“Lok Bhavan received a file on December 2 which was categorically related to age relaxation only,” Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha said. File photo: X/@OfficeOfLGJandK via ANI Phot
Amid the row over the delay in clearing the file related to age relaxation for the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) scheduled for December 7, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday (December 6, 2025) said the file was returned the same day it was received on December 2 with a query, but there was no response from the government.
Mr. Sinha said the query has been directed to the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC) to see if it is logistically feasible to conduct the CCE, originally scheduled for December 7, after the change in eligibility norms at such a late stage.
“Social media posts regarding JKPSC exam are misleading. Lok Bhavan received the file on 2nd December which categorically related to age relaxation only. The file was returned on the same day, 2nd December, asking whether it is logistically possible to conduct the exam on 7th December by incorporating modifications in the eligibility criteria in such an office at the postten delayed Xlieu stage.”
Mr. Sinha noted that despite the lapse of four days, no response was received from Lok Bhavan. “I fully sympathize with the young aspirants,” he said.
The post said that the exam advertisement notification was released by JKPSC on 22nd August. The exam was scheduled for December 7 through a notification dated November 6.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had urged the JKPSC to consider postponing the CCE in view of the “uncertainty” arising from the Lok Bhavan’s “delay” in approving age relaxation for candidates.
“The Chief Minister has expressed deep concern over the travel chaos caused by the ongoing problems with airlines, compounded by the uncertainty arising from the Lok Bhavan’s delay in approving age relaxation, a provision that has been granted several times in the past,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a post on X.
Mr. Abdullah urged the JKPSC to consider the “unprecedented stress” on the candidates and postpone the exam to ensure fairness and equal opportunities for all.
Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani also suggested that the examination be postponed until the age relaxation issue, which is currently awaiting the governor’s approval, is resolved.
“The elected government is in favor of relaxing the upper age limit for recruitment and we have sent a file to Lok Bhawan in this regard. Until the process is completed, the JKPSC should postpone the exam,” Mr Wani told PTI.
He informed that the Abdullah government sent an age relaxation file to the lieutenant governor earlier this week.
“The file has been returned to the General Administration Department with several queries. The GAD has forwarded it to the Public Service Commission for its opinion,” Mr Wani said.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Mehbooba Mufti called on both the governor and the chief minister to resolve the issue urgently.
“JKPSC CCE aspirants are caught in a tussle between LG and CM. In this freezing cold, they are out on the streets asking for nothing but basic fairness – age relaxation and reasonable exam schedule. I urge @OfficeOfLGJandK and @OmarAbdullah to step in and resolve this issue without further delay,” Ms Mufti said on X.
CPI(M) leader and MLA from Kulgam, MY Tarigami, expressed concern over the conduct of the test on Sunday (December 7) while still awaiting a crucial decision on age relaxation, putting the candidates at a “clear disadvantage”.
“The proposal to raise the upper age limit for JKAS aspirants has been forwarded to the Raj Bhavan (Lok Bhavan) for approval even as the examination is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Conducting the test when such a crucial decision is still awaited puts the aspirants at a clear disadvantage,” Mr. Tarigami said in a post on X.
Referring to flight disruptions, he noted that many candidates traveling outside Jammu and Kashmir were stranded due to flight cancellations.
“The review must be postponed until the approval process is properly concluded,” he added.
Published – 06 Dec 2025 21:13 IST
