultural electricity connections have been provided to farmers over the past year to ensure irrigation water reaches every farm.
In the roads sector, the Chief Minister said that work is progressing rapidly on five expressways and six high-speed corridors in the State, including 589 kilometres of greenfield expressways and high-speed corridors.
Funds for education
Highlighting the work done in the education sector, Mr. Choudhary said that ₹68,678 crore from the State budget is being spent on education, accounting for nearly 20% of the total budgetary allocation.
“Committed to extending higher education to even the most remote villages, we have introduced degree-level education across all blocks of the State. Students from rural areas, especially our daughters, can now pursue higher education close to their homes,” Mr. Choudhary said.
He repeated that providing jobs and employment opportunities to the youth is a top priority, and the government has set a target to provide government jobs and employment to one crore youth by 2030.
Published – August 15, 2026 04:29 pm IST
