West Bengal's female literacy is above national average and rural-urban disparity exists. However, Kerala and other northeastern states have higher overall literacy rates than West Bengal.

Adi Shankaracharya's Advaita Vedanta philosophy profoundly influenced Bengal intellectuals, though he was from South India.

The 1943 Bengal famine was largely a result of British war-time requisitions, hoarding, and inadequate relief policies, claiming millions of lives.

The Tarunajyoti Scheme provides skill training and employment opportunities for youth in West Bengal, launched by the state government.

Kolkata Port is India's only major riverine port, located on the Hooghly River. It handles significant cargo despite being inland.

While West Bengal has traditional jute, steel, and petrochemical industries, diamond polishing is not a major sector, unlike in Gujarat.

The Partition of Bengal was intended to administratively divide the region and suppress the growing nationalist movement, but it instead intensified resistance.

According to the 2021 census, West Bengal's literacy rate is approximately 72-73%, indicating moderate literacy levels.

The decline of West Bengal's jute industry is attributed to multiple factors: the rise of synthetic fibers globally, obsolete machinery, poor management, and competition from cheaper international alternatives, not just single factors.

Birbhum and Purulia districts in West Bengal have significant iron ore deposits and mining activities, with ongoing concerns about environmental degradation and displacement of local communities.