CSS 2025 results highlight declining success ratio, limited allocations, and unexpected trends in service preferences.
ISLAMABAD: The results of the CSS 2025 examination have unveiled a stark picture of intense competition and declining success rates, with only a fraction of candidates managing to clear one of Pakistan’s most prestigious exams.
According to official data, a total of 12,792 candidates appeared in the examination, but only 355 succeeded in passing the written stage, reflecting a significantly low pass percentage. The outcome underscores the increasing difficulty of the exam and the growing challenge faced by aspirants nationwide.
The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has recommended 170 candidates for appointment against various civil service positions. Among them, 84 are male candidates while 86 are female, indicating a nearly balanced gender representation in the final recommendations.
In terms of merit positions, Saeed Rafiq secured the first position, followed by Muhammad Mohsin Khalid in second place, and Tariq Hafeez in third. These top achievers have been widely recognized for their exceptional performance in a highly competitive environment.
A notable development in this year’s results is the allocation trend among the top candidates. The top 30 position holders have been allocated to the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) and Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), two of the country’s most influential bureaucratic groups.
However, in an unexpected turn, none of the top 30 candidates were allocated to the Foreign Service of Pakistan. This absence has triggered discussions among analysts and aspirants, raising questions about shifting preferences, allocation policies, or changing dynamics within the civil service structure.
Experts suggest that the results reflect both the rigorous standards maintained by the examination system and the limited number of available positions, which continue to make CSS one of the most competitive career pathways in Pakistan.
The latest outcome is likely to influence future aspirants’ preparation strategies and service preferences, while also prompting debate over reforms in recruitment, transparency, and allocation mechanisms within the civil services.

