New Delhi, December 25: Dr. Jitendra Singh, MoS for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office, said that there is no move by the government to alter the age criteria of eligibility to appear in civil service examinations. The minister asked for reports and speculations of age change for civil services be put to rest. UPSC ESE Recruitment 2019 Notification Released! Online Application for 581 Vacancies in Engineering Services Begins Online at upsc.gov.in.

Recently, there were reports that the Niti Aayog has suggested that the upper age limit for entry into the civil services be brought down to 27 years from the present 30 years for general category candidates in a phased manner by 2022-23. In the 'Strategy for New India @75' document released on Wednesday, December 21, the government think-tank also pitched for an integrated exam for all civil services. UPSC Civil Services Exam: Niti Aayog Mulls Reducing the Upper Age Limit to 27 Years From Present 30 Years.

"The upper age limit for the civil services should be brought down to 27 years for the general category in a phased manner by 2022-23," the document said.

It also said the existing 60-plus separate civil services at the central and state level need to be reduced through rationalisation and harmonisation of services.

The document also said the service conditions for employees of autonomous bodies need to be regulated and harmonised. It noted that reforms in civil services are a continuous process and several initiatives have been taken in recent years by the present government.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 25, 2018 11:46 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).