IN order to effectively manage the increasing number of Central Superior Services (CSS) aspirants annually, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has introduced preliminary exams. The number of aspirants, according to the FPSC, annually increased by 10 per cent from 1998 to 2019, with an increase of 69pc for years 2020 and 2021. The step is, indeed, laudable as it will filter out non-serious candidates, and will also enhance the quality of evaluation within a reduced timeframe. The FPSC usually takes around 18 months from the time the exams are held till their final allocations and the subsequent training. The preliminary screening will also help the FPSC save time and resources. However, despite all the benefits, the FPSC seems to have missed some important points.

First and foremost is the timeline of the exam. Previously, the commission had initially called for applications in October, and the last date for submissions was around the first week of November. However, the timeline was subsequently changed, with the screening test due to be held in February, followed by the main exam in May. This will surely disrupt the pace and momentum of the aspirants preparing for their exam, especially those who have been preparing for a year now and are already exhausted.

Extending the exam will adversely affect their preparations. I believe the decision regarding the initial screening should have been taken earlier as that would have made the process smooth from the word go.

The second issue is with the low benchmark set for clearing the screening stage for a slot in the main round. Right now it is 66/200 marks, or 33 per cent. Since the screening test will be based on multiple choice questions (MCQs), most candidates will easily guess the correct option and score the minimum marks. The requirement should have been at least 40-45pc, instead.

Having said that, despite the elements pointed out above, the decision to introduce the initial screening is the right step in the right direction. I hope it will bear the expected results.

Naveed Baiyan
Kech

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2021