FPSC allows physically challenged candidates to apply for all occupational groups of CSS

Decision came after two blind students topped exams

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Public Service Commission has allowed physically-challenged candidates to apply for all the 12 occupational groups of civil service to appear in the Central Superior Service from 2018 and onwards examinations.

The decision was approved in the FPSC’s governing body earlier this year, which was followed by the approval of the federal cabinet in 2017 against a formal request of the board.

Earlier, candidates with physical disabilities could only apply to four groups, which include postal services, information group, audit and accounts and trade and commerce.



According to a senior officer in the FPSC, the decision was made after thorough discussions by the FPSC commission and will come into force effective immediately.

The issue of candidates who are physically challenged and not allowed to opt for the department of their choice appeared in 2007 when a blind student stood fourth in the CSS final result but was denied entry into the Foreign Service of Pakistan. A request was later made to the premier to relax the rules in her favour, which was approved.

Two other physically challenged candidates who had passed the examination approached had approached the court and asked the FPSC to review the decision terming the Rule 9(2) discriminatory.



The problem appeared in 2007 when a blind student stood fourth in the CSS final result and her first preference was Foreign Service. However, the rules did not allow this, after which a request was made to the then prime minister to relax the rules for her, which was done.

It was in 2008 when the cabinet approved the decision of such candidates allowing four groups. However, a few years ago, two blind students also passed the exams with flying colours but were denied position for the Foreign Office. The students approached the court, which directed FPSC to review the decision terming the Rule 9(2) discriminatory that allowed selected groups for candidates with physical disability.

Earlier in 2017, the FPSC moved a summary to the PM for a formal approval of allowing all candidates to apply against all occupational groups without any categorisation. The federal cabinet also approved the summary in September after which the FPSC notified in 2018.



Other occupational groups in which the candidates can apply are Foreign Office, Police, Pakistan Administrative Service, Military land and cantonments, Railways, and others.

Other decisions

FPSC agreed not to suggest changes to the syllabus of the universities in light of the recommendations from Higher Education Commission (HEC) since it is too early as it was last reviewed in 2015-16.

The suggestions to change the syllabus came after the ‘poor’ report of FPSC in 2015 in which hardly two per cent of the candidates cleared the test. The examiners also criticised candidates’ preparation and writing skills.

Moreover, an important suggestion for the screening of candidates is also being postponed by federal cabinet since 2014. The FPSC recommended a screening test to single out those candidates who were not serious.

Earlier, former Senate chairperson Raza Rabbani formed Senate’s special committee on FPSC Report of 2015. The committee started looking into the mandate, structure, syllabus and mode of examination to see if it met the contemporary needs of governance, delivery of services and other relevant matters. The committee ended up inconclusive and stood dissolved.