Federal age relaxation rules (FPSC and federal departments)
These come from the Initial Appointment to Civil Posts (Relaxation of Upper Age Limit) Rules, 1993 and Establishment Division instructions. They apply to general recruitment, not to the CSS exam.
| Who | Relaxation in upper age limit |
|---|---|
| All candidates (general relaxation) | 5 years |
| Government servants and contract employees with 2 years continuous service on the closing date | 10 years, up to the age of 55 |
| Disabled persons, posts in BPS-15 and below | 10 years |
| Retired or released armed forces personnel | 15 years or the years actually served, whichever is less |
| Widow, son or daughter of a civil servant who died in service | 5 years |
| Scheduled castes, Buddhist community, recognised tribes of the tribal areas, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan | 3 years |
| Sindh (Rural) and Balochistan, posts in BPS-15 and below | 3 years |
You can claim only one of the category relaxations, and the 5-year general relaxation is added on top.
Worked example
An FPSC post in BS-16 says "Age limit 20–28 years plus five years general relaxation" with a closing date of 15 December 2026. Ali was born on 10 March 1993, so on the closing date he is 33 years, 9 months and 5 days old.
- Without relaxation the limit is 28: he is overage.
- With the 5-year general relaxation the limit is 33: he is still overage by 9 months and 5 days.
- Ali has worked in a federal department on contract for three years, so he adds 10 years as a government servant. His limit becomes 43 and he can apply.
Provincial jobs (PPSC, SPSC, KPPSC, BPSC)
Each province has its own relaxation rules, often changed for a fixed period or for particular posts, and they are usually summarised in the advertisement. For example, Sindh approved a general relaxation of up to five years for provincial jobs from January 2025 to December 2026, excluding police and posts filled through its combined competitive exam. Read the "age limit" and "relaxation" lines of your advert carefully and enter the years it allows in the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How is age calculated for government jobs in Pakistan?
Your age is counted on the closing date for applications given in the advertisement, not on the test or interview date. If the advert says 18 to 30 years, you must have turned 18 by the closing date and must not be older than 30 years on that date. Most commissions treat even one day over the upper limit as overage.
What is the 5-year general age relaxation?
For federal government jobs, including FPSC posts, the upper age limit is generally relaxed by five years for all candidates. FPSC adverts usually say "plus five years general relaxation". Some adverts say the five years are already included ("clubbed") in the age limit; in that case untick the box so it is not added twice.
How much age relaxation do government employees get?
Under federal rules, government servants and contract employees who have completed two years of continuous government service on the closing date get up to 10 years of relaxation, but not beyond the age of 55. They usually need a departmental permission or no-objection certificate.
Can I combine two age relaxations?
Under federal rules you can get only one category relaxation (the largest one you qualify for), for example government servant or disabled person, but not both. The five-year general relaxation is given on top of that one category.
How much age relaxation do disabled persons get?
Under federal rules, disabled persons get 10 years of relaxation for posts in BPS-15 and below. Provinces have their own rules, so check the advertisement for provincial posts.
Does the 5-year relaxation apply to CSS?
No. The CSS competitive examination has its own age limit and relaxation rules set by FPSC, and the federal relaxation rules for general recruitment do not apply to it. Check the CSS rules for the year you are applying.
What about PPSC, SPSC, KPPSC and other provincial jobs?
Provinces set their own age relaxation rules, change them from time to time, and the relaxation often depends on the post. Choose "Provincial or other" in the calculator and enter the relaxation your advertisement allows for your category.
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Sources
- Federal relaxation of upper age limit rules, as reproduced in federal job instructions (FBR)
- Establishment Division O.M. on 5 years general age relaxation (24 June 2010)
- Dawn: Sindh cabinet approves age relaxation for provincial jobs (February 2025)
This calculator is for guidance only. The age limit, relaxations and closing date in the official advertisement and recruitment rules are final. Last reviewed 9 November 2026.