The announcement of the CSS Examination 2025 results has once again drawn public attention to Pakistan's civil service. Out of 12,792 candidates who appeared in the examination, only 355 qualified the written stage, a success rate of just 2.67 per cent. Of these, only around 170 are expected to secure appointments against available vacancies. The results also reveal a welcome trend: female candidates are likely to slightly outnumber their male counterparts among those entering the service.

These young men and women deserve congratulations. Success in such a demanding competition reflects intelligence, perseverance, and commitment. Yet beyond the celebrations lies a larger question that deserves national attention. Does our existing system of recruitment and career management produce the kind of civil service that a modern state requires?

Having spent almost an entire career in public service, I have often reflected on this issue. My concern has never been about the quality of individuals entering government. Every generation produces talented and dedicated people willing to serve the country. The real question is whether the system into which they are inducted enables them to develop and utilise their talents effectively.

One aspect of this year's results attracted considerable attention. Reports suggest that many of the highest-ranking candidates preferred the Police Service of Pakistan, while relatively few opted for the Foreign Service, once regarded as one of the most prestigious branches of government. Career preferences are shaped by many factors and should not be judged hastily. Nevertheless, the trend invites reflection. It raises questions about the incentives and values embedded within the system and whether authority and administrative power are increasingly viewed as more attractive than specialised public service.

The broader issue, however, extends far beyond the popularity of any particular occupational group. It concerns the continuing dominance of a governance model that has changed little since colonial times.

The civil service structure inherited at independence was designed by the British to administer a vast territory through a relatively small corps of generalist officers. Their principal responsibilities were maintaining law and order, collecting revenue, and ensuring administrative control. For that era, the model served its purpose effectively.

The problem arises when generalists are expected to perform functions that increasingly require specialised knowledge

The problem arises when generalists are expected to perform functions that increasingly require specialised knowledge

The responsibilities of government today are vastly different. Modern states are expected to manage complex economies, attract investment, regulate financial markets, negotiate international agreements, improve education and healthcare, respond to climate change, and adapt to technological transformation. These challenges require not only administrative ability but also specialised knowledge and professional expertise.

Unfortunately, our civil service structure has not evolved at the same pace as the demands placed upon the state.

The CSS examination continues to recruit candidates primarily as........

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