The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday (October 31) announced its much-anticipated manifesto for the upcoming 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election, promising a sweeping set of measures aimed at addressing key issues in the state. The document, released in Patna by senior leaders including Nitish Kumar and J. P. Nadda, centres on job creation, women’s empowerment and infrastructure growth.

Key commitments by NDA

1. The NDA pledges to create 1 crore government jobs in Bihar.

2. Under a women’s empowerment scheme, the alliance promises to produce 1 crore “Lakhpati Didis” (women earning ₹1 lakh per annum) along with financial support of up to ₹2 lakh per woman under the Chief Minister’s Women’s Employment Scheme.

3. A skill census will be undertaken, and district-level mega skills centres will be set up to train youth, aiming to position Bihar as a global skilling hub.

4. The manifesto further promises major infrastructure plans,  including four new international airports, seven expressways, the modernisation of 3,600 km of rail track and metro corridors in multiple cities.

5. For farmers and rural communities: the manifesto guarantees MSP (minimum support price) for all crops, raises annual assistance under the Kisan Samman Nidhi to ₹9,000 and announces a massive ₹1 lakh crore investment in agri-infrastructure.

Election context

The 2025 Bihar elections span all 243 seats, with the majority mark at 122.Voter concerns such as youth unemployment, migration out of the state and revision of electoral rolls are emerging as major issues. According to media reports, voters are especially focused on joblessness among youth (nearly 10 % unemployment rate for ages 15-29) and feel discontent with certain state practices.

The NDA manifesto release comes at a crucial moment, signalling the alliance’s strategic push to assuage voter anxieties on employment and migration. With poll results drawing near, the promises laid out could shape campaign narratives and voter sentiment alike.

What it means

If delivered, the proposed 1 crore jobs and women’s earnings scheme could significantly alter economic and social dynamics in Bihar. The skill-centres and infrastructure investments aim to address long-standing developmental gaps in the state. However, critics argue that such guarantees raise questions over feasibility and funding. The opposition alliances in Bihar are also stepping up their challenge, making this election fiercely contested.