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

SRINAGAR 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.