Srinagar: The process of inviting applications for the post of Naib Tehsildar in the Revenue Department has been deferred until further notice, following an interim direction passed by Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jammu Bench.
According to a notification by Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSSB), as per Alfaaz – The Words, the decision to defer the recruitment process comes in light of an order dated July 14, 2025, issued in O.A./975/2025 with M.A./1009/2025, titled Rajesh Singh and Others v/s General Administration Department. The tribunal order has effectively put on hold Notification No. 05 of 2025, issued on June 9, 2025, which invited applications for the said post.
The development follows a recent move by the Tribunal to stay the enforcement of the “Urdu-only” language requirement for the Naib Tehsildar post under the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009. The clause was legally challenged for allegedly being discriminatory and contrary to the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020, which recognizes five official languages viz. Urdu, Hindi, English, Dogri, and Kashmiri.
The CAT has directed the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) to entertain applications from all graduates proficient in any of these official languages, rather than limiting eligibility to Urdu-knowing candidates alone.
The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on August 13, 2025.
