Senate Panel Reopens Debate on CSS Age Limit and Exam Reforms
The Senate Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation has once again turned the spotlight on the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination, seeking a comprehensive report from the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) on whether the age limit for candidates should be relaxed.
Age Cap Under Review
At present, the maximum age for appearing in the CSS exam is 30 years, with a two-year extension available only under specific conditions. FPSC representatives, during a briefing to the committee chaired by Senator Nasima Ehsan, emphasized that these rules apply solely to CSS and do not extend to provincial service commission exams.
Committee members also raised concerns over the consistently low pass rate, noting that the English essay paper remains the biggest hurdle for candidates. Officials confirmed that discussions are underway on possible exam reforms, including whether the essay should remain as a standalone subject or be merged into a broader English paper.
Quota System Sparks Disagreement
The meeting also saw a heated exchange over the quota system used to allocate CSS seats across open merit, provinces, women, and minorities. Senator Bushra Anjum Butt questioned the legality of continuing with quotas, pointing out that the law enabling them was repealed in 2013.
While FPSC officials argued that the practice still stands under current government policy, the Establishment Division’s Additional Secretary clarified that no constitutional clause supports it. Butt urged that the matter be addressed through a transparent and well-defined mechanism.
Next Steps
Apart from CSS-specific concerns, the committee asked for a briefing on whether Punjab could consider raising the age bar for its own provincial recruitment exams. With multiple layers of reform under debate—from the quota system to the structure of the English exam—the committee’s review signals that changes to the country’s most competitive recruitment process may be on the horizon.
