Bihar approves historic 35% reservation for women in government jobs

In a landmark move aimed at promoting gender equity in governance, the Bihar Cabinet on Tuesday approved 35% reservation for women in all categories and levels of state government jobs. The decision, made under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is seen as a major push toward empowering women and is expected to have a significant impact in the run-up to the upcoming assembly elections.

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The reservation will be applicable only to women with Bihar domicile and will not extend to female applicants from outside the state. The quota will apply to direct recruitment processes and is intended to increase female participation in public service and administration across the state. Political analysts view this as a strategic move, considering the NDA’s strong outreach towards women voters in recent years.

Women’s rights advocates across Bihar welcomed the announcement, stating that the measure would not only enhance economic independence for women but also ensure better representation in government institutions.

Alongside the women’s reservation decision, the Cabinet approved 42 other proposals, most notably the formation of the Bihar Youth Commission, a first for the state. The Commission aims to focus on youth development and policy implementation, which is crucial in a state where a large portion of the population is under 30.

In another inclusive step, the Cabinet has cleared a proposal to financially support differently-abled candidates who pass the preliminary rounds of either the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) or Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams. These candidates will receive a Rs 50 lakh grant and a Rs 1 lakh stipend to aid their preparation for mains and interview stages.

To support farmers impacted by delayed monsoons, the government also launched a diesel subsidy scheme. With a budget of Rs 100 crore, the scheme will provide Rs 2,250 per acre for three rounds of irrigation, aiming to help small and marginal farmers cope with rising diesel costs.