CSS exams are one of the most important and sought after exams that candidates take. Aspirants study long and hard for months to prepare for exams in hopes of securing their future with one of the most prestigious jobs in the country. The road to exams is bumpy and bumpy, some make it to the end while others drop out in between. The real test, however, begins when the exams begin. Exams are usually taken at various public schools, colleges, and examination halls. The chairs used for candidates are extremely uncomfortable and many end up with back pain during and after exams. Most centers also do not have clean bathrooms or separate glasses for drinking water. Hygiene is an issue and needs to be tackled as soon as possible, especially at a time when viruses like Covid-19 are gaining momentum. In addition, there is no installation of a generator, in case of load shedding. This issue particularly bothered candidates this time around as the exams were held in scorching heat.

In previous years, FPSC scheduled CSS exams from mid-February to the end of February, which was an ideal season. In a country like Pakistan which experiences extremely hot summers, these dates were appropriate as the centers lack air conditioning and generators. In winter, even in the event of load shedding, candidates do not have to face many problems.

This time the exams took place in mid-May, temperatures had started to rise since March and a heat wave was forecast. The maximum temperatures at which candidates appeared for examinations were 47 degrees centigrade. There have been reports of candidates fainting due to excessive heat and suffocation in the exam rooms. In one of the centers in Lahore, it was reported that the first two days candidates had to take exams without any electricity. Such conditions hinder a person’s ability to function at full capacity and give an advantage to others who had air conditioning installed. This is Pakistan’s system. Nothing is fair and you have to be prepared for all kinds of conditions. However, the dates chosen by the FPSC were irrational. Knowing the conditions of the centers and the load shedding situation, they should not have subjected the candidates to such torture. However, CSS is known as a game of nerfs and certainly this time around they were tested more than ever. But that doesn’t mean the government should only care about CSS exam schedules. The baccalaureate and other level exams are equally important. Each exam is a question of future and career for the candidates. They should not lose points just because of poor conditions at the exam centers.