The number of candidates registering for Pakistan’s Central Superior Services (CSS) examination has declined sharply over the past four years, according to official data released by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).
Statistics show that CSS registrations fell from 35,059 in 2022 to 18,139 in 2025, marking a decline of nearly 48 percent. The number of candidates who actually appeared in the examination also dropped significantly, decreasing from 20,262 to 12,792 during the same period. Meanwhile, the number of candidates recommended by the FPSC fell from 239 in 2022 to 170 in 2025.
A similar trend has been observed in the FPSC’s general recruitment process for federal government jobs. Registrations reached a peak of 436,757 in 2023 before falling to 196,193 in 2025, a drop of more than 55 percent in just two years. The number of applicants appearing in recruitment examinations also declined substantially.
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Despite fewer registrations, securing a government position remains extremely competitive. In 2025, only 0.94 percent of registered CSS candidates and 1.33 percent of those who appeared in the examination were nominated. For general recruitment, the FPSC recommended 3,005 candidates out of nearly 196,000 registered applicants.
The data also indicates an improvement in participation rates, with a larger proportion of registered candidates actually taking the exams in 2025 compared to previous years. However, the overall decline in registrations has raised questions about the changing appeal of civil service careers and government employment among Pakistan’s youth.
