Balagurusamy urges State government to reconsider age relaxation in TNPSC recruitment

E. Balagurusamy | Photo Credit: M. PERIASAMY Former Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) member E. Balagurusamy has urged the Tamil Nadu government to reconsider its decision to enhance the upper age limit by five years for recruitment to various government services, including Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Group I, II, III, and IV examinations. He argued the move could affect the employment prospects of younger graduates and the long-term efficiency of public administration.In a representation to the government, Prof. Balagurusamy, who had also served as Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, acknowledged that candidates who had crossed the prescribed age limit because of delays in recruitment deserved appropriate relief. However, the concession should be time-bound and restricted to those genuinely affected, rather than becoming a general relaxation applicable to future recruitments.He said recruitment policies should give due consideration to the need for a young, competent, and future-ready administrative workforce. Government officers were increasingly required to possess digital competencies, analytical abilities, adaptability, and knowledge of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity.Referring particularly to Group I services, Prof. Balagurusamy said posts such as Deputy Collector and Deputy Superintendent of Police involved demanding field responsibilities, law enforcement, and executive administration. Recruiting officers at relatively advanced ages could reduce the number of productive years available for their contribution to public service, besides having implications for career progression, leadership development, and administrative continuity.He also expressed concern that increasing the upper age limit would expand the pool of candidates competing for a limited number of vacancies. At a time when large numbers of educated youth aspired for government employment, the policy should ensure intergenerational fairness and protect the employment opportunities of younger graduates, he said.Prof. Balagurusamy argued that a uniform approach to age relaxation might not be appropriate for all government posts. The upper age limit should be determined separately, based on the nature of duties, physical and mental demands, professional requirements, career progression, and expected years of productive service.Instead of repeatedly increasing the age limit to compensate for recruitment delays, the government should ensure that examinations and appointments were completed on schedule, he said. He called for an annual recruitment calendar for the TNPSC and other recruitment agencies, along with the expeditious filling of existing vacancies.Prof. Balagurusamy called for a comprehensive review of recruitment policies with the participation of educationists, administrators, human resource experts, and employment economists. Published - November 02, 2026 12:31 am IST