CSS 2024 (Revised) Syllabus

The written exam for the CSS consists of 12 papers, of which 6 are compulsory and 6 are optional. Candidates cannot skip the compulsory subjects or choose them at their own will. For the optional subjects, candidates must choose these subjects in accordance with the instructions mentioned in this blog.

COMPULSORY SUBJECTS (600 MARKS)

NOTE: The qualifying marks for the compulsory papers are 40% and for the optional papers 30%. The three papers of General Knowledge (GK-1, GK-2 & GK-3) are to be passed collectively by scoring 120 marks from 300. There are 20 objective-type questions (MCQs) in each compulsory and optional paper except for the essay, applied mathematics, and pure mathematics papers The question paper in Islamic Studies or Comparative Study of Major Religions (for non-Muslims) is to be answered in English or Urdu only. Non-Muslim candidates may either opt Islamic Studies or Comparative Study of Major Religions as may suit to them.

No.	Subject Title	Marks
01.	English Essay | Download	100
02.	English (Precis and Composition) | Download	100
03.	GK1 (General Science and Ability) | Download	100
04.	GK2 (Current Affairs) | Download	100
05.	GK3 (Pakistan Affairs) | Download	100
06.	Islamic Studies | Download Comparative Study of Major Religions (for non-Muslims)	100

Students may download the analysis of past papers for the compulsory subjects by clicking on the attached link.

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS (600 MARKS)

Candidates must check the past papers and the course outline before finalizing an optional subject. They may also consult others, such as friends, teachers, and mentors. However, the final decision should be their own. Students should learn from others, but they should avoid blindly following their advice. Instead, they should identify their own area of interest and choose an optional subject accordingly. It is important to remember that changing your optional subject after a poor performance in the first attempt is not a good idea. Instead, students should analyze their shortcomings and work on them to improve their performance in the next attempt.

Here are the 5 criteria you should keep in mind while choosing an optional subject:

• Your academic background. This is an important factor to consider, as you will need to have a strong foundation in the subject in order to do well in the exam. If you have already studied the subject at university, this will give you a head start.
• Your personal interest and aptitude in the subject. This is another most important factor, as you will be much more motivated to study a subject that you are interested in. If you are not interested in the subject, it will be much harder to learn the material and you will be less likely to do well in the exam. — Higher interest > Ease at understanding concepts/ theories
• Overlap with other optional(s). It is helpful to choose subjects that have some overlapping topics and concepts. — Like Political Science, Constitutional Law and Pakistan Affairs.
• Time required to complete the course outline. This is also an important factor to consider, as you will need to make sure that you have enough time to complete the course outline. If you choose a subject that is too demanding, you may not be able to finish the course in time. — Just because it takes less time that doesn’t mean it can sustain your interest for long.
• Resources availability in the market and on the internet. You will need to have access to quality resources in order to study the subject. If you cannot find good resources, it will be much harder to learn the material and you will be less likely to do well in the exam. — No brainer, obviously if resources are not easily available it will cause pain.

NOTE: Question papers in Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Persian, or Arabic should be answered in the respective languages. However, questions relating to translation from the respective language into English or vice versa may be answered as directed in the question paper. There will be two papers of 100 marks each for subjects that carry 200 marks. For subjects that carry 100 marks, there will be one paper. Each paper will be of 3 hours duration.

Group — I: To select one subject of (200 marks) only.

No.	Subject Title	Marks
11.	Accountancy & Auditing	200
12.	Economics	200
13.	Computer Science	200
14.	Political Science	200
15.	International Relations	200

Group — II: To select subject(s) of 200 marks only.

From this Group — II, if you opt Geology, you also have to take another subject of 100 marks.

No.	Subject Title	Marks
16.	Physics	200
17.	Chemistry	200
18.	Applied Mathematics	100
19.	Pure Mathematics	100
20.	Statistics	100
21.	Geology	100

Group — III: To select one subject of 100 marks only.

No.	Subject Title	Marks
22.	Business Administration	100
23.	Public Administration	100
24.	Governance & Public Policies	100
25.	Town Planning & Urban Management	100

Group — IV: To select one subject of 100 marks only.

No.	Subject Title	Marks
26.	History of Pakistan & India	100
27.	Islamic History & Culture	100
28.	British History	100
29.	European History	100
30.	History of USA	100

Group — V: To select one subject of 100 marks only.

No.	Subject Title	Marks
31.	Gender Studies	100
32.	Environmental Sciences	100
33.	Agriculture & Forestry	100
34.	Botany	100
35.	Zoology	100
36.	English Literature	100
37.	Urdu Literature	100

Group — VI: To select one subject of 100 marks only.

No.	Subject Title	Marks
38.	Law	100
39.	Constitutional Law	100
40.	International Law	100
41.	Muslim Law & Jurisprudence	100
42.	Mercantile Law	100
43.	Criminology	100
44.	Philosophy	100

Group — VII: To select one subject of 100 marks only.

No.	Subject Title	Marks
45.	Journalism & Mass Communication	100
46.	Psychology	100
47.	Geography	100
48.	Sociology	100
49.	Anthropology	100
50.	Punjabi	100
51.	Sindhi	100
52.	Pashto	100
53.	Balochi	100
54.	Persian	100
55.	Arabic	100

Download the FPSC examiners’ feedback for the previous CSS exams.

• CSS 2019 written exams — FPSC Examiners’ Feedback report | Download
• CSS 2018 written exams — FPSC Examiners’ Feedback report | Download
• CSS 2017 written exams — FPSC Examiners’ Feedback report | Download
• CSS 2016 written exams — FPSC Examiners’ Feedback report | Download
• FPSC Examiners’ Feedback on ‘Writing an Essay’ | Download | The feedback highlights the common mistakes that candidates make, as well as the qualities of a good essay.