Govt plans to replace CSS exam structure

The decades-old Central Superior Services (CSS) examination system in Pakistan is on the verge of a major transformation, as the Civil Service Reforms Committee finalizes its recommendations for approval by the federal cabinet.

According to sources, the committee has reached a consensus on transitioning from the current generalized CSS framework to a cluster-based examination system.

The new approach aims to appoint candidates based on their academic and professional backgrounds, prioritizing specialists for specific service groups instead of generalists.

The reforms come in response to longstanding concerns about mismatched postings, where professionals such as doctors and engineers are placed in unrelated roles like revenue services or diplomacy.

Under the new system, each service group will have a separate examination, ensuring recruits possess the necessary expertise for their roles.

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With only one meeting left to address pension and compensation reforms, the final recommendations will be submitted for cabinet approval.

A senior official confirmed that the cluster-based model has already been endorsed by the committee.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif initiated the reform drive in response to concerns over bureaucratic inefficiencies.