JKAS Combined Competitive Examination Results Spark Debate Over Reservation Policy
Srinagar, Oct 30: The recent results of the JKAS Combined Competitive Examination have intensified the debate surrounding the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir. Out of 71 candidates selected, only 29 were chosen under the Open Merit category, with the remaining 42 from various reserved categories. This breakdown shows that 60% of the selected candidates benefited from reservation, while only 40% came through the open category, despite the open category representing over 70% of the state’s population.
The discrepancy has prompted some prominent voices to call for the scrapping or revision of the reservation policy. Waheed ur Rehman Parra, PDP leader, expressed concern that such a high level of reservation may affect the quality and competence of public institutions. “The results reflect that only 40 percent were selected on open merit. Given that more than 70 percent of J&K’s population falls under the unreserved category, the current policy doesn’t seem fair,” he stated.
Former Srinagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu also voiced strong criticism of the policy, labeling it “inhumane, unjust, and undignified” for the region’s qualified but unemployed youth. He advocated for a minimum of 70 percent seats to be reserved for open merit.
Senior journalist Ahmad Ali Fayyaz added to the criticism by highlighting instances of certain advanced villages benefiting from backward area reservations. He noted, “This imbalance results from outdated policies and the misuse of reserved categories by bureaucrats and politicians over the decades.”
The examination process saw high engagement, with over 30,000 candidates appearing for the preliminary examination. In April 2023, the General Administration Department referred 75 posts to the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC) for recruitment, leading to the release of 71 final selections.
Key Points:
- Selected Candidates: 71 total; 29 from Open Merit (40%), 42 from Reserved Categories (60%)
- Controversy: Growing demand to review or abolish the reservation policy in J&K, citing potential impacts on quality and fairness.
- Public Response: Key figures including Waheed ur Rehman Parra and Junaid Azim Mattu urge reforms to benefit more open merit candidates.
The debate over reservation is likely to intensify as stakeholders across J&K call for a reevaluation of policies to ensure merit-based selection while balancing social equity.