In a significant step toward women’s empowerment, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has approved 35% reservation for women in all direct recruitment to state government jobs. The decision, announced following a Cabinet meeting, comes just months ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and is expected to have wide-reaching socio-economic impact.
‘All women candidates who are permanent residents of Bihar will now be eligible for 35% horizontal reservation in all cadres of direct government recruitment,’ said Bihar Chief Secretary S Siddharth. The reservation will be applicable across all departments and services within the state’s administrative framework.
The announcement is seen as part of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s long-standing commitment to gender equity and inclusive governance. Bihar already provides 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies; a model that has been praised nationally. This new move aims to replicate that success in the formal government job sector.
Youth Commission to Empower the Next Generation
Alongside the women’s reservation decision, the Bihar Cabinet also gave its nod to form the Bihar Youth Commission, a body aimed at advising the state on matters related to education, employment, and youth empowerment.
Sharing the development on social media, Chief Minister Kumar wrote, “With the aim of creating more employment opportunities for the youth of Bihar and enabling them to become skilled and self-reliant, the Cabinet has approved the formation of the Bihar Youth Commission.”
The proposed Commission will include a chairperson, two vice-chairpersons, and seven members, all under the age of 45. Its mandate includes ensuring priority employment for local youth in the private sector and safeguarding the interests of Bihari students and professionals residing outside the state.
Focus on Social Welfare
The move comes on the heels of other recent welfare announcements. Last month, the Chief Minister raised the monthly pension under the Social Security Pension Scheme from ₹400 to ₹1,100. The enhanced pension will be disbursed starting July, and payments will continue to be credited on the 10th of each month.
‘The elderly are a precious part of society, and ensuring their dignified living is our top priority,’ Kumar said, reiterating his government’s commitment to social protection.
Eye on the Polls
With the Bihar Assembly elections expected in October–November 2025, these announcements are being viewed as strategic, yet substantive policies designed to uplift key demographic groups like women, youth, and the elderly, while reinforcing Nitish Kumar’s image as a pro-development leader.
