Bihar Switch to Hindi
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.
- According to NITI Aayog’s March 2025 report, Bihar’s economy remains predominantly agrarian, with:
- 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.