The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has approved a proposal to raise reservations for women in state government roles from 33% to 35%. This measure passed during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, is a step toward the empowerment of women through greater access to public sector employment.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla confirmed the development, stating, “The cabinet has cleared a proposal to raise the women’s quota in state government jobs to 35 percent from 33 percent now.” According to Shukla, the updated quota would be applicable for all the state government posts recruited through the Public Service Commission and the Employees Selection Board.

Rule update and notification 

This was further made official by ratifying an earlier decision of the chief minister through a notification issued on September 13, 2023. The rule amendment comes under the umbrella of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Special Provisions for Appointment of Women) Rules, 1997, marking another step toward the state's continued push for gender equality policies.

Expanded age limit for assistant professors in medical colleges

Alongside this decision, the cabinet introduced another major change aimed at medical educators.  The Cabinet has increased the upper age limit for the appointment as assistant professors in government medical colleges. It has raised this limit to 50 years, which opens the doors wider to increase eligible applicants within this field.

New fertilizer sales centers planned

The cabinet session also saw approval for various other proposals, including the establishment of 254 new fertilizer sales centers, which are set to operate across the 2024-25 kharif and rabi seasons. The centers aim to improve the means of access of local farmers to agricultural input resources.

The new resolutions made by the Madhya Pradesh cabinet reflect a two-fold direction toward increasing opportunities in the public sector as well as in fulfilling the state's requirements for agriculture. The policies are also in line with the overall objectives of the administration in providing support for diversity in the workforce as well as sustainable agricultural growth.