Thiruvananthapuram, 09 Oct (H.S.): Kerala has initiated steps to raise the minimum educational qualification for Lower Division Clerk (LDC) posts in government service from SSLC to Plus Two, with the revised requirement expected to take effect from the next recruitment notification issued by the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC).

Amendments to the special rules governing recruitment in various departments are being prepared to implement the change. The government intends to introduce the revised qualification without affecting candidates included in existing rank lists.

The proposal dates back to 2011, when the Oommen Chandy government issued an order raising the minimum qualification for LDC appointments to Plus Two. However, rank lists prepared under the SSLC eligibility requirement were operational at the time.

The decision was subsequently put on hold following a Supreme Court order that would have resulted in the cancellation of existing rank lists. The current approach seeks to avoid that situation by applying the revised eligibility requirement only from the next notification.

Recruitment rules for LDC posts are framed according to the special rules applicable to each department. These provisions must therefore be amended before the higher qualification can be introduced across government service.

The proposed change will also bring an increase in the salary scale for LDC posts. The existing scale of Rs 26,500–60,700 is expected to rise to Rs 31,100–66,800.

Amendment proceedings are actively under way in the Revenue Department, which has the largest number of LDC posts. Rules governing the Village Assistant category are also being examined.

Changes are additionally being planned for Secretariat Assistant recruitment. A degree is currently the basic qualification for the post. Under the proposed revision, candidates will need to secure a prescribed minimum percentage of marks in their degree and possess a recognised diploma in computer applications. The minimum marks requirement has not yet been specified.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman