State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 09 Jul 2025

Bihar’s New Domicile Rule Excludes Non-Residents from Women’s Quota

Why in News? 

The Bihar government approved the domicile rule for the existing 35% reservation for women in all state government jobs, reversing Bihar’s earlier policy of not requiring domicile status for government employment.

Key Points 

• About the New Rules: 
  • With the new rule in place, women who are not Bihar residents can no longer access the 35% quota in government jobs. 
  • Eligibility Criteria for Domicile in Bihar: 
    • Have lived in the state for at least three years, 
    • Own land or a house in the state, or 
    • In the case of women, be married to a Bihar resident. 
  • While a voter ID card is desirable, it is not mandatory for establishing domicile status. 
• Employment Landscape in Bihar: 
  • Bihar has a relatively small state government workforce, with less than 1.57% of its population employed in the public sector. 
  • As of June 2025: 
    • The state employed 36,000 women in the police force. 
    • Over 2.5 lakh women teachers have been recruited since 2007. 
  • Structural Employment Issues in Bihar: 
    • According to NITI Aayog’s March 2025 report, Bihar’s economy remains predominantly agrarian, with: 
      • 49.6% of the workforce in agriculture, 
      • 5.7% in manufacturing (one of the lowest in India), 
      • 26% in services, and 
      • 18.4% in construction. 
  • The demand for domicile-based reservation arises from these economic and employment challenges. 
• Bihar Youth Commission: 
  • The Cabinet also approved the Bihar Youth Commission to address youth employment and empowerment. 
  • The Commission will consist of one Chairperson, two Vice-Chairpersons, and seven Members, all aged 45 or below. 
  • Functions: 
    • The Commission will advise the government on improving education, employment, and skill development for youth. 
    • It will coordinate with departments to: 
      • Promote private sector jobs for youth, 
      • Safeguard students and migrant workers, and 
      • Run de-addiction and awareness programmes.