Kerala cabinet on Thursday decided to make proficiency in Malayalam language a must for getting jobs in government services in the state.
Necessary changes in this regard would be brought in the Kerala Service Rules, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters.
As per the decision, candidates who have not studied Malayalam up to class-10 or at the degree level will have to pass a special language examination if they have to get promotion from the entry cadre.
The candidates have to pass senior higher diploma equivalent examination conducted by the Malayalam Misssion, Mr. Chandy said.
However, in the case Tamil and Kannada linguistic minority, the existing rule that candidates have to pass Malayalam examination within 10 years of their joining the services will continue.
The eligibility test, which will be equivalent to tenth standard Malayalam examination, will be decided by the Public Service Commission.
The age limit of people in general category for getting jobs through employment exchanges have been increased to 41 from 38 and in the case of OBC it has been raised to 44 from 41. In the case SC/ST candidates, the age limit has been raised to 46 from 43, Mr. Chandy said.
