The Bihar cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on Tuesday announced a 35 per cent quota for women in government jobs but said that these will be restricted to only permanent residents of the state. The decision was taken with barely a few months left before the state goes to the polls, amid growing demands for the implementation of a domicile policy in government jobs.

“The cabinet approved an important proposal of the General Administration Department, allowing the 35 per cent quota for women in government jobs to be restricted only for permanent residents of Bihar. The new policy will enhance financial independence and job security for permanent resident women of the state,” Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) S Siddhartha said.

The government had introduced 35 per cent reservation for women in government jobs at all levels in 2016. Earlier, women from any state could have taken advantage of it. Ahead of the Assembly elections, the demand for the implementation of a domicile policy has been growing. The 2025 Bihar Assembly election for all 243 constituencies is scheduled to be held in October or November.