Outcry as J&K Bank implements reservation policy pushed by ex-chairman and VHP trustee R.K. Chhibber

The amended reservation policy of the J&K Bank, which was introduced by ex-chairman R.K. Chhibber in 2021-2022, who was later appointed as a Trustee of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), on Monday (November 9, 2026) triggered a political storm with regional political parties, religious and social organisations opposing it, with many terming it “an act of exclusion in the garb of reservation”. 

For the first time, the J&K Bank, which provides high-end jobs in a region with a low corporate footprint, is facing a push from the regional parties, including the ruling National Conference (NC). The bank has decided to fill 1400 vacancies, including 323 probationary officers and 1033 posts for banking associates, as per the new reservation policy. It also reduced the age limit from 32 to 30 for the Open Merit and increased the age criteria for the reserved categories to 40 years.

“The existing upper age limit of 30 years needed reconsideration. The recruitment age limit should be raised to 40 years to provide more opportunities to eligible aspirants,” said J&K Education Minister Shamima Firdous.

The J&K Bank is considered one of the main non-government recruitment agencies of the Union Territory (UT). Around 1.40 lakh locals had applied for 1500 banking associates in 2021-2022 during the tenure of Mr. Chhibber, who later faced allegations of regional imbalance with more candidates selected from the Jammu region against the aspirants from the Kashmir division. In spite of being selected as a trustee of the VHP, Mr. Chhibber continued to be on the Board of Directors till 2026 and remained a key proponent for introducing the new reservation policy.

According to the notification, the bank has decided to open positions to 60% for the reserved categories and 40% for the Open Merit. The reservation policy adopted by the bank recruitment included 8% from the Schedule Caste, 20% from the Schedule Tribe, 8% from the Other Backward Classes, 4% from the Actual Line of Control/International Border, 10 % from the Resident of Backward Area (RBA)and 10% from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).