Asif Iqbal Naik
Jammu, December 6, 2025 — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called for the postponement of the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination (CCE)-2025, scheduled to be held tomorrow, December 7. The appeal, made in a letter to the Chairman of the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC), Mr. Arun Kumar Choudhary, cites a “serious and extraordinary situation” arising from two major issues: a prevailing bureaucratic deadlock over age relaxation for aspirants and widespread disruption in air travel across the region.
🛑 Dual Crisis Hits Aspirants
Chief Minister Abdullah highlighted the “unprecedented mental and logistical stress” on candidates due to the dual challenges:
1. Age Relaxation Uncertainty: The primary concern is the delay in a crucial proposal regarding age relaxation for the aspirants. This provision, which has been extended multiple times in the past, remains uncertain just hours before the examination. The lack of clarity has left many candidates unsure about their eligibility, causing immense anxiety. The Chief Minister’s office stated that the file, approved by the CM and sent for the Lieutenant Governor’s (LG) concurrence, was delayed at the Lok Bhavan (LG’s office).
2. Widespread Travel Chaos: The ongoing disruption in air services has resulted in “widespread travel chaos” across the region. This logistical hurdle makes it challenging for candidates, especially those traveling from outside the region or between Jammu and Srinagar, to reach their examination centers on time. Reports suggest significant flight cancellations, compounding the stress.
🏛️ Political Tussle Over File Movement
The demand for postponement has ignited a political exchange regarding the delay in clearing the age relaxation file:
* CM’s Stance: The Chief Minister’s office has expressed deep concern, explicitly mentioning the uncertainty caused by the Lok Bhavan’s delay in approving the provision.
* LG’s Response: The Lieutenant Governor’s office countered the claims, stating that the file related only to age relaxation was received on December 2 and returned the same day with a query. The query reportedly asked the JKPSC if it was logistically feasible to conduct the exam on December 7 after incorporating late changes to the eligibility criteria. The LG’s office stated they have not received a response for four days.
* Opposition Voices: Leaders from various political parties, including former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami, have also appealed to both the CM and the LG to resolve the issue immediately, emphasizing that conducting the exam with such crucial ambiguity places aspirants at a clear disadvantage.
⚖️ Call for Fairness and Equal Opportunity
In his letter, Chief Minister Abdullah stressed the need to uphold the principles of fairness, equity, and equal opportunity. He urged the JKPSC to take cognizance of the prevailing circumstances and “consider postponement of the forthcoming examination by a reasonable duration, purely in the interest of the candidates.”
The fate of the Combined Competitive Examination-2025 now hangs in the balance, with the JKPSC expected to take a final decision in light of the last-minute intervention from the Chief Minister and the ongoing political and logistical crisis.
