In an end to the suspense over the possibility of candidates appearing for competitive exams under the economically weaker sections (EWS) category, the Department of Personnel and Training’s reply to a civil service aspirant’s question on the same has stated no relaxation in age or number of attempts will be provided to candidates coming under the new 10 per cent quota, reports The Tribune.

The EWS quota which will provide those from the general category whose family income is less than Rs 8 lakh a year, and who met certain other criteria, with a 10 per cent quota in government jobs and education, came into effect on 14 January.

Many aspirants for government jobs have joined a social media campaign popularised with the ‘#EWSJUMLA’ hashtag, demanding that they be given age relaxation till 35 years and the number of attempts be increased to nine, on par with such benefits provided to those under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

Currently, general category students have an upper age limit of 32 for sitting for the UPSC exam, with a maximum of six attempts. Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates are able to give an unlimited number of attempts till the age of 37.