The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has issued an important notice regarding the rejection of a number of candidates for the CSS Competitive Examination (CE) 2026. According to the official notification (F.2-23/2026-CE), the rejections are related to non-compliance with procedural requirements under the CSS Competitive Examination Rules, 2019.
Why Were Candidates Rejected?
FPSC has identified two major categories of rejected candidates:
Late Submission of Application or Documents
A group of 106 candidates was rejected under Rule 11 (3 & 5) for submitting their applications or required documents after the closing date of 1 January 2026.Non-Submission of Hard Copy Documents
A much larger group of 1,190 candidates was rejected under Rule 11 (3) due to failure to submit the hard copy/printout of their online application and supporting documents within the prescribed time.
Provisional Permission to Appear in the Exam
Despite the rejection, FPSC has clarified that all rejected candidates are provisionally allowed to appear in the CSS CE-2026 examination under Rule 11 (20) of the CE Rules, 2019. This means that their candidature has not been cancelled outright at this stage.
Right to Submit Representation
FPSC has also provided relief to the affected candidates by allowing them to submit a representation (appeal) against their rejection. Candidates may submit their representation within one month after the examination, in accordance with Rule 17 (1) of the CE Rules, 2019.
What Should Candidates Do Now?
Appear in the CSS CE-2026 examination as scheduled
Carefully review the reason for rejection mentioned by FPSC
Prepare and submit a proper representation with valid justification and supporting documents after the examination
Follow FPSC’s rules and timelines strictly to avoid future complications
Final Note
This notice serves as a reminder that while FPSC may provide procedural flexibility, strict adherence to deadlines and documentation requirements is essential in competitive examinations like CSS. Candidates are advised to remain vigilant, organized, and proactive throughout the process.
