Assessing feasibility to increase upper age limit for JKCCE candidates: CM Omar

Jammu, Feb 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has stated that the government is assessing the feasibility of enhancing the upper age limit of candidates appearing in the Jammu and Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination (JKCCE).

CM Omar maintained it, while replying to a cut motion of Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Lone vis-à-vis permanently enhancing the cut-off age from 32 to 37 years for general category candidates appearing in the JKCCE.

The Chief Minister pointed out that before the issuance of SRO-103 of 2018 dated February 23, 2018, the upper age limit for appearing in the J&K Combined Competitive Examination was 30 years for Open Merit candidates and 32 years for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes or those holding a civil post in the State in a substantive capacity or having served in a temporary post continuously for at least three years.

“Rule 8 of the J&K Civil Services Examination Rules, 2018, lays down the eligibility conditions. Sub-rule (1) of Rule 8 prescribes the upper age limits for various categories under the J&K Combined Competitive Examination, where, in case of Open Merit candidates, it is 32 years while in case of reserved categories and in-service candidates, it is 34 years and in case of physically handicapped candidates, it is 35 years,” he informed.

The Chief Minister maintained, “However, with regard to the enhancement of the upper age limit, several representations are generally received every year before the Combined Competitive Examination and relaxation in the same have also been given in the past.”

He said that the Government had taken note of those concerns. “The issue is presently under examination to assess its feasibility in the context of the existing provisions contained in the J&K Combined Competitive Examination Rules, 2018, overall service requirements, cadre management considerations, and comparative recruitment standards followed in other jurisdictions,” CM Omar said.