Civil Service Exam makes comeback to lift public service standards

The reintroduction of the Civil Service Exam marks a major step towards restoring professionalism, consistency and service excellence across the Fiji Public Service, the Public Service Commission (PSC) said yesterday.

PSC chairman Luke Rokovada said the completion of Cohort One of the Civil Service Exam – Introduction to Government Machineries – was a significant milestone, reviving a system that once served as a key entry requirement into the civil service before it was discontinued in 2015.

He congratulated officers who successfully completed the programme, saying the exam had historically ensured civil servants understood how government operated, the laws and policies guiding their work, and the values expected of them.

“The removal of the exam left a clear gap. Over time, that gap affected baseline knowledge, consistency and service delivery across the public service,” Mr Rokovada said.

He said the Commission endorsed the exam’s reintroduction in August last year, supported by the establishment of the Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service and Government’s renewed focus on professionalism, ethics and service excellence.

Mr Rokovada stressed the exam was not intended to make entry into the civil service more difficult, but to ensure all officers started with the same foundational understanding of government machinery and public service standards.

Under the reforms, the former H1 and H2 exams have been merged into a single compulsory course, Introduction to Government Machineries, which all newly appointed civil servants must complete during their probation period.

Following consultations with permanent secretaries, it was also agreed the exam would support promotion processes, while existing confirmation procedures would remain unchanged.

Mr Rokovada acknowledged the work of the Working Committee, Curriculum Committee, Exam Committee and Markers Committee, saying significant effort went into updating the content to reflect current practices, the 2013 Constitution and relevant policies and guidelines.

The programme is currently being piloted in selected ministries, with a full rollout across all ministries scheduled for March 2026.

After the rollout, work will begin on developing service exams for officers in other salary bands.

Addressing Cohort One graduates, Mr Rokovada said they were the first group to undertake the programme, making the achievement particularly significant.

“What you have learned is not just to pass an exam, but to help you do your job better and to serve the people of Fiji with confidence and integrity,” he said.

He said the exam aimed to reinforce the understanding that while officers worked in individual roles, their contributions formed part of a wider governance system that directly affected policy development and the delivery of essential services such as transport, welfare support and healthcare.

Mr Rokovada thanked the Fiji Learning Institute for Public Service, its staff, facilitators, markers and participating ministries for their cooperation and professionalism.

“This is only the beginning. A stronger, more consistent and professional public service starts with a strong foundation, and today we have taken a firm step in that direction,” he said.