ISLAMABAD, Nov 15: The government appears reluctant to accept a recommendation of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat to increase the upper age-limit of candidates applying for Central Superior Services (CSS) from 28 to 30 years.

In April this year, the committee headed by Senator Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi asked the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) to extend the age limit because thousands of people could not appear in the competitive examination due the age bar.

However, according to sources in the establishment division, there is no possibility of age relaxation, at least for the CSS-2009.

The upper-age limit for the CSS used to be 30 years, but it was reduced to 28 years by the Musharraf government.

Candidates from rural areas have been demanding the increase in the upper age-limit from 30 to 32 years, arguing that by the time they complete their education it is difficult for them to prepare adequately for the competitive examination.

The FPSC is also facing shortage of suitable candidates for the superior services jobs. In 2007, the Establishment Division reported 299 vacancies in various occupational groups, but the commission could only find 189 suitable candidates, and 110 seats remained vacant to be filled this year.