CAREER development plays a pivotal role in shaping one’s life, offering fulfilment and a sense of achievement. In Pakistan, the CSS exam is a prestigious career path that attracts many talented individuals competing for civil service allocations. This exam demands a considerable amount of effort and dedication, requiring candidates to allocate their time, energy, and resources for its preparation. However, aspirants often face a disheartening reality in the form of delayed results and an uncertain timeline from the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). The time it takes to complete the CSS process, coupled with unexpected delays in results, makes it a daunting journey for many aspirants.
A candidate devotes months of rigorous preparation to appear in the CSS written exam. Typically, the examination takes place in February every year. After appearing in the written exam, candidates are left waiting indefinitely for the results, uncertain of what their future holds. The usual timeframe for declaring the results of written exams is 7 to 8 months—a significantly long period. However, FPSC often extends this duration to 10 to 11 months without providing a clear reason or fixed date. This prolonged waiting period leaves many aspirants feeling frustrated and demotivated.
Upon the declaration of the written exam results, qualified candidates must undergo psychological and interview assessments, which can extend the wait by an additional 5 to 6 months. As a result, aspirants spend nearly a year waiting for the outcome, alongside the substantial time already invested in preparation. This prolonged process compels candidates to dedicate a minimum of two years for their first attempt, leading to emotional and professional exhaustion.
Consider a scenario where an individual graduates and begins preparing for the CSS exam, dedicating 3 to 5 years of their prime youth to multiple attempts. Despite the extensive efforts, there is no guarantee of securing a position in the civil service. During these years, aspirants face numerous obstacles and must sacrifice their social lives to remain persistent in their pursuit. The delay in result announcements further intensifies their misery, often leading to psychological and emotional distress.
If the results are declared only a month or two before the next exam, failed candidates find it nearly impossible to prepare adequately for the next attempt. This lack of preparation time exacerbates their challenges and affects their ability to perform well in subsequent exams. The recurring delays in result announcements call for urgent reforms by FPSC. Establishing a clear and fixed timeline for result declaration would allow candidates to plan their next steps effectively. In this context, FPSC must consider Introducing a fixed and publicized timeline for result announcements, similar to international exams like the GRE or SAT, which have set dates for both exams and results.
It would also help maintain aspirants’ mental peace, enhance transparency in the examination process, and boost FPSC’s credibility. Recruiting additional teachers for paper checking or engaging international firms could help address the delays. If budget constraints are an issue, the government should extend its support to FPSC to improve the overall efficiency of the process. There is a need to implement a digitized paper-checking process with secure online submission and marking portals. This would reduce the time spent on manual handling and accelerate result declaration while ensuring transparency in evaluations.
Furthermore, maintaining credible standards for checking papers would be a significant step forward. Candidates have expressed dissatisfaction over perceived biases towards specific subjects, where each year, a particular subject seems to be disproportionately targeted. The interview phase should also be reformed to ensure that all candidates are given equal time to prepare. Currently, candidates with shorter preparation periods are at a distinct disadvantage compared to those with more extended preparation windows.
Additionally, the interview questions should focus on assessing candidates’ critical thinking abilities, rather than relying on standard, factual questions. This would cultivate future bureaucrats with the analytical skills necessary to tackle real-world challenges effectively. Before the interviews, FPSC must also offer psychological training to help candidates deal with the intense pressure and stress of the interview panel. This would promote fairness in interview outcomes and reduce interview anxiety.
There is a need to provide detailed feedback reports to candidates, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in various subjects. This would help them improve in future attempts and make their preparation more targeted and effective. Lastly, conducting annual third-party audits of the evaluation system to ensure fairness and transparency is the need of the hour. Independent audits can help improve credibility and detect inconsistencies or biases in the marking process. A complete overhaul of FPSC’s examination and result declaration process is imperative. By reducing the result declaration time and instituting necessary reforms, FPSC can restore and enhance aspirants’ trust. Its primary function is to assist aspirants by providing a credible, fair, and efficient examination process. FPSC must seize this opportunity to implement the changes needed to fulfil this responsibility.
Delays in announcing CSS results leave many aspirants with unresolved paths. It is important to mention that the results of the CSS Special Exam and CSS 2024 are yet to be declared. Those preparing for CSS 2025 are left in limbo, unable to adequately focus on their preparation. Therefore, a definite timeline for result declarations, coupled with equal opportunities for interview preparation, is essential. It is time for FPSC to prioritize these reforms to ensure the efficiency and transparency of the examination process, thereby safeguarding the aspirations and mental peace of the nation’s talented youth.
—The writer is an educationist and a Commoner from 44th Common, based in Sargodha.
