As the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections draw near, political parties are intensifying their efforts to sway voters. The incumbent National Democratic Alliance (NDA), facing challenges, unveiled its manifesto on October 30, 2025, with a comprehensive list of promises. These include a staggering one crore jobs, the development of seven new expressways, and the establishment of new medical colleges. Beyond major infrastructure and economic growth, the NDA has also pledged various welfare benefits such as free electricity, rations, education, medical treatment, and increased stipends for farmers, fishermen, and women-led self-help groups (SHGs), all while urging voters to re-elect Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister.
In response, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), with Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial candidate, presented its ‘Tejashwi Pran’ manifesto. This alliance aims to abolish contractual government employment, conduct a skill census, and create new job opportunities. Their pledges also extend to loan waivers, more medical colleges, and universal freebies in sectors like power, education, and agriculture, specifically benefiting all women. Furthermore, INDIA has vowed to introduce new laws to combat exam paper leaks, prevent financial harassment, address reservation limits, and critically re-evaluate Bihar’s existing liquor ban.
A significant part of INDIA’s platform includes the immediate release of poor and Dalit individuals imprisoned for violating the liquor ban. They also plan to exempt traditional spirits such as Mahua and Toddy from the ban. While these country liquors typically have an alcohol content of 4-8%, certain aged varieties can be as potent as 40%.
Let’s delve into the specific promises made by both alliances across various key sectors:
Jobs
Echoing previous election promises, the INDIA alliance continues to prioritize the eradication of unemployment in Bihar. Their manifesto boldly states a commitment to providing one government job per family, with an official order to be issued within 20 days of forming the government, and the full hiring process to commence within 20 months. Additional pledges include granting permanent status to all contractual and outsourced government employees. They envision creating skill-based jobs across diverse sectors such as IT parks, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), dairy and agriculture, healthcare, food processing, renewable energy, logistics, and tourism. Furthermore, INDIA promises to reinstate the Old Pension Scheme, issue domicile certificates to ensure job preference for Bihar residents, and implement reservations for differently-abled individuals in government positions.
Despite being in power since 2017, the NDA’s job promises are equally ambitious. Their manifesto outlines a plan to create one crore jobs and conduct a comprehensive skill census, which will pave the way for establishing mega skill centers in every district.
Women
Both coalitions have presented distinct approaches to women’s empowerment. The NDA’s strategy centers on economic upliftment without direct cash transfers, aiming to create one crore ‘lakhpati’ Didis (prosperous sisters) and offering financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakhs.
Conversely, INDIA’s promises for women are more direct. They propose granting government employee status to all self-help group (SHG) workers under the ‘Jeevika Didi’ scheme, complete with a ₹30,000 monthly salary. Additionally, they pledge total loan waivers and a monthly stipend of ₹2,000 for women-led SHGs. A broader promise includes a monthly stipend of ₹2,500 for all women starting in December, amounting to ₹30,000 annually, alongside a new law to protect women from harassment by micro-finance companies regarding loan repayments.
Infrastructure
The NDA’s core appeal in Bihar heavily relies on the ‘Double-engine’ government narrative, leveraging the BJP’s presence at both the central and state levels. With the central government’s support, the NDA has outlined ambitious infrastructure projects, including the development of satellite townships across existing cities and the creation of an entirely new city, ‘New Patna’. Transportation upgrades feature prominently, with promises of international airports in Darbhanga, Purnea, and Bhagalpur, ten new domestic airports, seven expressways, 3600 km of new railway tracks, and metro train services in four cities.
Economically, the NDA commits to attracting industrial investments totaling up to ₹1 lakh crore, establishing ten new industrial parks, and setting up manufacturing units in every district. A massive ‘Backend hub’ valued at ₹50 lakh crores is envisioned for Bihar, along with five mega food parks, a textile and silk park in Mithila, a defense corridor, a semiconductor park, and a global tech and fintech city within the next five years. Plans also include launching a hundred MSME parks and 50,000 cottage industries. It’s worth noting that many of these ambitious infrastructure proposals have previously featured in the Union Budget speeches over the past two years.
Perhaps the most ambitious promise is the creation of an advanced flood management system designed to make Bihar entirely flood-free. This commitment comes after Bihar experienced severe flooding during the recent monsoon season, which coincided with the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, resulting in the deletion of 47 lakh names.
As the INDIA alliance has not been in power at the Centre since 2014, its infrastructure pledges are largely focused at the state level. These include developing industrial clusters, upgrading district hospitals, and establishing super specialty hospitals. Additionally, they have promised to construct five new expressways.
Education
Education is a key focus for both alliances. The NDA proposes a ₹5,000 crore fund dedicated to renovating district schools. Their vision includes establishing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub through centers of excellence, autonomous medical colleges in every district, a super specialty hospital specifically for pediatric and autism care, and sports centers in each district for registered athletes.
The INDIA alliance, on the other hand, pledges to construct an ‘Education City’ spread across 2,000 acres, establish women’s colleges in every district, and set up degree colleges in 136 underserved areas. To support students financially, they promise to waive fees for competitive exams and provide free travel to and from exam centers, alongside rigorous investigations into paper leaks. Furthermore, INDIA intends to enact a law restricting the transfer and posting of teachers and healthcare workers within a 70 km radius of their homes.
Backward Communities
Extremely Backward Castes (EBC)
With EBCs representing the largest demographic (36%) in Bihar according to the state’s 2022 caste census, both coalitions are actively vying for their support.
The NDA’s manifesto includes a promise of financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakhs for specific EBC communities, including Tanti, Tatama, Nishad, Mallah, Kevat, Goangoti, Bind, Noniya, Teli, Tamoli, Badhai, Dhanuk, Lahor, Kumar, Nai, Shilpakar, Tateri, Mali, Chandravanshi, Halwai, Kanu, Dangi, Turah, Amaat, Kevart, Rajavanshi, and Gadereya. Additionally, a special committee, led by a retired Supreme Court judge, will be formed to evaluate and recommend measures for enhancing the social and economic status of EBCs.
In contrast, INDIA focuses on increased representation, pledging 30% reservation for EBCs in panchayat and urban local bodies. They also promise an interest-free cash transfer of ₹5 lakhs over five years to the Nai, Kumar, Badhai, Lohar, Mochi, and Mali communities.
SC/STs and Minorities
Both coalitions include cash benefits for Scheduled Castes (SC) in their manifestos. The NDA promises a monthly stipend of ₹2,000 for SC students, the establishment of boarding schools, and a special venture fund for SC students and young entrepreneurs. Notably, their manifesto does not specifically mention Scheduled Tribes (STs) or minorities.
Conversely, INDIA commits to funding 200 SC students annually for higher education abroad. They also pledge to pass a constitutional amendment to exceed the 50% reservation cap within the state, ensuring 20% reservation for SCs and increasing quotas for STs based on their population in urban and panchayat bodies. For minorities, INDIA’s promises are more broadly framed, focusing on upholding their constitutional rights and opposing the implementation of the amended Waqf Act.
Farmers/Fishermen
Cash benefits are a prominent feature in both the NDA and INDIA alliances’ promises to farmers and fishermen. For farmers, the NDA has pledged three cash transfers of ₹3,000 each, totaling ₹9,000 annually. They also commit to agricultural investments up to ₹1 lakh crore, guaranteeing the purchase of key crops (rice, wheat, corn, and pulses) at Minimum Support Price (MSP), and aiming to double overall crop production with a special emphasis on achieving self-sufficiency in pulse production. For fishermen, the NDA plans two cash transfers of ₹4,500 each, also totaling ₹9,000 annually, alongside initiatives to double fish production and establish chilling and processing centers throughout Bihar.
INDIA’s promises to farmers harken back to previous agricultural structures, guaranteeing the procurement of crops at MSP, revitalizing agricultural markets (mandis), and strengthening Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in every district.
Workers
The NDA’s pledges for workers include financial assistance and skill development support. They also propose a life insurance provision of up to ₹4 lakhs for auto, e-rickshaw, and taxi drivers.
Conversely, the INDIA alliance aims to bolster the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), a scheme from the UPA era. They promise to increase MNREGA daily wages to ₹300 and extend the minimum employment guarantee to 200 days. For migrant laborers, INDIA plans a comprehensive labor census followed by training programs, and the creation of a dedicated department with a database to track these workers. ‘Bihar Mitra centers’ are proposed in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Surat, Bengaluru, and Ludhiana to assist migrant workers. Additionally, they pledge to double the salaries of Gram Panchayat workers and introduce a pension scheme for retired Gram Panchayat employees.
Freebies for the Poor
Addressing the fundamental needs of economically weaker sections, the NDA has promised free rations, free electricity up to 125 units, and free medical treatment up to ₹5 lakhs. Their plan also includes constructing 50 lakh new permanent homes and providing social security pensions. For girl students, the NDA pledges free education from Kindergarten (KG) through Post-Graduation (PG), along with nutritious mid-day meals.
Meanwhile, INDIA’s promises include a monthly stipend of ₹1,500 for both widows and senior citizens, and ₹3,000 for differently-abled citizens. They have also announced free electricity up to 200 units and free life insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakhs for impoverished families.
Religious Tourism and Arts
Religious tourism has consistently been a highlight in BJP manifestos across states, often featuring promises of ‘corridors’ or ‘circuits’ connecting ancient shrines. In Bihar, the BJP has announced plans for a Vishnupad and Mahabodh corridor, alongside circuits linking sites significant to the Ramayan, Lord Buddha, and the Ganga river. To further boost tourism and the film industry, they have pledged to create one lakh green homestays, establish a Film City in Bihar, found an Arts university, and introduce a new Bihar school of drama and television.
Beyond the NDA and INDIA alliances, the Jan Suraaj Party, led by political strategist Prashant Kishor, is also contesting the Bihar elections but has yet to unveil its manifesto. The polls for Bihar’s 243-seat Assembly are scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results expected on November 14.