Senate panel seeks to relax CSS exam rules for rural candidates.

ISLAMABAD -- A Senate panel has urged the need to revamp the education system in less developed areas to help their residents compete in the Central Superior Services (CSS) exams, which candidates must clear to qualify for the civil service.

The Senate standing committee on cabinet secretariat on Tuesday received a detailed briefing on the Special Central Superior Services Examination, 2023, and also discussed the revamping of the education system in less developed areas for candidates who are capable and deserve to join civil service.

The committee chairman, independent Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmad, lamented the 'colossal quantum of failure' of the competitive examination, especially from rural areas.

The establishment division informed committee members that presently 52 unfilled vacancies belonged to non-Muslim candidates of Punjab.

It was argued that the concession of age relaxation by 32 years and one additional chance under this year's special CSS exam would elevate the chances of success.

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It was briefed that the opportunity of special CSS was available to candidates belonging to the minority quota from Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, women and minority from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and open for all candidates from Sindh, Balochistan and the erstwhile federally administered tribal areas (Fata).

It was further briefed that for special CSS exam, two phases of application have been allowed. The first phase lasted from Dec 18, 2022, to Jan 4, 2023, whereas the second phase lasted from Feb 26 to March 14 this year. A total of 44,238 applications were received till March 8.

It was informed that coaching would be provided for compulsory subjects and interviews could be conducted from June to August with the candidates who will clear a preliminary test with multiple-choice questions.

Four candidates will be selected against each existing vacancy falling under the respective quota for the exam. The matter was deferred for further discussion on practical practice and monitoring of the same.

Senate officers' recruitment

The committee members also discussed in detail matters related to recruiting Senate officers in Basic Pay Scale (BPS) 17 and above by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).

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