The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has announced the results of the Special CSS Written Exam 2023, with 519 candidates passing out of the 15,245 who appeared. This brings the overall success rate to 3.4%. The exam, held from October 12 to October 20, 2023, marks the initial phase of the rigorous CSS selection process. Successful candidates will now advance to medical examinations, psychological assessments, and interviews, which will determine the final merit list.
Earlier this year, in May, the FPSC released the results of the regular CSS Examination 2023, showcasing a 2.96% success rate—a notable increase from the 1.85% recorded in 2022. Of the 13,008 candidates who took the exam, 401 passed the written portion, and after subsequent evaluations, 210 were recommended for appointment.
The top three positions in the CSS 2023 results were secured by Adil Riaz, Shaher Bano, and Okasha Abrar Rana, all of whom opted for the prestigious Pakistan Administrative Service. Regional representation featured prominently, with the top eight candidates from Punjab. Sohail Khan from Balochistan earned the ninth spot, while Muhammad Abdullah from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Siffat Ullah from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ranked 19th and 25th, respectively. Candidates from rural and urban Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly FATA) also secured notable positions.
The CSS exam remains a formidable challenge, covering 12 subjects—six compulsory and six optional. While the FPSC provides a structured syllabus and recommended reading, candidates often rely on locally published materials, which can limit their development of critical analytical and reasoning skills, impacting their performance. Effective time management during preparation continues to be a key factor for success in this competitive examination.
