For Prelims: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Fintech, Digital Sandbox, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
For Mains: Science and Technology: Artificial Intelligence; Governance: State government schemes and policies
Source:
Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Bihar Cabinet approved AI training for 7,000 students with GFTN Singapore.
- The training is a 5-month advanced AI certification program.
- Partners include National University of Singapore and Linux Foundation.
- Over 100 startups will benefit from a digital sandbox platform.
- The program targets both science and non-science graduate students.
The news
The Bihar Cabinet on Tuesday approved the nomination of the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), Singapore, to create an artificial intelligence ecosystem, skill development and innovation in the state. Under the plan, 7,000 graduate and postgraduate students will be trained in advanced artificial intelligence over the next five years. The initiative is intended to position Bihar as a leading state in AI and attract global investment and employment opportunities for its youth.
A five-month advanced AI certification programme will be run in collaboration with the National University of Singapore Asian Institute of Digital Finance and the Linux Foundation. Students from both science and non-science backgrounds are eligible. The nodal department is the Bihar Department of Science and Technology. GFTN is expected to establish a centre in Bihar soon, and the training is expected to start by March 2027.
Bihar will showcase its technology policies and startups at 12 global platforms, including the Singapore Fintech Festival, Point Zero Forum Zurich, Black Swan Summit, Bangkok Digital Finance Forum and GFTN Forum Japan, to attract foreign direct investment and industrial engagement. A digital sandbox platform under GFTN will support over 100 startups to address Bihar's specific geographic and social challenges using AI.
Why in the news?
The Bihar Cabinet's approval of a partnership with Singapore's GFTN to train 7,000 students in advanced AI makes this a fresh policy decision that signals a shift in the state's technology and skilling strategy.
What is the Global Finance and Technology Network?
The Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN) is a Singapore-based entity established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to advance fintech and innovation ecosystems globally. It was set up to replace the functions of Elevandi, a non-profit organisation that had been organising the Singapore Fintech Festival and other international dialogues. GFTN focuses on convening public and private sector stakeholders, fostering digital economy partnerships, and providing advisory services for technology-driven growth. Its work includes running global forums, sandbox platforms, and capacity-building programmes in areas such as artificial intelligence and digital finance.
Why was the partnership with GFTN chosen?
Bihar has traditionally lagged in technology and industrial investment compared to other Indian states. The state government under Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has been focusing on skill development and innovation to boost youth employment and attract global capital. The partnership with GFTN brings a structured certification programme from the National University of Singapore and the Linux Foundation, giving the initiative global credibility.
What does the programme offer and who can join?
The five-month advanced AI certification programme is open to both science and non-science graduate and postgraduate students, ensuring inclusivity. The digital sandbox platform will allow over 100 startups to test products in a controlled environment, fostering local innovation tailored to Bihar's challenges such as agriculture, flood management and rural connectivity. The 12 global platforms will give Bihar direct exposure to international investors and tech companies, potentially increasing FDI in the state's technology sector.
What is the next step?
GFTN is expected to establish a centre in Bihar soon, after which student selection for training will begin through the Department of Science and Technology. The training is expected to start by March 2027. Success will depend on effective implementation, student enrollment, and follow-up on investment leads generated from the global forums.
Bihar connection
Facts and terms for exams
- Artificial Intelligence (AI):
- The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems, including learning, reasoning, and self-correction.
- Fintech:
- Financial technology, a term used to describe new technology that seeks to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services.
- Digital Sandbox:
- A controlled, virtual environment where startups and developers can test new digital products and services under regulatory supervision before full-scale launch.
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):
- An investment made by a firm or individual in one country into business interests located in another country, often to establish a lasting interest.
Why it matters for exams
Exams: BPSC, BSSC
Syllabus: Science and Technology: Artificial Intelligence; Governance: State government schemes and policies
Common mistake: Examiners may swap 'Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), Singapore' with 'National University of Singapore' or 'Linux Foundation' as the primary partner. The correct primary partner is GFTN, Singapore, which will collaborate with the other two institutions.
Mains question
Examine the potential of Bihar's AI skilling partnership with Singapore's GFTN to address the state's employment and investment challenges. Discuss.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The Bihar government has tied up with a Singapore-based network (GFTN) to teach advanced artificial intelligence to 7,000 students over five years. The course will be 5 months long and is open to students from any background. The goal is to make Bihar a leader in AI and bring foreign investment and jobs to the state.
- Bihar Cabinet approved AI training for 7,000 students with GFTN Singapore.
- The training is a 5-month advanced AI certification program.
- Partners include National University of Singapore and Linux Foundation.
- Over 100 startups will benefit from a digital sandbox platform.
- The program targets both science and non-science graduate students.
- Science and Technology: Artificial Intelligence
- Governance: State government schemes and policies
Related concepts: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Fintech, Digital Sandbox, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which department of the Bihar government is the nodal agency for implementing the advanced AI training program?
Explanation: Student selection for the training will be done with the help of the 'Vigyan Evam Pravaidhik Vibhag' (Department of Science and Technology) of Bihar.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the Bihar government's AI training initiative:
- 1.The training program is a 5-month advanced AI certification program.
- 2.The program is exclusively for postgraduate students with a science background.
- 3.The digital sandbox platform will benefit over 100 startups in Bihar.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the training is a 5-month advanced AI certification program. Statement 2 is incorrect: both science and non-science graduate and postgraduate students are eligible. Statement 3 is correct: the digital sandbox platform will directly benefit over 100 startups.
- Q3Easy
How many students does the Bihar government aim to train in advanced artificial intelligence over the next five years?
Explanation: The target is to train 7,000 students over the next five years.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the Bihar government's partnership with the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), Singapore?
Explanation: The initiative aims to train 7,000 students in advanced AI and showcase Bihar's tech policies at global platforms to attract FDI and industrial engagement.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many students will be trained in advanced AI under the Bihar government's new initiative?
The Bihar government aims to train 7,000 graduate and postgraduate students in advanced artificial intelligence over the next five years.
2. Which organization is the primary partner for Bihar's AI training program?
The primary partner is the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), Singapore, which will collaborate with the National University of Singapore and the Linux Foundation.
3. What is the duration of the AI certification program announced by the Bihar Cabinet?
The program is a 5-month advanced AI certification program.
4. When is the AI training program expected to start in Bihar?
The training is expected to start by March 2027.
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- Original11 November 2026 · Read story
