Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec. 3: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has written to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Home Minister requesting fixation of the upper age limit at 40 years for recruitment to Group-B (Non-Gazetted) and Group-C posts under the A&N Administration, along with 5-year relaxation for permanent residents, on the lines of the recent order issued for the UT of Ladakh.
The MP recalled his earlier communication dated 26 July 2025 and expressed concern that the A&N Administration has decided to continue with the old age limits 18–33 years (male) and 18–38 years (female) thereby rendering many deserving island youth ineligible, despite delayed access to higher education and limited job opportunities in the isolated island territory.
Shri Ray highlighted that many States and Union Territories, including Ladakh, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Haryana and others, have already revised upper age limits to the 40–42-year range in view of socio-economic realities and late entry into the job market.
He emphasised that the A&N Islands face greater constraints viz. a very small government job market, Remote location causing delayed education, Higher transaction costs for mainland opportunities, Large number of qualified youths losing eligibility due to outdated age limits etc.
Therefore, the Hon’ble MP Mr. Ray urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to:
1. Fix the upper age limit at 40 years for all Group-B (NG) and Group-C posts under A&N Administration.
2. Grant 5-year additional relaxation for permanent residents/local candidates, similar to Ladakh.
Shri Ray said this special dispensation is essential for restoring hope, fairness, and confidence among the youth of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.