Rules not applicable for already advertised posts
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: In a significant reform aimed at streamlining the recruitment process, the Jammu and Kashmir government has announced the elimination of oral interviews for 40 posts across seven key departments.
The decision, notified on February 14, 2025, by the General Administration Department (GAD), mandates that selection for these posts will now be based solely on written tests, with trade or skill tests continuing as per existing rules.
The notification, issued under Article 309 of the Constitution of India, applies to multiple posts in different government departments, including Agriculture, Forest and Ecology, Health and Medical Education, Higher Education, Home, Industries and Commerce, and Power Development.
However, it has been clarified that the new rules will not apply to posts that have already been advertised before the issuance of this notification.
S.O. 36 – In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is pleased to direct that there shall be no oral test/viva-voce/interview for the posts detailed as Annexure-A to this notification and the selection for all such posts shall be made on the basis of written test only, with the further stipulation that trade test/skill test, wherever prescribed, shall continue to be held as per the relevant recruitment rules, reads the notification issued by General Administration Department.
This notification shall not be applicable to the post(s) which have been already advertised by the Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board, it added.
The Agriculture Production Department is among those affected by the change, with posts such as Boiler Mechanic, Junior Stenographer, and Senior Horticulture Technician now being filled without oral interviews. Similarly, the Forest, Ecology & Environment Department will see a shift in recruitment for positions like Cameraman and Junior Stenographer. The Health & Medical Education Department, which plays a crucial role in the UT’s healthcare sector, will now conduct written tests for posts such as Staff Nurse, Extension Educator, Sanitary Inspector, Warden, Health Educator, and Service Engineer instead of relying on interviews.
In the Higher Education Department, candidates applying for Junior Laboratory Technician and Junior Stenographer will be assessed based on written performance. The Home Department, responsible for security and law enforcement, has also been included in the reform, affecting recruitment for positions such as Assistant Scientific Officer (Chemistry and Toxicology), Assistant Scientific Officer (Documents), and Assistant Superintendent Jail.
The most significant impact will be seen in the Industries & Commerce Department, where 20 different posts have been listed under the new selection criteria. These include roles such as Assistant Handicrafts Training Officer, Assistant Extension Officer, Dyeing Master, Quality Control Supervisor, Senior Craft Instructor (for various trades), Tailor Master, and Technical Assistant, among others. Given the diversity of these roles, trade or skill tests will still be conducted where necessary.
The Power Development Department has also been included in the reform, affecting recruitment for Junior Engineer (Civil), Junior Stenographer, and Junior Engineer (Electrical) across JKPTCL, KPDCL, JPDCL, and J&KPCL. This move is expected to bring more uniformity and efficiency in the selection of technical personnel.
