Bihar Announces Domicile Policy for Teacher Recruitment Ahead of Polls
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a new domicile policy that will give preference to state residents in the recruitment of government school teachers. The policy, a long-standing demand of local job aspirants, will be implemented from the next recruitment cycle (TRE-4). The announcement comes just months before the state assembly elections. The move is expected to have significant political and social ramifications, reserving a major source of public employment for locals and limiting opportunities for candidates from other states.
Unpacked:
In this context, 'domicile' refers to being a legal resident of Bihar. Candidates must prove their permanent residency in the state to be eligible for preference in government teacher recruitment under the new policy.
The existing 35% reservation for women in teacher recruitment will now apply exclusively to women who are Bihar domiciles. Non-resident women will not be eligible for this reservation, further increasing job opportunities for local women candidates.
Local job aspirants and student organizations have welcomed the move, as it addresses their demands for local preference in jobs. However, the policy has sparked debate and protests about result delays in eligibility tests, with some groups calling for more transparency and immediate implementation.
Announcing the domicile policy before elections is widely seen as a strategic move to appeal to local voters and address youth unemployment, potentially boosting the ruling party’s electoral prospects. However, it could also generate criticism from opposition parties and out-of-state candidates.