Srinagar, Aug 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) on Sunday cancelled the Junior Engineer (Electrical) examination for the Power Development Department after weather-related disruptions at one of the designated exam centres.
The OMR-based exam, scheduled on Sunday across 35 centres in Jammu and Srinagar districts, was successfully conducted at 34 locations. However, one centre faced weather issues that forced cancellation. “In view of the above, it has been decided by the Board to cancel the OMR-based examination for Junior Engineer (Electrical), Power Development Department held on 24.08.2025 and conduct it afresh,” stated the Controller of Examinations. A fresh date will be announced later.
While the official reason cited weather disruptions, many candidates alleged that the exam was compromised prior to commencement. Videos circulated on social media showed question papers allegedly leaked before the exam, sparking protests outside several centres with aspirants demanding accountability.
Imran Ahmad, an engineering graduate from Kupwara, said, “We have been preparing for two years. Today we saw papers circulating on phones even before the exam began. How can we believe the process is fair?”
Rukhsana, a candidate from Pulwama, expressed frustration: “Every exam ends with some irregularity — leaks, mismanagement, or cancellations. We spend money, travel long distances, and sacrifice years, but all we get is disappointment.”
Bilal from Anantnag said repeated failures by the recruitment board are eroding trust: “Our careers are at stake. When exams get cancelled repeatedly due to leaks, what message does it send to J&K’s youth?”
Political leaders condemned the incident. NC leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi’s office described it as evidence of a “collapse of the recruitment system.” PDP MLA WaheedurRehman Para accused the government of repeatedly failing the youth, while JKPPC chairman Sajad Lone called it “daylight robbery in recruitment,” alleging chaos at exam centres. Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, blamed the NC-led government for allowing corruption and incompetence to dominate the recruitment process.
This is not the first JKSSB exam to face scrutiny; previous recruitment tests have been scrapped or investigated following malpractice allegations. For many aspirants, Sunday’s cancellation deepened a growing sense of despair.
As one protester outside an exam centre said, “We no longer fear failing exams. We fear whether exams will even be held fairly.”
