The Assam Cabinet on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, approved a proposal to extend a three per cent reservation for the Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities in Class I and Class II state government jobs. This decision marks a significant expansion of affirmative action, as the reservation was previously applicable only to Class III and Class IV posts.

The move aims to ensure greater representation of these historically marginalised communities in higher administrative and policy-making roles within the state government. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasised that the expanded reservation would open new avenues for educated youth from Tea Tribes and Adivasi backgrounds, encouraging higher education and helping to address long-standing socio-economic disparities.

What was announced

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the cabinet’s approval after a meeting held at the Assam Legislative Assembly complex in Dispur on February 17, 2026. The decision grants a three per cent reservation for the Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities in government positions classified as Class I and Class II.

Until this approval, the reservation benefits for these communities were confined to Class III and Class IV government posts. The Chief Minister stated that while the new rule would apply immediately to jobs advertised from the next day, it would be fully applicable for state civil services, professors, and other higher posts from the subsequent year.

Why it matters

This expansion of reservation is particularly significant for the Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities, who constitute nearly 20 per cent of Assam’s total population, estimated at around seven million people according to the 2011 Census. Despite their substantial contribution to Assam’s economy, particularly through the tea industry, these communities have historically faced severe underrepresentation in senior government positions.

The decision is expected to facilitate upward social mobility and enhance access to quality education and employment opportunities for a community that has long struggled with socio-economic challenges. By extending reservation to Class I and Class II posts, the government aims to empower a new generation of educated youth, enabling them to participate more actively in the state’s governance and development.

Background

The Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities are descendants of indentured labourers brought by the British colonial planters from various regions of central and eastern India, including present-day Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh, during the 1860s-1890s. They were brought to Assam to work in the newly established tea gardens, forming the backbone of the globally renowned Assam tea industry.

Despite their centuries-old settlement and integral role in the state’s economy, these communities have remained one of Assam’s most marginalised groups. They are currently categorised as Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Assam. However, a long-standing demand from these communities has been for recognition as Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Assam, an identity that would provide them with greater constitutional safeguards and reservation benefits in education and employment.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had previously indicated the government’s intention to implement this reservation. In October 2025, during the 19th biennial general conference of the Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association (ATTSA) and the central biennial general conference of the Assam Tea Tribe Women’s Association in Jorhat district, he announced the plan for a three per cent reservation in Grade I and Grade II government jobs for tea garden youths.

The government has also undertaken other welfare measures for the Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities, including the establishment of 100 high schools in tea garden areas, with plans for 100 more by January 2025, and 10 degree colleges. The Centre has allocated Rs 700 crore for the development of hospitals and schools in tea garden areas, complemented by the Assam government’s allocation of Rs 900 crore for road construction. Additionally, eight lakh tea garden workers are slated to receive financial assistance for their children’s education expenses from the next year.

The Directorate for Welfare of Tea and Ex-tea Garden Tribes was established in 1983, and the Assam Tea Labour Welfare Board in 2004, to implement development programmes and coordinate welfare measures for these communities.

Key details

The reservation provides a three per cent quota for the Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities within the existing Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation framework. This specific percentage will now be applied to posts in Class I and Class II categories of state government services. Previously, this three per cent reservation was limited to Class III and Class IV government jobs.

The Class I and Class II categories include higher administrative positions such as those in the Assam Civil Service (ACS) and Assam Police Service (APS), as well as academic roles like professors. Chief Minister Sarma clarified that the new rule would be implemented immediately for job advertisements released from the day following the cabinet decision, while for certain higher posts, it would take effect from the next financial year.

Reactions

“If we cannot bring the 40 lakh people of the tea community into the mainstream of society, Assam as a whole will never progress. Therefore, we are continuously working towards this goal,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, highlighting the government’s commitment to the welfare of the tea garden communities.

“The Cabinet noted that extending reservation to Class I and II posts would open new avenues for educated youth from Tea Tribes and Adivasi backgrounds, encourage higher education, and help address long-standing social and economic disparities,” a state release said, underscoring the intended impact of the policy.

What’s next

The formal notification detailing the implementation guidelines for this expanded reservation is expected to be issued by the state government. Aspirants from the Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities will need to monitor official recruitment announcements for Class I and Class II posts to understand how the new reservation policy will be applied. The government’s stated intention is to ensure the benefits of this decision reach the eligible beneficiaries promptly, with full implementation for higher services expected from the next year.

Quick FAQs

Who are the Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities in Assam?

The Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities in Assam are multi-ethnic groups descended from indentured labourers brought by the British from various parts of central and eastern India in the 19th century to work in tea plantations. They are recognised as Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Assam.

What was the previous reservation policy for these communities?

Prior to the recent cabinet decision, the Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities had a three per cent reservation only in Class III and Class IV state government jobs.

What is the significance of extending reservation to Class I and Class II posts?

Extending reservation to Class I and Class II posts aims to increase the representation of these communities in higher administrative, executive, and academic positions, thereby promoting their socio-economic upliftment and inclusion in mainstream governance.