Assam Grants 3% Quota to Tea Tribes, Adivasis

In a significant policy move ahead of assembly elections, the Assam Cabinet has approved a 3% reservation in Class I and Class II state government jobs for tea tribes and Adivasi communities within the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota. The Cabinet also expanded the Mission for Minority and Underprivileged Areas (MMUA) scheme to include over one lakh additional women beneficiaries.

Reservation Extended to Higher Posts

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the reservation for tea tribes and Adivasis was previously limited to Grade III and Grade IV posts. The new decision extends the 3% quota to Grade I and Grade II positions, including state civil services and professorial posts.

The revised policy will apply to higher-level recruitment from next year, while for other posts advertised immediately, the new provision will come into force at once. The decision marks a structural shift in employment access for historically marginalised communities in Assam.

Expansion of MMUA Scheme

The Cabinet also approved the inclusion of 1,07,532 additional Self-Help Group (SHG) members under the MMUA scheme. So far, 32 lakh women have received ₹10,000 each under the initiative aimed at promoting women’s entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.

The expansion seeks to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out of welfare support. The scheme targets women from minority and underprivileged backgrounds, strengthening grassroots economic participation across districts.

Electoral Context and Political Strategy

The twin decisions come weeks before elections to the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly, expected in March–April. Tea tribes, Adivasis and women voters form influential segments in the state’s electoral landscape.

The announcements are likely to feature prominently in campaign narratives, reinforcing the government’s emphasis on inclusion and social empowerment while consolidating support among key constituencies.

Important Facts for Exams

• Assam Legislative Assembly has 126 members.
• OBC reservation is provided under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Indian Constitution.
• Tea tribes in Assam largely trace origins to Adivasi communities brought during the colonial period for plantation work.
• Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are community-based groups that promote savings and micro-enterprise among women.

Focus on Social Inclusion

The Cabinet decisions reflect a broader policy focus on expanding representation in public employment and strengthening targeted welfare delivery. By widening access to higher administrative posts and increasing financial support for women entrepreneurs, the government aims to deepen social equity and economic participation across Assam.