Junior Engineer recruitment test cancelled by JKSSB amid controversy

Amid conflicting claims of “paper-leak”, “mismanagement” and “weather-related exigencies”, the Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) on Sunday cancelled the OMR-based written examination for the post of junior engineer (electrical).

Cancellation of yet another exam by JKSSB amid allegations of paper leak has stirred a controversy in J&K.
While several candidates and their parents made serious allegations of paper leak, the JKSSB claimed that the examination was cancelled due to weather-related exigencies.

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Some candidates in Kashmir alleged that the paper was “leaked” on Telegram and WhatsApp groups even before the exam began. Videos have gone viral on social media in this regard.

There was confusion at an exam centre in the heart of Srinagar city, where the candidates were not satisfied with the claims of bad weather given by the supervisory staff for the cancellation of the paper.
However, the JKSSB later claimed that “Due to weather-related exigencies, the examination timings were rescheduled from 11 am to 12 noon. The examination was successful at 34 venues, but could not be conducted at one venue”.

“In view of the above, it has been decided by the Board to cancel the OMR-based examination for the post of Junior Engineer (electrical), Power Development Department, conducted on 24.08.2025 and shall be conducted afresh. The fresh date for the conduct of the said examination shall be notified separately”, the JKSSB said.

Meanwhile, PDP leader Iltija Mufti and Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone have criticised the JKSSB on the issue.
Mufti wrote on X; “Youngsters across J&K placed an overwhelming faith in NC, hoping for transparency in recruitment exams after electing them. But I’m appalled at how the NC government is wrecking their future because of their sheer incompetency to even conduct today’s JE Electrical Exam at Kothi Bagh Centre. Instead of bringing transparency today’s paper leak suggests that this government is fast becoming a den of corruption”.

Lone said on X, “….We are top in scams. This is nothing short of brazen daylight robbery in recruitment…”

The JKSSB has remained mired in controversies in the recent past. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI booked several people in allegations of paper-leak and irregularities in the exams for Accounts Assistant (Finance Department), Junior Engineer (Civil) in the Jal Shakti Department, and Sub-Inspector (Home Department), which were held in 2020 and 2022.
The government had, in the recent session of the Assembly, informed that no paper-leak incident has been reported in J&K in the past two years.