Bihar stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey, characterised by a young population, rising aspirations, and strong linkages with labour markets across India and beyond. As India advances towards the vision of a developed nation by 2047, Bihar’s progress will significantly shape the country’s future. Over the last two decades, Bihar has recorded notable achievements in economic growth, infrastructure expansion, school enrolment, public service delivery, and governance reforms. Yet, substantial challenges remain in employment generation, industrialisation, urban development, investment acceleration, and human capital formation, particularly improvement in learning outcomes andquality education.

In this context, the Global Convention on Transforming Bihar 2027, to be held at Patna during 12–13 January 2027 at Samrat Ashok Convention Centre, seeks to bring together scholars and experts, policymakers, industry leaders, civil society members, development practitioners, and members of the Bihar diaspora from India and abroad to deliberate on pathways for transforming Bihar into a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable economy. The Convention is being organised by the Institute for Human Development (IHD) and Nalanda University in collaboration with Bihar Foundation (Department of Industries, Government of Bihar).

The Convention builds upon the Institute for Human Development’s landmark Global Meet on Resurgent Bihar 2007 and the subsequent Global Summit on Changing Bihar 2012, organised in partnership with the Government of Bihar and other partners. These initiatives helped place Bihar’s developmental challenges and opportunities at the centre of national discourse. The 2027 Convention aims to provide a fresh roadmap for Bihar’s next phase of transformation.