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Before applying for any FPSC vacancy, understanding the eligibility criteria is essential. Many candidates get rejected simply because they misunderstand the qualification or experience requirements. This guide explains exactly what FPSC expects in terms of education, experience, and related rules.
When Must You Meet All Eligibility Requirements?
Eligibility in all respects - including age, educational qualification, and experience - is reckoned up to the closing date of the advertisement. This means:
- Your degree must be officially awarded by the closing date
- Your experience must meet the required duration by the closing date
- Your age must fall within the prescribed limits on the closing date
A candidate must satisfy the Commission on eligibility in terms of the recruitment rules governing the post and conditions advertised. The Commission's decision regarding eligibility is final.
Warning: If any serious deficiency in eligibility is observed at any stage, the Commission may cancel your candidature or withdraw your nomination, even after you have been recommended.
What Are the Rules for Educational Qualifications?
When Must Qualifications Be Acquired?
The prescribed educational qualifications and valid registrations (with PEC, PMDC, PNC, or similar bodies where applicable) must have been acquired on or before the closing date for submission of applications.
What if Results Are Not Announced by the Closing Date?
Applications from candidates whose results are not officially announced by the Controller of Examination of a Board or University on or before the closing date will not be considered. You must provide proof of the announcement of results (date, month, and year) along with your documents.
How is the Date of Qualification Determined?
The result declaration date mentioned on the transcript is treated as the date of completion of educational qualification. This is checked against the closing date of the advertisement.
What About Foreign or Domestic Degree Equivalence?
If you hold a foreign or domestic degree and claim it is equivalent to the prescribed qualification for the post, you must produce an equivalence certificate at the time of document submission. These certificates are issued by:
- Higher Education Commission (HEC) - for general degrees
- Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) - for engineering degrees
- Pakistan Council of Architects & Town Planners - for architecture degrees
- Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) - for nursing qualifications
- Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) - for medical degrees
- Inter Board Committee - for intermediate-level equivalence
Without the equivalence certificate, your application will be rejected. No subsequent claims on this account are accepted.
Important: The decision on which foreign or Pakistani qualification is equivalent to a corresponding Pakistani degree rests solely with the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
What Counts as Post-Qualification Experience?
"Post-qualification experience" is defined as experience gained in a regular full-time paid job acquired after attaining the requisite or minimum advertised qualifications. Here are the key details:
What Types of Experience Are Accepted?
- Regular full-time paid employment
- Daily wages or contingent services
- On-the-job training (subject to relevancy)
What Types of Experience Are NOT Accepted?
- Part-time work
- Honorary or voluntary work
- Self-employment
- Apprenticeship or internship
How is the Experience Period Calculated?
The period of post-qualification experience is counted from:
- Start: The date of commencement of experience (which must be after the date the result of the requisite qualification is officially announced)
- End: The closing date of the advertisement
Can You Overlap Experience Periods?
No. Any experience that overlaps with another period of post-qualification experience is not admissible.
Can You Submit Additional Experience Later?
No. Subsequent changes in post-qualification experience in the form of additional certificates supplied later are not admissible (unless specifically asked for by the FPSC).
Which Private Sector Experience is Valid?
Experience from private firms, companies, institutions, organizations, banks, and NGOs is accepted only if the employer:
- Is well known nationally or internationally
- Is appropriately registered or incorporated with the concerned government department or institution
- Maintains proper office(s)
- Has a proper registration number or reference number (where applicable)
Does M.Phil. or Ph.D. Count as Experience?
Yes, with conditions. The period spent obtaining an M.Phil. or Ph.D. in the relevant field is treated as practical experience:
| Degree | Experience Credit |
|---|---|
| M.Phil. | Up to 2 years |
| Ph.D. | Up to 4 years |
Conditions for This Concession:
- A candidate who obtained the M.Phil. or Ph.D. during service cannot count this period as both service and experience (no double benefit)
- This concession is not available for posts where the prescribed qualification itself is M.Phil. or Ph.D.
What Format Must Experience Certificates Follow?
Experience certificates must include:
- Exact dates and duration of employment
- Proof that it was a regular full-time paid job
- Nature of job and detailed job description
Who Can Issue the Certificate?
| Employer Type | Issuing Authority |
|---|---|
| Government Department | An authorized officer higher in status than the post applied for |
| Private Firm/Organization | CEO, Director (HR/Admin), or Manager (HR) with their CNIC number, address, and phone number |
Quick Summary
- Eligibility is determined as of the closing date of the advertisement
- Qualifications must be officially awarded before the closing date
- Foreign degrees require HEC equivalence certificates
- Only regular full-time paid experience counts
- Part-time, honorary, self-employed, and internship experience is not accepted
- Experience periods cannot overlap
- M.Phil. counts as 2 years and Ph.D. as 4 years of experience (with conditions)
- Additional experience certificates submitted later are not accepted
Learn about FPSC test structure and passing criteria in our guide on FPSC Test Structure, Passing Marks and Exam Day Rules.