Jammu and Kashmir Administration Conflict: Lt Governor and Chief Minister Clash Over Job Age Relaxation Policy

Srinagar:

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has countered Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's statement regarding age relaxation for job aspirants, describing it as misleading.

In response to the Chief Minister's social media post, Sinha clarified that the J&K government had not yet answered the query he raised when returning the age relaxation file, which was submitted by the Chief Minister on December 2.

Caught in this disagreement between the Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor are thousands of candidates scheduled to take the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service examination on December 7.

Omar Abdullah has requested the J&K Public Service Commission to postpone the exams due to flight disruptions and what he referred to as a "delay" by the LG's office in approving the file. The Chief Minister has written to the Commission's chairman, asking him to consider a compassionate view and reschedule the exams.

"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. He urged JKPSC to take note of the unprecedented stress on aspirants and consider postponing the exam in the interest of fairness and equal opportunity for all," Abdullah posted on X.

The Lieutenant Governor responded promptly with a series of posts, calling the Chief Minister's social media comments misleading and criticizing him for submitting the age relaxation file at a "belated stage."

"Social media posts with regard to JKPSC exam are misleading. Lok Bhavan received the file on 2nd Dec, 2025, which was categorically related to age relaxation only. The file was returned the same day, 2nd Dec, 2025, with a query on whether it is logistically possible to conduct the exam on 7th Dec by incorporating modifications in eligibility criteria at such a belated stage," Sinha stated in his post.

The Lieutenant Governor blamed the Chief Minister's office for not responding to his query and emphasized the significant delay in sending the age relaxation file to his office, despite the J&K PSC having initiated the process three months earlier.

"Despite the lapse of four days, Lok Bhavan did not receive any response. I fully sympathise with young aspirants," said Sinha.

The Lieutenant Governor noted that the examination advertisement was published by the J&K Public Service Commission on August 22, 2025. He added that the exam was scheduled for December 7, 2025, through a notice issued on November 6, 2025.

Thousands of aspiring job seekers have been demanding an increase in the age limit from 32 to 37 years, to align with other states across the country. All political parties, including the BJP, have backed this demand.