Age relaxation issue in CCE
*Query was raised on feasibility of exam by changing eligibility criteria
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 6: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today dispelled all misgivings sought to be created on age relaxation for aspirants of Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) scheduled to be held tomorrow saying that file on the query received on December 2 from the UT Government was returned the same day but there was no further response.
Office of the Lieutenant Governor Jammu came out with a series of posts on X on the age relaxation issue after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) to consider postponing the CCE in view of “uncertainty” resulting from Lok Bhvan’s “delay” in approving age relaxation for the aspirants
Immediately thereafter, the Lieutenant Governor came out with series of posts detailing on receipt of the file and its return especially the query on whether age relaxation at this stage can lead to conduct of examinations scheduled to be held on December 7.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
“Social media posts with regard to the JKPSC exam are misleading. Lok Bhavan had received the file on December 2, which was categorically related to age relaxation only. File was returned the same day, Dec 2, with a query whether it is logistically possible to conduct the exam on December 7, by incorporating modifications in eligibility criteria at such a belated stage,” the office of the Lieutenant Governor said in one of the posts on X.
The query was directed to the JKPSC to determine if it was logistically feasible to conduct the CCE, originally scheduled for December 7, after altering eligibility norms at such a late stage.
Sinha noted that despite the lapse of four days, Lok Bhavan did not receive any response. “I fully sympathise with young aspirants,” he said.
The post said the advertisement notice for the examination was published by the JKPSC on August 22. The exam was scheduled to be conducted on December 7 through a notice on November 6.
Sources said the Government should have approached the Lieutenant Governor for age relaxation for CCE aspirants immediately after the JKPSC issued notification for exam on August 22. When the process was set in motion and the exam was just five days away, the Government sent the age relaxation proposal to the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged the JKPSC to consider postponing the CCE in view of “uncertainty” resulting from Lok Bhavan’s “delay” in approving age relaxation for the aspirants.
“The Chief Minister expressed deep concern over the travel chaos caused by the ongoing airline issues, compounded by the uncertainty resulting from Lok Bhavan’s delay in approving age relaxation, a provision granted multiple times in the past,” the CM’s office said in a post on X.
Omar urged the JKPSC to consider the “unprecedented stress” on aspirants and postpone the exam to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all.
In its notification inviting applications for CCE exams on August 22, 2025, the JKPSC had fixed maximum age limit of 32 years for Open Merit candidates, 34 years for Reserved/In-service candidates and 35 years for Physically Challenged persons.
Prior to that, the Government had given one-time age relaxation for the CC exams fixing 35 years as maximum age limit for Open Merit candidates, 37 years for Reserved/In-service candidates and 38 years for Physically Challenged candidates.
Several candidates had been agitating for age relaxation in the CCE this year also. Their demand was supported not only by Omar Abdullah Government but by most of the Opposition parties also including the BJP, Congress, PDP, CPM etc. However, the Government as well as Opposition parties raised the issue at very late stage especially when the exam was nearing.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
