IT is indeed heartening to see that finally after 34 years (the last amendment was made in 1981), the Federal Service Public Commission has made the much-needed changes to the syllabus of the competitive examinations. The introduction of new subjects is indeed a breath of fresh air that requires analytical thinking rather than simply cramming.

New entries like criminology and gender studies will enable a student to explore new dimensions and face up to the modern-day challenges confronting us.

Secondly, it will create a level playing field for all candidates, as the previous subject groupings were heavily biased towards a certain profession, i.e. doctors.

Thirdly, various subjects carrying 200 marks have been relegated to 100 marks, their syllabus edited with more focus on current issues.

Having said that, one has to question the timing of the FSPC’s decision. The CSS study requires hard work and a long and sustained study. Changing the syllabus of examinations in the middle of April will not bode well for serious aspirants of CSS 2016, who already have chosen their subjects, and subsequently started their preparation.

In addition, students seeking guidance through academies will have to alter their plans since the academy session is already under way. Would it not have been more appropriate for the FSPC to have announced these changes soon after the CSS 2015 papers had ended?

Daniyal Zahid
Lahore

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2015

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