Pakistan, March 3 -- For generations, Pakistan's civil services have stood as a gateway to public administration, diplomacy, and law enforcement, drawing talent from a wide range of academic backgrounds. But now, with the introduction of the Cluster-Based Competitive Examination (CBCE), a fundamental shift is underway, sparking intense debate among aspirants and policymakers alike.

The idea behind CBCE is simple - align candidates with service groups based on their educational qualifications. Yet, in its attempt to introduce specialization, the new system risks alienating talented individuals whose degrees do not fit neatly into predefined clusters. Instead of creating a more efficient bureaucracy, CBCE could unintentionally shrink the t...