Governor Manoj Sinha along with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. File | Photo credit: The Hindu
Amid growing protests by job seekers over the age relaxation issue, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday (Dec 6, 2025) blamed each other for the delay.
Mr. Abdullah has written a letter to J&K Public Service Commission Chairman Arun Kumar Choudhary to postpone the upcoming civil service examination scheduled for December 7.
“I am writing in the context of the extraordinary situation currently faced by applicants for the J&K-2025 Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination. The continued disruption of air services has caused widespread travel chaos across the region. This is further exacerbated by the prevailing uncertainty arising from the delayed proposal regarding age relaxation – an enabling provision that has been extended several times in the past,” said Mr. Abdul.
The J&K Chief Minister said the Commission should take cognizance of the prevailing circumstances and consider adjournment for a reasonable time keeping in mind the principles of fairness, equity and equal opportunities for all applicants.
Hundreds of job seekers who have crossed the age limit of 32 years cannot take part in the exam. Open Merit aspirants are protesting against raising the current upper age limit from 32 to 37 to bring it in line with the rest of the country.
Despite the Chief Minister’s letter, the JKPSC decided to go ahead with the exam. As the Chief Minister’s Secretariat forwarded the proposal to lower the age on December 2 to the Lok Bhavan, LG Sinha blamed the government for the delay.
“No proposal was ever sent to the Lok Bhavan regarding postponement or restructuring of the examination schedule. The file received in the Lok Bhavan on 2 December 2025 was categorically only on the issue of age relaxation. The file was examined and returned on the same day with a specific query as to whether it is logistically feasible to conduct the examination on 7 December incorporating the eligibility adjustments at such a late stage,” B. Lokvan said at such a late stage.
It said that even four days after the file was returned, Lok Bhavan had not received any response regarding the logistical feasibility. “He categorically rejects suggestions that the delay or uncertainty emanated from the LG’s office. The LG fully sympathizes with the concerns of the young applicants, but stressed that due process and administrative clarity are essential, especially when it is a large-scale investigation,” he added.
Reacting to the LG’s statement, NC leader and legislator Tanvir Sadiq said, “There was no justification for raising fresh questions when the elected government had already cleared the file. What had been followed for years as a correct practice could not suddenly be questioned. The chief minister had clearly stated that the probes should have been postponed.”
Describing it as “unnecessary political interference”, Mr Sadiq said “energy has been spent on creating confusion rather than addressing bidders’ grievances”.
“The party’s stand on the matter was clear. Age relaxation must be ensured and the examination must be postponed,” Sadiq added.
While the Chief Minister’s office and the LG are involved in the blame game, the aspirants have taken to the streets in Srinagar and Jammu.
“Aspirants are facing emotional breakdowns, panic attacks and severe financial stress only because no final, written order has been issued to clarify the age relaxation or examination process. This lingering uncertainty is destroying years of hard work, sacrifice and hope,” the J&K Students’ Association (JKSA) said.
JKSA, on behalf of thousands of candidates and their families, said, “We urgently appeal to LG Sinha to issue a quick, final and written decision and order the JKPSC to postpone the exam by one week.
The leader of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Iltija Mufti criticized the government’s action. “Enough of this indifferent, heartless attitude towards JKPSC aspirants. The CM must immediately issue an order to postpone tomorrow’s exams. As countless youths are stranded in other states and most importantly, it was already assumed that the age relaxation would be approved because of NC’s verbal assurances,” Ms Mufti said.
Published – 07 Dec 2025 01:20 IST
