Bihar, the most densely populated state of India holds an important place in higher educational institutes of India. Since the earliest times, Bihar has been a hub of the leading educational institutions and learning. It was home to some of the popular ancient universities - Nalanda University, Odantapura University and Vikramshila University....
After the destruction of Nalanda and Vikramshila University by the Islamic invaders, the state saw a revival in its higher education system during British rule. The Britishers established the seventh oldest university in the country namely Patna University in the capital city of Patna in the year 1917.
The Britishers also paved way for modern education in Bihar by establishing central institutes for engineering, medical, veterinary, agriculture, etc. The second-oldest engineering college named NIT Patna was also established in the state by the British government.
Although, the pre-eminent position of Bihar in the education system appears to be lost after the independence. There have not been any significant initiatives taken up by the state government to improve the quality of educational institutions. The state of Bihar stands with a literacy rate of 63.82% according to the census of 2011.
However, there is a huge difference between the literacy rates of the male and female population in the state reflecting the terrible situation of women education. However, the students of Bihar are still performing better in many fields better than other students. The seven leading universities of Bihar who have gained national importance are -
The government has also proposed to revive Vikramshila University after the revival of Nalanda. Mahatma Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi central agriculture University are some of the major central universities. National Institute of fashion technology in Patna is among the nine fashion institutes in India. The other popular national institutes in Bihar are the national Law University (NLU), Patna Institute of Hotel Management ( IHM), CIPET ( Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology) and Footwear Design and Development Institute.
The leading engineering institutes of Bihar include IIT Patna, NIT Patna, Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology, women's Institute of Technology in Darbhanga, College of Agricultural Engineering in Samastipur, Engineering College of Bhagalpur, NSIT, Bihar Institute of Silk and Textiles, Maulana Azad college of engineering and technology, etc.
Aryabhatta Knowledge University is established in the state for technical, medical and management courses along with professional education.
The leading medical colleges set up by the state and central government in the state of Bihar are - The Nalanda medical college and Hospital, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Bhagalpur, Government Medical College of Bettiah, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences and Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital.
Eleven new medical colleges are under construction and will be soon ready to enhance opportunities in medical courses.
Bihar offers wide career opportunities in vocational and diploma courses. Arabic, Persian and Urdu education is also a fundamental element of the education system in Bihar. The Arabic and Persian University and the Sanskrit University in Darbhanga have been leading the way in promoting the growth and development of languages.
Bihar education has promoted animal science and agriculture to a large scope to enhance the use of technology and innovative methodology in animal husbandry and agriculture. Bihar Agricultural University and Animal Science University are the popular ones. A. N Sinha Institute of Social Sciences has also developed in Bihar to promote research and learning in various subjects of Humanities. The Institute offers a multidisciplinary approach towards social sciences and allied activities.