The number of candidates registering for Pakistan’s CSS Exam Registrations has declined significantly over the past four years, according to the latest data released by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). While fewer people are applying for the prestigious civil service examination, competition for limited vacancies remains as intense as ever.
FPSC statistics show that CSS registrations fell from 35,059 in 2022 to 18,139 in 2025, marking a decline of nearly 48%. The number of candidates who actually appeared in the examination also dropped from 20,262 to 12,792 during the same period. Meanwhile, the number of successful candidates decreased from 239 in 2022 to 170 in 2025.
The declining trend is not limited to the CSS examination. Applications for federal government jobs through FPSC’s general recruitment process have also fallen sharply. Registrations peaked at 436,757 in 2023 before dropping to 196,193 in 2025, representing a decline of more than 55% in just two years.
Attendance in recruitment examinations has also decreased. Candidates appearing in general recruitment tests fell from 199,234 in 2023 to 80,633 in 2025. Despite fewer applicants, recruitment remained highly selective. In 2025, only 3,005 candidates were recommended for appointment out of nearly 196,200 registered applicants, highlighting the limited number of available positions.
The data also indicates an improvement in examination attendance among registered candidates. In the CSS examination, around 45% of registered candidates appeared in 2023, while the attendance rate increased to approximately 71% in 2025. Similarly, participation in general recruitment examinations rose from nearly 32% in 2022 to 41% in 2025, although a majority of registered applicants still did not take the tests.
Despite the decline in applications, securing a federal government job remains extremely competitive. In 2025, nearly 18,000 candidates competed for just 170 CSS nominations, while almost 200,000 applicants vied for only 3,005 recommendations in general recruitment. The figures suggest that although fewer people are applying for government jobs, the demand for limited vacancies continues to far exceed the available opportunities.
