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Age is one of the most common reasons for rejection of FPSC applications. Many candidates are either unsure how FPSC calculates age or do not know about the relaxation categories available to them. This guide covers the official FPSC rules on age calculation, accepted documents, and all age relaxation categories.
How Does FPSC Determine Your Date of Birth?
FPSC accepts the date of birth from the following documents only:
- Matriculation / GCE O-Level or equivalent certificate
- If the GCE O-Level or equivalent certificate does not mention the date of birth, then:
- Secondary School Leaving Certificate along with a birth certificate issued by a Hospital or Municipal Committee
No other documents are accepted for date of birth verification.
What is the Cutoff Date for Age Calculation?
The cutoff date for calculating your age is the closing date for submission of applications as given in the advertisement. This means your age on that specific closing date must fall within the minimum and maximum age limits prescribed for the post.
What Age Relaxations Are Available?
The maximum age limit prescribed under the Recruitment Rules can be relaxed under the Initial Appointment to Civil Posts (Relaxation of Upper Age Limit) Rules, 1993 (as amended from time to time). Here are all the categories:
Category (a): 3 Years Relaxation
The following groups qualify for 3 years of age relaxation:
- Scheduled Castes
- Buddhist Community
- Recognized Tribes of the Tribal Areas
- Candidates from Azad Kashmir
- Candidates from Gilgit-Baltistan
Conditions:
- Only permanent residents of these areas are eligible
- A certificate from the Political Agent or District Coordination Officer of the area must be produced
Category (b): 10 Years Relaxation (up to age 55)
In-service Government servants including contract employees qualify for up to 10 years of age relaxation (maximum age of 55 years), provided they have completed 2 years of continuous Government service on the closing date.
Who is NOT eligible for this relaxation:
- Employees of Nationalized Banks
- Employees of State Bank of Pakistan
- Employees of WAPDA
- Employees of other Semi-Government bodies
- Employees of Autonomous Bodies
Category (c): 15 Years Relaxation (Armed Forces)
Retired or released officers and personnel of the Armed Forces of Pakistan qualify for age relaxation of 15 years or the number of years actually served in the Armed Forces, whichever is less.
Category (d): 5 Years Relaxation (Children of Deceased Civil Servants)
The following qualify for 5 years of age relaxation:
- Widow of a deceased Federal Government civil servant who died during service
- Son of a deceased Federal Government civil servant who died during service
- Daughter of a deceased Federal Government civil servant who died during service
Category (e): 5 Years General Relaxation
A 5 years general age relaxation is available to all candidates over and above any one of the relaxations listed in categories (a) through (d).
Can You Combine Multiple Age Relaxations?
No, not directly. If a candidate is eligible for age relaxation under more than one category (a through d), they can only avail relaxation under one category. However, the 5 years general relaxation (category e) is added on top of whichever single category you choose.
Example Scenarios
| Candidate Profile | Base Relaxation | General Relaxation | Total Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilgit-Baltistan resident | 3 years (category a) | 5 years (category e) | 8 years |
| In-service Govt. servant (2+ years) | 10 years (category b) | 5 years (category e) | 15 years (max age 55) |
| Retired Army officer (12 years service) | 12 years (category c) | 5 years (category e) | 17 years |
| Son of deceased Federal Govt. servant | 5 years (category d) | 5 years (category e) | 10 years |
| General candidate (no special category) | None | 5 years (category e) | 5 years |
Important: Applications claiming age relaxation must be accompanied by adequate proof of the category being claimed.
Quick Summary
- Age is calculated on the closing date of the advertisement
- Date of birth is accepted only from Matriculation or equivalent certificates
- Age relaxation categories: 3, 5, 10, or 15 years depending on your category
- Everyone gets 5 years general relaxation on top of one special category
- You cannot combine multiple special categories, only pick one
- In-service Govt. servants get up to 10 years (max age 55, requires 2 years of service)
- Armed Forces personnel get up to 15 years or actual service years (whichever is less)
To understand domicile requirements and provincial quota rules, read our guide on FPSC Domicile, Citizenship and Provincial Quota Rules.