SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has placed the draft J&K Town Planning Organisation (Gazetted) and (Subordinate) Services Recruitment Rules, 2026 in the public domain, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders as it moves to formalise the recruitment framework for the reorganised Town Planning Organisation.
According to a notification issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department, the draft rules have been prepared following the reorganisation of the Jammu and Kashmir Town Planning Organisation under Government Order No. 161-JK(HUDD) of 2025 and after consultation with the Finance Department and the J&K Services Selection Board and Public Service Commission, wherever applicable. Stakeholders have been given 15 days from the date of publication to submit their objections or suggestions.
The proposed rules define the service structure, recruitment methods, eligibility criteria, pay levels and promotional avenues for both Gazetted and Subordinate cadres in the department. They also seek to replace the 1995 Town Planning (Gazetted) Service Rules and the 1990 Town Planning (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules, bringing the service framework in line with the reorganised department.
Under the proposed Gazetted cadre, the organisation will have 48 sanctioned posts, including 2 Chief Town Planners, 2 Senior Town Planners, 20 District Town Planners, 22 Assistant Town Planners and 2 Accounts Officers. The draft rules prescribe educational qualifications and experience for each post while laying down the proportion of direct recruitment and promotion for various categories.
For instance, Town Planner posts have been proposed to be filled 75 per cent through direct recruitment and 25 per cent through promotion, while Assistant Town Planner posts will also follow a 75:25 ratio between direct recruitment and promotion. The rules prescribe specialised qualifications in Town and Country Planning, Urban Planning, Regional Planning and related disciplines from recognised universities.
The draft also proposes a Subordinate cadre comprising 98 posts across technical and ministerial wings. These include Planning Assistants, Field Inspectors/Assistant Draftsmen, GIS/CAD Analysts, Section Officers, Junior Assistants, Drivers, Multi-Tasking Staff and other ministerial posts, with separate eligibility conditions and recruitment methods specified for each category.
According to the draft, appointments will be made through direct recruitment, promotion or deputation depending on the nature of the post. Candidates appointed through direct recruitment will be required to undergo probation and departmental training or examinations wherever prescribed. The rules also provide for reservation in appointments in accordance with the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act and applicable service regulations.
The Housing and Urban Development Department said objections, if any, may be submitted through e-mail or any other notified mode within the stipulated period, after which no representations will be entertained. The government will consider the feedback before finalising the recruitment rules for the reorganised Town Planning Organisation.
