CSS Exam Pakistan 2024

The Central Superior Services (CSS) exam is a competitive exam conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) in Pakistan. It is considered one of the most prestigious exams in Pakistan as it provides an opportunity to join the civil service of Pakistan in various groups and services.

The CSS exam is conducted every year under the authority of the Pakistan government and is open to all Pakistani citizens who have completed their bachelor’s degree. The exam is known for its high difficulty level, and candidates are tested in various subjects, including general knowledge, current affairs, Pakistan Affairs, English, mathematics, and essay writing. Successful candidates are then able to apply for various civil service positions in Pakistan, including Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The CSS exam is seen as a crucial step towards building a career in the civil service of Pakistan

ELIGIBILITY:

Nationality:

• You must be a citizen of Pakistan or a person deriving nationality from the State of Jammu and Kashmir or Gilgit-Baltistan.

Age Limit:

• You must be between the ages of 21 and 30 years on December 31st of the year preceding the exam. (e.g., For the 2024 exam, you must be born between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2003).
• There are age relaxations for certain categories of candidates as specified by the FPSC rules. These relaxations might apply to:
  • Government employees
  • Candidates from specific regions or recognized tribes

Educational Qualification:

• You must possess a Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university in Pakistan or abroad.
• The minimum passing requirement is typically 45% marks (or equivalent grade) in your bachelor’s program.

Preliminary Test (MPT)

The CSS exam in Pakistan requires a qualifying Preliminary Test (MPT). This 200-minute, 200-mark MCQ test is held annually and determines who can take the written exam. You need 33% to pass, and there’s no limit on attempts. Applications are online only with a fee. Results are posted online, not mailed. Eligibility for the written exam is separate and required to qualify, regardless of MPT performance.

CSS Exam – Detail of Written Exam

A candidate has to appear in the following four parts of CSS Exam:

1. Written Test
2. Medical Test
3. Psychological Test
4. Viva Voce

CSS Compulsory and Optional Subjects for Written Examination (1200MARKS)

1. The written exam consists of twelve (12) papers. Out of which six (6) are compulsory papers and the remaining six (6) are optional papers. Each paper has 100 marks.
2. The written exam carries 1200 marks in total. Out of which, 600 marks are for compulsory papers and 600 marks are for optional papers.
3. Time allowed for each paper is 3 Hours.
4. Each paper has Part-I (Objective part) and Part-II (Subjective part). Part-I is attempted on a separate sheet which collected back after 30 minutes.
5. Qualifying marks for the compulsory paper is 40% and for the optional paper is 33%.
6. Optional papers are to be selected from the groups of subjects in the list according to the rules specified for them by FPSC.

Compulsory Subjects

• All subjects are compulsory for all candidates.
• Each subject has a separate paper and is graded out of 100 marks.
• The total marks for compulsory subjects are 600.

Subject	Description	Marks
English Essay	Test writing skills, knowledge of current affairs, and analytical thinking.	100
English (Precis & Composition)	Assess comprehension, writing clarity, and summarizing skills.	100
General Science & Ability	Covers basic scientific concepts and problem-solving abilities.	100
Current Affairs	Tests knowledge of recent national and international events.	100
Pakistan Affairs	Examines history, politics, social and economic issues of Pakistan.	100
Islamic Studies (Muslims) or Ethics (Non-Muslims)	Evaluates understanding of Islamic principles (Muslims) or ethical values (Non-Muslims).	100
Total Marks (Compulsory Subjects)		600

OPTIONALSUBJECTS (600MARKS)

The minimum standard of optional subjects will be that of an honor’s degree of a university in Pakistan. The candidates are required to select optional subjects carrying a total of 600 marks from the following groups as per rules given in column-1 below:

Group-1 One subject carrying 200 marks

Subject	Marks
Accountancy & Auditing	200
Economics	200
Computer Science	200
Political Science	200
International Relations	200

Group-2 One subject carrying 200 marks or 2 Subjects carrying 100 Marks

Subject	Marks
Physics	200
Chemistry	200
Applied Mathematics	100
Pure Mathematics	100
Statistics	100
Geology 100	100

Group-3 One subject carrying 100 marks

Subject	Marks
Business Administration	100
Public Administration	100
Governance & Public Policies	100
Town Planning & Urban Management	100

Group-4 One subject carrying 100 marks

Subject	Marks
History of Pakistan & India	100
Islamic History & Culture	100
British History	100
European History	100
History of USA	100

Group-5 One subject carrying 100 marks

Subject	Marks
Gender Studies	100
Environmental Sciences	100
Agriculture & Forestry	100
Botany	100
Zoology	100
English Literature	100
Urdu Literature	100

Group-6 One subject carrying 100 marks

Subject	Marks
Law	100
Constitutional Law	100
International Law	100
Muslim Law & Jurisprudence	100
Mercantile Law	100
Criminology	100
Philosophy	100

Group-7 One subject carrying 100 marks

Subject	Marks
Journalism & Mass Communication	100
Psychology	100
Geography	100
Sociology	100
Anthropology	100
Punjabi	100
Sindhi	100
Pashto	100
Balochi	100
Persian	100
Arabic	100

Medical Test

Purpose: The medical test assesses a candidate’s physical and mental fitness for the demands of civil service.

Eligibility: Only candidates who qualify for the written exam are called for the medical test.

Conducted by: A medical board constituted by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).

Documents Required: Fresh reports for various tests like Serum Lipid Profile, Blood CP, LFTs, ESR, Urine RE, Chest X-ray (or Ultrasound abdomen for pregnant women), and a fresh eye prescription.

Psychological Test

The psychological test is a crucial element, but it’s more about showcasing your true self and suitability for the role than scoring high.

• Purpose: Assesses your personality, aptitude, and suitability for the civil service.
• Not separately scored: Doesn’t contribute directly to your final score.
• Impacts interview: Performance influences your score in the interview portion (300 marks).
• No preparation required: Be yourself and answer honestly.
• Activities involved: May include written tests, group discussions, and interviews with psychologists.
• Restricted information: Specific details about the test format and content are not publicly available.

Viva Voce test (interview)

• Purpose: Assess suitability for civil service.
• Marks: 300 (separate from written exam).
• Minimum Passing Score: 100 (failing this results in failing the entire CSS exam).
• Content: Questions on general knowledge, moral & ethical qualities, intelligence, potential for leadership, analytical skills, and career aspirations.
• Additional Factors: Interviewers consider your academic record, extracurricular activities, and overall personality.
• Preparation Tips: Research current affairs, practice answering interview questions, and be prepared to discuss your career goals.

FPSC CSS Date Sheet 2024 for Written Exam

FPSC CSS Date Sheet for Written Exam of Competitive Examination CSS 2024 has been announced by Federal Public Service Commission. Check the latest update about CSS 2024 by FPSC. Check Date Sheet for CSS Written Papers to be held in February 2024. CSS Exams 2024 are starting on 29 February 2024 and will end on 08 March 2024.

PROCEDURE TO APPLY:

(a) Deposit examination fee @ Rs.2200/-on or before 8th January, 2024 in the nearest Government treasury/State Bank of Pakistan/National Bank of Pakistan under the account head “C02101-Organs of State Exam fee (FPSC Receipt through Challan form available on website.

(b) Submit online application to FPSC on or before 8th January, 2024 available at FPSC website. Choose optional subjects in terms of Appendix-I of CSS CE Rules, 2019. Choose Examination Centre carefully. Subsequent changes in optional subjects and Examination Centre may not be allowed.

(c) Duly signed hardcopy of online application along with original Treasury Receipt and attested copies of Matric certificate, Intermediate certificate, Graduation certificate, degrees, CNIC, domicile etc and four photographs must reach FPSC on or before 18th January, 2024. If hardcopy/documents reach to FPSC after 18th January, 2024 it would not be accepted and candidature will be rejected.

(d) Online Application, Challan Form, Rules & Syllabus for Written CSS Competitive Examination are available on FPSC Website https://www.fp.c.gov.pk

(e) Admission Certificates for CSS written examination shall be uploaded on website by 20th February, 2024 from where candidates may download the same. No separate intimation through post will be sent to candidates.

(f) All candidates are cautioned that they should prefer online submission of applications without waiting for the last date. FPSC shall not be responsible for any non-submission due to heavy load on website in the last hours. Likewise, submission of hardcopy of application along with requisite documents should be dispatched as early as possible in order to avoid possibility of rejection due to late receipt, in FPSC for any unexpected circumstances/delays in postage etc.

FAQ’s