Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Feb 20: Hundreds of students from Jammu and Kashmir are urging the authorities to reschedule the JKAS exam, currently slated for February 23, 2025, as it clashes with the AFCAT exam on the same date while JKPSC rules out postponement.
Students expressing frustration saying there is high unemployment rate in the state, students cannot afford to miss either exam, and every attempt counts. The aspirants are hoping for a prompt response from the authorities to accommodate their aspirations.
The students, who are aspiring to join the administrative services and the Indian Air Force, are faced with a difficult dilemma, having to choose between two crucial career opportunities.
One of the students, namely Manjeet Singh, while talking to news agency JKNS, said, “I’m an aspirant of both JKPSC (CCE) and AFCAT, which are scheduled for February 23, 2025. Since both exams are on the same date, I can’t appear in both. We want the postponement of JKCCE. Regarding this, I also met with the Governor yesterday.”
Another student, wishing anonymity, said, “We request the authorities to consider our plea and reschedule the JKAS exam to a different date, ensuring that we don’t lose an attempt unfairly and can compete on an equal footing.”
Another student wishing anonmity said, We have dedicated countless hours, effort, and resources to prepare for these exams, which are crucial to our future career prospects. The unexpected clash has left us feeling anxious, stressed, and uncertain about our future.
We humbly request the authorities to consider our plea and reschedule the JKAS exam to a different date. We believe that this small gesture will go a long way in alleviating our stress and allowing us to focus on our exams without any undue pressure. We hope that our voices will be heard, and our request will be considered. We are eagerly awaiting a positive response, student said.
One of the students, namely Rahil, wrote on X, “Dear CM, why are you turning a blind eye to our issue? The exams clash on February 23, affecting countless aspirants from J&K. We are entitled to a fair chance to serve in the Indian Air Force.
If AFCAT and JKPSC exams happen on the same day (February 23), it will surely be a historic moment… for all the wrong reasons. A government that creates barriers to opportunities for its citizens is truly making history. Shame on @jknc!!” Rahil wrote.
Another student, namely Himani Choudhary, on X, while replying to a post of the CM, wrote, “Sir, please look into the matter of the clash between the JKPSC KAS exam and the AFCAT exam. With high unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir, students deserve to appear in both exams.
Two prestigious exams, JKPSC KAS and AFCAT, are scheduled on the same day, February 23, forcing thousands of aspirants to choose between their dreams. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a denial of opportunity and a violation of the Right to Equality and Right to Education,” Himani wrote.
Another X user, namely Raghav Jamwal, wrote, “JKPSC is acting arbitrarily and forcing the youth of J&K to choose between JKAS prelims and AFCAT, which are scheduled on February 23. It is a clear violation of Article 16, Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment, especially in a region where unemployment is at its peak.”
Another student on X with the username Gauri wrote, “Sir, please kindly look into the matter of the date clash between JKPSC and AFCAT. We, a group of friends, were to appear in both and now have to choose between the two. It’s unfair to us as aspirants. We look up to you for your magnanimity and thoughtfulness. Kindly be considerate here.”
Earlier, the Office of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah had also posted on X, stating, “The scheduling conflict between JKAS Prelims and AFCAT is forcing our youth to make an unfair choice. This neglect by authorities hurts our commitment to students and aspirants. I urge authorities to act urgently and resolve their grievances.”
J&K Students Association, in a post on X, wrote, “As informed by aggrieved aspirants, they had intimated the JKPSC about the AFCAT exam earlier through emails and written representations, but JKPSC proceeded with the process of conducting this on the clashing date. We hereby reiterate our humble request to Honorable @OfficeOfLGJandK to give directions for the postponement of JKCCE prelims so that AFCAT aspirants can appear in both exams. This will serve the larger interest of aspirants.”
The post further stated, “Despite repeated representations from our side as well as from aspirants of AFCAT and JKPSC-JKCCE Prelims, JKPSC carried forward its decision to conduct the exam on the same date as AFCAT, i.e., February 23, by issuing admit cards. Given the severe unemployment crisis, the importance of each and every employment-related exam is paramount for our socioeconomic upliftment.
Keeping in view the larger interest of aspirants, we reiterate our request to Honorable @OfficeOfLGJandK, Honorable @CM_JnK, @OmarAbdullah to intervene in rescheduling the JKCCE prelims examination, as AFCAT is a national-level exam and was notified in December, much earlier than JKPSC’s notification, and AFCAT cannot be rescheduled. This request post was issued after receiving hundreds of emails from aggrieved aspirants.”
PDP leader Iltija Mufti also took on X where she wrote, JKAS & AFCAT aspirants find themselves between a rock & a hard place because both crucial exams fall on 23rd February. Given the rising unemployment its forcing them to choose one thereby depriving them of equal opportunities. Hope the NC government intervenes immediately.
When contacted, Chairman JKPSC Arun Kumar Choudhary told the news agency JKNS, dates have been scheduled. “Currently time is very less, and it is not possible to change the date, and all arrangements have been finalized. Now students have the choice to choose one exam in which they are comfortable,” he said. (JKNS)
