The federal government has rejected proposals to increase the upper age limit for the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination from 30 to 35 years.
It has also turned down a proposal to increase the maximum number of CSS attempts from three to five.
The Establishment Division rejected both recommendations and decided to maintain the existing CSS examination policy.
Senate Proposals Rejected
According to official documents, a subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat had recommended raising the CSS age limit to 35 years.
The main standing committee had separately proposed increasing the number of examination attempts from three to five.
The Establishment Division, however, described the recommendations as impractical in its written response to the parliamentary committee.
The division clarified that decisions regarding the CSS age limit and number of attempts fall within the federal government’s policy domain.
The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) is responsible for implementing the policy approved by the government.
The FPSC also maintained the existing policy during its 174th meeting.
Why Government Opposed Higher Age Limit
The Establishment Division said increasing the CSS age limit could significantly increase the number of candidates competing in the examination.
A larger candidate pool could place additional pressure on examination arrangements, administrative resources and the evaluation of answer scripts.
The government also raised concerns about increasing the number of attempts.
According to the Establishment Division, allowing candidates five attempts could encourage some applicants to repeatedly appear for the examination.
This could result in candidates spending several years preparing for the CSS examination and potentially losing valuable productive years.
Existing CSS Rules Remain Unchanged
The division also highlighted concerns about candidates entering the civil service at a higher age.
It argued that officers joining government service later could have a shorter effective period of service before reaching retirement.
The Establishment Division further noted that changes to the age limit could affect the long-term availability of experienced officers for senior government positions.
With the latest decision, the existing CSS eligibility rules remain unchanged.
Candidates can currently appear in the CSS examination up to the age of 30 years, while they are allowed a maximum of three attempts.
The rejected proposals had been presented as potential reforms to expand opportunities for aspiring civil servants, but the government has decided to retain the current framework.
