Senate panel demands update on CSS age relaxation

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation has asked for a brief report on the age relaxation for Central Superior Services (CSS) examinations.

The Senate Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation was chaired by Senator Nasima Ehsan.

The Senate body was briefed on the existing procedure of the CSS  by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) officials.

The Committee was told that the age limit for the CSS is 30 years, with two years of relief under special circumstances, while the provincial commission exams are separate from the Federal exams.

Committee member Bushra Anjum Butt questioned the quota system in the CSS exams. She said that the system was abolished in 2013, to which the FPSc officials informed that there is no constitutional provision for the system; however, the government still follows it.

The committee was also told that reforms are under discussion to address the low pass rate in CSS examinations, with English being the subject where most candidates fail.

Along with more clarification about the CSS age limit, the Standing Committee has also requested a report on the potential for raising the age limit for Punjabi provincial-level exams.

Members also discussed whether the English essay should be shifted to a general English exam instead of being retained as a separate paper.