CSS registration hits five-year high as youth interest in civil service remains strong

WEB DESK: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has rejected the impression that young Pakistanis are losing interest in civil services, saying that registration for the CSS screening test has reached a five-year high.

According to the commission, a total of 64,081 candidates registered for the CSS screening test, which it described as the most reliable measure of public interest in the civil service.

The FPSC said every candidate must clear the screening test before appearing in the written examination, making its registration figures a key indicator of the popularity of the competitive examination.

The commission stated that the number of candidates registering for CSS in 2025 witnessed an increase of around 3.8 per cent compared with 2022.

Responding to a recent report suggesting declining interest among youth, the FPSC said the analysis had overlooked the screening test registration data and did not include details of the Special CSS Examination 2023.

The commission further said that 141 candidates from minority communities and underrepresented regions have been inducted into the civil service, adding that the long-term impact of such initiatives should also be taken into account.

“Civil service remains a preferred career aspiration and a dream for Pakistan’s youth,” the FPSC said.

The commission also assured that it would continue to cooperate in the preparation of reports based on accurate statistics and verified data.