Niti Aayog Plans to Restrict Civil Services Age To 27 Years For General Candidates

Niti Aayog to restrict General Candidates Age For Civil Services Exam as 27 Years – Think tank for Government Niti Aayog has suggested to reduce the upper age limit for joining the civil services to 27 years from the present 30 years for general category candidates by 2022-23 in a phased manner.

They have also suggested to have one integrated exam for all civil services in India. Niti Aayog has also suggested to have a central talent pool of all recruits, which would subsequently allocate candidates by matching their competencies and the job description of the posts.

In the “Strategy for New India @75” report, the think tank has suggested the road map to reduce the number of civil services through rationalization and harmonization of services.

Currently, there are more than 60 plus separate civil services at central and state levels. Sources said currently the average age of recruits for civil services is about 25-and-a-half years and the recommendation goes well with the reality that more than one-third of India’s population is below 35 years. The report has also recommended encouraging lateral entry of specialists at higher levels of government, which will provide much needed expertise.

“The key to reform in the civil services is encouraging officers to cultivate specialisations based on their education and skills early on in their careers. Wherever possible, longer tenure postings need to be made based on the officers’ expertise. However, it is also necessary to ensure cross-sector mobility for civil servants from areas where they have become surplus to areas of emerging importance,” the report said.