KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Oct 30: The latest results of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) Combined Competitive Examination have reignited the debate over the region’s reservation policy, with calls for its overhaul reaching a crescendo.
Out of the 71 candidates selected, 42 (60%) are from reserved categories, leaving only 29 candidates, or 40%, from the open merit category. This imbalance has sparked protests from political leaders and members of the public who argue that the current reservation structure risks undermining the quality and competitiveness of public institutions.
The data released by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) reveals that out of 30,756 candidates who appeared for the Preliminary Examination, just 40 percent of those ultimately selected for the JKAS belonged to the open category.
Critics argue that the policy is in stark contrast to the population distribution, where over 70 percent of Jammu and Kashmir’s residents fall into the unreserved category. Many now demand that a minimum of 70 percent of positions should be reserved for open merit to better reflect the demographic makeup.
“The current reservation policy is unfair and counterproductive. It impacts the youth who work hard to qualify on their merit. The policy in its present form undermines the concept of equality and fair competition,” said one open merit candidate while talking to Kashmir Despatch, echoing the frustration expressed by many.
Activists and aspiring candidates have voiced concerns that the reservation system, in its current format, has led to the selection of candidates from some so-called “backward” regions that, in reality, are not as underdeveloped as they may be perceived.
The selection notification reveals that in April 2023, the General Administration Department referred 75 posts for the JKAS Combined Competitive Examination-2023 to the JKPSC, with the positions being advertised on April 13, 2024.
Despite over 30,000 applicants competing for these coveted positions, the results have stirred dissatisfaction among those who see the reservation policy as a hindrance to merit-based selection.
Political leaders, too, have joined the debate, with opposition voices urging the current administration to prioritize a review of the policy. “This is not only about numbers; it is about justice and fair opportunities for all. The policy needs an urgent overhaul to prevent resentment among deserving youth and to ensure a skilled administration for J&K,” a National Conference leader told Kashmir Despatch, while pleading anonymity.
Calls for the current administration to make policy changes consistent with their manifesto pledges are intensifying, as leaders emphasize the need to align government job selection more closely with demographic realities.
As the debate rages on, many anticipate that the policy will become a central issue in the upcoming legislative sessions, with youth-led organizations preparing to rally for policy reform.
Meanwhile, the JKPSC has yet to issue a response to the public outcry, though officials have confirmed that the selection process followed all regulations currently in place.
