Srinagar, Nov 6: The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) has been operating without a regular Chairman for over three months, while six member positions also remain unfilled, raising concerns among thousands of candidates awaiting recruitment to gazetted posts across Jammu and Kashmir.

Former Chairman A.K. Choudhary retired on July 31, 2026. However, the government has yet to appoint a regular successor. With only two members currently serving, concerns are growing over the impact of the vacancies on recruitment examinations, interviews, result declarations and other selection-related activities.

The JKPSC plays a crucial role in government recruitment, including conducting examinations, evaluating answer scripts, preparing recruitment schedules, holding interviews and recommending eligible candidates for appointments. It also handles Departmental Promotion Committee meetings for promotions in various departments.

Several aspirants have appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene and ensure the immediate appointment of a regular Chairman and the filling of vacant member positions. They said the delay has created uncertainty among candidates who have spent years preparing for government employment.

The issue has particularly worried applicants for 205 Assistant Professor posts advertised by the Commission in August 2026 for the Higher Education Department. Candidates are awaiting information about the written examination schedule, with concerns that prolonged delays could affect their eligibility due to prescribed age limits.

An applicant from Jammu University, who has applied for the posts, said he was already 39 years old and had only one year remaining before crossing the upper age limit.

He expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the examination schedule, saying candidates were finding it difficult to plan their future.

Shazia Lone, who recently returned after completing a postdoctoral fellowship in Zoology from Germany, also raised concerns over the situation. She said researchers with advanced qualifications and international experience were facing uncertainty while seeking opportunities to contribute to higher education in Jammu and Kashmir.

A senior professor from Jammu University also questioned the delay in filling the vacant positions, stressing the importance of having a fully functional Commission to carry out its responsibilities.

Similarly, an applicant for an Assistant Professor position at SKIMS said he had returned from the United States expecting the interview process to conclude in September. However, he continues to await further updates.

According to aspirants, more than 1,500 vacancies across various government departments are reportedly at different stages of recruitment. Thousands of qualified candidates, including Ph.D. holders, postdoctoral researchers, and medical specialists with MD, MS, DNB, M.Ch. and DM qualifications, are waiting for their selection processes to move forward.

Mudasir Ahmad said the prolonged delay had increased frustration among educated unemployed youth, many of whom had invested years in higher education, specialised training and research.

The aspirants have once again urged the Lieutenant Governor to take immediate measures to restore the Commission's full strength, saying timely appointments are essential to prevent further delays and protect the career prospects of thousands of qualified candidates.