Lawmakers discuss civil service reforms while commission rejects claims of declining interest
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee held detailed discussions on proposed reforms to Pakistan’s civil service recruitment system, with members expressing differing views over increasing the upper age limit for candidates appearing in the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination.
During the meeting, lawmakers reviewed matters related to the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), the CSS examination and broader proposals aimed at improving the country’s bureaucratic structure.
One of the key issues was a proposal to increase the maximum age limit for CSS candidates. However, committee members failed to reach a consensus, with officials briefing the committee opposing the move.
According to officials, raising the age limit could reduce the number of productive years civil servants spend in government service, potentially affecting the long-term efficiency of the bureaucracy.
Committee reviews international practices
The committee chair also referred to international recruitment trends, observing that many countries have moved away from traditional CSS-style recruitment systems in favour of more modern approaches.
Members revisited earlier recommendations concerning CSS reforms and recruitment procedures. However, after extensive deliberations, the committee concluded the discussion without making a final decision on the proposed age limit.
The debate formed part of wider efforts to review the effectiveness of Pakistan’s civil service recruitment framework and identify possible reforms.
FPSC rejects reports of falling candidate interest
Separately, the Federal Public Service Commission rejected reports claiming that applications for the CSS examination had declined by 45 per cent.
In a statement, the commission said comparisons between applicant numbers for 2022 and 2025 had been presented without proper context, creating a misleading impression about declining interest among young people.
According to the FPSC, 64,081 candidates registered for the 2025 Multiple Choice Questions-Based Preliminary Test (MPT). Of those, 18,139 submitted applications for the written examination, 12,792 appeared, and 354 qualified.
Following the interview stage, the commission declared 342 candidates successful, with 170 allocated to various civil service groups. The FPSC maintained that the available data does not support claims of a significant decline in interest in the CSS examination.
