CSS Age Limit, Attempts & Eligibility Explained: The Definitive 2026 Guide

Introduction

Figure 1: Visual timeline of age limits and cut-off dates.

1. The Golden Rule: The Cut-Off Date

• Rule: Your age is calculated on 31st December of the year preceding the exam.
• For CSS 2026: The cut-off date is 31st December 2025.

The Math:

• You must be born on or before 31st December 2004 (Minimum 21 Years).
• You must be born on or after 31st December 1995 (Maximum 30 Years).

2. Age Relaxation: Can you apply at 32?

Category A: Government Servants

• Who: Employees of Federal, Provincial, or Armed Forces departments.
• Condition: You must have completed 2 years of continuous service as of the cut-off date.
• Proof: You need a Departmental Permission Certificate (DPC) and Service Certificate.
• Note: Contract employees are usually not eligible unless their service is regularized or the contract rules specify.

Category B: Scheduled Castes & Buddhist Community

• Who: Recognized scheduled castes (e.g., Hindu Dalits) and Buddhist community members.
• Proof: Certificate from the District Magistrate.

Category C: Recognized Tribes & Areas

• Who: Permanent residents of:
  • Balochistan.
  • Tribal Areas of D.I. Khan and Peshawar Divisions (Ex-FATA).
  • Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK).
  • Gilgit-Baltistan.
• Proof: Detailed Domicile Certificate.
• Why? To encourage representation from under-developed areas.

Category D: Special Needs

• Who: Candidates with permanent physical disabilities (Blindness, Hearing Impairment, etc.).
• Proof: Disability Certificate from a government medical board.

3. Education Criteria: The 14-Year Rule

• Minimum Degree: Bachelor's Degree (Class C or Grade C minimum).
• Years: 14 Years of education (e.g., B.A, B.Sc, B.Com) OR 16 Years (BS, MA, MSc, MBBS, BE).
• University: Must be HEC recognized.

Common Question: "I have a 3rd Division in BA, can I apply?"

• Taking a Master's: If you obtained a higher division (Grade A or B) in your Master's degree, it overrides the 3rd division in your Bachelor's. You become eligible.

Foreign Degrees

• Solution: You MUST obtain an Equivalence Certificate from the HEC (Higher Education Commission) stating that your degree is equivalent to a Pakistani Bachelor's.

4. Number of Attempts: The "Three Strikes" Law

• Total Attempts: 3.
• Screening Test (MPT): Appearing in the MPT (Screening Test) does NOT count as a CSS attempt. You can fail MPT 10 times; it won't affect your written attempts.
• The Written Exam: The attempt is counted the moment you enter the exam hall and sign attendance for the first paper (usually English Essay).
  • If you sit for Essay and then leave the rest of the papers -> Attempt Counted (Fail).
  • If you apply but do not sit for any paper -> Attempt NOT Counted.

5. Medical & Psychological Eligibility

• Physical: You must meet height/chest measurements (for Police group) and general health standards (eyesight, BMI).
• Psychological: There is a psychometric assessment. If the panel deems you "Unfit for Government Service" (e.g., extreme radical views, emotional instability), you will be rejected regardless of your written score.

Conclusion