The Federal Minister of Law and Justice, Azam Nazeer Tarar, has announced that changes in the central higher services exam (CSS) are expected next year as the government advances towards educational and administrative reforms.
Speaking during a Senate session on Tuesday, Tarar highlighted the growing number of students in Pakistan opting for the Cambridge education system, including the levels O and A, and said that the government aims to guarantee an equal playing field for all CSS candidates.
“It is our responsibility to implement a fair and standardized exam system throughout the country,” he said.
He revealed that a high -level committee, led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, has been working to review the CSS exam structure. The committee has already completed most of its review, and its final recommendations are expected to shape the next reforms.
The CSS examination, a highly competitive recruitment process for Pakistan civil services, has been criticized for being inaccessible for candidates from various educational origins.
Many have argued that the current format favors certain educational systems while putting others at a disadvantage. The Government’s initiative aims to create a more level playing field addressing these concerns.
Tarar confirmed that the Committee has thoroughly evaluated the existing structure of the exam, the criteria for selecting subjects and the evaluation process.
“The objective is to introduce a system that accommodates all students fairly, regardless of their academic training,” he said.
The Senate session, chaired by President Syed Yousaf Raza Raza Gilani, also saw debates on several governance issues. A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to discussions on parliamentary privileges and procedure disputes. Opposition legislators raised concerns about legislative processes, particularly regarding voting procedures in a bill.
Senator Mohsin Aziz expressed his frustration for the management of parliamentary affairs, while the Minister of Law defended the government approach, stating that all procedures were followed in accordance with the constitutional guidelines. Despite the tensions, Gilani assured legislators that the parliamentary protocols would be confirmed and address any concern regarding legislative transparency.
Although the government has not yet announced specific details about the next changes in the CSS exam, officials suggest that the reforms will end in the coming months.
The proposed changes are expected to modernize the exam process, ensuring that it reflects contemporary educational standards and foster inclusion in the Pakistan bureaucratic recruitment system.
With the final report of the Ahsan IQBAL Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant government agencies will be consulted before implementing the new framework. If approved, the revised CSS exam structure could already be valid in 2026.
