Overview
Pakistan has no single national police recruitment exam. Police forces are provincial, and each province and each rank has its own recruitment route, announced through advertisements from the provincial police or the provincial public service commission. This page uses one clearly labelled worked example: the fast-track promotion examinations that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission (KPPSC) runs for serving police officers. These are promotion exams for people already in the force, not entry exams for new recruits.
Important
Entry-level recruitment details (constable, direct Assistant Sub-Inspector and Sub-Inspector posts) could not be confirmed from a readable official source. The Punjab Police jobs page, when reviewed in October 2026, listed only an internal recruitment notice and a result notice. Check the current advertisement of the force you want to join.
Who can apply
For the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) fast-track promotion quota in Advertisement No. 09/2026, the commission asked for the following:
A second-class bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognised university.
Confirmed rank of Inspector, with the probation period completed satisfactorily.
No major penalty in the last three years.
A two-week basic course passed at any four of the police specialised schools while serving as a junior officer.
Pakistani citizenship and a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile, including merged districts.
The advertisement counted age as on 1 January 2026 and offered the post in pay scale BPS-17 to male and female candidates.
Exam pattern
Each exam is a series of written papers followed by a viva voce. Every paper and the viva voce need a 40% pass.
Assistant Sub-Inspector (fast track promotion)
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| Urdu Essay and Comprehension | 75 |
| English Composition and Comprehension | 75 |
| Police Practical Work | 100 |
| Selected parts of the Basic Recruit Course | 50 |
| General Knowledge and Pakistan Affairs | 50 |
| Computer Literacy | 50 |
| Viva Voce | 50 |
The total is 450 marks.
Sub-Inspector (fast track promotion)
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| Selected parts of major Acts (Pakistan Penal Code 1860, Criminal Procedure Code 1898, Qanoon-e-Shahadat Order 1984) | 100 |
| Selected local and special laws, police laws and rules, and human rights | 100 |
| Case Files Preparation (practical) | 100 |
| Police practical work, forensic science and medical jurisprudence (theory) | 100 |
| Intelligence, Surveillance and Security | 50 |
| English Composition and Comprehension | 100 |
| Computer Literacy | 50 |
| Pakistan Affairs and General Knowledge | 100 |
| Viva Voce | 50 |
The total is 750 marks.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (fast track promotion)
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| Criminal case studies based on the Advanced Course | 100 |
| Selected local and special laws, police laws and rules, and human rights | 100 |
| Case Files Preparation (heinous offences and terrorism cases) | 100 |
| Police practical work and scientific investigation (theory) | 50 |
| Intelligence, Surveillance and Security | 100 |
| English Composition and Comprehension | 100 |
| Computer Literacy | 50 |
| Pakistan Affairs and General Knowledge | 100 |
| Viva Voce | 50 |
The total is 750 marks.
Marking and results
The commission's published syllabi set a 40% qualifying mark for each paper and for the total. In the DSP advertisement, extra marks are added for eligible candidates: ten marks for the Quaid-e-Azam Police Medal or Pakistan Police Medal, and five marks for those who passed the six-month Basic Elite Training Course. A candidate who is absent from the whole written examination keeps the chance, but one who appears in even one subject is counted as having used it.
Important dates
Advertisement No. 09/2026 was dated 10 September 2026, with online applications accepted until 5:00 PM on 28 September 2026. That deadline had passed by the review date.
Fees
The application fee in Advertisement No. 09/2026 was Rs. 500, excluding service charges, paid through a 1Bill option in banking and mobile-wallet apps.
How to apply
Applications for this advertisement were online only, through the KPPSC website. Documents were not needed at submission and were requested later by the commission.
Is there one Pakistan Police exam?
No. Recruitment is organised by province and by rank. Check the advertisement from the provincial police or public service commission.
Can civilians apply for the fast-track promotion exams?
No. The DSP advertisement is for serving officers who hold the rank of Inspector and meet the service conditions listed above.