LEH: The Voice of Buddhist Ladakh (VBL) has submitted a representation to the Secretary, Education Department, UT Ladakh, seeking rationalisation of educational eligibility criteria for the posts of Superintendent of Jail and Assistant Director, Planning, arguing that the existing requirement of a Master’s degree restricts participation of eligible candidates and narrows the talent pool in the Union Territory.
In its letter addressed to Secretary Education Bhanu Prabha, VBL Convener Skarma Namtak requested the UT Administration to revise the minimum qualification for both posts from a postgraduate degree to a Bachelor’s degree, in line with recruitment practices followed by several major recruiting agencies and states across India.
Highlighting the case of Superintendent of Jail, VBL stated that the current requirement of a Master’s degree in Sociology, Social Work, Psychology or Criminology could be reconsidered, as similar positions in many states are filled through civil service examinations where the basic eligibility is graduation.
The organisation cited that even the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) requires a Bachelor’s degree for services such as the Indian Police Service (IPS) and Assistant Commandant (CAPF), which involve significant security and administrative responsibilities.
For the post of Assistant Director, Planning, VBL pointed out that the existing requirement of a Master’s degree in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science may also be relaxed. It proposed a Bachelor’s degree in the relevant subjects or simple graduation as the eligibility criteria, stating that the role primarily involves project implementation, fund allocation and coordination at the district level.
The organisation referred to recruitment patterns of various institutions, including UPSC and state commissions, arguing that several planning and administrative roles are filled with candidates possessing graduation-level qualifications.
Emphasising the need to expand opportunities for Ladakh’s youth, VBL stated that as a newly established Union Territory with a limited population base, maintaining higher eligibility barriers could reduce the number of eligible local applicants. It said that revising the criteria would align Ladakh’s recruitment norms with broader national standards and provide a fair opportunity to a larger section of deserving candidates.
VBL has requested the UT Administration to examine the representation in the larger interest of the youth of Ladakh and consider suitable amendments to the recruitment rules.
