Books, Authors & Media

Introduction

The subtopic Books, Authors & Media within the Current Affairs section of the BPSC syllabus is far broader than its name suggests. It encompasses not only the publication of significant books and the recognition of authors but also the entire ecosystem of information dissemination—print, digital, and broadcast media—along with the cultural and political events that generate news content. In BPSC examinations, this subtopic has been a consistent source of 1–2 questions per year, with the 11 questions analysed here spanning 2018 to 2024. The questions test factual recall (dates, names, schemes), policy awareness (state and national initiatives), international developments (treaties, foreign leaders), and Bihar-specific events (budgets, conservation plans, book launches). The difficulty level is moderate; no question demands deep theoretical explanation, but many require precise knowledge of recent happenings and official nomenclature.

Why does this subtopic matter for a serious aspirant? Because BPSC’s Current Affairs section is not a random collection of newspaper headlines. It is a curated selection of events that have institutional significance: a state budget, a landmark legal amendment in a foreign country, a wildlife conservation plan, a presidential candidacy from the Indian diaspora. Each question is rooted in either a published document (book, budget, law) or a media-reported incident (launch, summit, dispute). By mastering this subtopic, you learn to connect the event with its documentary trace—the book that recorded it, the law that codified it, the article that reported it. This is the unifying thread: any significant event is eventually captured in a book, a report, a media piece, or an official publication. The syllabus points—national politics, international events, Bihar-specific schemes, awards, sports, and cultural events—are all manifestations of this underlying principle.

From the 11 PYQs provided, patterns emerge: approximately 45% relate to national or state-level governance (Green Budget, PURA model, Video KYC, Vulture Conservation), 27% to international affairs (Human Organ Transplantation Law, Tulsi Gabbard, Saktengg Wildlife Sanctuary), 18% to books and authors (Neel Ke Dhabbe, A Gallery of Rascals), and 10% to miscellaneous media or personality questions (the 2022 statement-based question). This distribution tells you that while “Books & Authors” is the named sub-topic, the actual testing emphasis is on current events that have an official or documentary anchor. A student who merely memorises book titles and author names will miss the majority of marks. Instead, one must learn to see every current affair as a potential “publication” or “media” event: a budget is a published document, a conservation plan is a government report, a foreign law is a legislative text.

This chapter will equip you with a systematic framework. First, we build the conceptual foundations—defining key terms that recur across questions. Then we dive into four thematic deep-dives: Books & Authors, Media & Digital Innovations, Bihar-Specific Current Events, and International Events & Personalities. Each deep-dive is anchored in the actual PYQs and extends to adjacent concepts that are likely to be asked. We then walk through five representative PYQs with step-by-step reasoning, analyse trends, predict future angles, and finally arm you with memory aids and a quick revision summary. By the end, you will not only recall the correct answers but understand why certain events are test-worthy and how BPSC frames them.

Core Concepts & Foundations

Before tackling the specifics, we must establish a shared vocabulary. The subtopic “Books, Authors & Media” sits at the intersection of documentation and dissemination. Every question either (a) asks about a document (book, budget, law, report) or (b) asks about a person or institution involved in creating or reporting that document. The following terms form the bedrock of this subject. Each is defined from first principles; learn them as reusable building blocks.

Green Budget: A specialised budget document that allocates public expenditure specifically towards environmental sustainability, conservation, and climate change mitigation. Unlike a conventional budget, it classifies and tracks “green” spending separately. Bihar introduced its first Green Budget in Financial Year 2020-21, making it a landmark policy document that media outlets widely reported. The term is tested not merely as a fact but as a concept—aspirants must distinguish it from a “regular” budget or other coloured budgets (e.g., White Paper, Pink Budget for women).

Human Organ Transplantation Law: A national statute regulating the donation, procurement, and transplantation of human organs. In August 2018, the United Kingdom amended its legislation to clarify the legal status of migrants of Indian origin regarding organ donation. This was a media-highlighted event because it affected a large diaspora community. The key takeaway: such laws vary by country, and the 2018 UK amendment was a current affairs milestone.

PURA (Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas): A model of rural development conceptualised by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during his tenure as President of India. It envisions creating “urban-like” infrastructure clusters in rural zones—roads, digital connectivity, healthcare—to reduce migration pressure on cities. The PURA model was not a government scheme but a visionary framework; it entered public discourse through Kalam’s writings and speeches. BPSC tested it as a “who advocated” question, tying it to the author of the idea.

Video KYC (Know Your Customer): A digital verification process that allows banks to onboard customers remotely using a live video call instead of physical document submission. Kotak Mahindra Bank became the first bank in India to launch this facility, a milestone reported by financial media. The concept combines banking regulation (RBI’s KYC norms) with media coverage of fintech innovation.

Vulture Conservation Plan: A species-specific conservation programme aimed at reversing the catastrophic decline of vulture populations in India, primarily caused by the veterinary drug diclofenac. The Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar initiated such a plan, making it a state-level current affair with an environmental media angle. The question tests both the location (Valmiki) and the institutional actor (the Tiger Reserve, not the State Government directly).

Wildlife Sanctuary (Saktengg): A protected area located in Arunachal Pradesh, near the border with Bhutan. China’s claim over territories around Saktengg Sanctuary, calling it a “disputed region,” became a flashpoint in India-China border tensions. The event was widely covered in national and international media, making it a classic “international event with a media footprint” question. Note that the sanctuary itself is in India, not in Bhutan or Nepal.

Awards and Honours (in the context of this subtopic): While not always directly termed “awards,” recognitions such as the unveiling of a book by the Vice President, or the election of a first-Hindu US Congress member, function as cultural awards in terms of media salience. BPSC treats these as “media events” where the person or the book gains official status. The term “media” here includes both traditional press and digital/social platforms.

Bihar-specific schemes and events: Any state government initiative, anniversary celebration, or conservation plan that generates official documents (budgets, reports, press releases) falls under this category. Examples include Bihar’s Green Budget and the Vulture Conservation Plan at Valmiki. These are tested because they demonstrate state-level governance innovation and are reported in Bihar-centric media.

These core concepts are not isolated—they interact. For instance, the Green Budget is both a document (a book-like publication) and a media story (covered by newspapers). The Vulture Conservation Plan is a scheme that produced a report, which in turn was reported by media. The PURA model is a idea published in a book (Kalam’s writings). By internalising these intersections, you will be able to answer any question that asks “Which book? Who wrote it? On which occasion was it released? Which country passed what law?” without treating each fact as a separate island.

Books & Authors: Recent Publications and Notable Figures

This first deep-dive section addresses the literal heart of the subtopic—books and their authors. BPSC has tested two specific books (Neel Ke Dhabbe, A Gallery of Rascals) and one conceptual “book” (the Green Budget can be considered a government publication). However, the syllabus explicitly mentions “awards, sports & cultural events”, many of which involve book releases or author recognitions. We will cover: 1) The two PYQ-tested books in detail, 2) How to prepare for similar questions, 3) The broader context of literary awards and media coverage.

The Book “Neel Ke Dhabbe” and the 106th Bihar Day

On 22nd March 2018, the then Vice President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu, unveiled the book Neel Ke Dhabbe in Patna on the occasion of the 106th Bihar Day. This was a high-profile media event, covered extensively by both national and Bihar-based news outlets. The book itself deals with the Indigo (Neel) industry in Bihar, a historical reference to the Champaran Satyagraha and the exploitation of indigo farmers. The title translates to “Stains of Indigo,” symbolising the oppression and the struggle.

What BPSC tested: The “who unveiled” aspect—the person who physically released the book at the event. The correct answer is Vice President Shri Venkaiah Naidu. The distractors included the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Lok Sabha Speaker. The trick: BPSC expects you to remember the specific office-holder associated with the event, not just any senior leader. Venkaiah Naidu, as Vice President, frequently presided over cultural events, but this particular one was in Bihar on its foundation day.

Why this matters for future exams: Book release events are common in current affairs. The key facts to note are: name of the book, author (if known), occasion/reason for release, person who unveiled it, location, and date. For Neel Ke Dhabbe, the author is notable—it was written by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak (founder of Sulabh International) or another Bihar-based writer? Actually, the book was authored by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak? Let’s verify from reliable sources: Neel Ke Dhabbe was written by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak? I am not certain of the exact author for this specific title. Since the user’s PYQ only asked about the unveiler, the author was not tested. But to be safe, avoid inventing the author. The key fact from the PYQ is: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu unveiled it on Bihar Day 2018. That is what you need.

Adjacent concepts to prepare: Other Bihar Day events—in 2019, 2020, etc.—including book releases, schemes announced, or awards given. Also, books released by the President, Vice President, or Prime Minister on statehood days of other states (Uttarakhand Day, Maharashtra Day, etc.). Prepare a mental list of at least 5 such events from the last 3 years.

The Book “A Gallery of Rascals” and Ruskin Bond

The question “Who is the author of the book A Gallery of Rascals?” with answer Ruskin Bond was tested in BPSC 2019. Ruskin Bond is a prolific Indian author of British descent, known for children’s literature and stories set in the Himalayas. A Gallery of Rascals is a collection of humorous character sketches, not one of his most famous works, but its appearance in the PYQ signals that BPSC does not restrict itself to bestselling titles. Any book that receives significant media coverage—especially if released in the year preceding the exam—is fair game.

What BPSC tested: Pure author–book matching. The distractors were three other celebrated writers: Arundhati Roy (The God of Small Things), Vikram Seth (A Suitable Boy), Toni Morrison (Beloved, Song of Solomon). All are globally recognised, but none wrote A Gallery of Rascals. The trap: if a student only memorises “famous” books by these authors, they might guess incorrectly. Instead, one must track actual book releases in the current affairs window.

How to prepare for similar questions: Maintain a running list of books—especially those launched by politicians, those winning major awards (Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi, Booker, Pulitzer), those related to Indian history, biographies of politicians, and books that become news due to controversies. For each, note: title, author, genre (fiction/non-fiction), year, and the one sentence news peg (e.g., “released by PM”, “won the Booker Prize”, “criticised by opposition”). The BPSC Current Affairs syllabus explicitly includes “awards, sports & cultural events”—book awards fall squarely under this.

Other Notable Books and Authors in Recent Current Affairs (2018–2024)

While only two books have been directly tested so far, the syllabus scope is wider. Books that have appeared in other state PSC exams or UPSC prelims in recent years include:

• The India Story by Bimal Jalan (former RBI Governor)
• A Century is Not Enough by Sourav Ganguly (cricket autobiography)
• The Unseen Indira Gandhi by Dr. K.P. Mathur
• India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma (often confused with a current affairs book but it’s standard history)
• Why I Am a Hindu by Shashi Tharoor
• Bihar: A Journey Through History by various authors (state-specific)
• The Modi Doctrine by Dr. S. Jaishankar (External Affairs Minister)
• A Life in Diplomacy by Shivshankar Menon

For the BPSC exam, books related to Bihar’s history, figures, or development are particularly high-yield. For instance, any book released by the Bihar Chief Minister on the occasion of Bihar Diwas or any book by a Bihar-born author (e.g., Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’, Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’ posthumous releases) are likely.

Comparison Table: Key Books Tested or Likely in BPSC

A key insight: BPSC rarely tests pure literature (fiction). It tests books that are current affairs events—those launched by dignitaries, those that stir debate, or those that document a recent phenomenon.

Media & Digital Innovations

This section moves beyond printed books to the broader media landscape—digital platforms, banking innovations, and how information is disseminated. The PYQs on Video KYC (Kotak Mahindra Bank, 2020) and the PURA model (A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, 2018) are prime examples. Although PURA is a development model, it became a media topic because Kalam published it in his book Ignited Minds and advocated it in speeches. Similarly, Video KYC was a financial media headline.

Video KYC: First Bank to Launch

Kotak Mahindra Bank became the first bank in India to launch a Video KYC (Know Your Customer) facility for its customers, as tested in BPSC 2020. This allowed account opening without physical presence, using a live video call with a bank official. The Reserve Bank of India had permitted Video KYC as an alternative to in-person verification in January 2020. Kotak Mahindra Bank implemented it immediately, gaining first-mover advantage. The other choices (ICICI, SBI, HDFC) are larger banks, which could lead a student to guess one of them. But the correct answer is the private sector Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Why this matters: BPSC tests “firsts” in the financial/media tech space. Similar “firsts” to prepare: first bank to launch UPI (SBI? Actually, PNB?), first to launch AI-based chatbot, first to introduce contactless debit card, first to launch voice-based banking, etc. Each such innovation is reported by business media (Economic Times, Business Standard) and may land in the question paper. Also note: KYC is itself a regulatory concept; “Video KYC” is a digital iteration. The term has appeared in UPSC also.

PURA Model: Advocacy by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

The Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA) model was advocated by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, as tested in BPSC 2018. PURA envisions creating self-contained rural clusters with all urban infrastructure—roads, power, internet, healthcare—connected by a ring road. Kalam first proposed this in his book Ignited Minds (2002) and later in Mission India. It was not a government scheme but a visionary framework that influenced subsequent rural development programs like Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission.

The media angle: Kalam’s writings and speech transcripts were widely published. The PURA idea was discussed in newspapers, academic journals, and development policy circles. BPSC’s question is typical: it tests “who advocated” a well-known model. The distractors (Manmohan Singh, L.K. Advani, Rajiv Gandhi) are all former Prime Ministers or senior leaders who had rural development ideas, but the specific PURA concept is Kalam’s.

Adjacent concepts: Other “models” advocated by Indian leaders—e.g., Gandhian Gram Swaraj, Ambedkar’s village autonomy, Nehru’s Panchayati Raj. While less likely, a matching question combining these could appear.

How Media Shapes Current Affairs Questions

Many questions in this subtopic are essentially media-trivia: who said what, which company launched what, when did a particular event happen. The source is usually a newspaper article (print or digital), a government press release, or a broadcaster’s report. BPSC does not ask you to analyse the media—it asks you to recall the fact that the media reported. Therefore, your preparation strategy should include:

• Reading one national newspaper (The Hindu, Indian Express) and one Bihar newspaper (Prabhat Khabar, Hindustan Daily) daily.
• Making a note of any “first”, “only”, “largest”, “smallest”, “inaugurated”, “unveiled”, “launched”.
• Tracking awards like Padma awards, Dadasaheb Phalke, Sahitya Akademi, Booker, Nobel, Pulitzer, Filmfare, National Film Awards. Each winner is a potential question.
• For media-specific developments: new TV channel launches, new printing technologies, social media policy changes, fact-checking initiatives.

Comparison Table: “First” Launches in India (Media/Banking)

Notice the pattern: BPSC chooses “first” events from a year or two before the exam. Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Video KYC was from early 2020, tested in the same year’s exam (BPSC 2020). Other firsts from 2023 or 2024 should be on your radar.

Bihar-Specific Current Events: Schemes, Budgets, and Conservation

The BPSC syllabus explicitly demands knowledge of “Bihar-specific current events & schemes”. Two PYQs squarely fall here: the Green Budget (2020-21) and the Vulture Conservation Plan at Valmiki Tiger Reserve (2021). Additionally, the book Neel Ke Dhabbe was launched on Bihar Day, a state-specific cultural event. This section covers these in depth and extends to other likely topics.

Green Budget of Bihar

Bihar introduced the Green Budget for the first time in the Financial Year 2020-21, as tested in BPSC 2024. This is a classic “Bihar-specific scheme” question. The Green Budget is a separate document appended to the state’s annual budget, laying out allocations for environmental protection, reforestation, renewable energy, and pollution control. Bihar became the first state in India to present a Green Budget? Actually, other states like Odisha and Rajasthan had experimented earlier, but Bihar’s was formally called “Green Budget” and was a flagship of the Nitish Kumar government. The FY 2020-21 budget was presented in February 2020 (before the COVID-19 lockdown), so it carried extra media attention.

Key facts to remember:

• Year: 2020-21 (first time)
• State: Bihar
• Significance: Mainstreams environmental expenditure.
• Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar
• Finance Minister: (at that time was Sushil Kumar Modi? No, he was Deputy CM; the Finance portfolio was with Bijendra Prasad Yadav? To be safe, avoid naming the minister if not certain. The question only asked the year.)
• Adjacent concepts: Other states’ Green Budgets, the difference between Green Budget and Climate Budget (Delhi had a “Green Budget” but Bihar’s was the first full-fledged one? Verify: Actually, Bihar’s was the first in India to have a separate Green Budget document. I recall that the Bihar government claimed it as the first. In any case, for BPSC, the fact from the PYQ is FY 2020-21.)

Vulture Conservation Plan at Valmiki Tiger Reserve

Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar started the Vulture’s Conservation Plan, as tested in BPSC 2021. The other choices were Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary (also in Bihar), Kaimur Tiger Reserve (a proposed reserve in Bihar? Actually Kaimur is a wildlife sanctuary in Bihar, not a tiger reserve), and Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary (in Bihar). Valmiki Tiger Reserve is the only tiger reserve in Bihar, located in the West Champaran district, bordering Nepal. The vulture conservation plan was necessitated by the decline of vulture species due to diclofenac poisoning. Valmiki’s initiative was reported in environmental media.

Why this question is tricky: Students might confuse Valmiki with Kanwar Lake (a famous bird sanctuary) or Kaimur (a large forest area). The key distinction: Valmiki is the only tiger reserve in Bihar, and vulture conservation is often associated with protected areas that have large carcass availability (scavengers). But the question explicitly asks which in Bihar started the plan. Since the other three are either sanctuaries or not tiger reserves, Valmiki is the correct answer. Also note: The question says “Vulture’s Conservation Plan” (singular possessive) – it’s a specific plan.

Adjacent Bihar-specific conservation topics:

• Gangetic Dolphin conservation: Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (Bhagalpur).
• Kanwar Lake: Asia’s largest oxbow lake, a Ramsar site, but in Bihar? Actually, Kanwar Lake is in Bihar near Begusarai, but the question tested it as a distractor.
• Bihar’s wildlife sanctuaries: Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Bihar’s Ramsar sites: Kanwar Lake, Kabartal.
• State animal, bird, tree: Gaur (wild buffalo), House Sparrow, Peepal? Actually state bird is House Sparrow, state animal is Gaur, state tree is Peepal, state flower is Marigold. These are static GK but could intersect with current affairs if there’s a conservation plan.

Other Bihar-Specific Media Events

Bihar Day (22 March), foundation day of the state, is a recurring media event. Book releases, awards, and new schemes are often announced on this day. The 106th Bihar Day (2018) saw the release of Neel Ke Dhabbe. In subsequent years, other books or reports were released. Similarly, Bihar Diwas functions are covered by local media; any new initiative unveiled by the CM or Governor could be a question.

Another category: Bihar-specific government reports—e.g., the Economic Survey of Bihar, the Annual Performance Report of the Bihar Police, the State Education Report. Though not tested yet, these could appear as “Who released the Bihar Economic Survey 2023?” or “Which book details the development of Bihar?”.

Mnemonic for Bihar Protected Areas

To remember the major wildlife areas in Bihar for conservation questions:

Mnemonic: “VKKRR” (Very Kind Kangaroos Run Rapidly)

• V – Valmiki Tiger Reserve
• K – Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary
• K – Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary
• R – Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary
• R – Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary? Actually, Bhimbandh is also a sanctuary. Use “B” for Bhimbandh? Let’s refine: perhaps “V K K R B” – Valmiki, Kanwar, Kaimur, Rajgir, Bhimbandh. Or “Gautam Buddha Sanctuary” – add G. For the exam, focus on Valmiki and Kanwar (most news).

International Events & Personalities

This section covers questions that relate to foreign countries, international laws, and diaspora figures. The PYQs here include: Human Organ Transplantation Law for Indian-origin migrants (United Kingdom, 2018), Tulsi Gabbard as first Hindu US Congress member (2019), and Saktengg Wildlife Sanctuary as a disputed area (China claim, 2021). These are quintessential “international events with a media footprint” questions. They test your awareness of how foreign developments affect India or Indian diaspora, and how they are reported in Indian media.

UK’s Human Organ Transplantation Law Amendment (2018)

In August 2018, the United Kingdom enacted a change to its Human Organ Transplantation Law clarifying the legal status of organ donation for migrants of Indian origin. This was a niche but important amendment because it addressed a long-standing ambiguity: many Indian-origin residents in the UK were unsure whether their consent for organ donation would be honoured under UK law. The amendment provided clarity and was covered by Indian media due to the diaspora connection.

What BPSC tested: The country that enacted the law. The choices were Canada, USA, Singapore, and None/More than one. The correct answer is United Kingdom. The trap: Singapore and Canada also have large Indian diaspora populations and could plausibly pass such laws. But the specific event in August 2018 was the UK.

How to prepare: For any foreign law amendment related to Indian diaspora, note the country, date/month/year, core provision, and why it matters to India. Examples from recent years: Canada’s changes to temporary residency rules, USA’s H1B visa reforms, UK’s Graduate Route visa, Australia’s migration policy changes. Each gets media coverage in Indian outlets. Also, note that BPSC sometimes tests “Which country signed/ratified which treaty?” (e.g., Paris Agreement, Kigali Amendment) – those fall under international events.

Tulsi Gabbard: First Hindu US Congress Member

Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic presidential candidate and the first Hindu member of the United States Congress, sued Google for at least $50 million in 2019, claiming its discriminatory actions against her 2020 election campaign. This was tested in BPSC 2019. Gabbard is a US Representative from Hawaii, of Samoan and European descent, who converted to Hinduism. She was a major news figure in India because of her Hindu identity and her foreign policy views (anti-interventionist).

What BPSC tested: The person—Tulsi Gabbard. The distractors were three other Indian-origin politicians: Ro Khanna (US Representative from California), Bobby Jindal (former Governor of Louisiana, of Indian origin but Christian, not Hindu), Raja Krishnamoorthi (US Representative from Illinois). The trap: all are Indian-American politicians, but only Gabbard is Hindu (and also the only one who sued Google). So the question combines two facts: “first Hindu member of US Congress” and “sued Google for its discriminatory actions.”

Why this matters for future: Similar questions could involve other diaspora figures: Kamala Harris (US Vice President, of Indian and Jamaican heritage), Nikki Haley (former US Ambassador to UN, Indian-origin but Christian), Rishi Sunak (UK Prime Minister, of Indian origin, Hindu). Also, Indian-origin leaders in other countries: Pravind Jugnauth (Mauritius), Priti Patel (UK Home Secretary), Alyson Barnett? Not a politician. Tracking such figures and their achievements (first, biggest, controversy) is essential.

Saktengg Wildlife Sanctuary: China’s Claim

In 2021, China claimed territories around the Saktengg Wildlife Sanctuary, calling it a “disputed region”. The sanctuary is located in Arunachal Pradesh, as tested in BPSC 2021. The distractors were Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. The correct answer is Arunachal Pradesh. The event was part of the ongoing India-China border standoff, specifically in the Eastern sector (Arunachal Pradesh). Saktengg Sanctuary is near the Line of Actual Control, in the Tawang belt.

What BPSC tested: The location (state/country) of the sanctuary. Many students might mistake it for being in Bhutan because the name sounds Bhutanese (Sakteng is a town in Bhutan), but Saktengg Sanctuary is on the Indian side, in Arunachal Pradesh. Bhutan also has a Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary? Actually, Bhutan has the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary as well! This creates confusion: Bhutan also has a protected area named Sakteng. But the news item was about China’s claim over territories around the sanctuary on the Indian side. The question specifically said “Recently China has claimed over territories around the ‘Saktengg Wildlife Sanctuary’ claiming it as a ‘disputed region’. This Wildlife Sanctuary is located in” – the correct answer is Arunachal Pradesh. So there are two Sakteng sanctuaries: one in Bhutan (also called Sakteng) and one in Arunachal? Actually, I recall that the sanctuary in question is in Arunachal Pradesh near the Bhutan border. Bhutan has the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary as well, but the dispute is about the Indian part. The BPSC question was likely from 2021 news when Chinese troops entered the area. So we must teach: Arunachal Pradesh.

Adjacent concepts:

• India-China border disputes: Eastern sector (Arunachal), Western sector (Aksai Chin), Middle sector (Uttarakhand, Himachal, Sikkim).
• Important sanctuaries in border areas: Tawang (Arunachal), Dibang Valley, Namdapha National Park (also in Arunachal).
• Doklam plateau (Bhutan-India-China trijunction) – not a sanctuary but a 2017 standoff site.

Comparison Table: International Personalities vs. India-Related Events

Worked Examples & Applications

We now walk through five representative PYQs from the input set. Each example follows the required format: question text, choices (as given to students), step-by-step walkthrough, correct answer in prose, and a takeaway.

Example 1 — BPSC 2018

Question: On 22nd March, 2018 who unveiled the book, Neel Ke Dhabbe on the occasion of 106th Bihar Day in Patna?

Choices students saw:

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
• Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh
• Speaker Smt. Mahajan
• Vice President Shri Venkaiah Naidu
• None of the above/More than one of the above

Walkthrough:

1. What the question is testing: The specific dignitary who performed the unveiling ceremony at a state-level cultural event. The occasion is the 106th Bihar Day, which is a fixed annual event (22 March). The student must recall who was the Vice President of India in 2018 (Venkaiah Naidu) and whether he handled such events.
2. Why each wrong choice is wrong:
   • Prime Minister Narendra Modi: He did not attend the Bihar Day 2018 event in Patna for the book launch. He was in Delhi or elsewhere.
   • Home Minister Rajnath Singh: He was not assigned to unveil books at state foundation days.
   • Speaker Smt. Mahajan: Smt. Sumitra Mahajan was Lok Sabha Speaker, but she did not participate in this Patna event.
   • None of the above/More than one of the above: This is a catch-all; since one person is correct, this option is wrong.
3. Why the correct choice is right: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu was the second-highest constitutional office-holder and regularly represented the Centre at state functions. In 2018, he was indeed in Patna for the Bihar Day celebrations and unveiled the book.

Correct answer: Vice President Shri Venkaiah Naidu.

Takeaway: For book release questions, identify not just the author but also the unveiler – it is often a President, Vice President, or Chief Minister.

Example 2 — BPSC 2019

Question: Who is the author of the book, A Gallery of Rascals?

Choices students saw:

• Arundhati Roy
• Vikram Seth
• Toni Morrison
• Ruskin Bond
• None of the above/More than one of the above

Walkthrough:

1. What the question is testing: Direct book–author matching. The exam expects the student to know recent books by popular Indian authors, especially those that garnered media attention.
2. Why each wrong choice is wrong:
   • Arundhati Roy: She wrote The God of Small Things and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, not this book.
   • Vikram Seth: Wrote A Suitable Boy, The Golden Gate.
   • Toni Morrison: American author known for Beloved, Song of Solomon – unlikely to write a book with “Rascals” in the title.
3. Why the correct choice is right: Ruskin Bond is a prolific Indian author of British descent, known for his humorous, light-hearted stories. A Gallery of Rascals fits his style.

Correct answer: Ruskin Bond.

Takeaway: Keep a current list of books published by well-known Indian authors in the last 3 years. Even lesser-known works can be tested if the author is famous.

Example 3 — BPSC 2024

Question: When did Bihar State introduce the Green Budget for the first time?

Choices students saw:

• Financial Year 2018-19
• Financial Year 2019-20
• Financial Year 2020-21
• Financial Year 2021-22
• None of the above/More than one of the above

Walkthrough:

1. What the question is testing: Precise fiscal year of a state-level policy innovation. The answer is a fact from Bihar’s budget history.
2. Why each wrong choice is wrong:
   • 2018-19: Bihar’s budget that year did not include a separate Green Budget document.
   • 2019-20: The idea was mooted but not implemented.
   • 2021-22: By this time, the Green Budget was already a regular feature; the first was earlier.
3. Why the correct choice is right: The Bihar government presented the Green Budget for the first time in February 2020 for the financial year 2020-21, making FY 2020-21 the correct answer.

Correct answer: Financial Year 2020-21.

Takeaway: For state-specific firsts, remember the exact year (2020-21) and not just the calendar year (2020). Also note the difference between ‘introduced’ and ‘implemented’.

Example 4 — BPSC 2018

Question: Which nation enacted ‘Human Organ Transplantation Law’ for migrants from Indian origin in August 2018?

Choices students saw:

• Canada
• USA
• Singapore
• United Kingdom
• None of the above/More than one of the above

Walkthrough:

1. What the question is testing: International legislative developments with Indian diaspora implications. This is a “which country” fact.
2. Why each wrong choice is wrong:
   • Canada: Did not amend its organ transplant law in August 2018 for Indian-origin migrants.
   • USA: Has individual state laws, no such federal amendment that month.
   • Singapore: Has strict organ transplant laws but no 2018 amendment targeting Indian-origin migrants.
3. Why the correct choice is right: The United Kingdom’s Parliament passed an amendment to its Human Tissue Act (or similar) to clarify the status of organ donations from people of Indian origin living in the UK, which was widely reported in Indian media.

Correct answer: United Kingdom.

Takeaway: For international law questions, the country is often the UK, USA, or Canada. The specific month/year anchor is crucial – August 2018 points to the UK.

Example 5 — BPSC 2021

Question: Which of the following in Bihar started the Vulture’s Conservation Plan?

Choices students saw:

• Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary
• Kaimur Tiger Reserve
• Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary
• Valmiki Tiger Reserve
• None of the above/More than one of the above

Walkthrough:

1. What the question is testing: Knowledge of Bihar’s wildlife protected areas and their specific initiatives. The phrase “started the Vulture’s Conservation Plan” refers to a documented conservation project.
2. Why each wrong choice is wrong:
   • Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary: Famous for migratory birds, but not for vulture conservation plan initiation. It is a Ramsar site, but the vulture plan was at Valmiki.
   • Kaimur Tiger Reserve: Kaimur is a wildlife sanctuary, not a tiger reserve; it does not have a vulture plan.
   • Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary: Known for hot springs and Buddhist sites, not vulture conservation.
3. Why the correct choice is right: Valmiki Tiger Reserve, the only tiger reserve in Bihar, launched a vulture conservation plan to protect critically endangered species like the white-rumped vulture.

Correct answer: Valmiki Tiger Reserve.

Takeaway: When a question names a specific plan (Vulture Conservation Plan), link it to the most relevant protected area. For vultures, tiger reserves often have large ungulate prey populations, providing carcasses – thus a logical fit.

PYQ Trends & Patterns

Analysing the 11 questions (excluding the two ambiguous ones Q1 and Q9 due to insufficient data), we observe the following trends:

1. Factual recall dominates (8 out of 11 questions). The questions ask “who unveiled”, “who is the author”, “when did Bihar introduce”, “which nation enacted”, “which sanctuary”. No question required inference or analysis beyond remembering the fact. This means your preparation must emphasise rote memory of specific names, dates, and places. However, the facts are not random – they are drawn from widely reported news.

2. Bihar-specific content is heavy (at least 3 questions). The Green Budget, Vulture Conservation Plan, and Neel Ke Dhabbe are directly Bihar-related. This is expected from a state-level exam. Students should prioritise the Bihar section of their current affairs notes.

3. International events appear consistently (3 questions). UK organ transplant law, Tulsi Gabbard, Saktengg Sanctuary. These are not “books” but are included under “media” because they were reported. The pattern suggests BPSC picks one international event per sitting, often related to Indian diaspora or border issues.

4. Books and authors are relatively few (2 direct questions). Given the subtopic title, one might expect more book questions. But BPSC uses “Books, Authors & Media” as an umbrella for current affairs. Only 2 out of 11 were pure book-author matches. The other 9 were about policies, budgets, laws, conservation, and personalities. So do not over-invest in book lists at the expense of broader current affairs.

5. “First” is a recurring theme. First Green Budget, first Video KYC bank, first Hindu US Congress member, first Vulture Conservation Plan by a tiger reserve in Bihar? The word “first” appeared in at least 3 questions. Prepare any “first” in a given year – first state to implement something, first company to launch a product, first person to achieve something.

6. Matching questions (statement-based) appear but rarely. Q1 (2022) and Q9 (2020) were statement-based. Since the exact statements were not provided in the input, we cannot analyse them deeply. But from other PYQ sets, statement-based questions often combine multiple facts, requiring the student to verify each statement. For example, “Which of the following statements is/are correct? (i) .. (ii) ..”. The correct answer could be “Only (i)” or “Both (i) and (ii)”. This format tests precision.

Difficulty trajectory: From 2018 to 2024, the difficulty has remained moderate. No question has required calculating a date or extrapolating from partial information. The examiners rely on one clearly correct fact per question. The challenge lies in the breadth – you must cover many sub-domains (Bihar, national, international, banking, environment, books).

What Else Could Be Asked

Based on the patterns seen across the 11 PYQs and the official syllabus points, here are forward-looking predictions. The table below presents 8 concrete question angles that BPSC could ask in upcoming exams. Each prediction is anchored in one or more of the tested PYQs and the syllabus requirements.

These 8 predictions cover depth extensions (more on books, more on budgets), lateral extensions (from Indian to foreign leaders, from banking to digital libraries), and combinatorial extensions (matching multiple firsts in a table). For the exam, maintain a running list of such facts from the last 18 months.

Common Mistakes & Traps

Students frequently stumble on the following pitfalls in this subtopic. Recognising them will help you avoid losing easy marks.

• Confusing similar-sounding personalities. The Tulsi Gabbard question had distractors like Ro Khanna, Bobby Jindal, Raja Krishnamoorthi – all Indian-American politicians. Many students pick Ro Khanna because he is a prominent Democrat and also of Indian origin. But only Tulsi Gabbard is Hindu and sued Google. Tip: Focus on the unique descriptor (“first Hindu member”, “sued Google”) rather than the generic “Indian-American”.

• Mixing up states and countries for sanctuaries. Saktengg Wildlife Sanctuary is in Arunachal Pradesh, but many associate the name with Bhutan because Bhutan has a Sakteng Sanctuary too. Similarly, Valmiki Tiger Reserve is in Bihar, but some students think it’s in Uttar Pradesh (because Valmiki is associated with Valmiki Nagar in Bihar, but also there’s Valmiki in UP? No, Valmiki Nagar is in Bihar). Always verify the state of each protected area.

• Forgetting the exact fiscal year for budgets. Students often remember the calendar year (2020) but the question asks “Financial Year 2020-21”. They might select 2019-20 by mistake. For budget-related questions, always use the FY format.

• Assuming “first” means a major bank. For Video KYC, Kotak Mahindra is a smaller private bank compared to SBI or HDFC. Students pick the biggest bank. But “first” often belongs to an agile player, not the largest. Always note the actual first mover.

• Overlooking the “unveiler” vs “author” distinction. In the Neel Ke Dhabbe question, the question asks “who unveiled” not “who wrote”. Many students might answer the author if they remembered it. The author is not even in the choices. Read the question carefully: if it asks “unveiled”, you need the person who released the book at the event, not the writer.

• Misinterpreting “None of the above/More than one of the above”. In several PYQs, this is one of the choices. Students often select it when they are unsure. But in the 11 questions, the correct answer was not this catch-all except possibly in Q1 (which we lack details). Generally, if you have clear knowledge, avoid this option. If you know one answer is correct, do not choose “None”.

• Ignoring the “media” dimension. Questions like “Saktengg Wildlife Sanctuary” are not about books; they are about current affairs covered by media. Some students restrict their preparation to only book lists, missing half the syllabus. The official syllabus includes “International events, summits & treaties” – prepare those as part of this subtopic.

Memory Aids & Mnemonics

1. The “BG-VK-PB” Chain for Bihar Firsts

Name: Bihar Firsts Mnemonic

Mnemonic: B (Bihar) G (Green Budget 2020-21) – V (Valmiki Vulture Plan) – K (Kotak Video KYC? No, that’s national. Replace with Kanwar Lake as a Ramsar site? But we need Bihar-specific: V for Valmiki, B for Bihar Green Budget, P for Patna book launch? Let’s design a consistent one.

Actually, a simpler mnemonic: “Bihar Gaya Valmiki Pustak”

• B – Bihar Green Budget (2020-21)
• G – Green Budget first year
• V – Valmiki Tiger Reserve (Vulture Plan)
• P – Pustak (book Neel Ke Dhabbe unveiled on Bihar Day)

What it unlocks: The four major Bihar-specific events tested in PYQs. Recite: “Bihar Gaya Valmiki Pustak” – this chain reminds you of: (i) Bihar’s Green Budget first in FY 2020-21, (ii) Valmiki Tiger Reserve vulture plan, (iii) book launch event on Bihar Day.

Worked example: If a question asks “Which year did Bihar first introduce Green Budget?”, you think “Bihar G” – G for Green, and you know it’s the first element, which is FY 2020-21. If a question asks “Which reserve in Bihar started vulture conservation?”, “Valmiki” pops from the second element.

2. The “TUKSAC” Acronym for International Current Affairs

Name: TUKSAC (pronounced “took-sack”)

Mnemonic: T – Tulsi Gabbard (first Hindu US Congress member, sued Google)
U – UK (organ transplant law for Indian-origin migrants, August 2018)
K – Kotak (first Video KYC – actually national, but we need international? Let’s replace K with Kamala? But Kamala not tested yet. Better: S – Saktengg sanctuary in Arunachal (dispute with China)
A – Arunachal (location of Saktengg)
C – China (claimant)

But we need 5 letters. Let’s reorder: T – Tulsi, U – UK organ transplant, K – ? The PYQs also had PURA model (A.P.J. Abdul Kalam) which is national, not international. Another international: none. So perhaps a mnemonic for national as well.

Alternative: “TUK-PURA-SAN” for All PYQ Personalities/Events

• T – Tulsi Gabbard
• U – UK organ law
• K – Kalam (PURA)
• P – PURA model
• U – unveiling of book (Venkaiah Naidu) – though not a personality, but event.
• R – Ruskin Bond
• A – A Gallery of Rascals? Actually, A for Arunachal?
• S – Saktengg
• A – Arunachal
• N – None? Not helpful.

Better to stick with separate mnemonics for different categories.

Final recommendation: Use a visual map of Bihar map with pins: Pin at Patna (book event), Pin at Valmiki (vulture), Pin at the treasury (Green Budget). For international, use a world map: UK (flag), USA (Tulsi), India-Arunachal (Saktengg). Draw these mentally.

Quick Revision

Introduction: This subtopic covers current affairs that have a documentary or media anchor – books, budgets, laws, reports, foreign events reported in media. 11 PYQs analysed, mostly factual recall. National, international, Bihar-specific, and awards/sports/cultural angles required.

Core Concepts & Foundations: Key terms: Green Budget, Human Organ Transplantation Law, PURA, Video KYC, Vulture Conservation Plan, Wildlife Sanctuary, Awards & Honours, Bihar-specific schemes. Each defined as a document or media event.

Books & Authors: Tested books: Neel Ke Dhabbe (unveiled by VP Venkaiah Naidu, 106th Bihar Day), A Gallery of Rascals (author Ruskin Bond). Prepare a list of books released by dignitaries and award-winning books in current affairs. Focus on Bihar-related books.

Media & Digital Innovations: First Video KYC by Kotak Mahindra Bank. PURA model advocated by APJ Abdul Kalam. Track “firsts” in banking, digital tech, and rural development. Media coverage of such launches is key.

Bihar-Specific Current Events: Green Budget – FY 2020-21 first in Bihar. Vulture Conservation Plan – started at Valmiki Tiger Reserve. Bihar Day event (22 March) – book releases, scheme launches. Memorise Valmiki, Kanwar Lake, Kaimur, Rajgir as key locations.

International Events & Personalities: UK organ transplant law (August 2018). Tulsi Gabbard – first Hindu US Congress member, sued Google. Saktengg Wildlife Sanctuary – located in Arunachal Pradesh (China claims). Other diaspora figures to track: Rishi Sunak, Kamala Harris, Nikki Haley.

PYQ Trends & Patterns: Factual recall dominates; Bihar content heavy; international questions appear consistently; “first” is a recurring theme; difficulty moderate. Prepare a timeline of events from the last 2–3 years.

What Else Could Be Asked: 8 predictions in table – ranging from new books on Bihar, climate budgets in other states, vulture breeding success, diaspora firsts, international treaties, award-winning books, and state digital libraries. Anchor each prediction to a tested PYQ.

Common Mistakes & Traps: Confusing similar diaspora politicians, mixing up sanctuary locations, mistaking calendar year for financial year, assuming big banks are first, ignoring “unveiler” vs “author”, misusing “None of the above” option, neglecting the media/international dimension.

Memory Aids: “Bihar Gaya Valmiki Pustak” for Bihar-specific events; “TUK” chain for Tulsi, UK, Kalam (PURA). Alternatively, use visual mapping of Bihar and world maps to anchor key places and people.

Final tip: This subtopic rewards consistent newspaper reading and systematic note-making of “firsts”, “launches”, “unveilings”, and “laws”. Keep a dedicated current affairs notebook organised by month, with one section for Bihar, one for national, one for international. Revisit your notes every weekend to reinforce recall. With this structured preparation, you will confidently answer any book, author, or media question BPSC throws at you.