PPSC CCE 2026: 48 PMS Posts, Age Limit Raised to 32

PPSC CCE 2026 offers 48 BS-17 posts across three Punjab government departments. The Punjab Public Service Commission has announced the Combined Competitive Examination under Advertisement No. 12/2026, and applications will stay open until November 30, 2026.

The vacancies include 45 Provincial Management Service (PMS) posts, one Excise and Taxation Officer post, and two Assistant Director Local Fund Audit posts. All posts fall under BS-17, and selected candidates may receive postings anywhere in Punjab.

The commission has also raised the upper age limit from 30 to 32 years and increased the maximum number of attempts from three to four. The changes give thousands of aspirants a wider window to enter the provincial service.

PPSC CCE 2026 posts on offer

The Services and General Administration Department has 45 PMS vacancies. The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has announced one Excise and Taxation Officer vacancy. The Finance Department has advertised two Assistant Director Local Fund Audit posts.

The PMS posts form the core of the provincial management cadre. Officers in this service work in district administration, secretariat posts and field assignments across Punjab. The Excise and Taxation Officer post covers revenue work, while the Local Fund Audit posts cover audit of local government accounts.

Candidates must hold at least a second-division bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. The commission has set the same minimum qualification for all three categories.

Male, female and transgender candidates can apply. Applicants must hold a Punjab domicile and meet the remaining eligibility conditions by the application deadline.

Age limit and attempts raised

The Punjab government has increased the upper age limit for the Combined Competitive Examination from 30 to 32 years. Under the revised rules, general candidates must be between 21 and 32 years old.

The government has also increased the maximum number of examination attempts from three to four. According to the advertisement, these changes provide a special one-time relaxation for the Combined Competitive Examinations in 2026 and 2027.

The commission will calculate candidates’ ages as of January 1, 2027. Eligible government employees can apply up to the age of 35, subject to the prescribed service requirements. Persons with disabilities can receive age relaxation up to a maximum of 45 years under the applicable rules.

The relaxation matters for candidates who lost attempts to age limits in past cycles. A 32-year-old graduate who had timed out under the old rules can now apply, and a candidate who has already used three attempts gets one more chance.

Exam pattern and passing marks

The Combined Competitive Examination 2026 will consist of 11 written papers carrying a total of 1,100 marks. Candidates must attempt ten compulsory papers and one optional subject. Each paper carries 100 marks.

The compulsory subjects are General Knowledge, Mental Ability and Reasoning Test, English Essay, English Precis and Comprehension, Urdu, Islamic Studies or Ethics, Pakistan Studies-I, Pakistan Studies-II, International Affairs, and Economy and Development.

Candidates can select one optional subject from 30 available subjects, including Computer Science, Economics, Business Administration, Mathematics, Political Science, Sociology and Agriculture.

The commission will conduct an interview and viva voce carrying 300 marks, bringing the overall total to 1,400 marks.

The passing rules are strict. Candidates must secure at least 33 per cent marks in the Mental Ability and Reasoning Test. They must also obtain at least 40 marks in each remaining written paper and secure a minimum of 550 marks out of 1,100 in the written examination to qualify for the interview.

Applicants must then score at least 50 per cent in the interview to qualify for the final merit list. The commission will deduct 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer in the General Knowledge multiple-choice paper.

How to apply

Interested candidates must submit their applications online through the official PPSC website at ppsc.gop.pk. Applicants must complete the online form with their personal details, educational qualifications and domicile information.

Candidates must also pay the prescribed application fee through the available payment channels, including ATMs, mobile banking, internet banking, JazzCash, Easypaisa and 1Link member banks.

PPSC will not accept applications submitted by hand or through the post. Government employees must also meet the applicable departmental permission requirements.

The deadline is November 30, 2026. Candidates should apply early, since the portal often slows down in the final days. The commission announced 299 vacancies in its Advertisement 11 earlier this year, and the Ministry of Defence has also advertised posts. Readers looking for other openings can check the latest government jobs in Pakistan and all government jobs in Pakistan.

Frequently asked questions

How many posts are open in PPSC CCE 2026?

PPSC has announced 48 BS-17 posts: 45 Provincial Management Service posts, one Excise and Taxation Officer post, and two Assistant Director Local Fund Audit posts.

What is the age limit for PPSC CCE 2026?

General candidates must be between 21 and 32 years old, with ages calculated as of January 1, 2027. Government employees can apply up to 35, and persons with disabilities can get relaxation up to 45 years.

How many attempts are allowed in the PPSC exam?

Candidates can now attempt the Combined Competitive Examination up to four times, up from three. The change is a special one-time relaxation for the 2026 and 2027 examinations.

What is the exam pattern for PPSC CCE 2026?

The exam has 11 written papers worth 1,100 marks, with ten compulsory papers and one optional subject. Candidates who pass the written stage face an interview and viva voce worth 300 marks.

What are the passing marks for PPSC CCE 2026?

Candidates need 33 per cent in the Mental Ability and Reasoning Test, 40 marks in each other paper, and 550 out of 1,100 overall to reach the interview. They must then score at least 50 per cent in the interview for the final merit list.

What is the last date to apply for PPSC CCE 2026?

Applications close on November 30, 2026. Candidates must apply online at ppsc.gop.pk and pay the fee through an ATM, mobile banking, internet banking, JazzCash, Easypaisa or a 1Link member bank.