Why are thousands protesting Sindh’s major civil service exam?

HYDERABAD: A civil service examination meant to open the door to prestigious government jobs in Sindh has instead triggered months of protests, legal battles and allegations of irregularities, with unsuccessful candidates demanding that the entire process be scrapped and conducted again.

The controversy centres on the Combined Competitive Examination 2024 (CCE-24) conducted by the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC). More than 4,300 candidates appeared in the written examination, which consisted of 10 papers. Yet when the results were announced on May 6, only 70 candidates were declared successful.

The examination is particularly important because successful candidates can be appointed to Grade 16 and 17 positions, including assistant commissioners, assistant directors and section officers.

For many candidates, the unusually low pass rate immediately raised questions.

Why did the results trigger protests?

The protesters’ concerns intensified when detailed marks certificates were uploaded following the announcement.

Candidates noticed what they described as apparent inconsistencies in the marks sheets. One example involved Criminology, an optional subject carrying 100 marks in a single paper, which appeared in some detailed certificates as two papers carrying 200 marks. Candidates said a similar issue was visible in Environmental Science.

Farman Ali, one of the campaign leaders, said candidates initially believed the discrepancy could simply be a technical mistake. However, after finding similar problems in other subjects, they began demanding an explanation from the commission.

The SPSC, meanwhile, has maintained that the examination was conducted according to the applicable rules. Its spokesperson, Hifzullah Kaka, declined to comment on the disputed issues while the matter remained before the courts.

Protests spread across Sindh

Following the results, social media quickly filled with allegations that the examination process had been manipulated to benefit selected candidates.

The Sindh Students Action Committee subsequently organised protests, while candidates began a sit-in outside the SPSC headquarters on Hyderabad’s Thandi Sarak.

A larger rally was held on May 13, drawing students from different parts of Sindh. The following day, MQM-P lawmaker Maaz Mahboob submitted a resolution in the Sindh Assembly, expressing concern over alleged irregularities, merit violations and a lack of transparency.

Protesters later launched the Movement for Restoration of Meritocracy, demanding broader reforms in public recruitment.

The campaign has since spread beyond Hyderabad, with protests reported in Nawabshah, Ghotki, Qambar, Umerkot, Islamkot and Gambat.

How did the controversy reach the courts?

The dispute soon moved into the courtroom.

The Sindh High Court suspended the CCE-24 results and directed the SPSC to produce the complete examination record. The court also halted further appointments and proceedings based on the disputed results.

The SPSC challenged the Sindh High Court’s interim orders before the newly established Federal Constitutional Court, arguing that the examination had been conducted fairly, transparently and under the Sindh Public Service Commission Act, 2022, and Recruitment Management Regulations, 2023.

On July 16, the federal court suspended the Sindh High Court’s interim orders concerning the inquiry, interviews and rechecking of failed candidates.

The development allowed the SPSC to proceed with interviews of the 70 successful candidates.

Protesters refuse to back down

Despite the legal developments, unsuccessful candidates say their concerns remain unresolved.

They are demanding that CCE-24 be cancelled and a fresh examination conducted. They are also calling for the resignation of SPSC Chairman Muhammad Rizwan and commission members, along with an independent judicial inquiry into SPSC examinations and recruitments for Grade 16 and 17 posts over the past five years.

At the heart of the dispute is a question that extends beyond one examination: can young candidates trust the system responsible for deciding who gets a government career?

For thousands of applicants who spent years preparing for the competitive examination, the answer remains uncertain.

As the court proceedings continue, protesters remain camped outside the SPSC headquarters, insisting that their campaign will continue until they receive what they consider a transparent and credible resolution.