Government Rejects Proposal to Raise CSS Age Limit and Number of Attempts
ISLAMABAD: The Establishment Division has rejected proposals to increase the upper age limit and number of attempts for candidates appearing in Pakistan’s Central Superior Services (CSS) examination, deciding to retain the existing policy.
Under the current rules, the maximum age for CSS candidates will remain 30 years, while the limit of three attempts will also remain unchanged.
A subcommittee of the relevant parliamentary standing committee had recommended increasing the maximum age limit from 30 to 35 years. Meanwhile, the Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat had proposed increasing the number of attempts from three to five.
However, the Establishment Division termed the proposals impractical and submitted its written position on the matter to the parliamentary committee.
According to the Establishment Division, decisions regarding the age limit and number of attempts fall within the federal government’s policy domain, while the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) is responsible for implementing policies approved by the government.
The division said the FPSC, during its 174th meeting, decided to retain the existing CSS policy.
The Establishment Division argued that raising the age limit could significantly increase the number of candidates appearing in the examination, placing additional pressure on the examination system and the evaluation of answer sheets.
It further maintained that increasing the number of attempts could encourage candidates to repeatedly appear for the examination, potentially causing them to spend several productive years preparing for the competitive exam.
The division also pointed out that candidates entering the civil service at an older age could have a shorter effective career span, which may affect the long-term availability of experienced officers for senior government positions.
Another concern raised by the government was that a higher age limit could disproportionately benefit candidates who have sufficient financial resources to afford prolonged preparation for the examination.
The Establishment Division further warned that under a higher age limit, some officers could begin field assignments at the age of 37 or 38, leaving the state with a comparatively shorter period to benefit from their services.
The government therefore maintained that the existing CSS policy should continue to ensure a sustainable supply of experienced officers and effective succession for senior positions in the civil service.
