Official data from the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) reveals a significant decline in registrations for the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination, which is one of Pakistan's most prestigious competitive exams.Registrations fell from 35,059 in 2022 to 18,139 in 2025, a 48% drop over four years.The number of candidates appearing in the exam also declined from 20,262 to 12,792 during the same period.Nominations remained exceptionally low, with only 3,005 candidates selected in 2025 out of 196,193 registered applicants.The selection rate stood at 0.94% for registered applicants and 1.33% for those who appeared.This trend mirrors general recruitment data, where registrations peaked at 436,757 in 2023 but fell sharply to 196,193 in 2025, a 55% decline.

Despite fewer applicants, competition remains fierce, with nearly 18,000 candidates vying for just 170 CSS nominations and over 200,000 applicants competing for 3,005 general recruitment recommendations.

The data highlights a persistent gap between registration and exam attendance, with only 45% of registered CSS candidates appearing in 2023, improving slightly to 71% in 2025.

The article underscores that while fewer Pakistanis are applying for federal jobs, the competition remains intense due to the disparity between vacancies and applicants.