'High scores, no selection': General category candidates question fairness in recruitment process

July 25, 2025 by News Desk

A recent recruitment examination in Jammu Kashmir has left hundreds of general category aspirants disillusioned, as data reveals that despite scoring high marks, many were unable to secure a place due to the shrinking availability of seats under open merit.

The exam, held for 176 government posts, saw only 71 positions earmarked for open merit (OM), roughly 40 percent of the total. What has triggered widespread concern is that even these 71 seats were not entirely accessible to general category candidates. According to official figures, only 55 OM posts went to general category aspirants, while the remaining 16 were filled by candidates from other categories qualifying through the open merit list.

“This means the actual opportunity for unreserved candidates was far smaller than advertised,” said one aspirant who scored 69.75 but still did not make the final cut. “It feels like the system was never designed to accommodate us in the first place.”

The cutoff score for general category candidates stood at a steep 70.5 marks, significantly higher than many category-based cutoffs, which ranged between 36 and 65, as per the candidates. For many, the gap only highlighted what they describe as a structural unfairness in how merit is being assessed and rewarded.

Compounding their frustration is the disparity in application fees. General category applicants were charged Rs 1,200 to appear for the test, nearly double the Rs 700 charged to reserved category candidates. “We’re paying more, scoring higher, and still being left out. What message does this send?” asked another candidate.

While the overall selection list includes 155 successful candidates, the data shows that general category aspirants are underrepresented, despite many ranking high. Within the OM seats, 43 of the 55 general selections were from Kashmir, reflecting strong performance but also underscoring the limited scope for these candidates.

One of the most troubling revelations involves the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category. Only 2 out of 17 EWS seats were filled, with 15 posts left vacant, despite many general category candidates struggling to make it under OM. Critics argue that overly narrow criteria and bureaucratic hurdles may be excluding genuinely eligible candidates from EWS, worsening the imbalance.

Across social media platforms, candidates are expressing anger, disappointment, and a deep sense of injustice. Many are calling for a review of the recruitment policy, especially the treatment of open merit and fee structures. “This isn’t about competing with others, it’s about having a fair chance to compete at all,” read one widely shared post.