Assam Grants 3% Reservation to Tea Tribes and Adivasis | 23 Feb 2026

Why in News?

The Assam Cabinet has approved a 3% reservation quota for tea tribes and Adivasi communities in Grade-I and Grade-II government jobs.

Key Points:

• Reservation Policy: The 3% quota now applies to Grade-I and Grade-II posts, which include senior administrative and supervisory roles under the Assam State Services, extending beyond existing quotas.
  • The policy covers tea garden communities and indigenous Adivasi groups who have traditionally faced socio-economic disadvantages and limited representation in public employment.
• Earlier Coverage: Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities were already eligible for reservation in Grade-III and Grade-IV posts. 
  • The present decision expands representation in higher level positions of state services. 
• Demographic Significance: Tea Tribes constitute a significant population segment in Assam, primarily residing in tea garden areas across districts such as Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur, and Golaghat.
• Objective: To ensure inclusive governance, social justice, and equitable participation in policymaking and administrative processes.
  • The decision reflects an effort by the government to address long-standing demands of the tea tribes and Adivasi population, while integrating them more fully into the public workforce.