Contrary to many media reports claiming that the maximum limit for UPSC examination is likely to be reduced to 27, the government on Tuesday rubbished such reports.
MoS PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh to ANI: There is no move by Government to alter the age criteria of eligibility to appear in civil service examinations. Reports and speculations should be put to rest. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/81ye4L6DUv
— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018
The Minister of State, Jitendra Singh has clarified that the government has not taken any decision or even mulling to change the age criteria of eligibility to appear in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams. The clarification issued by him puts to rest the rumor mongering around the UPSC age issue.
Earlier, there were reports claiming that NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) in its new report ‘Strategy for New India @ 75’ has suggested many reforms with respect to civil service examination. One of the major recommendations were made by NITI Aayog was to lower the upper age limit for appearing in the civil services to 27 years for the general category in a phased manner by 2022-23. It also pitched for an integrated exam for all civil services.
Currently, the upper age limit for UPSC Civil Services Exam is 32 years for the General Category. For OBC, it is 35 years, and for SC/ST upper age limit is 37 years. Every year lakhs of students appear for UPSC exam which is considered as the most prestigious exam of the nation.
The important thing is to note here that not all the policies, plans and suggestions are implemented. Many recommendations gather dust on the file shelf itself. And also considering the fact that 2019 Common Elections are around the corner, the incumbent government would not even in its wildest dreams would dare to take such an unpopular decision which would anger the people belong to general category. Their anger would directly affect the electoral results in 2019 Common Elections.
Though the UPSC aspirants are much aware toward the recent developments time is precious and it should not be wasted in paying heed to these kinds of rumor spreading reports like ‘Modi government is going to reduce the upper age limit to 27 for general category aspirants’. Most of these reports are sponsored by the opposition parties in order to create anger among the youths against the Modi government. It is a well-known phenomenon that youths generally vote for the BJP, and the opposition parties are trying their level best to isolate youths from the BJP and PM Modi. Such reports are part of this larger political ploy.
Even the NITI Aayog in its report had suggested implementing the recommendations in the phased manner. So there was no clause of an immediate overhaul, and now after the clarification given by MoS Jitendra Singh it is quite clear that the BJP is not even thinking to implement the recommendations of NITI Aayog for reducing the upper age limit for entering into the civil services to 27 for the general category is concerned.