JAMMU, July 14: In a significant development with implications for recruitment practices in Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has stayed the operation of a provision in the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules, 2009, which mandates knowledge of Urdu as an essential qualification for the post of Naib Tehsildar.
A Bench comprising Judicial Member Rajinder Dogra and Administrative Member Ram Mohan Johri delivered the interim order in response to a petition filed by Rajesh Singh and others, challenging the exclusive Urdu-language requirement as arbitrary and exclusionary in light of the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020.
In its order, the Tribunal noted, “We are of the considered view that the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009, to the extent they mandate Urdu as the sole language qualification, prima facie appear to be discriminatory, especially in light of the Official Languages Act of 2020.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, passed in 2020, recognizes five official languages—Urdu, Hindi, English, Kashmiri, and Dogri. The petitioners argued that privileging Urdu over the other official languages violates the spirit of linguistic inclusivity enshrined in the Act and unfairly disqualifies eligible candidates proficient in other officially recognized languages.
The Tribunal’s order temporarily restrains the enforcement of the contested provision and directs the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) to accept applications for the post of Naib Tehsildar from candidates who have graduated with knowledge of any of the five official languages of the Union Territory.
Senior Advocate Abhinav Sharma, appearing along with Advocate Abhirash Sharma on behalf of the petitioners, contended that the 2009 rule was outdated and failed to reflect the linguistic plurality formally adopted by the UT post-2020. On the other side, Additional Advocate Generals Rajesh Thappa, Sudesh Magotra, and Deputy Advocate General Hunar Gupta represented the Union Territory and the selection board.
The Tribunal has also issued formal notices to the concerned respondents, including the UT Government and the JKSSB, directing them to file their responses within four weeks. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on August 13, 2025.
The interim stay has been hailed as a step toward ensuring equal opportunity in public employment and harmonizing older recruitment norms with the current legal framework governing official languages in Jammu and Kashmir. Legal experts note that if the provision is ultimately struck down, it could lead to a broader reassessment of recruitment criteria in other departments where similar outdated linguistic requirements may still persist.
The ruling is also seen as a victory for aspirants from non-Urdu backgrounds, particularly those who are otherwise qualified but were previously rendered ineligible due to the exclusive language clause. With the recruitment process now opened to graduates proficient in Hindi, Kashmiri, Dogri, and English in addition to Urdu, the decision could pave the way for a more inclusive selection process in future administrative appointments.