Ranchi: In a major relief for civil services aspirants, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday announced during the state assembly’s budget session that the age calculation cut-off date for the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Combined Civil Services Examination has been revised from August 1, 2026, to August 1, 2022. This four-year rollback addresses years of irregular exam scheduling by JPSC, which has held only about 13 exams in the past 26 years, causing many eligible candidates to exceed age limits without appearing.
The change provides substantial opportunities to thousands—potentially up to 1.5 lakh aspirants—who were previously ineligible for the JPSC‘s civil services aspirants. General category candidates can now apply up to 38 years, persons with disabilities up to 48 years, and reserved categories (SC/ST typically up to 40 years) receive proportionate extensions. Aspirants had demanded an eight-year relaxation to August 1, 2018, citing persistent delays including pandemic impacts; the four-year compromise still opens doors for many excluded due to administrative lapses.
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HC directive and government response
The announcement follows the Jharkhand High Court’s recent interim relief to over 200-272 petitioners challenging the original limit. Justice Anand Sen directed JPSC to accept offline (and later online) applications from these candidates, recognizing exam irregularities as a core issue. Petitioners argued timely annual exams would have avoided the problem. The court ordered withholding results for these applicants pending final resolution.
JPSC has complied procedurally with the court’s order by providing an online link for relaxed-age submissions from petitioners. However, the CM’s broader announcement extends the benefit universally, beyond just litigants. The commission is reviewing implications but has not yet issued an official circular. Earlier, the Personnel Department proposed relaxation (initially to 2023), which was deferred amid protests.
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Legislative discussions leading to the decision
The issue gained momentum in the assembly, with MLAs from ruling and opposition sides—including Pradeep Yadav and Amit Kumar—pressing for action. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radha Krishna Kishore assured the house of government seriousness. Post-announcement, proceedings adjourned till 2 PM, underscoring the topic’s intensity.
Next steps for JPSC and aspirants
JPSC is expected to amend rules under Advertisement No. 01/2026, issue a revised notification, and possibly reopen the application portal (original deadline: February 14/20, 2026, extended in some reports). A cabinet nod may formalize it for legal validity. Aspirants await clear guidelines on implementation.
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Remaining confusion points and potential challenges
Key ambiguities persist: Does the relaxation apply retroactively to submitted forms or only new ones? How does the four-year shift interact with category-specific relaxations (e.g., effective general limit 38 or 39 years)? The gap between court’s petitioner-focused order and CM’s universal relief could spark further disputes or litigation if not clarified swiftly.
Broader implications for JPSC recruitment
This step highlights ongoing issues in Jharkhand’s public service hiring, where delays have triggered protests and legal battles. While offering equitable access now, lasting solutions depend on regular, timely exams to prevent future crises. Aspirants hope for prompt JPSC clarifications to capitalize on this opportunity.
