JKSA seeks relaxation in SI age limit

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 29: The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) today wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking a one-time age relaxation for aspirants of the Jammu & Kashmir Police Sub-Inspector (JKPSI) recruitment process.
The Association urged the Home Minister to raise the upper age limit to 35 years, ensuring fairness and equal opportunity for hundreds of aspirants who, it said, have been adversely affected by delays in the recruitment process.
National Convenor of the JKSA, Nasir Khuehami, said that the current upper age limit of 28 years, specified in the latest recruitment notification, has disqualified many hard-working and deserving candidates.
“These aspirants have been preparing diligently for the opportunity but have been left ineligible due to unforeseen delays caused by court cases, administrative issues, and the disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Khuehami emphasized that the delays in the recruitment process have extended far beyond the anticipated timeline, creating significant challenges for candidates who now find themselves excluded due to age constraints.
“The current age limit for the recruitment process is set between 18 to 28 years. However, considering the typical age range for completing graduation in India is generally between 21 to 23 years, this limit excludes many deserving candidates,” the JKSA said.
These delays, the Association noted, have unfairly impacted those who, despite their qualifications and readiness, are now disqualified simply because of age.
In the letter, the association appealed to the Union Home Minister to consider granting a one-time age relaxation as a fair resolution to the issue.
“We urge the Union Home Minister to raise the upper age limit to 32 years and provide a one-time relaxation. This step would address the concerns of affected candidates and ensure that deserving aspirants are not excluded due to circumstances beyond their control,” the letter read.
The Association further pointed out that other States and Union Territories have provided similar relaxations in recruitment processes to address delays, and the same should be done in J&K.
It argued that such a measure would not only restore faith in the recruitment process but also reaffirm the Government’s commitment to inclusivity, fairness, and the welfare of the youth in the Union Territory.