All Sümi Students’ Union (SKK) has voiced its strong support for the Concerned Aspirants group, which is advocating for age relaxation in the competitive exams conducted by the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC).
It may be noted that the demand comes in response to the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has significantly impacted the time aspirants had to prepare for these exams.
In a statement SKK president Gihuka K. Zhimo and general secretary Toshika K. Kiba called on the Government of Nagaland to take into account the challenges faced by these candidates.
They said that due to the pandemic, many have lost valuable preparation time, and the current age limit is now a major obstacle for numerous aspirants. Thus, if no age relaxation is granted, SKK warned that many qualified candidates will miss out on the opportunity to participate and, thereby hindering their chances of securing employment and improving their futures.
Further SKK pointed out that Nagaland, like many other states, is grappling with high youth unemployment rates. The student leaders expressed the belief that refusing age relaxation will worsen this situation by preventing eligible candidates from appearing in competitive exams.
They contended that this would not only stall individual careers but could also deepen the problem of unemployment among Nagaland’s youth. The SKK further highlighted that several Indian states have already granted age relaxation for aspirants in light of the pandemic’s unique challenges. They urged the Nagaland government to take a similar approach and provide relief to the Concerned Aspirants group. SKK reiterated its firm stand and pledged continued support for the aspirants, urging the government to take swift action to resolve this pressing issue.