Jammu: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jammu Bench, has rejected applications seeking the rescheduling of the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) examinations scheduled later this month.
The pleas, filed separately by four candidates, argued that the JKSSB test dates—August 24 for Junior Engineer (Electrical) posts and August 31 for Junior Engineer (Civil) posts—clash with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination, scheduled from August 22-31.
However, the tribunal declined to alter the JKSSB schedule, stating that over 31,000 candidates cannot be inconvenienced for the sake of four individuals. The bench noted that all preparations for the exams had been completed and admit cards issued.
“Interfering with the examination process at this stage would result in significant losses to the public exchequer due to the cancellation of arrangements for the August 24 and 31 exams,” the seven-page order stated. The bench comprised Administrative Member Pragya Sahay Saksena and Judicial Member Sanjeev Gupta.
The judgement followed arguments from Senior Additional Advocate Generals Monika Kohli, Rajesh Thapa, Sudesh Magotra, and Deputy Advocate General Hunar Gupta for the respondents, and senior advocate Abhinav Sharma, assisted by Abhimanyu Sharma, for the applicants.
Kohli highlighted that the JE (Electrical) exam on August 24 involves 13,034 candidates for 292 posts, while the JE (Civil) exam on August 31 involves 18,885 candidates for 508 posts. In contrast, the postponement request came from only four candidates. She added that examination preparations, including printing, logistics, venue coordination, security, and staff deployment, were already complete, making rescheduling administratively and financially impractical.
Kohli further pointed out that the examination dates were notified on July 1, and the UPSC preliminary results were declared on June 11. The applicants, despite being aware of the schedule, waited until August 2—over a month later—to raise the issue, demonstrating a lack of bona fides.
The CAT agreed with the respondents, stating that a clash with UPSC dates is insufficient grounds for rescheduling. The tribunal emphasized that the integrity of the recruitment process and the rights of over 31,000 candidates outweigh the concerns of four applicants. It also noted that the JKSSB and UPSC examinations differ in nature and level, citing a Supreme Court precedent.
