CSS has one of the lowest pass rates of any competitive exam in Pakistan. In 2025, only 355 candidates cleared the written exam out of 12,792 who appeared, a pass rate of 2.67 percent, according to FPSC’s official announcement. The pass rate has stayed close to this range for several years running, rarely climbing above 3 percent. This page tracks the exact numbers year by year, sourced directly from FPSC announcements and verified news reporting.
What This Data Actually Shows
CSS pass rate history means the year-by-year record of how many candidates applied, appeared, and cleared the written exam. It is not the same as your personal chance of passing. It tells you how competitive each cycle was, and whether the exam is getting harder or easier to clear over time. Aspirants use it to set realistic expectations before they commit a year of preparation.
CSS Results Year by Year
CSS 2025: 12,792 candidates appeared in the written exam. Only 355 cleared it, a pass rate of 2.67 percent, and FPSC recommended 170 for appointment, 84 men and 86 women. Punjab took 23 of the top 30 positions, with Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contributing two each and Balochistan three, and every one of the top 30 candidates was allocated to the Pakistan Administrative Service or the Police Service. Not one of the top-ranked candidates went to the Foreign Service that year, according to The News and APP’s coverage of the FPSC announcement.
CSS 2023: 13,800 candidates appeared, and 401 passed the written test, a success rate of 2.96 percent. FPSC recommended 210 candidates, 126 men and 84 women, with Adil Riaz topping the merit list, followed by Shaher Bano and Oqasha Abrar Rana, as reported by ARY News.
CSS 2022: 20,262 candidates appeared in the written exam, and 393 passed, with 374 going on to the interview stage. This put the pass rate close to 1.9 percent, slightly better than the previous year’s 365 who passed, based on reporting from ProPakistani.
CSS 2020: Out of 39,630 total applicants, only 18,553 actually appeared for the written exam, and 376 cleared it. FPSC recommended 221 for appointment, 142 men and 79 women. Maheen Hassan topped the exam that year and was recommended to the Pakistan Administrative Service on general merit, with Yasir Nazir second and Tazeen Zafar third, topping from Punjab. Regional toppers included Muhammad Hammad Hamid from Balochistan and Babar Ali from Sindh Rural, according to ProPakistani’s results coverage.
What This Means for Your Preparation
A pass rate under 3 percent does not mean CSS is unpassable. It means the gap between an average attempt and a prepared one is wide, and FPSC’s own qualifying rules show exactly where that gap shows up. A candidate needs a minimum of 40 percent in every compulsory subject and 33 percent in every optional subject, with an overall aggregate of 50 percent to pass. Falling short in even one paper removes the candidate from the process, regardless of how well the rest of the papers went. This is why subject-wise preparation matters more than a strong overall average — verify this rule against the current CSS Competitive Examination Rules on fpsc.gov.pk before relying on it for your own planning.
Punjab’s dominance in the merit lists does not mean candidates from other provinces cannot compete at the top. It reflects candidate volume and preparation infrastructure concentrated there, not a ceiling set by FPSC. The written exam and viva voce are both merit-blind to province; the quota system applies to group allocation, not to who clears the written test.
Solve: What to Do With This Information
If the pass rate feels discouraging, remember it includes candidates who under-prepared, missed the qualifying threshold in a single paper, or attempted without full-time study. It is not a fixed ceiling on how many good candidates can pass in a given year. Focus your preparation on clearing every individual subject threshold, not just chasing a high overall score.
If your merit position lands you outside the top group allocations shown in the yearly toppers, that does not mean your effort was wasted. Groups like PAS and FSP have limited seats each year, and strong candidates regularly get allocated to other prestigious services. Confirm your specific result status and next steps directly with FPSC.
For any confusion about how your written result was calculated, contact FPSC directly at tel:0512255051″>051-2255051 rather than relying on forum guesses.
Your Next Step
Check the current year’s result announcement directly on fpsc.gov.pk/css-results as soon as FPSC releases it, since exact dates shift year to year. If your CSS attempt is still ahead of you, review your eligibility status now, since it decides whether you can attempt CSS at all before results ever become relevant.
FAQ
How many candidates pass CSS every year?
The number varies, but it has stayed under 3 percent of appearing candidates in every recent cycle. In 2025, 355 out of 12,792 passed; in 2023, 401 out of 13,800 passed. Always check FPSC’s official announcement for the current year rather than relying on last year’s figure.
Is the CSS pass rate the same as my personal chance of passing?
No. The pass rate reflects everyone who appeared, including candidates who did not prepare seriously. Your actual odds depend on your own preparation against the qualifying thresholds FPSC sets for each subject.
Does province affect who passes the written exam?
No. The written exam and viva voce are evaluated the same way regardless of province. Province becomes relevant only later, in group allocation under the quota system, not in whether you pass.
What is the minimum score needed to pass CSS?
FPSC requires a minimum of 40 percent in each compulsory subject, 33 percent in each optional subject, and an overall aggregate of 50 percent. Missing any one of these thresholds disqualifies a candidate regardless of their other scores. Confirm this against the current CSS Competitive Examination Rules before relying on it.
Where can I check the CSS 2026 result list once it’s announced?
FPSC publishes the official merit list on fpsc.gov.pk/css-results. This page will be updated with the confirmed figures once the announcement is made and verified.
What happens if I don’t make the top merit positions?
You can still be recommended to other groups and services beyond the top-ranked ones. Group allocation depends on your position, your group preference order, and available seats that year, not only on being a topper.