Congress Charts New Course: Private College Reservations for Bihar EBCs Ahead of 2025 Elections

As the political fervor for Bihar's 2025 Assembly elections begins to simmer, the Congress party has thrown a significant promise into the ring, one that could profoundly reshape the educational landscape and electoral dynamics of the state. In a move strategically aimed at empowering a crucial demographic, the Bihar Congress unit has pledged a substantial 15-20% reservation for Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) in all private colleges and universities across Bihar.

This landmark announcement, made by the state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh, isn't just an idle promise.

Singh highlighted that this progressive reservation model has already been successfully implemented in Congress-governed states like Rajasthan and Karnataka, laying a clear precedent for its feasibility and impact. The party’s vision is to extend these vital social justice provisions beyond public institutions, ensuring that students from EBC communities receive equitable access to quality education, regardless of whether they choose a government or private college.

The timing of this pledge is no coincidence.

It comes hot on the heels of the Bihar government's recent decision to dramatically increase reservations for EBCs, Dalits, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to an impressive 65% in state government jobs and educational institutions. While this move currently faces legal scrutiny in the High Court, the Congress's latest promise signals a determined effort to build upon and broaden the scope of such affirmative actions, venturing into the private sector which increasingly plays a dominant role in higher education.

Singh emphasized that the EBC community, forming a significant portion of Bihar's electorate, stands to gain immensely from such a policy.

'This step is a testament to our unwavering commitment to social justice and the upliftment of the most vulnerable sections of society,' he declared, underlining the party's intent to consolidate the EBC vote bank. By ensuring reservations in private institutions, the Congress aims to dismantle barriers to higher education and provide a level playing field for EBC students who often face socio-economic disadvantages.

The Congress's ally, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has also voiced its strong support for reservations for EBCs, suggesting a unified front on this critical issue within the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance).

As the 2025 elections draw closer, this promise is set to become a central point of debate, potentially galvanizing vast sections of the electorate and offering a glimpse into the future policy directions should the Congress-led alliance secure power. This bold declaration by the Bihar Congress is not merely a political gambit; it’s a powerful statement on equity, access, and the ongoing pursuit of a more inclusive society within the state.