CUK, JKSSB, SSC examinations clash puts aspirants in a fix

Srinagar, Feb 8: A clash of major recruitment examinations scheduled for February 21 has left hundreds of aspirants in Jammu and Kashmir distressed, forcing many to choose between career-defining opportunities.

Aggrieved candidates told Greater Kashmir that the written examination for the post of Assistant Registrar at the Central University of Kashmir has been scheduled on the same day as several key examinations conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board and the Staff Selection Commission.

Aspirants said the overlap has placed them in a dilemma, particularly those who have applied for multiple posts after months, and in some cases years, of preparation. Many candidates are appearing for the JKSSB Finance Account Assistant examination along with the CUK recruitment, making it impossible to attend all exams scheduled on the same date.

“We have prepared for more than a year for both JKSSB and CUK examinations, but now we are being forced to drop one. It feels like a punishment for being ambitious,” said Aamir Rashid, a postgraduate aspirant from Srinagar.

Candidates blamed the situation on poor coordination among recruiting agencies and universities. “There is no synchronisation in exam planning. Such lack of coordination ruins months of hard work and hope,” Rashid added.

Another aspirant, Saba Tariq from Baramulla, said most candidates come from remote areas and spend heavily on coaching, accommodation and travel. “This kind of exam clash is not just an inconvenience, it is an injustice to our aspirations,” she said.

Aspirants said the repeated scheduling conflicts add to the mental and financial stress of young job seekers already grappling with limited employment opportunities. They have submitted a representation to the CUK authorities, urging them to reschedule the Assistant Registrar examination.

“We appeal to the university administration to show empathy and postpone the exam to a later date, preferably in late March,” the aspirants said, adding that the issue affects the future of hundreds of educated youth in the region.

Meanwhile, proprietors of several coaching centres said nearly 70 to 80 per cent of their students are facing similar dilemmas due to overlapping examination schedules, calling for better coordination among recruitment bodies to avoid such clashes in future.