FPSC CSS Exam Eligibility Criteria in Pakistan

FPSC CSS Exam Eligibility Criteria in Pakistan

If you’re looking to join the ranks of the Civil Service of Pakistan, then the first step is to check the CSS eligibility criteria for 2024.

The CSS eligibility criteria can be viewed at the FPSC’s website as well, but we have compiled everything you need to know, to save you the hassle of navigating through it. 

CSS 2024 Eligibility Criteria

FPSC has mentioned some important CSS requirements for the CSS exam in Pakistan. You must fulfil all the following CSS requirements that is listed below, before appearing in the CSS exam. 

CSS Age Limit

You must be aged between 21 and 30, inclusive, calculated on the 31^st of December, of the year preceding your exam.

1. If you are above 30 or below 21 by even a day, counted on the aforementioned date, you are not eligible to apply.
2. For example, you are not eligible for the CSS Examinations 2024 if:
3. You were born on or before December 31, 1992
4. You were born on or after the January 2, 2003 

CSS Age Relaxation Clause

There is, however, an age relaxation clause in the CSS eligibility criteria 2024 that allows members of specific demographic groups to apply till the age of 32. The figure below illustrates in a simplified form, whether or not the age relaxation clause applies to you. If you fall in any one of the categories mentioned and are between 30 and 32 years of age, you are eligible.

*Note: If you belong to a recognized tribe, the age relaxation clause only applies to you if you or your family also currently reside in one of the following areas (proof of residence required):

1. Balochistan; 
2. Tribal Areas of D.I. Khan and Peshawar Divisions; 
3. Baloch Area part of D.G. Khan and Rajanpur Districts;
4. Former Tribal Areas of Mardan and Hazara Divisions; 
5. Upper Tanawal Area of Hazara Division.

CSS Degree Requirements

We have condensed the degree requirements in the CSS eligibility criteria 2024, in the chart below. If you have any specific questions, not covered here, feel free to refer to our free counseling service at any point in time or refer to our CSS online preparation at home series.

*If you do not know whether or not your college is accredited, be sure to check the HEC’s List of Accredited Institutions.

Every candidate must have obtained at least a second division or grade "C" in their bachelor's degree from any HEC recognized Pakistani university. An equivalent degree from a foreign university, recognized by the HEC, will also be accepted, provided you apply for equivalence.

If you do not have your degree by the time you have to register, you will be required to provide proof of having completed the requirements for your degree, and that you will be able to submit said degree before the CSS result is announced.

If you have obtained a third division or 'D' grade in your bachelor's degree, you may still be eligible for the CSS exams 2024, if you have a higher grade in your master’s degree.

Nationality

According to the FPSC’s CSS eligibility criteria, You MUST be a citizen of Pakistan or the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

If you are married to a foreign national, you are not eligible, unless you obtain permission from the federal government, prior to marriage.

Domicile

Seats in Occupational Groups and Services are allocated in accordance with your domicile and are subject to changes in policy by the federal government.

To be eligible for the CSS Examinations 2024, you will be required to present attested copies of your domicile when registering.

1. For candidates from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, along with the domicile, a permanent residence certificate and application forms signed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Secretary or higher are also required.
2. The documents, once submitted, cannot be changed at the current or any subsequent examination.

Additional CSS Eligibility Criteria

1. You are not eligible to apply if you have already availed three chances of the CSS examination.
2. It is mandatory to pass MPT in order to be eligible for CSS Written Exam.
3. An attempt is only counted if you actually appeared in the examination, and submitted an answer book or sheet that was not blank. Just registering does not count as an attempt.
4. You must show your original Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and CSS admission form, at the examination center, otherwise you will not be admitted.
5. If you arrive at the examination center later than the time mentioned in the CSS admission form, you will not be admitted.
6. If you are admitted into the examination center despite not being eligible in any respect, there will be a detailed examination of your application after the exam and your application will be disqualified later. So please make sure you satisfy all the aforementioned criteria!

CSS National and Regional Quotas

The FPSC makes seat allotments on the basis of preset quotas that have been put in place to ensure fair representation of candidates from a diverse set of backgrounds. Said quotas for CSS 2024 can be found below.

CSS 2024 Quotas

1. Merit: 7.5 %
2. Punjab: 50 %
3. Sindh: 19%
4. Note: The quotas of Sindh are further divided in the following proportion:
5. Urban Areas (Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur) 40% of 19%.
6. Rural Areas (rest of Sindh) 60% of 19%. 
7. KPK 15.5 %
8. Balochistan 6 %
9. Azad Kashmir 2%
10. Women: 10% Women quota will be calculated from the share of each province/region.

We hope you found this article useful and would love to answer any queries or concerns you have regarding the CSS eligibility criteria in Pakistan, through our free counseling service.

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