Srinagar | November ,07: The advertisement of 1,356 posts by Jammu and Kashmir Bank has sparked intense debate over its upper age limit and reservation policy, with aspirants and political leaders calling for an age cap extension from 30 to 40 years, political sources said on Saturday.
The bank recently advertised 323 Probationary Officer (PO) and 1,033 Banking Associate vacancies, with applications open from November 7 to November 26 through the IBPS framework. Candidates must be aged between 20 and 30 years as of January 1, 2026, alongside standard category relaxations, notification details showed.
Public criticism has also targeted the recruitment matrix, which allocates 60 per cent of posts to reserved categories and 40 per cent to open merit. Breakdowns include 20 per cent for STs, 10 per cent each for RBA and EWS, 8 per cent each for SCs and OBCs, and 4 per cent for residents along the LoC and IB, reports said.
Political figures across party lines criticized the criteria. PDP MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Parra and CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami urged alignment with JKSSB norms allowing candidates up to 40 years. PDP MLA Muntazir Mehdi also pressed for age relaxations, noting that recruitment is taking place after a six-year gap.
“Please provide age relaxation. The examination is being conducted after almost six years. Even the age limit for PO posts in the previous recruitment was 32 years, which has now been reduced to 30,” an applicant said. The PO recruitment will feature preliminary, mains, and interview stages, while Banking Associates will be selected through a single online exam, officials said.
