SRINAGAR: The Union Government has said that Leh and Kargil will be designated as examination centres for the upcoming banking recruitment tests conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) in 2025, addressing a long-standing demand from job aspirants in Ladakh.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary acknowledged that candidates from Ladakh had earlier been forced to travel to Jammu, Srinagar or other distant locations due to the absence of local online examination centres. The government said IBPS, which conducts recruitment tests for public sector banks, allots centres based on the number of applications received and logistical considerations.
The minister added that examinations in Ladakh will not be held during adverse climatic conditions, given the region’s weather extremes.
For departmental and promotional exams of bank employees posted in Ladakh, the government said travel, lodging and boarding expenses are reimbursed as per eligibility. Public sector banks, it said, “consistently strive” to provide equitable access to employment opportunities for youth from remote areas, including Ladakh.
