The Assam government has increased the maximum age limit for Assam Police constable recruitment from 25 to 26 years, a move announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 18, 2026. Concurrently, the state government announced the reopening of the ‘Swagata Satirtha’ portal for mutual transfers of third and fourth category government employees and permitted a second medical examination for persons with disabilities during the recruitment process.

These decisions are expected to significantly benefit thousands of job aspirants, particularly the youth and persons with disabilities, by expanding employment opportunities and streamlining administrative processes for existing employees. The age relaxation addresses a long-standing demand from candidates, while the transfer portal aims to enhance employee welfare and transparency.

What was announced

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma formally announced the revised age limit for Assam Police constable recruitment during a Facebook Live address on January 18, 2026. Under the new directive, the maximum age for applying to constable posts has been raised to 26 years, while the minimum age remains at 18 years.

During the same announcement, Chief Minister Sarma also stated that the ‘Swagata Satirtha’ portal would be reopened. This online platform facilitates mutual transfers for third and fourth category government employees. Additionally, he confirmed that candidates with disabilities who have cleared the written stage of the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE) would be granted a second opportunity to appear for their medical examination.

Why it matters

The increase in the police recruitment age limit is a crucial step towards providing a wider window for young candidates aspiring to join the state’s police force. This decision, which came in response to persistent demands from aspirants, is anticipated to benefit thousands who were previously ineligible due to age restrictions.

The reopening of the ‘Swagata Satirtha’ portal underscores the government’s commitment to employee welfare and transparent governance. The portal, which first became operational on January 1, 2025, aims to replace the manual transfer system, reducing the need for employees to visit the state secretariat and minimizing opportunities for middlemen. Chief Minister Sarma said the portal would reopen in the first week of February for candidates who appeared in that year’s ADRE, as well as for existing government employees seeking mutual transfers.

For persons with disabilities, the provision of a second medical examination is a significant relief. This measure is intended to remove procedural barriers and ensure that deserving candidates are not denied employment due to technical or initial medical assessment constraints. Chief Minister Sarma emphasized the state government’s commitment to inclusive governance and equal opportunities for all sections of society.

Background

The Assam government has consistently focused on streamlining recruitment processes and enhancing employee welfare. Historically, the maximum age limit for Assam Police constable recruitment was 25 years. The decision to raise this to 26 years reflects an ongoing effort to address public demands and expand employment avenues, particularly for the youth.

The ‘Swagata Satirtha’ portal was initially launched on January 1, 2025, by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to digitalize and simplify the mutual transfer process for Grade III and Grade IV government employees. The portal’s first phase saw significant engagement, with over 31,000 government employees participating and 9,004 employees benefiting from more than 4,000 transfer orders by June 2025. The Chief Minister launched ‘Swagat Satirtha 2.0’ on February 2, 2026, further enhancing the digital mechanism and committing to opening the portal twice every financial year.

Regarding persons with disabilities, the Assam government has previously taken steps to ensure their inclusion in government services. The state’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2018, outline provisions for reservation and guidelines for disability certificates. However, concerns about the validity of disability certificates and procedural hurdles in medical examinations have been raised in the past. In May 2023, Chief Minister Sarma announced strict action against medical officers issuing false disability certificates and emphasized the need to protect the rights of genuine Divyang candidates. The current announcement of a second medical examination aims to further refine these processes and ensure fairness.

Key details

The revised maximum age limit for Assam Police constable recruitment is now 26 years for general category candidates, with the minimum age remaining at 18 years. Age relaxations for reserved categories will continue to apply as per government norms.

The ‘Swagata Satirtha’ portal has been reopened to facilitate mutual transfers for government employees falling under the third and fourth categories. Chief Minister Sarma indicated that the portal would be active in the first week of February for both new ADRE recruits and existing employees seeking transfers.

For persons with disabilities, candidates who have successfully cleared the written examination in the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE) will be permitted to undergo a second medical examination. This provision aims to address any discrepancies or challenges faced during the initial medical assessment.

The application window for police recruitment, where these new age norms are applicable, was extended by 15 days. For the recruitment of 1,052 Constable (UB) and 663 Constable (AB) posts, the application period was revised to run from January 22, 2026, to February 8, 2026.

Reactions

“The Assam government has decided that instead of 25 years, 26 years will be the maximum age limit for police recruitment. This will benefit aspirants, and the application window will also be extended by 15 days,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Regarding the ‘Swagata Satirtha’ portal, Chief Minister Sarma stated, “Tomorrow, January 1, 2025, will mark the beginning of a new chapter in Employee Welfare. Fulfilling the long-standing demands of our State Govt employees, we will dedicate Swagata Satirtha, the mutual transfer portal for Grade III & Grade IV employees.” He later added that the digital mutual transfer has helped employees and their family members by eliminating the need to visit the state secretariat and the emergence of middlemen.

Addressing the relief for persons with disabilities, Chief Minister Sarma said, “Special benefits will be extended to qualified candidates with disabilities, and no deserving individual should suffer due to limitations in the existing system.”

What’s next

Officials are expected to issue detailed recruitment notifications soon, outlining post-wise eligibility conditions and implementation timelines for the revised age norms. The ‘Swagata Satirtha’ portal is expected to be opened twice every financial year, with the government aiming to resolve transfer grievances for Grade III and IV employees within three years. Detailed guidelines regarding the second medical test for persons with disabilities are also anticipated to be issued by the concerned departments shortly.

Quick FAQs

What is the new maximum age limit for Assam Police constable recruitment?

The maximum age limit for general category candidates applying for Assam Police constable recruitment has been increased from 25 to 26 years.

Which government employees can use the ‘Swagata Satirtha’ portal?

The ‘Swagata Satirtha’ portal is for mutual transfers of third and fourth category government employees in Assam.

Will persons with disabilities get a second chance for medical examination?

Yes, candidates with disabilities who have cleared the written stage of the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE) will be permitted a second medical examination.