Haryana Government Announces Age Relaxation for Police Constable Recruitment
The Haryana government's decision to grant age relaxation for police constable recruitment represents a significant policy intervention rather than a mere administrative adjustment. This move directly addresses the consequences of delayed examinations that unfairly impacted numerous young aspirants, stripping them of eligibility despite their preparedness and dedication.
Three-Year Age Relaxation for CET Candidates
On Thursday, the state administration officially declared a three-year age relaxation for candidates appearing for the Common Entrance Test (CET) under the ongoing police constable recruitment drive. This crucial decision follows the non-conduct of CET after the 2022 examination cycle, which left a substantial cohort of candidates in limbo—continuously preparing while simultaneously aging out of contention.
Recruitment Gap That Costs Aspirants Precious Time
In the competitive examination landscape, time operates as anything but a neutral factor. While age limits remain rigidly fixed, examination schedules often prove unreliable. Following 2022, when authorities failed to conduct the CET, candidates persisted in waiting and preparing, only to discover they had surpassed the eligibility age threshold.
This situation created a profound structural imbalance: the recruitment system paused indefinitely, but candidates' biological clocks continued ticking relentlessly. The government's intervention seeks to formally acknowledge this disparity and reestablish equitable opportunities for all affected individuals.
'Duty to Do Justice': Government's Clear Rationale
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini characterized the measure as an act of justice rather than mere concession. In his statement to ANI, he emphasized, "Haryana Government has always stood with the youth. Regarding Police Constable recruitment, state youth consistently approached me at my residence. We assured them age relaxation for CET examinations and have now formalized this decision. Taking youth demands seriously, we've issued necessary directives. Since 2022, eligible youth suffered losses due to CET not being conducted—it becomes our government's duty to ensure justice for them."
This declaration highlights the fundamental grievance expressed by aspirants: eligibility was forfeited not due to inadequate merit or insufficient effort, but because the recruitment calendar experienced complete breakdown.
Why Age Relaxation Matters in Police Recruitment
Police recruitment examinations attract massive participation from rural and semi-urban backgrounds, where candidates frequently invest multiple years in rigorous preparation. When examinations face indefinite postponement, rigid age limits silently eliminate otherwise fully qualified individuals from contention.
By implementing this one-time relaxation, the government signals that administrative delays should not permanently exclude deserving candidates from public service opportunities that could transform their socioeconomic trajectories.
Connected to Broader Youth-Centric Policy Initiatives
The announcement coincided with Chief Minister Saini launching the National Education Evaluation and Validation (NEEV) Portal, designed to strengthen National Education Policy implementation through continuous evaluation and data-driven monitoring.
Simultaneously, memoranda of understanding were signed under the 'Gyan Setu' initiative between the Golden Jubilee Haryana Institute for Fiscal Management and multiple universities, promoting academic collaboration, research integration, and institutional capacity enhancement.
Education, Skills Development, and Long-Term Vision
Referencing Vision Document-2047—aligned with national aspirations for a developed India by 2047—Saini positioned education as Haryana's central pillar for long-term development. He further noted that the National Education Policy synergizes theoretical knowledge with practical skills, empowering youth toward self-reliance and economic productivity.
Restoring Institutional Trust After Systemic Delays
Fundamentally, the age relaxation decision revolves around trust restoration. For thousands of CET aspirants, it reopens doors that closed due to administrative inertia rather than individual failure.
Through this action, the Haryana government acknowledges a fundamental truth of public recruitment: when systems falter, the state bears responsibility for corrective measures—not the candidates who invest their hopes and efforts in the process.
