FPSC Turns Down Reports Of Sharp Decline In CSS Candidates

FPSC Dismisses Reports of 45% Decline in CSS Candidates as Misleading
The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has officially rejected media reports claiming a 45 per cent decline in candidates applying for the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination, describing the assertions as inaccurate and based on flawed comparisons.
In an official statement, the commission clarified that public interest in joining Pakistan’s civil service remains strong, and that media outlets misinterpreted official figures by comparing statistics out of context.
Flawed Comparisons and Contextual Misunderstandings
The FPSC pointed out that media analyses incorrectly compared applicant statistics between 2022 and 2025 without accounting for changes in the testing process, particularly the introduction of the MCQ-Based Preliminary Test (MPT) screening stage.
2025 MPT Registration: A total of 64,081 candidates registered for the 2025 preliminary test, proving sustained high interest in civil service careers.
Written Examination: Out of those registered, 18,139 candidates submitted applications for the written CSS examination, with 12,792 actually appearing for the exam.
Final Qualification & Allocation: 354 candidates qualified the written exam, 342 passed the interview stage, and 170 candidates were allocated to various occupational groups.
Omission of Special CSS Examination Results
The commission further highlighted that several media reports failed to factor in the results of the Special CSS Examination 2023.
Through this special attempt, 141 candidates were allocated to different government services, significantly benefiting candidates from underdeveloped regions, women, and minority communities.
“Joining the civil service through the CSS examination remains a cherished ambition for many young people in Pakistan. Media organizations are urged to verify and accurately interpret official statistics prior to publishing reports.” — Federal Public Service Commission