Key Takeaways
- The government has finalized 43 out of 46 recommendations for civil service reforms.
- Changes include specialized recruitment through cluster-based exams and a new National Executive Service.
- The CSS passing threshold will increase from 33 percent to 40 percent, and the exam process will be fully digitized.
The government has finalized a comprehensive plan to reform the Civil Service of Pakistan (CSS) exams, recruitment, and promotions, according to Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal.
The reforms, which were discussed during a multiparty consultation on Thursday, aim to modernize the civil service system, making it more specialized and merit-driven.
Under the new system, specialized recruitment will be conducted through cluster-based examinations or separate exams for each occupational group, with the CSS exam continuing to be an option for candidates.
The government plans to fully digitize the CSS examination process, reducing the recruitment cycle to six months and allowing candidates to choose English or Urdu as the medium for compulsory papers.
To enhance the quality of candidates, the passing threshold for the CSS exam will be raised from 33 percent to 40 percent, and the exam may include GRE or SAT-style questions to assess analytical and logical reasoning skills.
Additional attempts will be allowed to fill unoccupied quota seats for Balochistan, Sindh, minorities, and women, providing more opportunities for underrepresented groups.
The reforms also propose creating a National Executive Service for specialized recruitment to Grade 20 and above positions, excluding the Police and Foreign Service. These positions will be filled through open and contract-based appointments for five years against predetermined key performance indicators.
Candidates from the private sector, academia, and government will be eligible to compete for these positions, with a screening test by the Federal Public Service Commission followed by a competency-based assessment and interview.
To support the new system, the government plans to offer scholarships to the top 25 university admissions for executive leadership training abroad for senior officers, aiming to enhance their skills and knowledge.
