1. Public Expenditure on Social Services

• Expenditure on social services increased 13 times between 2005–06 and 2023–24.
  • Health sector saw a 13-fold rise.
  • Education spending rose 10 times during the same period.
• This expansion aims to improve the Human Development Index through investments in health, education, welfare, and public services.

2. Health Sector Initiatives and Outcomes

• Mukhyamantri Digital Health Yojana (MDHY) launched in 2022, now operational in 20 districts.
  • Services: Online OPD appointments, Ayushman Bharat ID creation, emergency support, digital consultations.
• National Health Mission (NHM) funding rose by 43% in 2023–24 from the previous year.
  • Focus on RMNCH+A, communicable and non-communicable disease control.
• Immunisation Coverage:
  • Rise from 11.6% in 1998–99 to 71% in 2019–20 (NFHS-5).
• Life Expectancy at Birth (2016–20):
  • Male: 68.9 years
  • Female: 70.1 years
  • Overall: 69.5 years
• Prevalence of Disease:
  • Top cause of reported illness: Dog bites (2.44 lakh cases) in 2023–24.
• Infrastructure:
  • 116 blood centres, 71 blood collection units.
  • e-Raktkosh portal for blood availability tracking.

3. Drinking Water and Sanitation

• Bihar scored 98 in SDG-6 (2023–24), 3rd rank nationally.
• Improved Drinking Water Access:
  • From 98.4% (2015–16) to 99.2% (2019–20).
• Sanitation:
  • Improved from 26.5% to 49.4% during the same period.
• Schemes:
  • Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal: 70 LPCD potable water to 2 crore households.
  • Lohiya Swachh Bihar Abhiyan & Shauchalaya Nirmaan Yojana: ₹12,000 support per toilet.

4. Education and Child Development

• Dropout rate in secondary schools declined by 62.25%.
• E-Shikshakosh launched for real-time monitoring of schools.
• Kishori Manch and Child Cabinet (Bal Sansad) active in promoting participation and leadership among children.

5. Women and Child Welfare

• Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyami Yojana:
  • ₹451.35 crore disbursed to 7596 women entrepreneurs (2021–24).
  • Initiatives include bag clusters and solar enterprises.
• Civil Seva Protsahan Yojana:
  • ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 incentive to women qualifying UPSC/BPSC prelims.
• Welfare Schemes:
  • Mission Vatsalya: Central and state-supported child protection programme.
  • Parvarish: ₹1000/month per child for vulnerable families (orphans, HIV-affected, mentally ill parents).
• JEEVIKA Health Help Desks:
  • Functional in 38 districts; served over 14 lakh patients.

Conclusion

Bihar’s social sector has seen a substantial increase in investments and reforms, especially in health, education, sanitation, and women-child development. With digitisation, inclusive schemes, and community participation, the state aims to build a robust social foundation aligned with its demographic transition and SDG commitments.