Senate body wants CSS age cap raised to 35 years

ISLAMABAD:

A Senate panel has urged the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) to allow Central Superior Services (CSS) candidates two examination attempts per year and to raise the upper age limit to 35 years.

The recommendation came during a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on the Cabinet Secretariat, held at the Parliament Lodges under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwala.

Representatives of both the establishment and the FPSC participated in the meeting.

The session opened with a comprehensive briefing on the CSS competitive examination, covering the current marking scheme, screening mechanism, and assessment cycle.

A major recommendation emerging from the meeting was the need to increase the number of examination attempts offered each year.
The committee argued that the current single annual attempt forces students to stretch their preparation across four years, often losing eligibility due to age constraints.

It was proposed that the FPSC allow two attempts per year, similar to supplementary examinations in other education systems, so that students do not lose years and can remain within the prescribed age brackets.

The FPSC, however, pointed out that under the current paper-based evaluation system, such a change is not immediately feasible due to the time required to assess the syllabus and finalise results.

Another key recommendation made during the meeting was to raise the general upper age limit for CSS candidates to 35 years, taking into account various factors that contribute to students’ gap years.

The committee was informed that the screening test (MCQ-based) comprises 200 marks and serves only as a qualifying stage. The written examination includes 600 marks for compulsory subjects, with a 40 per cent qualifying threshold, and another 600 marks for optional subjects, with a 33 percent qualifying threshold. This brings the total written examination to 1,200 marks, for which candidates must secure an aggregate of 50 percent (600 out of 1,200) to qualify.

Those who clear the written stage proceed to psychological assessment, medical examination, and finally the viva voce carrying 300 marks, of which 100 marks (33 percent) are required to pass. Overall merit allocation is based on a total of 1,500 marks.