Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday announced the reintroduction of a domicile policy for the recruitment of teachers in the state’s government schools, a move widely seen as a pre-election sop ahead of the upcoming assembly polls. The policy, which gives priority to residents of Bihar in teacher appointments, will come into effect from the Teachers Recruitment Exam-4 (TRE-4) slated for 2025. It reverses a 2023 decision that had opened up state teaching jobs to candidates from across the country. “The Education Department has been directed to amend the recruitment rules to ensure that only candidates domiciled in Bihar are eligible for government school teaching positions,” Kumar said in a post on social media platform X. The chief minister also announced that the State Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) will be conducted before TRE-5, which is scheduled for 2026, to streamline the recruitment process. The move marks a return to regional job preferences amid growing political momentum in the state. Kumar said the decision was part of a broader effort to strengthen Bihar’s education system, which his government has been working to reform since 2005.

“Since the formation of our government, we have continuously prioritised educational improvements. A large number of teachers have already been recruited, and we remain committed to expanding opportunities for Bihar’s youth,” Kumar added. The reintroduction of the domicile clause is expected to generate mixed reactions. While it may find favour among local aspirants, critics say it risks reducing opportunities for qualified candidates from other states and could trigger legal challenges. Analysts view the policy as a strategic move by Kumar’s Janata Dal (United)-led government to consolidate support among the youth and unemployed ahead of the 2025 elections.