Bihar Diwas 2026: PM Modi, President Murmu and Top Leaders Unite in Celebrating Bihar's 114th Foundation Day

On Bihar's 114th Foundation Day, India's top constitutional and political leaders extended greetings — highlighting the state's ancient legacy and its resolve to build a developed Bihar alongside a developed India.

A State Turns 114

March 22, 2026 marks Bihar Diwas — the 114th anniversary of the formation of the state of Bihar. On this day in 1912, the British carved Bihar out of the Bengal Presidency, giving the region its distinct administrative identity. Over more than a century, that administrative act has transformed into a day of immense cultural pride — a moment for Biharis across India and the world to reflect on their heritage, celebrate their identity, and recommit to the state's future.

This year's Bihar Diwas saw an outpouring of greetings from the nation's highest offices — from the President and Prime Minister to Chief Ministers and Union Ministers — each acknowledging Bihar not merely as a state, but as one of the foundational pillars of Indian civilisation.

President Murmu: The Soil That Always Enriched India

President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in extending Bihar Diwas greetings, describing Bihar as the land of the world's first republic and the birthplace of glorious empires and great cultural and spiritual traditions. She expressed confidence that the residents of the state, with their boundless talent and hard work, would play an important role in the development of Bihar and the entire country — and extended her best wishes for a golden future to the state and all its residents.

PM Modi: Crafting Ever-New Chapters of Progress

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings to the people of Bihar, calling them his family. He said Bihar imparts grandeur and divinity to India's heritage and is today striving to script new chapters of progress every day. He expressed strong confidence that the dedication, capability, and energy of Bihar's hardworking people would greatly contribute to realising the vision of a developed Bihar alongside a developed India.

Amit Shah: From Nalanda to Nation-Building

Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to Bihar's deep intellectual and cultural legacy. He said Bihar, renowned for its rich culture, traditions, and unique arts, has always shown the country the path to social justice and intellectual awakening — from the glorious tradition of knowledge at Nalanda and Vikramshila to the freedom struggle and the Emergency period. He said Bihar has made invaluable contributions to nation-building in every era and is today creating new benchmarks of progress by preserving its vast heritage.

CM Nitish Kumar: We Will Take Bihar's Pride to New Heights

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar struck an aspirational note in his Bihar Diwas message. He called Bihar's history glorious and said the state is currently shaping an equally glorious future through determination. He called upon all Biharis to fulfil the resolve for a prosperous Bihar, saying together, we will take Bihar's pride to new heights.

Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha: Bihar's Contributions to the World

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha described Bihar Diwas as a sacred occasion that reminds the nation of Bihar's rich cultural heritage, historical traditions, and the invaluable contributions of its great luminaries. He said Bihar has, for centuries, given new dimensions not only to the knowledge, civilisation, and democratic values of India — but of the entire world.

Yogi Adityanath and Shivraj Singh Chouhan Extend Wishes

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described Bihar as the land of revolution, enriched with popular faith and cultural splendour, and expressed hope that under the guidance of PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar, Bihar would establish new benchmarks of prosperity. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan extended greetings to Bihar — the land blessed with a rich culture, glorious history, spirituality, and revolutionary fervour, and the birthplace of great ascetics and noble souls.

Why Bihar Diwas Matters

Bihar Diwas is observed as a public holiday across the state, with cultural programmes, exhibitions, and events organised at every level of government. For the Bihari diaspora — one of the largest internal migrant communities in India, spread across every major city from Mumbai and Delhi to Surat and Pune — it is a moment of collective identity and pride.

Bihar's trajectory in recent years has been noteworthy, with consistent GDP growth, improvements in road and power infrastructure, and expanded access to education. The state remains, however, one with immense untapped potential — with human development indicators and per capita income still trailing national averages. Bihar Diwas is as much a celebration of what the state has achieved as it is a reminder of the distance still to travel.