Age limit for written test only: over-age candidates may still be considered for promotion to Inspector.

The age limit in Note 2 to Rule 7 of the Central Excise and Land Customs Department Inspector (Group 'C' Posts) Recruitment Rules, 2002 was construed as governing only eligibility for the written test. It did not bar consideration for promotion to the post of Inspector. The interpretation was supported by the departmental understanding in the record, and Note 5 together with the example relied upon indicated that over-age candidates could still be considered for promotion despite being ineligible for the test.

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Issues: Whether the age limit in Note 2 appended to Rule 7 of the Central Excise and Land Customs Department Inspector (Group 'C' Posts) Recruitment Rules, 2002 applied only to eligibility for the written test or also barred consideration for promotion to the post of Inspector.

Analysis: The Tribunal's interpretation was examined and found to be consistent with the departmental understanding reflected in the record. On that construction, the age limit in Note 2 governed only qualification for the written test and did not operate as a bar to consideration for promotion. Note 5 and the example relied upon further supported the view that over-age candidates could still be considered for promotion, even though they were beyond the age limit for the test.

Conclusion: The age bar did not exclude consideration for promotion to the post of Inspector and applied only to the written test.

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