If you want to learn about the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam in Pakistan, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information and preparation required. But don’t worry; this guide is here to help you. In this guide, you will find out:
What is the CSS exam, and why is it important?
What are the eligibility criteria, age limit, application process, and fee structure for the CSS exam?
What are the exam pattern, syllabus, and marking scheme for the CSS exam?
How to prepare for the CSS exam, including research, writing, and revision tips?
This guide is based on reliable sources and up-to-date information from the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), which conducts the annual CSS exam. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced candidate, this guide will provide you with useful insights and practical advice to help you achieve your dream of becoming a civil servant in Pakistan. So let’s get started!
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What is the CSS exam, and why is it important?
The CSS exam is a competitive exam conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) every year to recruit civil servants for the 12 service groups of Pakistan’s Central Superior Services (CSS). The CSS exam is important because:
- It is one of Pakistan’s most prestigious and challenging exams, with a very low pass rate of around 2-3%.
- It offers a rewarding career in the public sector, with job security, attractive salary, perks and benefits, and opportunities for professional growth and development.
- It enables the candidates to serve their country and contribute to its progress and prosperity in various fields such as administration, diplomacy, law enforcement, taxation, commerce, information, etc.
- It tests the candidates’ knowledge, skills, aptitude, and personality across a wide range of subjects and disciplines, including English, General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, Islamic Studies or Ethics, and optional subjects.
- It requires the candidates to have a comprehensive and updated knowledge of national and international affairs and a critical and analytical approach to problem-solving.
What are the Eligibility Criteria, Age Limit, Process, and Fee Structure for CSS Exam?
To apply for the CSS exam, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria, age limit, application process, and fee structure:
Eligibility criteria
- You must be a Pakistani citizen or a person deriving nationality from the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
- You must have at least a bachelor’s degree with a second division or grade C from a recognized university in Pakistan or abroad.
- You must not be married to a foreign national without prior permission from the government.
Age limit
You must be between 21 and 30 years of age on December 31 of the year preceding the exam. For example, for CSS-2023, you must be between 21 and 30 years on December 31, 2022. There are some exceptions for certain categories of candidates, such as government employees, recognized tribes, and areas, who can apply up to the age of 32 years.
Application process
We have outlined the whole process of CSS.
Apply Online
Visit the FPSC website and fill out the online application form by providing your personal details, educational qualifications, service group preferences, optional subjects, and other information. You also need to upload scanned copies of your documents such as CNIC, degree, domicile, etc.
Submit Hard Copy
Print out your online application form, attach the original fee challan form, and attested copies of your documents. Send this hard copy to the FPSC headquarters by post or courier before the specified date.
Receive Admission Certificate
After verification of your eligibility, you will receive an admission certificate for the written exam by email or SMS. You can also download it from the FPSC website. The admission certificate will contain your roll number, exam centre, and exam schedule.
MCQs-Based Preliminary Test (MPT)
MPT is a screening test that will be conducted for the first time in 2023 for CSS aspirants. The MPT will consist of 200 MCQs from four sections: English, General Ability, Urdu, and Islamic Studies. The MPT will carry 200 marks, which will be two hours long. The candidates who qualify for the MPT will be eligible to apply for the CSS main exam.
- The test will comprise 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) of one mark each.
- There is no negative marking.
- Time duration will be 200 minutes.
- Qualifying Threshold: Overall 33% Marks (66/200).
- Fee for the MPT will be Rs. 350/- (non-refundable).
Appear in Written Exam
The written exam consists of 12 papers: six compulsory papers and six optional papers. The compulsory papers are English Essay, English Precis and Composition, General Knowledge (Everyday Science), General Knowledge (Current Affairs), General Knowledge (Pakistan Affairs), and Islamic Studies or Ethics. The optional papers are chosen from a list of subjects according to your service group preferences. The written exam is held in February each year at various centres across Pakistan.
Qualify For Written Exam
The FPSC will announce the written exam result on its website and in newspapers after a few months. You need to score at least 40% marks in each paper and 50% marks in aggregate to qualify for the next stage.
Pay Health Fee
If you qualify for the written exam, you need to pay Rs. 100/- as the health fee for the medical examination. You can deposit this fee in any State Bank of Pakistan or the Government Treasury branch under the head “C-02839-Health Fee for Medical Examination”.
Appear In Medical Examination
The FPSC will arrange a medical examination for you at a designated hospital or medical board. You need to undergo various tests and check-ups to ensure that you are physically fit and healthy for the civil service.
Qualify for Medical Examination
The FPSC will announce the medical examination result on its website and in newspapers. You need to pass the medical examination to qualify for the next stage.
Pay Medical Board Fee
If you pass the medical examination, you need to pay Rs. 1400/- as the fee for the medical board. You can deposit this fee in any State Bank of Pakistan or the Government Treasury branch under the head “C-02839-Health Fee for Medical Examination”.
Appear in Psychological Assessment
The FPSC will conduct a psychological assessment for you at its headquarters or regional offices. You need to take various tests and exercises to assess your mental abilities and personality traits.
Qualify in Psychological Assessment
The FPSC will announce the result of the psychological assessment on its website and in newspapers. You need to pass the psychological assessment to qualify for the next stage.
Appear In Interview
The FPSC will invite you for an interview with a panel of experts and senior civil servants at its headquarters or regional offices. You need to answer various questions about your academic background, general knowledge, current affairs, service group preferences, etc.
Qualify In Interview
The FPSC will announce the final result of the interview on its website and in newspapers. You need to score at least 50% marks in the interview to qualify for the final selection.
Get Allocated
The FPSC will allocate you to a service group and a department according to your merit, preferences, and vacancies. You will receive an allocation letter from the FPSC by post or email.
Join Training
You will join a training academy or institute for your respective service group and department. You will undergo rigorous training for a period of 6 months to 2 years, depending on your service group and department. You will learn the skills and knowledge required for your civil service career.
Start Service
After completing your training, you will start your service as a civil servant in Pakistan. You will be posted to various positions and locations according to your service group and department.
The following are 12 federal government departments where candidates are generally posted after they qualify for the CSS exams:
- Foreign Service of Pakistan
- Pakistan Administrative Service
- Police Service of Pakistan
- Inland Revenue Service of Pakistan
- Pakistan Customs Services
- Commerce & Trade Group
- Information Services of Pakistan
- Military Lands & Cantonment Group
- Office Management and Secretariat Group
- Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service
- Postal Group
- Railways (Commercial & Transport) Group
Fee Structure of CSS Exam in Pakistan
- Application fee for the written exam: Rs. 2200/–
- You can deposit this fee in any branch of National Bank of Pakistan, State Bank of Pakistan, or Government Treasury under the head “C02101-Organs of State Exam Fee (FPSC Receipt)”.
- Health fee for the medical examination: Rs. 100/-
- Medical board fee if you qualify for the written exam: Rs. 1400/-
- You can deposit these fees in any State Bank of Pakistan or Government Treasury branch under the head “C-02839-Health Fee for Medical Examination”.
- Fee for rechecking your marks or filing a review petition: Rs. 500/- per paper.
What are the Exam Pattern, Syllabus, and Marking Scheme for CSS Exam?
The exam pattern, syllabus, and marking scheme for the CSS exam are as follows:
Compulsory Subjects for CSS Exam in Pakistan
- Essay (100 marks)
- English (Precis & Composition) (100 marks)
- General Science & Ability (100 marks)
- Current Affairs (100 marks)
- Pakistan Affairs (100 marks)
- Islamic Studies or Comparative Study of Major Religions (For Non-Muslims) (100 marks)
The optional papers are chosen by the candidates from a list of subjects divided into seven groups. Each paper carries 100 marks, and each group has a maximum limit of 200 marks. The candidates have to select one subject from each group, except group VII, from which they can select one or two subjects.
Optional subjects for CSS Exam in Pakistan
Group I: Accounting & Auditing / Economics / Computer Science / Political Science / International Relations
Group II: Physics / Chemistry / Applied Mathematics / Pure Mathematics / Statistics / Geology
Group III: Business Administration / Public Administration / Governance & Public Policies / Town Planning & Urban Management
Group IV: History of Pakistan & India / Islamic History & Culture / British History / European History / History of USA
Group V: Gender Studies / Environmental Sciences / Agriculture & Forestry / Botany / Zoology / English Literature / Urdu Literature
Group VI: Law / Constitutional Law / International Law / Muslim Law & Jurisprudence / Mercantile Law / Criminology / Philosophy
Group VII: Journalism & Mass Communication / Psychology / Geography / Sociology / Anthropology / Punjabi / Sindhi / Pashto / Balochi / Persian / Arabic
Marking Scheme for CSS Exam in Pakistan
- For the compulsory papers, candidates must score at least 40% marks in each paper to qualify. For example, for a 100-mark paper, candidates must score at least 40 marks to pass.
- For the optional papers, candidates must score at least 30% marks in each paper to qualify. For example, for a 100-mark paper, candidates must score at least 30 marks to pass.
- For the three papers on General Knowledge (GK-1, GK-2, and GK-3), candidates must collectively score at least 120 marks out of 300 to qualify.
- For the written examination as a whole, candidates must score at least 50% marks in aggregate to qualify. For example, out of 1200 marks, candidates must score at least 600 marks to pass.
- For the medical examination, candidates must pass all the tests and check-ups to ensure that they are physically fit and healthy for the civil service.
- For the psychological assessment, candidates must pass all the tests and exercises to assess their mental abilities and personality traits.
- For the viva voce, candidates must score at least 50% marks to qualify. The viva voce carries 300 marks.
Exam Schedule for CSS Exam in Pakistan 2024
| Events | Scheduled on |
| Advance Public Notice for CSS 2024 exams | July 9, 2023 |
| On-line application for CSS 2024 MPT begins | August 13, 2023 |
| Last date to submit CSS 2024 MPT form | August 17-31, 2023 |
| CSS 2024 MCQs-based Preliminary Test (MPT) on | October 1, 2023 |
| Announcement of CSS 2024 MPT results | October 31, 2023 |
| Advertisement for CSS 2024 written exams | November 26, 2023 |
| Online applications for the CSS 2024 written exams | Nov 27- Dec 11, 2023 |
| Submission of hardcopy/documents to the FPSC | December 21, 2023 |
| Admission Certificate for the CSS written exams | January 20, 2024 |
| Commencement of the CSS 2024 written exams | February 29, 2024 onwards |
| CSS 2024 written exams – Final results | November 25, 2024 |
| CSS 2024 exams – Psychology and viva voce | March 31, 2025 |
| CSS 2024 exams – Final results & allocation | May 2, 2025 |