Chennai, Nov 2:
Former Anna University Vice-Chancellor E Balagurusamy has urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to reconsider the State government’s decision to grant a five-year age relaxation to candidates appearing for Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) recruitment examinations, arguing that a uniform concession could affect the employment prospects of younger aspirants and the efficiency of the administration.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Balagurusamy said the relaxation, intended to benefit candidates appearing for Group I, II, III and IV examinations and other government recruitment processes, could have unintended consequences. He called for the restoration of the earlier age eligibility rules and said any concession should be limited to candidates who had genuinely suffered because of delays in recruitment.
He pointed out that government departments increasingly require technical expertise in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital governance. Recruiting candidates at higher ages, particularly for demanding executive positions such as Deputy Collector and Deputy Superintendent of Police, could reduce their potential years of service, he argued.
Highlighting the intense competition for government employment, Balagurusamy cited the recent Group II and Group IIA examinations, for which 4,89,885 candidates were admitted against just 846 vacancies. He said the interests of younger graduates must also be protected while framing recruitment policies.
Instead of a uniform age relaxation, he suggested that the government prescribe separate eligibility criteria based on the nature and responsibilities of different categories of posts. He also called for a transparent annual recruitment calendar, timely notification of vacancies and completion of selection processes within fixed deadlines.
Emphasising that government recruitment should balance social considerations with merit and administrative efficiency, Balagurusamy said predictable and timely recruitment would prevent aspirants from being disadvantaged by delays beyond their control.