Bihar Reserves 35% Government Jobs for Domicile Women

In a major policy shift aimed at empowering women, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has approved a proposal granting 35% reservation in government jobs exclusively for women who are native to Bihar. This decision was taken on July 8, 2025, during a meeting of the State Cabinet chaired by the Chief Minister.

Domicile Policy in Women’s Reservation Comes into Effect

Previously, 35% horizontal reservation for women was available to all female applicants irrespective of their state of origin. However, with the new approval, only women who are domiciled in Bihar will now be eligible for this quota in direct recruitment across all cadres of state government jobs.

The decision has been formalized through a proposal from the General Administration Department (GAD) and is the first implementation of a domicile-based policy in women’s reservation by the state in recent years.

Women from Other States Will Now Fall Under General Category

According to S Siddharth, Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat Department, female applicants from outside Bihar will now be treated as general category candidates, making them ineligible for the 35% women’s reservation benefit. This change is expected to prioritize local women candidates in state-level employment and encourage greater participation of Bihar’s women in governance and administration.

Political and Social Implications Ahead of Assembly Elections

The timing of the decision is significant, as Bihar is heading toward state assembly elections. Many political analysts view this move as a strategy by the ruling government to strengthen its support base among women voters, a demographic that has shown considerable influence in past elections.

Nitish Kumar’s administration has historically emphasized women-centric policies, and this decision further solidifies the state’s efforts toward gender-inclusive governance.

Bihar Youth Commission Also Gets Cabinet Approval

Focus on Skill Development and Employment for Youths

In another important development from the cabinet meeting, the Bihar government announced the formation of the Bihar Youth Commission, a body intended to guide, empower, and uplift the youth of the state.

The Commission will be responsible for:

• Advising the government on policies related to youth development.

• Ensuring education and employment opportunities for local youth.

• Monitoring private sector hiring to prioritize youth from Bihar.

• Protecting the interests of students and working professionals from Bihar living outside the state.

Structure and Purpose of the Youth Commission

The Commission will consist of a Chairman, two Vice-Presidents, and seven members, all of whom must be under the age of 45 years. This structural choice reflects the government’s intent to maintain a youth-centric perspective in policy-making.

The Commission will also be tasked with evaluating the conditions of economically weaker youth, unemployed individuals, and meritorious students, and will recommend strategies to improve their living standards.