With the unanimous approval of the bills, the Bihar assembly increased the reservations percentages for government jobs and educational institutions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and Extremely Backward Classes from 50% to 65%. When the 10% reservation for economically disadvantaged groups is taken into account, the total reservation percentage increased to 75%.
The expanded quota is divided into four categories: 25% for EBCs, 20% for SCs, 2% for STs, and 18% for the Backward Classes. With the governor's approval, the increased quota will become a legal requirement. The two proposed revisions were not amended by the BJP MPs, who were expected to do so. The proposals were therefore approved by a unanimous vote.
The Bihar Reservation in Vacancies of Posts and Services (SC, ST, and OBCs) Amendment Bill of 2023 and the Bihar Reservation (in admission in educational institutions) Amendment Bill, 2023 were the two independent legislation that were passed by the assembly.
“It has been done on the basis of the caste-based headcount and economic survey of people and families conducted in the state,” chief minister Nitish Kumar said in the assembly. “Now the BJP members should lobby the Centre for a caste census in the country. After holding the caste census, if the Centre wants to further increase the quota for the SCs, STs, Backward Classes and EBCs, it can do so,” Kumar added.