Bhubaneswar: In a significant move, the Odisha government has granted a three-year relaxation in the maximum age limit for Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment.
The information on the state government’s decision regarding age relaxation was conveyed to the Orissa High Court by Advocate General Pitambar Acharya.
Notably, the state government had on January 17, this year, issued a notification extending the maximum age limit for SI candidates by three years as a benevolent, one-time measure. However, this relief has been explicitly limited to applicants who approach the High Court via Writ Petitions, Advocate General Pitambar Acharya informed the court.
Petitioners argue that no SI recruitment has occurred since 2018, causing many aspirants to cross the original age cap while preparing. The AG clarified that this age cushion applies only to those engaged in the current court process.
The issue reflects past rulings on constable and sepoy recruitment. In March, the High Court granted a three year age relaxation for IRB constable posts after government and court directives. Earlier, a single judge bench had issued a six year relaxation, later modified by a division bench to three years as a state policy decision.
For SI recruitment, the Court awaits the government’s assurance that the benefit will be extended to those who filed petitions. Only such petitioners are to be considered under the revised age limit, the AG confirmed.
The next hearing is expected later this week, during which the High Court will evaluate whether the state’s age limit adjustment should apply more broadly or remain confined to active petitioners.
