Historic Achievement: Two Hindu Men Break Barriers in Pakistan's Civil Service

In a groundbreaking achievement, two Hindu men from Sindh province have qualified for Pakistan's federal civil service, a sector where minority representation has been historically low. Jeevan Rebari and Khem Chand Jandora's success highlights the ongoing efforts to improve inclusion within government jobs. Despite facing significant financial challenges, both candidates persevered, with Khem Chand's family making sacrifices for his education and Jeevan achieving success on merit without relying on minority quotas. This milestone not only reflects their personal triumphs but also underscores the need for greater representation of minorities in Pakistan's civil service.

By Ambika Singh May 3, 2026, 17:44 IST

Two Hindu Candidates Excel in Pakistan's Civil Service Exams

Islamabad: In a significant milestone, two individuals from Pakistan's Hindu minority have successfully qualified for the federal civil service, a sector where their representation has been notably scarce.

Jeevan Rebari and Khem Chand Jandora, both hailing from Sindh province, were among the 170 candidates who passed the Central Superior Services (CSS) exams, as announced by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) on Thursday.

With a population of approximately 3.8 million, Hindus represent the largest minority group in Pakistan, primarily located in Sindh, according to the latest census data from 2023.

Historically, minority representation in the CSS has been minimal, prompting the government to initiate programs aimed at enhancing inclusion, such as a special training initiative launched in 2025.

The FPSC reported that out of 12,792 candidates who took the written exams, only 355 succeeded, with 170 ultimately selected after subsequent evaluations.

Currently, there are 123 seats allocated for minorities that remain unfilled, underscoring the significance of the achievements of these two men.

Khem Chand's family faced financial hardships, taking out high-interest loans and selling jewelry to support his education, while Jeevan, lacking resources, sought refuge in a gurdwara and relied on community meals, as reported by the BBC.

Khem Chand is part of the 'Jandora community', named after a traditional stone mill used for grinding wheat.

His father was a pioneer in advocating for education within their community, which historically viewed schooling as a challenge to traditional roles.

To fund his education, Khem Chand's mother sold her jewelry, and his father borrowed money from private lenders.

Jeevan Rebari's accomplishment is particularly noteworthy as he did not utilize the minority quota but succeeded based on general merit.

Coming from a community traditionally engaged in livestock herding, he completed his education at government institutions, earning his LLB from Sindh University in 2021 before moving to Lahore for competitive exam preparation, where he first attempted the CSS in 2023.

The CSS encompasses 12 groups, ranging from the Foreign Service to the Postal Service, and Rajendra Menghwar made history as the first Hindu officer in the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) after the 2022 results.

Rajendra's success has inspired others to pursue similar paths, demonstrating the potential for change.

Despite constitutional guarantees of equal rights and a 5% quota for minorities in federal employment, actual representation continues to fall short of these benchmarks.