The Orissa High Court has granted a one-time age relaxation for applicants of the constable/sepoy recruitment exams in the state.
The State Selection Board of Odisha Police, which had previously advertised the recruitment of 1,360 sepoy/constables, will now see an amendment in its notification.
Justice SK Panigrahi’s bench approved a six-year increase in the upper age limit for the recruitment exam applicants today.
This directive from Justice Panigrahi instructs the State Selection Board (Odisha Police) to revise its advertisement to incorporate this one-time age relaxation for candidates.
The High Court stated that this relaxation would apply to all candidate categories.
During the hearing of several petitions by individuals who were over the age limit of 23 years for the exams, Orissa HC made its decision.
These petitioners had requested the High Court to consider an age relaxation since the last recruitment for sepoy/constable in Odisha was held in 2018.
The High Court noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had interrupted the recruitment process, and thus, candidates should not suffer due to these uncontrollable events. However, the High Court emphasized that this relaxation is a one-time exception and should not influence future recruitment exams.
To prevent future issues, the High Court suggested that the Odisha Police establish a regular recruitment schedule.
