Patna. With the results of Bihar Assembly elections coming out, the political focus of the state has now shifted to the three-tier Panchayat elections to be held next year. Preparations for Panchayat elections have started and this time a big change is going to happen in the reservation structure. In fact, a new cycle of reservation (Reservation Rotation System) will be implemented in the Panchayat elections to be held in 2026, under which changes in the categories of many seats are considered certain. The reason behind this change is the rule according to which reservation of the same category cannot be applicable to any post in two consecutive general elections. Wherever the same category got reservation in 2016 and 2021, the reservation of those seats will now be abolished and converted into the new category.
How did this system start?
The rule of reservation in three-tier panchayats in Bihar is very clear – the seat reserved for the same category till two general elections is changed in the third election. Let us tell you that under the Panchayati system in Bihar, the reservation system was implemented for the first time in the year 2006, which remained in force till 2011. After this, the elections of 2016 and 2021 were also held under the same reservation cycle. Now this cycle will change in 2026 i.e. the third big Panchayat elections. This means that major changes will be seen in the seats which were till now reserved in SC, ST, EBC or women category. In political language this is being called a complete ground reset.
How will reservation be decided?
There is no single formula for this, rather the rules are different according to the post. Gram Panchayat member seats are in proportion to the total posts in the Panchayat. The seats of the Mukhiya are based on the number of villages in the respective Panchayat Samiti area. The seats of Panchayat Samiti members are based on the total seats. The seats of Zilla Parishad member and president are with 50% reservation policy. The special thing is that this entire reservation determination will depend on population figures. If the population of SC/ST in an area is 25% then their seats will also be in approximately the same proportion. Also, EBC category will get about 20% reservation. Let us tell you that all the calculations and the final list will be prepared by the District Magistrate (DM).
How will the new reservation system be decided?
- Different posts will have different basis for determining reservation.
- Gram Panchayat Member – On the basis of total posts of Panchayat.
- Head post – Based on the number of villages in the Panchayat Samiti area.
- Panchayat Samiti members – In proportion to the total posts.
- Block Head, Zilla Parishad Member and Chairman – 50% reserveWith provision of loan.
- The reservation list will be based on census data.
For example-if SC or ST population in an area is 25%, then the reserved seats will also be in the same proportion. In the remaining seats, about 20% reservation will be kept for EBC category. These seats will be determined and the final list will be prepared by the District Magistrate (DM). Along with this, the biggest impact of the changes this time will be on those seats where the same category was applicable for the last two elections.
- Many seats may be unreserved.
- Many seats may go to SC/ST/EBC category for the first time.
- 50% reservation for women will continue.
Why is this being considered a big change?
The same reservation was applicable on many seats since the last two elections, so now those seats will go into the new category. This means that some seats can go from women to general category, some from EBC to SC/ST and many general seats can now go under reservation for the first time. For those doing politics at the local level, this change is not just a policy but also a change in the map of the political future. A senior panchayat representative said, “In many seats, the same leaders have been winning elections continuously because the reservation category matched them. Now the game is changing.”
Will the field change?
The Panchayat elections of 2026 are not just a wait for the voting dates, but it is a wait to see which seats will be unreserved, which will go to SC/ST or women category, whose political base will be broken, which new player will enter the fray. In village politics, category and reservation decide elections more than face, hence this change is being considered as the biggest pre-election twist of Panchayat elections.
Finally understand this also
Panchayat politics of Bihar has always been connected to the land. There, caste equation, local identity and direction of reservation have more impact than speeches. This time the election of the year 2026 will not be decided only by ballot paper but by the reservation list, who will stay and who will be out. Now everyone’s eyes are on one question – “Whose politics will the new reservation map create and whose legacy will it erase?”
