A public spat between Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has intensified over demands to relax age limits for government job aspirants, just as the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) wrapped up amid protests and logistical chaos.

The flashpoint emerged days before the December 7 prelims when Abdullah's cabinet greenlit extending the upper age from 32 years for general category candidates—aiming for 35-37 years to match other states— and forwarded the proposal to Sinha's office on December 2. Sinha promptly returned the file the same day, questioning if the exam, notified back in August and finalized in November, could feasibly accommodate fresh applicants at such short notice. With no response from the CMO for four days, Sinha labeled Abdullah's social media claims of "deliberate delays" as misleading and election-timed politics.​

Despite the uproar, the Jammu Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) held the test across 53 centers, drawing 13,732 of 22,573 registered candidates—a 61% turnout— even as hunger strikes rocked Jammu and Srinagar over rigid eligibility rules. Aspirants, many aged out due to prolonged recruitment gaps since Article 370's abrogation, decried flight cancellations compounding their woes, with Abdullah himself urging a postponement for equity.​

Opposition figures piled on: People's Conference chief Sajad Lone accused Abdullah of deflecting blame rather than acting decisively, unlike leaders in other union territories. The Awami Ittehad Party pushed for a fixed 37-year cap, noting J&K trails national benchmarks. This clash underscores J&K's hybrid governance, where the LG's oversight on vital files can stall elected initiatives.​

As calls mount for permanent reforms to aid youth employment in a fragile economy, the episode spotlights the need for proactive rules—like advance relaxation norms seen in Uttar Pradesh—to avert future disputes and foster fairer opportunities. Officials hint at revisiting the issue for upcoming rounds, but for now, thousands await clarity on their futures.