Decision Taken on Proposal to Change CSS Age Limit and Attempt

The Establishment Division has rejected proposals to raise the age limit and increase the number of attempts for the Central Superior Services examination in Pakistan.

The current CSS age limit remains 21 to 30 years, while candidates are allowed a maximum of three attempts.

The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat had discussed proposed reforms to Pakistan’s civil service recruitment system and recommended raising the upper age limit from 30 to 35 years and increasing the number of attempts from three to five.

However, the Establishment Division rejected all such recommendations and called them impractical. It also conveyed its written stance on CSS-related policy to the parliamentary committee.

The division said any change in the age limit or number of attempts falls under the policy domain of the federal government.

It added that the Federal Public Service Commission follows only the policy approved by the federal government. The FPSC, in its 174th meeting, decided to maintain the existing policy.

According to the Establishment Division, raising the age limit would significantly increase the number of CSS candidates and add to the administrative burden of conducting the examination and evaluating papers.

It also said allowing more attempts could encourage candidates to keep appearing in the exam and waste their productive years.

The division further argued that officers entering civil service at a later age would have shorter service tenures, which could affect the long-term availability of experienced officers for senior positions.

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