The number of candidates registering for Pakistan’s Central Superior Services (CSS) examination has declined sharply over the past four years, according to the latest statistics released by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).
Official data shows that 35,059 candidates registered for the CSS examination in 2022, compared to 18,139 registrations in 2025, representing a decline of nearly 48 percent.
The number of candidates who appeared in the examination also dropped during the same period. In 2022, 20,262 candidates sat for the CSS exam, while only 12,792 candidates appeared in 2025.
Despite the decline in applications, competition for Pakistan’s top civil service positions remains extremely tough. The FPSC recommended 239 candidates for appointment in 2022, while 170 candidates were recommended in 2025.
The selection rate remained exceptionally low. According to the commission, only 0.94 percent of registered candidates and 1.33 percent of candidates who appeared in the 2025 examination were ultimately recommended for appointment, highlighting the highly competitive nature of the CSS recruitment process.
The report also points to a significant decline in applications for general federal government jobs. In 2023, the FPSC received 436,757 applications for various federal positions, the highest during the reviewed period. However, by 2025, applications had fallen to 196,193, marking a decline of more than 55 percent in just two years.
The latest figures indicate changing trends in public sector recruitment while underscoring that securing a position in Pakistan’s civil service continues to be highly competitive despite fewer applicants.
