Combined Competitive Examination aspirants seek relaxation in upper age limit
Srinagar, July 28: The aspirants of the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE)-2024 have expressed their distress over the upper age limit fixed under different categories citing that the criteria fixed by the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC) was detrimental to their future.
The aspirants are dismayed over the notification released by the JKPSC on July 26 wherein the age limit has been reduced to 32 for general candidates and 34 for reserved categories.
The aspirants said the move has caused shock and dismay among those who have been preparing for the exams throughout the year.
The aggrieved aspirants while highlighting the ongoing fluctuations in the age limit for CCE exams since 2021 said that earlier during statehood, the age limit was set between 37 and 40 years.
"However, after certain amendments and the implementation of SRO 103, the maximum age limit was reduced to 32 for general candidates, 34 for reserved categories, and 35 for physically disabled individuals," the aspirants said.
The aspirants have submitted their representation to the J&K Lieutenant Governor (LG) for his personal intervention into the matter to address their grievances.
They said the change in the limit has caused significant distress among many candidates, primarily the youth.
"Despite several representations and delegations sent to the government, the issue has persisted. The government has occasionally provided respite by temporarily increasing the age limit to 35 for general candidates," reads the representation of the aspirants submitted to the J&K Lieutenant Governor.
The aspirants said that last year (2023) Public Service Commission (PSC) set the age limit at 32 for general and 34 for reserved categories but later increased it to 35 and 37, respectively.
"This order was widely welcomed by aspirants and seemed to suggest a stable age limit moving forward," the aspirants have said.
They however said the recent notification released by the JKPSC on July 26 has once again reduced the age limit to 32 for general candidates and 34 for reserved categories, causing shock and dismay among those who have been preparing for the exams throughout the year.
"This abrupt change has left many aspirants ineligible to appear for the exam, despite their extensive preparations," the representation reads.
Citing "high unemployment" rate in Jammu and Kashmir, which is "among the highest in India" the aspirants said that reducing the age limit further diminishes the already limited opportunities for the youth in the region.
"The other states and Union Territories in India have much higher age limits for competitive exams. In Haryana, the upper age limit for general candidates is 42 years, in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan it is 40 years, and in Punjab it is 37 years. Jammu and Kashmir now has the lowest age bar in the entire country," the letter reads.
The aspirants are hopeful of permanent extension of the upper age limit saying that it would significantly improve their career prospects.
"It would be a significant move by the government if it grants a respite to the youth by extending the age bar at par with other states and UTs on a permanent basis, so there are no fluctuations and consequent distress yearly," they said.
Secretary JKPSC, Bashir Ahmad Dar when contacted said that the recruitment process was governed by SRO 103 in which the age is clearly defined for all categories.
"JKPSC follows the rule set by the General Administration Department. We have mentioned the age for different categories as per this SRO 103," he said.
He further stated that last year the aspirants submitted representation to the government seeking relaxation in age bar following which one time exemption was given.
"PSC will go by the rule and the directions received from the government," he said.
