MLC Writes to Chief Minister Demanding Age Limit to Be Raised from 45 to 55 Years Opposition Intensifies Against Assistant Professor Appointment Rules in Bhagalpur and Across Bihar
Bhagalpur/Patna : Significant opposition is mounting across Bihar against the Assistant Professor Appointment Statute. Amidst ongoing protests and concerns regarding recruitment policies, Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and Chairman of the Petitions Committee, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Singh, has written a formal letter to the Chief Minister, detailing various contentious points within the statute and strongly urging amendments. One of the primary demands raised in the communication is to raise the maximum age limit for applicants from 45 to 55 years to prevent eligible candidates from being excluded due to administrative delays.
(Background of the Controversy)
The controversy surrounds the implementation timelines and criteria outlined in the updated recruitment regulations.
Impact of Recruitment Delays: Pointing out procedural backlogs, the MLC noted that recruitment advertisements issued in previous cycles (such as those initiated in 2020) have faced prolonged delays, leaving several vetting and appointment phases incomplete across various academic subjects.
Exclusion of Qualified Aspirants: Due to these administrative delays over the years, numerous qualified candidates have crossed the current threshold, exceeding 43 to 45 years of age. Under the strict cut-offs of the new statute, these experienced applicants face disqualification purely due to systemic slowdowns.
Key Arguments Raised in the Letter
Dr. Singh's representation emphasizes several logical and structural arguments for modifying the statute:
Raising the Age Limit to 55 Years:
To safeguard the prospects of candidates who spent years preparing or serving in academic ecosystems, the upper age ceiling needs an upward revision to 55 years. This adjustment would accommodate seasoned professionals and prevent qualified scholars from losing their employment opportunities.
Objections to Redundant Written Examinations:
The MLC also raised strong objections to mandatory written tests for candidates who have already cleared rigorous national-level eligibility assessments like NET (National Eligibility Test) and JRF (Junior Research Fellowship). Requiring an additional written examination after clearing national screening standards has been labeled redundant and counterintuitive.
Reactions from Academic and Political Circles
The intervention by the MLC has brought significant relief and discussion among academic aspirants, university circles, and teacher associations in Bhagalpur and wider Bihar:
Apsirants' Optimism: Candidates who feared losing their career windows due to age restrictions have welcomed the move, viewing it as a vital step toward protecting the rights of veteran educators and researchers.
Administrative Scrutiny: Academic forums are closely monitoring whether the state government will heed these recommendations to modify the regulatory framework before large-scale selections proceed.
The formal appeal to increase the maximum age limit to 55 years highlights the critical need to align employment regulations with ground realities and administrative efficiency. As pressure builds against rigid selection criteria, all eyes remain on the state government's next move regarding potential revisions to the recruitment statute to ensure fair opportunities for all eligible aspirants
