The number of candidates registering for Pakistan’s prestigious Central Superior Services (CSS) examination has declined by nearly 48 per cent over the past four years, according to data from the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).
Read More: CSS 2025 results reveal intense competition across Pakistan
Official figures show that CSS registrations dropped from 35,059 candidates in 2022 to 18,139 in 2025. During the same period, the number of candidates appearing in the examination also decreased from 20,262 to 12,792.
Despite the decline in applicants, the number of successful candidates remained limited. The number of candidates recommended for appointment fell from 239 in 2022 to 170 in 2025, highlighting the highly competitive nature of the civil service examination.
FPSC data indicates that the declining trend is not limited to CSS but is also visible in general federal recruitment examinations. Applications for government jobs have significantly reduced in recent years, although securing a position remains extremely difficult due to limited vacancies.
In 2025, only 0.94 per cent of registered CSS candidates and 1.33 per cent of candidates who appeared in the exam were eventually recommended for appointment. In comparison, the selection rate among registered candidates stood at 0.68 per cent in 2022, while the success rate among exam participants was 1.81 per cent.
A similar pattern was observed in general recruitment. Registrations for federal government jobs reached a peak of 436,757 candidates in 2023, but declined to 196,193 in 2025, representing a drop of more than 55 per cent in just two years.
The number of candidates appearing in general recruitment tests also fell from 199,234 in 2023 to 80,633 in 2025. However, recruitment remained highly selective, with only 3,005 candidates recommended out of 196,193 registered applicants in 2025.
The data also showed a persistent gap between registrations and actual participation. While CSS exam attendance improved from around 45 per cent in 2023 to nearly 71 per cent in 2025, many registered candidates still did not appear.
Read More: Only 2.77% clear CSS 2025 written exam, says FPSC
Experts suggest that factors such as changing career preferences, increasing interest in private-sector opportunities, and challenges associated with competitive exams may be contributing to the decline in applications.