JKAS Prelims exam analysis: 13,732 aspirants; 8,841 absent, 50 reserved, 30 open merit posts

By: Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) on Sunday conducted the Preliminary examination of the JKAS Combined Competitive Services 2025 for 80 civil service vacancies, without the age relaxation earlier proposed by the elected government. The exam was held across 53 centres in Jammu and Kashmir.

Despite the government’s request to raise the upper age limit to 35 years for Open Merit, 37 for reserved and in-service candidates, and 38 for physically challenged aspirants, the Lieutenant Governor’s administration did not approve the proposal, reportedly due to delays attributed to the Civil Secretariat. As a result, the exam proceeded under the earlier criteria:

• 32 years for Open Merit candidates

• 34 years for Reserved and in-service candidates

• 35 years for physically challenged candidates

Vacancies and Reservation breakdown

Of the 80 vacancies, 50 are reserved—including 9 each for ST-1 and ST-2, 7 each for RBA, OBC, SC and EWS, and 2 for LoC/IB categories. Only 30 vacancies fall under Open Merit, though reserved-category candidates are eligible to compete for these seats in addition to their quota posts.

Attendance figures

A total of 22,573 candidates were enrolled for the examination. Of them, 13,732 appeared, while 8,841 remained absent.

The regional breakup is as follows:

Kashmir Division (16 centres)

• Srinagar (11 centres):
  Enrolled: 4,139
  Appeared: 2,516

• Anantnag (3 centres):
  Enrolled: 1,257
  Appeared: 776

• Baramulla (2 centres):
  Enrolled: 857
  Appeared: 555

Total Kashmir appeared: 3,847

Jammu Division (37 centres)

• Jammu (34 centres):
  Enrolled: 14,705
  Appeared: 8,925

• Rajouri (2 centres):
  Enrolled: 1,050
  Appeared: 661

• Doda (1 centre):
  Enrolled: 510
  Appeared: 299

Total Jammu appeared: 9,885

The JKAS Preliminary marks the first stage of the competitive process for one of the most sought-after administrative services in the Union Territory. The decision not to extend age relaxation has sparked concern among aspirants who fear exclusion due to the restrictive upper age limit. Further stages of the examination will proceed as per the Commission’s schedule.

The writer is a veteran journalist and analyst