ISLAMABAD: The Establishment Division has rejected recommendations to increase the upper age limit and the number of attempts for candidates appearing in Pakistan’s Central Superior Services (CSS) examination.
The division has decided to retain the existing 30-year age limit for CSS candidates, while the current limit of three attempts will also remain unchanged.
A subcommittee of the relevant parliamentary standing committee had recommended increasing the maximum age for appearing in the CSS examination from 30 to 35 years. The Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat had also proposed increasing the number of attempts from three to five.
However, the Establishment Division termed the recommendations impractical and conveyed its written position on the CSS policy 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) implements policies approved by the government. The FPSC, during its 174th meeting, decided to maintain the existing policy.
The Establishment Division said raising the age limit could significantly increase the number of CSS candidates, placing additional pressure on the examination process and the evaluation of answer sheets.
It also argued that allowing more attempts could encourage candidates to repeatedly sit for the examination, potentially causing them to lose their productive years while preparing for the competitive exam.
The division further maintained that candidates entering the civil service at an older age could have a shorter effective career span, potentially affecting the long-term availability of experienced officers for senior positions.
According to the Establishment Division, increasing the age limit could also disproportionately benefit candidates who have the financial means to afford prolonged preparation for the examination.
The government further warned that a higher age limit could result in some officers taking up field assignments at the age of 37 or 38, leaving the state with a comparatively shorter period to benefit from their services.
The Establishment Division maintained that the existing CSS policy should therefore continue in order to ensure a sustainable supply of experienced officers for senior government positions.
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