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One of the most common reasons candidates get disqualified from PPSC recruitment is not meeting the eligibility criteria - or not being able to prove that they do. This guide covers the official PPSC rules on eligibility determination, acceptable qualifications, foreign degrees, and equivalent qualification requirements.
When Is Eligibility Determined?
Your eligibility is evaluated as of the closing date for submission of applications. This means:
- Your age must be within the prescribed limits on the closing date
- Your qualification must be acquired on or before the closing date
- Your experience must meet the requirements by the closing date
- All other credentials (domicile, registration certificates, etc.) must be in order by the closing date
What Determines Your Eligibility?
- Qualification, experience, and research papers as prescribed in the Service Rules / Advertisement
- Instructions issued by the Government or the Commission from time to time
Important: The Punjab Public Service Commission has no power to relax any condition of eligibility prescribed in the relevant Service Rules or Advertisement. If you don't meet a requirement, PPSC cannot make an exception.
Acceptable Qualifications
Only the qualification specifically mentioned in the advertisement and relevant Service Rules is acceptable. No other qualification - even if you consider it superior or equivalent - will be accepted unless formally recognized as equivalent.
Foreign Degrees and Diplomas
PPSC accepts degrees, certificates, and diplomas from foreign universities only if they have been recognized by:
- HEC - Higher Education Commission
- PMC/PMDC - Pakistan Medical Commission / Pakistan Medical & Dental Council
- PEC - Pakistan Engineering Council
- PNC - Pakistan Nursing Council
- IBCC - Inter Board Committee of Chairmen
- Any other Competent Agency/Authority
If your foreign degree is not recognized by any of these bodies, it will not be accepted for PPSC recruitment.
Equivalent Qualifications
If you believe your qualification is equivalent to the one prescribed for the post, you must:
- Obtain an equivalence certificate from the relevant competent authority (HEC, PMDC, PEC, etc.)
- The equivalence as determined by QEDC (Qualification Equivalence Determination Committee), approved by the Administrative Department, is accepted as final
- Submit the equivalence certificate at the time of interview
Warning: If you fail to submit the Equivalence Certificate at the time of interview, your candidature will be cancelled. No extensions or excuses are entertained.
Overall Percentage Marks (OPM) Certificate
It is your responsibility to produce an OPM certificate issued by the examining authority (your university or board).
What If You Don't Have an OPM Certificate?
If you fail to produce the OPM certificate, PPSC will credit you with only the minimum pass percentage:
| Qualification | Minimum Pass % Credited |
|---|---|
| MBBS/BDS (per Professional) | 50% |
| B.Sc.(Agri.) / M.Sc.(Agri.) | 40% |
| SSC, HSSC, BA/BSc, MA/MSc | 33% |
This means without an OPM certificate, you'll receive the lowest possible marks for academic merit calculation - which can severely hurt your ranking in shortlisting and interview.
Marks When Detailed Marks Sheet Is Missing
If a degree/diploma/certificate doesn't show marks and you can't submit a detailed marks certificate:
- For MBBS/BDS: 50% marks in that particular Professional
- For B.Sc./M.Sc. Agriculture: 40% marks
- For SSC, HSSC, BA/BSc, MA/MSc: 33% marks
Academic marks for shortlisting and interview are awarded only on the basis of original documents produced at the time of interview. Provisional certificates issued by the Controller of Examination (Board/University) are acceptable if the original hasn't been issued yet.
Medical Fitness Certificate
For posts requiring medical fitness:
- Certificates must be issued by the Medical Superintendent of:
- District Headquarters Hospital, or
- Services Hospital, Lahore, or
- Police Hospitals
- The certificate must be issued within 3 months prior to the closing date
- You must also meet all physical standards prescribed for the post
Departmental Permission Certificate
If you are a currently serving government employee, you must produce a Departmental Permission Certificate at the time of interview.
- The form is available on the PPSC website (www.ppsc.gop.pk)
- It must be signed and stamped by the Competent Authority of your department
Without this certificate, serving government employees cannot proceed through the interview process.
Domicile Certificate Rules
Your domicile certificate must be:
- From the relevant district of Punjab
- Issued on or before the closing date (Exception: if you applied for domicile before the closing date and provide documentary evidence, a domicile issued after the closing date is acceptable)
- Matching your application - the district on your domicile must match what you entered in your online application. A mismatch will result in rejection.
Special Cases
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| Married female candidate | May use husband's domicile district until she acquires her own (must produce husband's domicile + marriage evidence) |
| Permanent resident of Azad Kashmir | Considered resident of the Punjab district where currently living (must produce domicile of that district) |
Professional Registration Requirements
Medical Professionals
- MBBS candidates must have passed the exam AND completed one year of House Job by the closing date
- Full medical registration from PMC/PMDC is required (House Job registration alone is not accepted)
- DVM candidates must have valid PVMC registration
- For post-graduate medical degrees, the registration certificate must mention all degrees acquired
Engineers
- Post-graduate engineers (including Agriculture Engineers) must produce a "Professional Engineer" certificate under the Pakistan Engineering Council Act
Architects & Town Planners
- Must be registered under the Council of Architects and Town Planners Ordinance, 1983
Law Professionals
- Assistant District Public Prosecutors, Deputy District Attorneys, and similar posts require valid Bar Council registration
Nurses
- Must be registered with Pakistan Nursing Council
Key Takeaway
Meet every eligibility requirement before the closing date and have documentary proof ready. Get your foreign degrees recognized, obtain your OPM certificate, secure your equivalence certificates early, and ensure your domicile and professional registrations are in order. PPSC has no power to relax eligibility conditions - if you don't meet them, you're out.