The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) has announced the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2026, offering 48 BS-17 government positions across three Punjab government departments. The recruitment includes 45 Provincial Management Service (PMS) positions, one Excise and Taxation Officer position, and two Assistant Director Local Fund Audit positions.
According to the reported details of PPSC Advertisement No. 12/2026, eligible candidates can submit their online applications until November 30, 2026. The latest recruitment announcement also introduces important changes to the upper age limit and the maximum number of examination attempts.
Candidates planning to apply should carefully review the eligibility criteria, revised examination structure, passing requirements and application procedure before completing their registration.
The Combined Competitive Examination provides an opportunity for qualified Punjab domicile holders to compete for officer-level government positions. The latest announcement covers three categories of BS-17 vacancies.
The following table summarizes the main recruitment information.
|
Particulars |
PPSC CCE 2026 Details |
|---|---|
|
Conducting Organization |
Punjab Public Service Commission |
|
Examination Name |
Combined Competitive Examination 2026 |
|
Advertisement Number |
12/2026 |
|
Total Vacancies |
48 |
|
Job Scale |
BS-17 |
|
Qualification |
Minimum second-division bachelor's degree |
|
Domicile |
Punjab |
|
General Age Limit |
21–32 years |
|
Age Calculation Date |
January 1, 2027 |
|
Maximum Examination Attempts |
4 |
|
Application Deadline |
November 30, 2026 |
|
Application Method |
Online |
|
Official Website |
Candidates should follow the official PPSC portal for any changes to the application schedule, examination arrangements or recruitment requirements.
The commission has announced 48 positions across the Services and General Administration Department, Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department, and Finance Department.
|
Post Name |
Department |
Vacancies |
Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Provincial Management Service (PMS) |
Services and General Administration Department |
45 |
BS-17 |
|
Excise and Taxation Officer |
Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department |
1 |
BS-17 |
|
Assistant Director Local Fund Audit |
Finance Department |
2 |
BS-17 |
|
Total |
48 |
These positions offer opportunities for graduates interested in public administration, financial oversight and provincial government services.
Final appointments, departmental allocation and postings will depend on the applicable recruitment rules and selection process.
Candidates interested in applying for the Combined Competitive Examination must satisfy the educational, age and domicile conditions specified in the advertisement.
Applicants must possess at least a second-division bachelor's degree from a recognized university.
Candidates should ensure that their academic qualification meets the requirements before submitting an application. The relevant qualification must have been obtained by the prescribed eligibility deadline.
A valid Punjab domicile is required for the advertised positions.
Candidates holding domicile from another province should not assume they are eligible merely because they meet the educational and age requirements.
Male, female and transgender candidates can apply, provided they fulfill the relevant eligibility requirements.
Applicants should also review any category-specific conditions, documentary requirements and applicable government service rules.
One of the major developments in the PPSC CCE 2026 announcement is the increase in the general upper age limit from 30 to 32 years.
The revised age conditions are reported as follows:
|
Candidate Category |
Age Requirement |
|---|---|
|
General Candidates |
21–32 years |
|
Eligible Government Employees |
Upper limit up to 35 years, subject to service requirements |
|
Persons with Disabilities |
Relaxation up to a maximum age of 45 years, subject to applicable rules |
|
Age Calculation Date |
January 1, 2027 |
The revised relaxation has been reported as a special arrangement for the 2026 and 2027 Combined Competitive Examination cycles.
Candidates should calculate their age using the specified cutoff date rather than the date on which they submit their application.
Government employees and applicants claiming additional relaxation should carefully examine the conditions in the official advertisement.
Another important change is the reported increase in the maximum number of examination attempts from three to four.
This adjustment provides an additional opportunity for candidates who have previously appeared in the competitive examination.
However, candidates should not assume that the new limit permanently applies to every future PMS examination. The revised provision has been reported specifically in connection with the 2026 and 2027 examination cycles.
Applicants with previous attempts should check the official counting rules and their eligibility before applying.
The newly reported examination structure consists of 11 written papers carrying a total of 1,100 marks.
The written examination includes ten compulsory papers and one optional subject. Each paper carries 100 marks.
|
No. |
Compulsory Paper |
Marks |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
General Knowledge |
100 |
|
2 |
Mental Ability and Reasoning Test |
100 |
|
3 |
English Essay |
100 |
|
4 |
English Precis and Comprehension |
100 |
|
5 |
Urdu |
100 |
|
6 |
Islamic Studies / Ethics |
100 |
|
7 |
Pakistan Studies-I |
100 |
|
8 |
Pakistan Studies-II |
100 |
|
9 |
International Affairs |
100 |
|
10 |
Economy and Development |
100 |
|
Total Compulsory Marks |
1,000 |
Candidates are required to select one optional subject carrying 100 marks from the available subjects.
Reported options include Computer Science, Economics, Business Administration, Mathematics, Political Science, Sociology and Agriculture.
Candidates should consult the complete official optional-subject list and syllabus before making their selection.
The written examination carries 1,100 marks, followed by an interview and viva voce component worth 300 marks. The reported overall assessment total is 1,400 marks.
Important: The newly reported CCE 2026 paper structure differs from the conventional PMS syllabus described in some earlier preparation resources. Applicants must follow the examination scheme attached to their specific advertisement.
For additional study material, candidates can consult the PMS syllabus and subject resources available on Ilmkidunya, while verifying which topics apply to the 2026 examination.

The examination has separate qualifying conditions for written papers and the interview stage.
Candidates must satisfy the individual paper requirements as well as the overall written examination threshold.
|
Examination Component |
Reported Passing Requirement |
|---|---|
|
Mental Ability and Reasoning Test |
Minimum 33% |
|
Each Remaining Written Paper |
Minimum 40 marks out of 100 |
|
Overall Written Examination |
Minimum 550 out of 1,100 |
|
Interview / Viva Voce |
Minimum 50% |
|
General Knowledge MCQs |
Negative marking of 0.25 for each incorrect answer |
Candidates who fail to meet the applicable minimum marks in an individual paper may not qualify even if their overall written score is high.
The reported negative-marking provision also makes accuracy important in the General Knowledge paper.
Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official Punjab Public Service Commission website.
Follow these steps to complete the application process:
Visit the official PPSC website at https://www.ppsc.gop.pk.
Open the online application section.
Locate the Combined Competitive Examination 2026 advertisement.
Read the eligibility criteria and application instructions.
Enter the required personal and educational information.
Provide the relevant domicile and identification details.
Pay the prescribed application fee through an accepted payment channel.
Complete the remaining application requirements.
Review all entered information before final submission.
Save the application confirmation for future reference.
The reported payment options include ATMs, mobile banking, internet banking, JazzCash, Easypaisa and participating 1Link member banks.
Candidates should use the payment instructions displayed on the official portal and retain their transaction details.
Applications must be submitted online. Hand-delivered and postal applications are not accepted.
The reported final date for submitting online applications is November 30, 2026.
Candidates are advised to complete their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
Before submission, applicants should verify their qualification, date of birth, domicile, previous examination attempts and any claimed age relaxation.
Government employees should also check whether departmental permission or additional documentation is required.
Candidates should begin their preparation by downloading the examination syllabus and identifying the subjects included in the latest paper pattern.
A practical preparation plan should cover English writing, general knowledge, reasoning, Pakistan affairs, international developments and the selected optional subject.
Regular written practice is particularly useful for descriptive papers, while timed objective-question practice can help candidates improve their speed and accuracy.
Candidates can use PMS past papers and solved practice material to understand question formats and develop examination skills.
However, previous PMS papers should be used as supplementary preparation material rather than treated as an exact representation of the newly reported CCE 2026 pattern.
Applicants should also review the official syllabus for any newly introduced or reorganized subjects.
The exact written examination date and roll number slip release schedule have not been established in the available announcement details.
Candidates should avoid relying on unofficial examination dates circulated through social media.
PPSC will provide further instructions through its official website and relevant examination notices.
Applicants should regularly check the commission's announcements after completing their applications.
Question: Has PPSC announced the Combined Competitive Examination 2026?
Answer: Yes. PPSC CCE 2026 has been reported under Advertisement No. 12/2026, with 48 BS-17 vacancies across three Punjab government departments.
Question: What is the last date to apply for PPSC CCE 2026?
Answer: The reported application deadline is November 30, 2026. Candidates should submit their applications online through the official PPSC website before the closing date.
Question: How many PMS vacancies are available in PPSC CCE 2026?
Answer: The announcement includes 45 Provincial Management Service positions. There is also one Excise and Taxation Officer vacancy and two Assistant Director Local Fund Audit vacancies, bringing the total to 48.
Question: What is the age limit for PPSC PMS 2026?
Answer: The revised general age range is reported as 21 to 32 years, calculated as of January 1, 2027. Different upper limits may apply to eligible government employees and persons with disabilities under the prescribed rules.
Question: How many attempts are allowed for PPSC CCE 2026?
Answer: The maximum number of attempts has reportedly increased from three to four under the special arrangements for the 2026 and 2027 examination cycles.
Question: What qualification is required for PPSC CCE 2026?
Answer: Applicants must hold at least a second-division bachelor's degree from a recognized university and satisfy the remaining eligibility conditions, including Punjab domicile requirements.
Question: What are the passing marks for PPSC CCE 2026?
Answer: The reported requirements include at least 33% in Mental Ability and Reasoning, at least 40 marks in each remaining written paper, and an overall written score of at least 550 out of 1,100. Candidates must also obtain at least 50% in the interview.
Question: When will PPSC conduct the CCE 2026 written examination?
Answer: The written examination date has not been confirmed in the available announcement details. Candidates should follow the official PPSC website for the examination schedule and roll number slip updates.