ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee recently convened to discuss various issues related to the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), the CSS examination process, and potential reforms in Pakistan’s civil service recruitment system. During the meeting, members expressed diverse opinions on several proposals aimed at strengthening the bureaucratic framework.
A major point of contention was the suggestion to extend the upper age limit for candidates participating in the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam. While some members supported the idea, officials opposing the proposal argued that raising the age cap could shorten the tenure of civil servants, thereby impacting the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil service.
The committee chair highlighted international practices, noting that many nations have shifted away from traditional CSS-based recruitment towards more contemporary methods. The discussion also revisited previous recommendations on CSS reforms. Ultimately, no definitive decision was made.
Earlier, the FPSC clarified misconceptions about a supposed 45% drop in CSS applicant numbers, dismissing claims that interest among youth is waning. The Commission explained that media reports had been misleading by comparing statistics without proper context.
FPSC provided specific data: for the 2025 MCQ Preliminary Test, 64,081 candidates registered; 18,139 applied for the written exam, with 12,792 appearing and 354 qualifying. After interviews, 342 candidates were declared successful, and 170 were allocated to various civil service groups.
