Malappuram (Kerala) | An advice memo for a government job is usually a moment of joy for aspirants. But it turned into a matter of disappointment for a Kerala man who received it at retirement age -- 18 years after the rank list from which he was selected had expired.

Abdul Majeed, a native of Kalikavu in this northern district, was taken by surprise when he received an advice memo from the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) last month for appointment as a part-time junior Arabic teacher.

The irony, however, was that Majeed had appeared for the PSC examination in 2005 and the rank list from which he was selected had expired in 2008.

A disheartened Majeed said a government job had long been a cherished dream for him and he had waited with hope for an appointment after securing a place in the rank list. However, as years went by without any communication, he gradually gave up hope.

By the time he crossed 60, even that hope had faded, he told reporters here on Saturday.

"It took 18 years for the PSC to issue the advice memo. The appointment was delayed to such an extent that I have lost any realistic chance of serving in the post," Majeed said.

According to him, the appointment was made against a vacancy that remained unfilled after repeated notifications and recruitment efforts failed to find eligible candidates.

As per the rules, following the receipt of the advice memo, he is required to produce the necessary documents and join service within three months. However, Majeed's date of birth is recorded as May 27, 1966, in his SSLC book, making him ineligible for appointment as he has already crossed the prescribed retirement age.