Given below are two statements. One is labelled as Assertion (A) and other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Bihar is a backward State of the Country.
Reason (R): It is characterized by regional disparities in the level of development.
Select the correct answer from the orders given below:

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b)  Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A) 
Explanation: •  Assertion (A) is correct: Bihar is consistently identified as one of the most  economically backward states in India, often ranking at the bottom in terms of  per capita income and human development indicators. •  Reason (R) is correct: The state is marked by extreme  regional disparities in its development. While the capital  Patna has a high per capita Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP) of ₹2,41,220, districts like  Sheohar (₹22,047) and  Araria (₹23,670) lag significantly behind. •  Correct Explanation: These stark internal imbalances prevent the state from achieving  inclusive growth. The concentration of economic activity in a few urban pockets while the vast majority of districts remain stagnant and agrarian is a direct cause of the state's overall backwardness. • Factors such as  recurrent floods in North Bihar versus  drought-like conditions in South Bihar further exacerbate these regional divides, making the Reason a fundamental explanation for the Assertion. 
Information Booster: • According to the  Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26, the state recorded a high growth rate of  13.1%, yet its per capita income remains less than  one-third of the national average. • The survey also highlights that  Patna,  Begusarai, and  Munger are the top three prosperous districts, while  Sheohar,  Araria, and  Sitamarhi are at the bottom.
Additional Knowledge: Backward State Status (Assertion A) • Bihar has the highest  Multidimesional Poverty Index (MPI) score in India, with significant gaps in health, education, and standard of living compared to other states. • The state government has frequently requested  Special Category Status (SCS) from the Centre to address this structural backwardness.
Regional Disparities (Reason R) •  Urbanization Gap: Patna is the only major urban hub, while most of Bihar remains over  88% rural, hindering industrial and service sector expansion. •  Infrastructure: Disparities in road density, electricity availability, and health facilities between the prosperous central districts and the peripheral border districts keep the overall development index low.