WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has replaced the two-decade-old rules governing probation and departmental examinations for officers recruited to the Junior Scale of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) through the Combined Competitive Examination, making all seven examination papers compulsory and fixing a minimum qualifying mark of 50 per cent in each paper.
The General Administration Department (GAD), through Notification S.O. 278, notified the Jammu and Kashmir Combined Competitive Services (Probation and Examination) Rules, 2026, which have come into force with immediate effect.
The new rules supersede the Jammu and Kashmir Combined Competitive Services (Probation and Examination) Rules, 2000, along with other existing rules relating to matters covered by the notification.
A significant change introduced in the new framework is the removal of the optional-paper arrangement. Under the earlier examination structure, candidates were required to clear five compulsory papers and choose one of the two optional papers. Under the revised rules, probationers will have to pass all seven papers, each carrying 100 marks.
The Government has also fixed the minimum qualifying marks at 50 per cent in every paper. Under the earlier framework, the minimum qualifying percentage was to be determined by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) after evaluation of the papers.
The notification provides that persons appointed through direct recruitment will remain on probation for a period of two years. Every probationer will be required to appear in the examination at or around the end of the training period in the institutions specified for the purpose. The examination will be conducted by the JKPSC twice a year, as far as practicable, at places and times determined by the Commission.
The revised rules also clearly link the examination outcome with the release of annual increments and confirmation in service. A probationer will be entitled to draw the first annual increment after completing the first year of probation. However, the second annual increment will not be released until the officer has satisfactorily completed the probation period and passed the departmental examination.
The rules further state that if an officer has not made sufficient use of the opportunities provided during probation, failed to perform duties satisfactorily or has not passed the examination, his or her annual increment or increments shall remain withheld.
Passing the examination has also been made a condition for confirmation in service. However, the Government may, in exceptional circumstances and for good and sufficient reasons recorded in writing, grant exemption from qualifying the departmental examination and declare the probation complete.
The new framework retains three regular chances and one mercy chance for probationers to qualify the examination. It also allows the Government to permit candidates to avail themselves of chances missed due to circumstances or reasons beyond their control. Applications for appearing in the examination will have to be routed through the concerned officer’s Administrative Department, while the JKPSC will prescribe the examination procedure separately.
Another provision expressly incorporated in the new rules allows candidates to consult Bare Acts, Rules, Regulations and Manuals during the written examination. However, such material must contain only the relevant legal provisions and must not carry annotations.
The syllabus annexed to the notification has been organised into seven papers covering different aspects of administration, governance and the legal framework of Jammu and Kashmir. Paper I deals with Management and Public Administration, including organisational behaviour, human resource management, leadership, communication, emerging technologies and administrative accountability. Paper II covers the comprehensive overview of Jammu and Kashmir, including its physical and demographic features, economy, agriculture, horticulture, tourism, society, culture, languages, ecology, environment and infrastructure.
Paper III focuses on Service Rules and Office Procedure, including civil service regulations, conduct and leave rules, public service delivery, grievance redressal, e-Office, e-HRMS, financial procedures and information technology. It also includes subjects such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, DigiLocker and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
Paper IV deals with Revenue Laws and Land Administration, covering property and registration laws, land revenue, land grants, agrarian reforms, migrant immovable property, land acquisition, revenue records and land modernisation initiatives. Paper V covers Government Schemes and Policies for Development, Employment and Industrial Growth, including rural development, employment generation, entrepreneurship and industrial policies. Paper VI focuses on Social Welfare, Human Rights and Community Protection Laws and Schemes, including reservation, women’s rights, child protection, social security, health and welfare schemes, human rights and forest rights.
Paper VII deals with the Legal and Regulatory Framework for Governance and Public Order in Jammu and Kashmir, covering the Constitution, the J&K Reorganisation Act, criminal laws, taxation, public safety, regulatory legislation and various statutory authorities.
The rules also exempt probationers covered by the notification from passing any other departmental examination prescribed in their respective feeding services. The notification has been issued by the General Administration Department under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India.
