Srinagar : Aspirants preparing for the Jammu and Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination (JKCCE) are advocating for the permanent restoration of the upper age limit for Open Merit candidates to 37 years.
In a representation submitted to the Government aspirants have argued that the current limit of 32 years is an “administrative anomaly” that disadvantages candidates from Jammu and Kashmir compared to those in other Indian states, where the age limit is often higher. The aspirants emphasize that the high unemployment rate in the Union Territory necessitates an extended age limit to provide fair opportunities for competing in prestigious administrative services, including the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS). The representation from the JKCCE (JKAS) Aspirants Community also points to irregular recruitment cycles, particularly the absence of JKCCE examinations in 2019 and 2020, which deprived many eligible candidates of opportunities. They note that the upper age limit was reduced from 37 to 32 years in 2018, and while temporary age relaxations have been granted, these measures have not resolved the underlying issue. The aspirants contend that the repeated need for one-time relaxations indicates a requirement for a comprehensive policy change. Additionally, they highlight that reservation policies have diminished the number of vacancies available under the Open Merit category, making an increased age limit essential for equitable opportunities. Alongside the restoration of the age limit, the aspirants are also calling for the removal of restrictions on the number of attempts allowed, which they believe would align Jammu and Kashmir’s recruitment framework with practices in other states. They urge the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led administration to implement statutory reforms to ensure fairness and equal opportunity, asserting that a permanent policy decision would provide certainty for thousands of candidates preparing for civil services examinations and foster a more equitable recruitment system in the region.
