Jammu and Kashmir restores pre-2016 engineering recruitment rules after revoking SRO-14 amendments

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has withdrawn amendments made to the Jammu and Kashmir Engineering (Gazetted Service) Recruitment Rules, 1978, restoring the regulatory framework that existed before 2016. The decision was notified by the Jal Shakti Department through an official order issued on June 7, 2026.

The notification states that the amendments introduced through SRO-14 of 2016, dated January 15, 2016, have been revoked with retrospective effect. The order has been issued in the name of the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory and takes effect from the date specified in the notification.

Notification issued under Article 309
According to Notification S.O. 160, the government exercised its powers under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India to withdraw the amendments. The notification specifies that the changes made through SRO-14 of 2016 stand withdrawn ab initio, meaning they are treated as having no effect from the outset.

The order pertains to amendments that had modified provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Engineering (Gazetted Service) Recruitment Rules, 1978. With the latest notification, the recruitment framework reverts to the position that existed before those amendments were introduced.
Pre-2016 recruitment rules restored
The withdrawal of SRO-14 of 2016 effectively reinstates the original provisions of the recruitment rules that governed appointments and service-related matters under the engineering gazetted service prior to January 15, 2016.

The notification makes clear that the amendments introduced in 2016 no longer form part of the applicable recruitment framework. As a result, the pre-2016 rules stand restored with retrospective effect.
No administrative implications detailed
While the notification formally reverses the 2016 amendments, it does not provide details regarding any administrative, procedural or service-related consequences arising from the decision.

No explanatory note has been included in the order regarding the impact of the rollback on recruitment processes, service conditions or any actions undertaken under the amended provisions. The notification is limited to the withdrawal of SRO-14 of 2016 and the restoration of the earlier recruitment rules governing the Jammu and Kashmir Engineering (Gazetted Service) Recruitment Rules, 1978.

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