Cabinet raises upper age limit for govt jobs to 42 years | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: The state cabinet meeting, chaired by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Wednesday approved raising the upper age limit for govt service entry from 32 to 42 years. The decision brings relief to thousands of job aspirants across the state.To implement the decision, an amendment will be made to the Odisha Civil Service (Fixation of Upper Age Limit) Rules, 1989, following numerous representations from various quarters requesting age relaxation for govt jobs. However, the new age limit will not apply to positions where a higher age cap is already in place or to uniform services such as police, fire services, forest and excise departments where physical efficiency tests are mandatory.“This decision aims to provide greater opportunities to overage candidates to participate in upcoming recruitment examinations,” chief secretary Manoj Ahuja said. The govt arrived at this decision after careful consideration of public demand and current employment scenarios. Additional age relaxation will continue to be available for reserved categories, including ST/SC/SEBC, women, ex-servicemen, and persons with disabilities (PwDs), as per existing govt guidelines.The move is expected to benefit thousands of job seekers who were previously ineligible due to age restrictions, especially those who crossed the earlier limit of 32 years while preparing for competitive examinations. The amendment marks one of the most significant changes in the state’s recruitment policy in recent years, potentially opening doors for experienced professionals to join govt service.The cabinet also approved a major development project for the historic Mahima Gadi and the construction of a new Bhavya Sunya Mandapa at Joranda in Dhenkanal district, fulfilling a long-standing demand of locals. The cabinet accepted the final negotiated offer of Rs 171.11 crore from a bidder. The project, initially estimated to cost Rs 240.01 crore, is scheduled for completion within 36 months.The comprehensive development plan aims to enhance the religious site’s infrastructure and boost tourism in the region. “The project will significantly contribute to the area’s economic growth by attracting more visitors to the sacred Mahima Gadi,” said a senior govt official.The cabinet also gave its approval for a crucial concession agreement between the state govt and JSW Utkal Steel Ltd for developing a captive jetty at Jatadhar Muhan. The project, which received initial nod from the High Level Clearance Authority in 2017, involves the construction of an all-weather multi-cargo, greenfield captive jetty in Jagatsinghpur district’s Ersama tehsil. The facility will support JSW’s upcoming integrated steel plant and captive power plant in the region.“This development aligns perfectly with our Odisha Port Policy 2022, promoting port-led industrial growth through enhanced infrastructure,” a govt statement said.
