COVID-19 induced lockdown caused the widespread movement of migrants across the globe. In India the lockdown started from 25th March 2020 and lasted after 68 days on 31st May 2020 with partial and no movement. Around 15 lakh registered migrant workers returned to Bihar keeping in view of this fact the present study was conducted in four prominent districts of northern region of Bihar state. These districts were Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur and Sitamarhi. In view of area for study, five blocks from each four districts (Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur and Sitamarhi) were again purposely selected. Data collection was a challenging task from researchers’ end, since respondents had faced a lot of hardship during COVID-19 and they often burst into tears, recalling the severity faced by them while returning home. From each block 15 returned migrant workers were selected thus from each district 75 respondents were selected. Hence the total sample size of the study was 300. The results indicate that majority of migrant workers were from young age group, male, married and belongs to extremely backward caste. Majority of returned migrant workers were functionally literate and having medium level of working experience. The mean value of working experience was 6.8 years. These migrant workers were engaged in agricultural activities before migrating. However majority of migrant workers were having low level of agricultural experience additionally almost one third of them were having low level of experience in allied activities. The primary occupation of more than half of the migrant workers was unskilled labours. The mean value of family income before COVID was ` 216058.40 but after COVID it was reduced to ` 191989.77. Further, the mean value of self income before COVID-19 pandemic was ` 142860 and it was decreased by 12.05 percent. The debt status of migrant workers was increased by 15.32 percent after COVID. Majority of migrant workers were having low level of material possession, extension contact and medium level of mass media exposure. More than half (55.67%) of these migrant workers were seasonal migrants, seeking employment was the key reason for migration for migration. The most favourite destination for migration was Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana etc. The nature of work ranges from agricultural or casual labourers, construction workers, painter, plumber, labour in brick kiln, maid, factory workers, self employed, skilled workers etc. Keywords: COVID-19, Migrants, Socio-economic, Migration pattern.

COVID-19, Migrants, Migration Pattern, North Bihar, Returned Migrants

The results concluded that major chunk of the migrant workers were functionally literate i.e. 43.67 percent and they had working experience of less than a decade i.e. 6.8 years. More than half (53.67 %) were unskilled laborers. The family income and self income of these migrant workers was reduced by 11.14 percent and 12.05 percent respectively. The debt status of migrant workers was increased by 15.32 percent after COVID-19 pandemic. Majority (55.67%) of these migrant workers were seasonal migrants and seeking employment was the key reason for migration for migration. Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana and others were top migration destinations. They were mainly engaged in works like agricultural or casual labourers, construction workers, painter, plumber, labour in brick kiln, maid, factory workers, self employed, skilled workers etc. However, since it is a pandemic induced situation so it may not possibly represent the normal situation of the study area.

Avinash Kumar, Ashok K. Singh, Sudhanand Prasad Lal, Deepak Kumar Patel and Satya Prakash (2022). An Exploratory Study on Pattern and Factors Influencing Out Migration among COVID-19 Returned Migrants in North Bihar. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 492-498.