Nitish Takes Charge for the 10th Time; OBC–EBC Dominate as Upper Castes, Dalits, and Muslims Also Find Balanced Representation! JDU Expected to Add Dalit and Muslim Ministers in Next Expansion; Afaque Ahmad Khan and Shyam Rajak Emerge as Key Contenders

Saifur Rahman

20 November, 2025

After the National Democratic Alliance’s emphatic victory in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was sworn in for a record tenth term on Thursday at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan. In the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, chief ministers from various states, and a massive public gathering, 26 ministers also took the oath of office and secrecy.

The new Cabinet has been crafted with careful attention to caste and social balance, reflected clearly in the representation of every major community and region.

The Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) remain the most influential groups in the new Cabinet, with 14 ministers drawn from these communities—8 from the BJP, 3 from the JDU, and 3 from allied parties. Political analysts say this composition reflects the government’s core social base, aligned with Bihar’s demographic realities.

Five ministers from Dalit–Mahadalit communities have been inducted—two from the JDU and one each from the BJP, LJP (RV), and HAM. Observers believe this representation will further strengthen social inclusion in the months ahead.

Eight ministers come from upper-caste communities, including four from the Rajput community, two from the Bhumihar community, and one each from the Brahmin and Kayastha groups. Despite the sizeable Brahmin population in the state, only one minister being appointed from the community has generated considerable discussion.

Only one Muslim minister—JDU’s Jama Khan—has found a place in the Cabinet. Analysts view this as a continuation of the NDA’s traditional social engineering formula.

The Cabinet features three ministers from Mithilanchal, two from Seemanchal, three from the Munger region including the Deputy Chief Minister, and the highest representation from the Patna division. Tirhut, Shahabad, Bhojpur, Kosi, and Magadh regions have also received proportional representation.

composition indicates a clear strategy—strong emphasis on OBC–EBC groups, while also factoring in the BJP’s new “MY formula” of Mahila (women) and Yuva (youth).

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has, as in previous terms, relied heavily on trusted and experienced faces. The BJP too has attempted to balance fresh entrants with seasoned leaders.

The induction of Upendra Kushwaha’s son into the Cabinet has drawn criticism from the Opposition as well as political analysts, who say this could undermine the NDA’s stated opposition to dynastic politics.

243-member Assembly allows for a maximum of 36 ministers, only 27 have taken the oath so far. Preparations for the next Cabinet expansion are already underway, and political circles suggest the JDU may bring in more Dalit and Muslim ministers.

Within the JDU, there is strong speculation that the party sees significant scope for expansion among these two communities. There is also growing demand from across Bihar to induct JDU general secretary Afaque Ahmad Khan and former minister Shyam Rajak, both seen as influential leaders with deep social reach. Party workers argue that including these two names would give the JDU an unmatched edge among Dalit and Muslim communities.

Overall, Nitish Kumar’s new Cabinet appears to be the outcome of a carefully crafted political strategy aimed at social and caste equilibrium. All eyes are now on the next Cabinet expansion, where the remaining nine berths are expected to shape a fresh layer of social and political representation in the state.