In her eighth consecutive budget presentation in Parliament, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid out a roadmap for achieving "Sabka Vikas" by ensuring inclusive growth across all regions of India. Emphasising the country’s strong economic trajectory, she highlighted India's position as the fastest-growing economy among major nations. Sitharaman underscored the government’s commitment to harnessing the potential of each region, especially as the nation heads into the next five years of growth opportunities.

The finance minister also dedicated several key initiatives aimed at boosting Bihar’s development, with the state set to head to the polls later this year. Here are the major announcements for Bihar in the 2025 Union Budget:

• National Institute of Food Technology: A new institute will be established in Bihar to enhance food processing capabilities in Eastern India, which is expected to significantly boost local industries.

• Makhana Board: To support the cultivation and commercialization of Makhana, a dedicated Makhana Board will be set up. The Board will focus on improving production, processing, and marketing while also training farmers and organizing them into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for better access to government schemes.

• Expansion of IITs: Bihar will see an expansion in its education infrastructure with additional resources allocated to five IITs, including an expansion of IIT Patna to further develop technical education in the state.

• UDAN Scheme 2.0 for Regional Connectivity: Building on the success of the UDAN scheme, the government will launch a modified version aimed at boosting regional air connectivity. This initiative will connect 120 new destinations, carry an additional 4 crore passengers over the next decade, and provide financial support for the development of smaller airports, including greenfield airports in Bihar. Additionally, the capacity of Patna and Bihta airports will be increased to meet future demand.

• Support for Farmers: Financial backing will be provided for the Western Kosi Canal ERM project, aimed at improving irrigation and benefiting a large number of farmers in the Mithilanchal region.