The Jammu and Kashmir Bank has set an upper age limit of 30 years for its latest recruitment.
Applications have been invited for nearly 1,400 vacancies.
The posts are for probationary officers and banking associates. Most are in Jammu and Kashmir, and a few are in Ladakh.
This is the bank's first recruitment of this size since 2020. That year, it advertised over 1,800 vacancies.
Key points
- Nearly 1,400 vacancies, including 323 probationary officer posts.
- The upper age limit for these posts is 30 years.
- Opposition leaders and a students' association have objected.
- Critics want the limit raised to 40 years.
Why is the age limit causing anger?
Waheed Para, a People's Democratic Party leader and Pulwama MLA, called the move "completely unfair" to older applicants.
He said they have waited patiently for years.
Para pointed out that the J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB), a government recruitment body, allows an age limit of up to 40 years.
He asked why bank applicants should be treated differently.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Mehraj Malik, an Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Doda, also raised concerns.
He said the bank had not advertised these posts for about 10 years.
During that time, he said, many educated young people crossed the age limit while waiting for jobs.
What are the critics asking for?
Para has demanded that the upper age limit be raised to 40 years.
He also wants the reservation policy removed from this recruitment.
He argued that reservation in a commercial institution like the bank weakens merit for local youth.
Malik said age limits and maximum qualifications should be removed altogether.
For a graduate who has job hunted for years, an age limit can end the chance before it even starts.
So what happens next for applicants?
For now, the age limit of 30 years stands for these posts.
The bank has invited applications, so eligible candidates can apply.
Whether the limit will change after the criticism is not clear yet.
Applicants should read the official notification carefully before applying.
