PTI govt decides against introducing CSS ‘screening test’

Cabinet members observe such test would be disadvantageous for candidates from backward areas

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has turned down a proposal for introducing screening test prior to written examination for the Central Superior Services (CSS), fearing that majority of the candidates, belonging to the underdeveloped areas, would be out of the competition if the test was introduced.

Sources told The Express Tribune that the Establishment Division had submitted a proposal at a recent cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan to introduce screening test for candidates of the CSS-Examination 2020.

“However, the cabinet did not agree with this plan,” a source privy to the meeting said.

The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) is the premier federal government institution for recruitment to cadre and ex-cadre posts in BS-16 and above.

The commission holds CSS competitive examination annually for recruitment in twelve occupation groups/services.

The CSS examination comprises presently four components that include written examination, medical examination, psychological assessment and viva voce.

CSS aspirants to first undergo 'screening test'

It was being felt at that the current system does not take into account domain specific knowledge required to perform in various groups.

The prime minister’s task force on civil service reforms, headed by Dr Ishrat Hussain, had proposed reforms in the CSS examination system and suggested including screening test for determining problem solving and analytical abilities.

It also wanted to include psychometric evaluation to determine the aptitude and motivation of candidates towards civil service and domain specific written examination separate for clusters.

The Prime Minister’s Office had asked the Establishment Division to reconsider the proposal in consultation with the FPSC to make it more palatable and inclusive as adoption of the proposal was tantamount to exclude majority of the candidates from competitive process.

In another summary that the prime minister had approved, the PM Office had conveyed that screening test should be introduced by 2020 to give sufficient time both to the prospective candidates and the FPSC to prepare for the change.

Since there is a tremendous increase in the number of candidates for the upcoming exam of 2020, the FPSC had proposed that the screening test may be conducted in January/February 2020 and the main examination be taken 2-3 months later.

Only 2.5% clear this year’s CSS written exam

This, it believed, would provide an ample time to the candidates to prepare for the screening test.

As Introduction of screening test, required amendments in CSS competitive examination rules 2019 after vetting from the Law and Justice Division, the Establishment Division sought approval of the cabinet to the proposals along with draft amendments.

However, members of the cabinet expressed concern over introduction of a screening test on the pattern of SAT/GRE and said such test would not be in favour of candidates from underdeveloped areas.

They further argued that introduction of screening test for the CSS exam 2020 at this later stage would be unfair to the candidates. This would not be legally tenable as candidates have already applied and such a change would invite litigations.

Later, the cabinet decided not to approve the proposal and draft amendments, suggesting that the matter should be considered the next year.