LAHORE (News Desk) – The results of the Central Superior Services (CSS) Examination 2025 have been officially released, revealing a notably low success rate as only 355 candidates managed to pass the written examination stage.
The Federal Public Service Commission, which conducts the country’s most competitive civil service examination, reported that a total of 12,792 candidates appeared in the exam. Of these, only 355 candidates were declared successful in the written component, translating into a pass percentage of just 2.67 per cent.
The CSS examination is widely regarded as one of the toughest competitive exams in Pakistan, serving as a gateway for recruitment into the country’s top bureaucratic services. Each year, thousands of candidates compete for a limited number of positions, making the examination highly selective and demanding.
According to the commission, 170 candidates have been recommended for appointment to various occupational groups. Among those recommended, 84 are male candidates while 86 are female candidates, reflecting a relatively balanced gender representation in this year’s allocation.
In terms of merit positions, Asid Rafiq secured the first position nationwide, demonstrating exceptional performance across the examination process. Muhammad Mohsin Khalid obtained the second position, while Tariq Hafeez stood third, completing the top three achievers of CSS 2025.
The top 30 position holders have been allocated to prestigious service groups, including the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) and the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), which are often considered among the most sought-after cadres due to their influence and responsibilities in governance and law enforcement.
Interestingly, none of the candidates among the top 30 were allocated to the Foreign Service of Pakistan, a development that may raise questions among aspirants who traditionally consider foreign service as a highly desirable career path.
A closer look at the regional distribution of top performers shows a strong dominance by Punjab. Out of the top 30 candidates, 23 belong to Punjab, highlighting the province’s continued lead in competitive examinations. Meanwhile, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa each produced two candidates among the top achievers, while Balochistan secured three positions in the top 30 list.
The CSS results once again underline the intense competition and rigorous standards maintained by the Federal Public Service Commission. Experts often attribute the low pass rate to the comprehensive nature of the examination, which tests candidates on a wide range of subjects, including essay writing, general knowledge, current affairs, and optional specialised disciplines.
For many aspirants, clearing the written examination is only one stage of the selection process. Successful candidates must still undergo psychological assessment, interviews, and final merit-based allocation before being inducted into civil service roles.
The announcement of the CSS 2025 results has sparked discussions among students, educators, and policy analysts about the challenges faced by candidates and the need for improved academic preparation and skill development. Many believe that while the low success rate reflects high standards, it also highlights gaps in the education system that need to be addressed.
Despite the challenges, the successful candidates are now set to embark on careers in Pakistan’s civil bureaucracy, where they will play a key role in policy implementation, governance, and public service delivery.
