CSS Exam Age Limit: Eligibility Criteria for Aspiring Civil Servants
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a civil servant in Pakistan, the CSS (Central Superior Services) exam is the first step towards achieving that goal. However, before you apply for the CSS exam, you need to be aware of the eligibility criteria, including the age limit. In this article, we will discuss the CSS exam age limit and everything you need to know to become eligible for the exam.
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1. What is the CSS Exam?
The Central Superior Services (CSS) exam is a competitive examination conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) of Pakistan to select candidates for various civil service posts in the government. The CSS exam is held annually and comprises written tests, psychological tests, and interviews to evaluate the candidates’ abilities and suitability for the job.
2. Eligibility Criteria for the CSS Exam
Before you apply for the CSS exam, you need to fulfill certain eligibility criteria. These criteria include the age limit, educational qualifications, domicile requirements, physical requirements, and nationality requirements.
› Age Limit for the CSS Exam
The age limit for the CSS exam in Pakistan is 21 to 30 years of age on 31st December of the year in which the exam is being conducted. In other words, if you want to appear for the 2023 CSS exam, you should not be younger than 21 years old or older than 30 years old on 31st December 2023.
› Age Relaxation for the CSS Exam
There is some age relaxation for certain categories of candidates. The following table summarizes the age relaxation criteria for the CSS exam:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Balochistan | 2 years |
| FATA/Gilgit-Baltistan | 2 years |
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir | 2 years |
| Government Servants | 2 years |
| Disabled persons | 2 years |
| Minorities | 2 years |
› Educational Qualifications for the CSS Exam
To be eligible for the CSS exam, you must have a bachelor’s degree (14 years of education) from a recognized university. However, candidates who are waiting for their final results can also apply for the CSS exam.
› Domicile Requirements for the CSS Exam
Candidates must be domiciled in Pakistan or must be permanent residents of Azad Jammu & Kashmir or Gilgit-Baltistan to apply for the CSS exam.
› Physical Requirements for the CSS Exam
There are no specific physical requirements for the CSS exam. However, candidates must be physically and medically fit to perform their duties as civil servants. However, for some cadres like PSP, you must be not physically impaired.
› Nationality Requirements for the CSS Exam
Only Pakistani nationals and foreign nationals who are permanent residents of Pakistan are eligible to apply for the CSS exam.
3. How to Apply for the CSS Exam?
To apply for the CSS exam, you need to follow these steps:
- Visit the official website of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) at www.fpsc.gov.pk.
- Click on the “Apply Online
- Fill out the online application form and provide all the required information.
- Upload your photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee through a bank challan or online payment.
- Submit the application form online.
Step By Step Procedures How To Apply for the CSS MPT Screening Test 2023
After submitting the application, you will receive an admit card for the written exam. The written exam consists of six compulsory papers and optional papers, and candidates who pass the written exam will proceed to the next stage, which includes psychological tests and interviews.
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CSS Exam and its Age Limits
› What is the age limit for the CSS exam in Pakistan?
The age limit for the CSS exam in Pakistan is 21 to 30 years of age on 31st December of the year in which the exam is being conducted.
› Is there any age relaxation for the CSS exam in Pakistan?
Yes, there is age relaxation for certain categories of candidates, such as candidates from Balochistan, FATA/Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, government servants, disabled persons, and minorities.
› What are the educational qualifications required for the CSS exam?
To be eligible for the CSS exam, you must have a bachelor’s degree (14 years of education) from a recognized university.
› Can foreign nationals apply for the CSS exam in Pakistan?
Yes, foreign nationals who are permanent residents of Pakistan can apply for the CSS exam.
› What is the selection process for the CSS exam in Pakistan?
The CSS exam selection process consists of written tests, psychological tests, and interviews to evaluate the candidates’ abilities and suitability for the job.
› Who Qualifies for the CSS Exam Age Limit?
According to the rules set by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), no candidate can be eligible for admission to the CSS exam if they are below the age of twenty-one years or above the age of thirty years on the cut-off date. This means that if you were born on or before December 31st, 1988, or on or after January 2nd, 1998, you will not be eligible to take the CSS exam in 2019.
However, there are certain categories of candidates who can get a relaxation of two years in the upper-age limit. These categories include:
(a) Candidates belonging to the scheduled caste and Buddhist community, subject to production of a certificate to support their claim as set out in the application form prescribed by the Commission and issued by the Deputy Commissioner, District Magistrate, or such other person authorized in this regard.
(b) Candidates belonging to recognized Tribes who are permanent residents of the following areas and whose families have been living there, subject to the production of a certificate to support their claim as set out in the application form prescribed by the Commission and issued by Deputy Commissioner, District Magistrate, or such other person authorized in this regard:
- (i) Baluchistan;
- (ii) Tribal Areas of D.I.Khan and Peshawar Divisions (including former Frontier States of Dir, Swat, Chitral, and Amb);
- (iii) Former excluded (Baloch) area forming part of the Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur Districts;
- (iv) Former Tribal Areas of Mardan and Hazara Divisions; and
- (v) Upper Tanawal Area of Hazara Division;
(c) Candidates who are permanent residents of Azad Kashmir Territory, subject to production of a certificate in support of their claim as set out in the application form prescribed by the Commission and issued by the Division to which business of Azad Jammu and Kashmir stands allocated;
(d) Candidates who are permanent residents of Gilgit-Baltistan, including Gilgit, Diamir, Baltistan, Ghizer, and Guanche, subject to production of a certificate in support of their claim as set out in the application form prescribed by the Commission and issued by the Deputy Commissioner, District Magistrate, or such other person authorized in this regard;
(e) Special candidates, namely, physically impaired, hearing or speech impaired, and visually impaired, subject to production of a certificate of disability in support of their claim issued by an officer of the Federal Government or, as the case may be, Provincial Government duly authorized in this regard;
(f) In-service Government servants, armed forces personnel, and contract employees, including the Government servants of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, who possess a minimum of two years of continuous Government service as on the cut-off date, subject to production of departmental permission certificate from the competent authority as set out by the Commission from time to time.
5. Who Doesn’t Qualify for the CSS Exam Age Limit?
If you do not fall into any of the categories mentioned above and your age falls outside the prescribed age limit, you will not be eligible to take the CSS exam. Moreover, except as provided in these rules, a candidate shall not be entitled to further relaxation in age limit under any other rule for the time being.
In addition, candidates who are permanent residents of certain regions, such as Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, may also be eligible for a two-year relaxation in the upper age limit. Similarly, physically impaired, hearing or speech impaired, and visually impaired candidates may also be eligible for age relaxation if they provide a certificate of disability issued by the relevant government authority.
It’s important to note that employees of nationalized banks, the State Bank of Pakistan, the Water and Power Development Authority, regulatory authorities, autonomous bodies, and other semi-autonomous bodies are not entitled to age relaxation under these rules. Moreover, except as provided in these rules, candidates are not entitled to further relaxation in age-limit under any other rule for the time being in force or on any other ground.
» Conclusion
The CSS exam is a highly competitive test that provides the opportunity for candidates to pursue a career as a civil servant in Pakistan. However, to be eligible for the CSS exam, candidates must meet specific criteria, including the age limit, education qualifications, domicile requirements, physical requirements, and nationality requirements. By following the guidelines and meeting the necessary criteria, candidates can ensure that they are eligible to apply for the CSS exam and work towards their goal of becoming civil servants in Pakistan. In particular, the age limit for the CSS exam is an essential requirement that every candidate must fulfill. The age limit is set between 21 and 30 years as of the cut-off date, but there are certain relaxations available for candidates who belong to specific categories, regions, and those with disabilities. It is crucial for candidates to carefully review and understand the rules regarding the age limit and eligibility criteria before applying for the CSS exam.
6. Css Age Limit Important Notice:
It is highly recommended that all aspiring candidates for the CSS exam refer to the official website of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) for accurate and up-to-date information. It should be noted that the age limit for the Special CSS Exam has recently been changed to 35 years, as specified in the latest CSS exam advertisement. Therefore, candidates are advised to not solely rely on third-party sources and always check the official notifications released by FPSC regarding the age limit and eligibility criteria as FPSC always gives information about age in its every notification.
CSS-2023 SCREENING TEST DETAILS
