Majority of the aspirants complain about the sacrifices the CSS exam seeks from them in order to get induction into the civil services of Pakistan. Even the most capable and intelligent aspirants are witnessed grousing and grumbling about the tedious, lengthy and hectic procedure for recruitment into the civil service.

A few days ago, I was wondering about only one thing. In order to be inducted into the forces like Army, Navy or PAF, all of the aspirants go through almost the extremely rigorous procedures and tasks to get their desired job into these services. As a matter of fact, those exercises of forces are much more stringent than the recruitment processes of civil service.

Now, all of the afore-mentioned fields are not just services. These are “careers”. In our country, we always consider two bureaucracies; military bureaucracy and civil bureaucracy.

We are very much willing to go through all those brawny tasks of forces to get allocation/induction into them but on the other side, we jeer and scoff at the procedures employed for recruitment into the civil service.

Why so much hypocrisy? CSS exam is not just an exam. It’s certainly not just an ordinary job either. It’s a career just like forces. And career of the sort which is a kind of short cut to reach the upper echelons of the administration of this country. It gives you prestige, honour and authority to bring a change in the entire country and not only on the local or regional level.

To speak my heart out, if anybody does not have the guts to sacrifice everything to be allocated into civil services, then frankly do not step foot into the arena of CSS exams. It has become that brutally competitive and cruel nowadays. It’s hell difficult to take along your job and exam preparation side by side.

I would go to the extent of saying that if you are not willing to put your professional career, your academic studies and most of all your most precious next 4, 5 years at stake, do not think about appearing into the CSS exam because you will be just wasting your time.

I know, most of you would say that I am discouraging the new aspirants by writing these words but I am not here to paint rosy pictures like some of the other folks do so. There is no gainsaying the fact that CSS exam is absolutely possible to qualify and get allocated into the central superior services of Pakistan. It is not impossible at all.

But unlike other exams of our academic studies, luck matters the most in CSS. It’s so uncertain as well. Even after qualifying the mains, psychological tests and interview, you are never sure about your allocation. In addition, all the afore-mentioned steps take about 1 year to complete and that is quite a time period to do anything.

So, coming back to the topic under discussion, if you want to do CSS, be ready and be willing to put everything at stake. Do not whine about its tough, nerve wrecking and lengthy process because this is how it is. They are not going to offer you such a prestigious job on a silver platter.

If you have the guts, the courage, the stamina and the will to compete, this (civil service) is where you belong. CSS exam will test them all. The only condition is the sacrifice it will seek in return.

"Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice". (Napoleon Hill)

very inspirational line sir. I have been following you for some time now, and i've found all your post with something to get inspiration from.

Your above post is the answer for many aspirants who are in the dilemma whether to sacrifice their time, relatives, all those entertainments which one usually enjoys and off coarse job(many have jobs and can't risk it for the css journey).

But the ambition and the fervor to become a CSP is there. So what to do.??

In my opinion, as you said, if one is aspiring for CSS exam, he must put everything on stake. Allah Almighty helps those who dare to take risks and we all know big risks yield big results.

Thank you aoo much... My father advice me the same ..leave every thing just focus on your aim… so I have sacrificed all ...and I have only one thing to do ... Study..

Jo Allah ki banae hue kismat ko nii mante... Wo Allah per mukamal yakeen kese rkhte?

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Me ne apne iraado ke tootney se Allah ko pehchana h... (Hazrat Ali)

From last three years i have been studying for CSS. For me CSS is far more than a job. Its the biggest passion for which i have been sough-ting after. I have put all my efforts capacities and capabilities to achieve my goal. Now it depends on Allah's will. If He wills i will get the success. I believe and trust Allah. In sha Allah i will be successful. So the last word is its the effort and hard work that is in your hand success is in Allah's hand. He will never waste the hard work.

Mr Shah is right but I think one shouldn't be obsessed with this uncertain examination to the extent of exclusion from the society. No! I'm not discouraging you but one should maintain balance and that balance will help you in competition.

I have seen people stuffing their head with unnecessary frills for years and getting nothing out of it. Contrary to it, Indulging in physical and social activities keeps ones mind healthy and reflexes sharp which are very helpful for competition.

CSS isn't about books or more knowledge it's all about 'relevant knowledge' and most of that knowledge might not be available in books but it's always around you. Observation is key to success for CSS.Observe while you're running in the Park. Observe while you're shopping. Observe while you're watching your favourite Tv show or Movie.

Run as fast as you can on daily basis the day you'll be able to run 2 KM in 8 minutes without any interval I'll place my bet on you for CSS

Overly exaggerated statements have been made while saying that, one has to put 4 to 5 years at stake. I think after preparing for and taking the exams for the first time, one could proceed with job, for the next 2 attempts. There are many examples. Very few people could afford to sit home for years, just for the sake of css exam, the result of which, is not certain as well.

The recruitment procedure of Forces is very efficient whereas FPSC takes almost an year in announcing the results of written examination, leaving the candidates in extreme confusion regarding their career goals.

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shikwa e zulmat e shab se to kahi'n behtar tha
apnay hissay ki koi shama jalatay jatay

Well portrayed by Mr.Shah, but one thing I would like to add that is to focus on a single goal is good but sacrificing each and everything would be suffering. If a person studying for 8 hours daily and keeping up the same routine may lead him to fatigue or may lack confidence. So the best way to get succeed is to study, also manage your social sector too. A day or two in a week for refreshment is good for brain, which will boost up your mood and will give you motivation for continuing up your preparation.

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~~ Khan ~~
Birds born in cage, thinks flying is an illness.

Look if you are looking to avoid the sacrifices you might face as a CSP officer, I have an answer for you.

Following is a story I read somewhere on internet. I think it pretty much sums up answer to the question if CSS is worth the effort.

Here it goes...

" So I was riding my scooter and I happened to pass across a very, very old lady who was carrying a heavy jute bag over her head. I turned my scooter and went to her and offered her a lift to her house. She was partially blind. She started telling me about her only son who was paralysed after he met with an accident. At this old age, she had to take care of every house hold chore because she was a widow and had a paralysed son and had no money. I almost choked and prayed to the supreme being to keep her happy somehow. I dropped her to her house, gave her 100 rupees, took her blessings and went home. This was the most I could do.

Another time, I saw an old man riding a cycle; the ones for the amputed. He was tired and so a kid with him (may be his grandson) started pushing his cycle on the road. I went to the cycle, asked the little boy to sit on my scooter and hold the cycle while I was driving (some what like paaon lagana). I dropped the man and the kid home. The man, to my surprise, was speaking in English. He told me that he used to be a chauffeur for the government cars but lost his job after being amputed. He was so troubled with getting his pension from the government and looking after his orphaned grandson that he finally gave up and started begging. I offered him 75 Rs (that's all I had then). He blessed me and I went home. That was the most I could do.

That night, I got to thinking. Being an ordinary citizen of the country, I could not help people at a large scale. Joining an NGO wouldn't work for me because I just can't simply criticise the government all the time for not taking action to come to aid to such people.

That's when I decided that I had to work with all my efficiency to become an IAS officer( IAS is the same thing as PAS in India). That's the best way to help such people at a larger scale. By bringing the working of the government agencies under my control, I will be able to make sure that such amputed men get their pension and such old women avail the facilities provided by the Government of India...."

If you like to take control of things and make Pakistan a better place, CSS is the path, my friend.

Monk I almost completely agree with you but what's the point in being able to run 2KM in 8 minutes.

Running activates brain cells