Patna: The Bihar government has introduced reservation for transgender candidates in state government recruitment, directing that one post be reserved for the community in every 500 vacancies across departments and recruitment agencies.
The General Administration Department has issued instructions to all government departments, divisional commissioners, district magistrates and major recruitment bodies, including the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC), Bihar Police Subordinate Services Commission (BPSSC), Bihar Technical Service Commission (BTSC), Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) and the Central Selection Board of Constables (CSBC).
The reserved vacancies will apply to recruitment in departments including Education, Health, Revenue and Land Reforms, and Bihar Police.
Decision Follows High Court Order
The policy was approved during a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary after directions from the Patna High Court.
Senior officials from the General Administration, Social Welfare, Education, Health and Home departments endorsed the proposal. The government has recognised Kinnar, Kothi and transgender persons under the “Third Gender” category for the purpose of recruitment.
One Reserved Post In Every 500 Vacancies
Under the new policy, recruitment agencies have been instructed to reserve one post for a transgender candidate within every block of 500 vacancies.
If a transgender candidate is not selected through the general merit list, the candidate will be appointed against the final roster point earmarked for the Backward Class within that block of 500 posts.
Where no eligible transgender candidate is available, the reserved post will not be carried forward to future recruitment cycles. Instead, it will be filled by a Backward Class candidate in accordance with the roster.
The government has also extended age relaxation to transgender applicants on par with candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Police Recruitment Included
The reservation policy will also apply to recruitment of constables and sub-inspectors in Bihar Police.
The government has decided that the physical standards and physical efficiency test prescribed for transgender candidates will be the same as those applicable to female candidates.
Officials said the move is intended to ensure greater representation of transgender persons in public employment while providing equal opportunities across government services.
