Bihar govt announces 10% reservation for EWS in judicial services

In a significant move, the Bihar government has unveiled a 10% reservation quota for people falling under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category in the state’s judicial services, as well as in government-run law colleges and universities. This announcement comes on the heels of the release of the state’s caste-based survey results. The decision was formally approved by the Bihar cabinet, as announced by Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) S Siddhartha.

Background and Rationale

The decision to implement this reservation stems from the state’s commitment to promote social equality and provide opportunities to those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The recent caste-based survey revealed key demographic insights, highlighting the need for targeted affirmative action.

Reservation Details

The Bihar government’s decision entails a 10% reservation specifically designated for individuals belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). The reservation will be applicable in two critical domains:

Judicial Services: The EWS reservation will be extended to Bihar’s judicial services, a move aimed at fostering inclusivity and diversity within the legal profession. This decision is expected to pave the way for individuals from marginalized economic backgrounds to pursue careers in the judiciary.
Law Colleges and Universities: In a bid to ensure greater access to quality legal education, the reservation will also be applicable in state-run law colleges and universities. This step aligns with the government’s commitment to making legal education accessible to a broader spectrum of society.

Implementation Process

A comprehensive notification regarding the EWS reservation in these domains is currently in the works and will be issued by the relevant department in the near future. This notification will provide detailed guidelines and procedures for the implementation of the reservation.

Legislative Amendments

To give legal effect to this historic decision, the Bihar government approved two key amendments:

Bihar Higher Judicial Service (Amendment) Manual 2023: This amendment paves the way for the inclusion of EWS reservation in the higher judicial services, ensuring equitable representation in the judicial system.

Bihar Civil Services (Judicial Wing) (Recruitment) (Amendment) Manual 2023: This amendment extends the EWS reservation to recruitment in the judicial wing of the Bihar Civil Services, aligning it with the broader commitment to providing opportunities for economically disadvantaged sections of society.

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