THERE are speculations that reforms are to be made in the Civil Superior Services competitive examination.

According to reports, candidates sitting exams would no longer be able to choose among different CSS cadres; instead they would be allocated different groups in line with their educational background.

For instance, candidates with political science degrees will be assigned public administration service (PAS) while candidates who have studied international relations would be inducted in the foreign service group.

It seems the new scheme would leave out doctors and engineers from the prestigious competitive exam except perhaps mechanical engineers being considered for the railways group.

These changes will adversely affect candidates who have studied medicine and engineering. In my opinion service allocation should be on the basis that candidates who secure the highest marks should be allocated the best service groups.

Umer Iqbal
Mandi Bahauddin

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2019