The Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) has supported the demand made by a ‘concerned aspirants group’ for age relaxation for entry into government services stating that which is for the collective good of all aspirants.

Earlier on 22nd July 2024, a group of ten aspirants “affected by Covid-19 & who are on the verge of attaining or has attained the age limit” had submitted a representation to the Chief Minister of Nagaland demanding that the maximum age for eligibility to appear State competitive exams be raised from 35 years to 37 years.

In a press release on Monday, the CTAN acknowledged the genuine demand as some aspirants had been deprived of their right to appear for NPSC/NSSB due to the Age limitation rule which was caused by COVID-19 in the case of the particular group. It also said that the two years without any competitive examination had affected all aspirants regardless of the age limit.

While mentioning that the P&AR Department had issued an order from giving relaxation to aspirants for two years, CTAN has said that the order “fails to understand the actual issue, the order No. AR-5/ASSO/98 (vol-1) from the P&AR benefits those candidates over 35years from the time of implementation of the order, however, this order fails to do the same for those Aspirants nearing 35years and those below.”

CTAN perceives that the ORDER No. AR-5/ASSO/98 (vol-1) from the P&AR should be extended and continued for another 5 years, it added, citing that the unemployed youth in the state needs unyielding commitment from the highest concerned authority.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

In its representation to the CM dated 22nd July 2024, the ‘concerned aspirants group’ had demanded for the following:

1. Age relaxation to continue up to 37 years to all entry of government services.

Points and reasons put forwarded;

1. The age relaxation into Government Services order No.AR-5/ASS0/98 (Vol-I) Dt. 28-02-2022, is biased to people who are over 35 years after 2023 and for all the aspirants appearing State competitive exam prior to Covid-19 and thereof, as COVID-19 affected every students equally, the relaxation should be made available to all indiscriminately.
2. As notified by P&AR Department ref. no. AR/ESTT-10/ESTT-10/4/2024 dated Kohima the 15′ February 2024 for relaxation of 3 (three) years of age for entry into Government services for post exempted from NSSB under Uniformed Services, the same consideration should be applied for non-conduct of exam for two years particularly for NPSC & NSSB.
3. In line of UPSC & SSC the age relaxation for the entry of Government Services SC & ST should be 37 years.
4. Due to the rising trend of unemployment, Nagaland unemployment rate is at all time high and it is the responsibility of State Government to avail the placement to theses unemployed youths.
5. 5. Many other states have implemented the same to address the unemployment problems by extending the overage to entry of government services and Public Service Commission.

– Maharashtra till 40 years for open category and 45 years for reserved category.

– Sikkim 21 years till 40 Years.

– Assam 21 Years to 38 Years.

– Uttar Pradesh 21 years till 40 Years.

– Andhra Pradesh 18-42 years (Civil Services and Tax Services).

– Meghalaya till 37 years for SC and ST.

– Arunachal Pradesh 40 years for ST since 2023.

– Odisha 21 to 38 Years.

– Manipur till 40 Years for SC and ST.