Reserve List rule being ‘misinterpreted’, allege JKPSC aspirants; seek CM’s intervention

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: Aspirants of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) have voiced strong discontent over the alleged misinterpretation of the “Reserve List” provision by the Commission, which they claim is being treated as a “waiting list.”

Aspirants told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that this issue pertains to the implementation of the rules outlined in the Jammu and Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination (JKCCE) Rules, 2018, amended by S.O. 61 on February 23, 2021.

The aspirants allege that the Reserve List, intended as a supplementary list for candidates ranked just below the final recommendations, is being erroneously used as a waiting list.

The lackadaisical approach by the authorities has raised concerns over transparency and efficiency in the selection process,” they added.

Unlike a waiting list, which is used for unfilled vacancies, the Reserve List is designed to address category shifts during service allocation, ensuring merit-based selections, they said.

Despite repeated representations by candidates and clarifications from the General Administration Department (JKGAD), JKPSC continues this misinterpretation, they said.

A recent JKGAD order (No. 1826-JK(GAD) of 2024, dated October 24, 2024) explicitly stated that the JKCCE 2018 rules do not include a provision for a waiting list, further highlighting JKPSC’s failure to implement the Reserve List correctly.

The aspirants argued that this mismanagement has created confusion, denied deserving candidates their rightful opportunities, and undermined transparency.

They said that such administrative lapses erode trust and compromise the meritocratic principles meant to guide the process.

The affected candidates urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and resolve what they describe as a “systemic issue,” emphasizing the importance of filling all vacancies fairly and efficiently based on merit. —(KNO)