The Orissa High Court on Tuesday ordered a relaxation of three years in the age limit for the recruitment of constables and sepoys (soldiers) in the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB). This ruling comes with the Odisha government's approval of the suggested adjustments to age criteria.

Decision After Govt Convenes Meeting

The directive follows deliberations chaired by the Chief Minister, focusing on recruitment age concerns. The approved measures are anticipated to influence the recruitment protocols, ensuring they are in line with state policy objectives.

The High Court's decision is poised to impact numerous aspirants, offering them broader opportunities to serve in the IRB. The move aligns with the government's commitment to enhance employment avenues within the state's security forces.

Interim Stay By High Court

Earlier this month, the Orissa High Court issued a stay order on the recruitment process for 1,360 sepoy and constable posts in the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) following an appeal by the Odisha government. The recruitment was based on an advertisement issued by the State Selection Board (Odisha Police) on August 29, 2024.

High Court imposed the interim stay after the state government challenged a December 5, 2024, order by a single-judge bench. The order had granted a one-time six-year relaxation in the upper age limit for candidates.

The judge ruled in favour of petitioners who had exceeded the 23-year age cap, citing recruitment delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic as justification for the relaxation.

Background of Conflict

In 2022, the Odisha Civil Service Rules were amended to raise the upper age limit from 32 to 38 years for recruitment ads issued between 2021 and 2023, compensating for COVID-19 disruptions. Despite this, the benefit was excluded from the 2024 constable recruitment drive. 

The single-judge bench had directed the selection board to issue a corrigendum incorporating the age relaxation and to accept applications from overage candidates.

The last recruitment for these positions took place in 2018, and the delay caused by the pandemic has affected thousands of aspirants. The next hearing will determine the future course of the selection process.