On July 8, 2025, the Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approved a landmark amendment to the state’s recruitment rules. This decision officially restricts the long-standing 35% horizontal reservation for women in government jobs to those who are permanent residents (domiciled) of Bihar.
1. Evolution of the 35% Quota
Bihar has been a pioneer in gender-based reservation, but the eligibility criteria have now shifted from “All-India” to “State-Specific.”
| Feature | Old Policy (Since 2016) | New Policy (Approved July 8, 2025) |
| Reservation % | 35% Horizontal | 35% Horizontal |
| Eligibility | All women (irrespective of state). | Only Women domiciled in Bihar. |
| Out-of-State Women | Availed 35% quota benefits. | Treated as General/Unreserved category. |
| Cadres Affected | All state government services. | All state government services (BPSC, SSC, etc.). |
2. Rationale & Objectives
The General Administration Department (GAD) proposed this shift to address growing local demands and ensure that state resources benefit native residents:
- “Sons of the Soil” (and Daughters): Prioritising native women to enhance their socioeconomic status within Bihar.
- Administrative Representation: Encouraging more local women to participate in the state’s governance and administration.
- Political Context: Approved just months before the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections, aligning with the government’s focus on Mahila (Women) and Yuva (Youth) voters.
3. Simultaneous Launch: Bihar Youth Commission
In the same Cabinet meeting, the government approved the formation of a Seven-Member Youth Commission to tackle unemployment and migration.
- Structure: 1 Chairperson, 2 Vice-Chairpersons, and 7 Members (all under the age of 45).
- Mandate: * Advise the government on skill development and education.
- Monitor that local youth are prioritised in private sector jobs within Bihar.
- Address the interests of Bihari youth studying or working in other states.
4. Impact on Recruitments
This change immediately affects major upcoming examinations, including the 71st BPSC Combined Competitive Exam and Teacher Recruitment Exams (TRE 4.0).
- Bihari Aspirants: Face reduced competition from high-scoring candidates from other states (like UP, WB, and Delhi).
- Non-Domicile Aspirants: Must now compete for the roughly 26% of seats that remain truly open (General Unreserved seats after vertical and horizontal quotas are applied).
5. Additional Welfare Decisions (July 8)
- Social Security: Pension for widowed and differently-abled women increased from ₹400 to ₹1,000/month.
- Agriculture Aid: ₹100 crore sanctioned as a diesel subsidy to support irrigation amid irregular monsoon predictions.