ISLAMABAD – The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has announced a major policy shift, replacing traditional written examinations with a multiple-choice question (MCQ) based system for recruitment.
The decision was taken during the commission’s 175th meeting, where it was agreed that all posts from BS-16 to BS-21 under general recruitment will now be assessed through MCQs only.
According to the new framework, candidates will sit for a 100-mark MCQ paper. A system of negative marking will also be applied, with 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer. To qualify, applicants must secure between 40 and 50 marks out of 100, depending on the post applied for.
The FPSC confirmed that the new system will take effect from September 21, 2025.
The move aims to streamline the recruitment process, reduce subjectivity in marking, and ensure faster and more transparent evaluations. However, it has also sparked debate, with some questioning whether the elimination of descriptive exams will compromise the quality of candidate assessment.
