ISLAMABAD – Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) comes up with a major change in conduct of compulsory papers starting from 2026. For first time, only one compulsory paper will be held per day, bringing an end to the long-standing practice of conducting two back-to-back papers on the same day.
The bold move is aimed at cutting candidate stress, enhancing preparation time, and improving overall performance, as aspirants will no longer be forced to sit consecutive exams within a single day. The federal agency responsible for recruiting civil servantshas said the new arrangement will also ensure smoother examination management and better coordination across all examination centres nationwide.
According to commission, the detailed timetable for CSS 2026 will be released shortly, and candidates have been strongly advised to regularly check the official FPSC website for updates, schedules, and important instructions.
Commission stressed that this decision is part of its ongoing reform efforts to modernise and improve examination process. Officials believe revised schedule will significantly reduce logistical challenges and mark a positive step toward a more candidate-friendly and efficient CSS examination system.
This development has already sparked strong reactions among CSS aspirants, with many welcoming the change as a long-awaited relief.
CSS exams are highly competitive, with very low passing percentage. In recent years, only around 2% to 3% of candidates who appeared in the written exams have successfully passed. In 2025 exams, the pass rate was around 2.77%, while CSS 2024 and 2023 saw rates of about 2.53% and 2.96–3.06%, respectively.
This low success rate shows exam’s difficulty and the intense competition among candidates, making it one of the toughest national competitive exams in Pakistan.
FPSC declares results of CSS written exam 2025 [Full List of Qualified Candidates]
