Age limit for WBCS Group A jobs raised to 36

Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government has relaxed the upper age limit for the entry of Group A category jobs for West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) officers from 32 to 36 years.

It may be mentioned that the state government had earlier announced its decision to raise the upper age limit for the entry of both Group A and B category WBCS officers. Partha Chatterjee, the state Parliamentary Affairs minister, had earlier announced that the upper age limit for the entry of Group A officers will be increased to 36 from 32.

The notification declaring the increase was issued on October 24 stating "Of age not below 21 years but not more than 36 years on the 1 January of the year in which the examination for recruitment is held and the notification shall be deemed to have come into force with effect from January 1, 2017". Earlier the upper age limit was 32 years.

The upper age limit for the applicants from Other Backward Classes is 39 while that of the Scheduled Caste and Schedule Tribe candidates is 41.

With the increase in the upper age limit, more job aspirants can now apply to appear for examination and it will help the state get more WBCS officers. At the same time, the vacant posts will be filled up. Moreover, the state government will not have to depend on the Centre.

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced that West Bengal Higher Civil Service would be introduced; comprising officers from West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) working for eight to 10 years.