PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission (KPPSC) has launched the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) system, marking a major shift from conventional paper-based examinations to a modern, technology-driven testing mechanism.
A statement issued here said that the initiative has been launched in collaboration with the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA), combining institutional expertise and technological capacity to modernise the examination process and make public-sector recruitment more efficient, transparent and secure.
The first-ever computer-based tests under the new system commenced on Sept 24, 2026, at the KPPSC IT Lab in Peshawar.
Tests for the posts of senior instructor (criminology) and law officer were conducted on Thursday, while examinations for Mobile Application Developer and Network Administrator were held on Friday.
The introduction of the CBT system is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of examinations and accelerate the compilation of results, reducing the time and administrative effort traditionally required for paper-based tests and manual processing.
The digital testing system will also reduce the commission’s reliance on printed question papers, answer sheets and other examination material, helping cut expenditure on printing, paper, stationery, transportation, storage and related administrative arrangements.
Another key objective of the new system is to strengthen examination security and minimise the possibility of unfair means. The computer-based environment will provide greater control over the testing process while reducing human handling of examination material.
The initiative is therefore being viewed as more than a technological upgrade, representing an institutional reform aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, security and reliability of public-sector recruitment.
With the launch of CBT, the KPPSC has taken a significant step towards aligning the province’s public service recruitment system with modern examination practices and creating a stronger foundation for faster and more reliable recruitment processes in the future.
The transition from paper-based examinations to digital testing marks a new chapter in the evolution of competitive examinations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2026
