J&K Judicial Services (Mains) results trigger protests; aspirants allege bias and lack of transparency

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, JANUARY 22 (STC): A controversy has erupted following the declaration of the Jammu and Kashmir Judicial Services (Civil Judge–Junior Division) Mains Examination 2025 results, with aspirants alleging large-scale irregularities, regional bias, and a lack of transparency in the evaluation process. On Tuesday, candidates staged a silent protest and submitted a formal representation to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), demanding clarity and disclosure of marks to ensure fairness in the selection process.
The JKPSC announced the Mains results on January 20, 2026, shortlisting 124 candidates for the viva-voce stage. However, the outcome has sparked widespread discontent among candidates from the Kashmir division, who claim that the results indicate systematic exclusion.
The recruitment process began with the issuance of the Judicial Services notification on May 14, 2025, for 42 posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division). The Preliminary Examination, initially scheduled for September 21, 2025, was postponed and eventually conducted on September 28, 2025, across the Union Territory.
According to candidate estimates, out of over 1,000 candidates who qualified the preliminary examination, nearly 600 were from the Kashmir division. However, the Mains results reportedly show that only 13 candidates from Kashmir have been shortlisted for interviews, while the remaining candidates belong to the Jammu division. Aspirants have termed this sharp decline in representation “statistically implausible” and “deeply disturbing.”
Adding to the allegations, candidates have claimed that one examination centre in Srinagar recorded an unusually high failure rate, with apprehensions that answer scripts from the centre may not have been evaluated at all. Aspirants from the centre described the outcome as arbitrary and unexplained, further fuelling suspicions about procedural lapses.
“The judicial services examination must be beyond reproach, as it determines the future custodians of justice,” said one protesting candidate. Aspirants have demanded the release of preliminary and mains marks, disclosure of evaluation criteria, publication of centre-wise data, and an independent inquiry into the alleged anomalies.
In their representation to the JKPSC, candidates have urged the Commission to address their concerns promptly to restore confidence in the recruitment process. They have warned that failure to ensure transparency and accountability could lead to legal challenges and continued protests in the coming days.
As of now, the JKPSC has not issued an official response to the allegations.

(Straight Talk Communications)