Job Opportunities for CSS Students
Structure of CSS Exams in Pakistan
Eligibility Criteria for CSS Pakistan
CSS Exams Centres in Pakistan
How to Apply for CSS in Pakistan
CSS Exams Online Application
CSS Exams Fee Structure
Central Superior Service Exam, which is popularly known as CSS Exams, is organised by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) in Islamabad. The candidates who pass this exam become eligible to be recruited as a gazetted government officer holding a BPS-17 position. If you are also interested in applying for the CSS Exam, then this blog will serve as your guide. It has all the requisite information to help make the whole process easier for you. So, let’s get started.
Which Government Service Can You Apply for After Clearing CSS Exam?
Following are the Federal Government Services where you can apply if you have cleared the exams depending on your chosen discipline of education.
- Commerce and Trade Services
- District Management Group
- Foreign Service of Pakistan
- Custom and Excise Service
- Information Group
- Income Tax Group
- Office Management Group
- Military Lands and Cantonments Group
- Police Service of Pakistan
- Postal Service Group
- Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service
- Railways (Commercial and Transportation Group)
What is the Structure of CSS Exam in Pakistan?
These exams are based on four main types of tests in order to quantify knowledge, skills and mental abilities of the candidate.
- Theory Test
- Medical Test
- Psychological Test
- Viva Voce
Let’s get to know a little more about these tests.
Theory Test
The series of theory tests in CSS Exams are based on 12 papers, out of which 6 papers are compulsory and the remaining ones are optional. To qualify in compulsory papers you need 40% marks and for optional exams, you need 33%. You can pick from the list of optional papers specified by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) according to your preferred educational discipline. The names of compulsory and optional subjects has been listed below
Compulsory Subjects in CSS Syllabus (600 Marks)
| Subject | Marks |
| English (Precis and Composition) | 100 |
| English Essay | 100 |
| General Science and Ability | 100 |
| Current Affairs | 100 |
| Pakistan Affairs | 100 |
| Islamic Studies Or Alternative Subject for Non-Muslims | 100 |
| Total Marks | 600 |
Optional Subjects in CSS Syllabus (600 Marks)
Note: The optional subjects in CSS Syllabus have been categorised into seven different groups for uniform distribution of marks
Group 1: Here you have to select one subject only
| Subject | Marks |
| Accountancy & Auditing | 200 |
| Economics | 200 |
| Computer Science | 200 |
| Political Science | 200 |
| International Relations | 200 |
Group 2: Here you can select one or more than one subjects carrying equivalent to 200 marks
| Subject | Marks |
| Chemistry | 200 |
| Pure Mathematics | 100 |
| Applied Mathematics | 100 |
| Physics | 200 |
| Geology | 100 |
| Statistics | 100 |
Group 3: Here you have to select one subject only
| Subject | Marks |
| Public Administration | 100 |
| Business Administration | 100 |
| Government & Public Policies | 100 |
| Town Planning & Urban Management | 100 |
Group 4: Here you have to select one subject only
| Subject | Marks |
| Islamic History and Culture | 100 |
| History of Pakistan and India | 100 |
| British History | 100 |
| European History | 100 |
| History of USA | 100 |
Group 5: Here you have to select one subject only
| Subject | Marks |
| Gender Studies | 100 |
| Agriculture and Forestry | 100 |
| Environmental Sciences | 100 |
| Zoology | 100 |
| Botany | 100 |
| English Literature | 100 |
| Urdu Literature | 100 |
Group 6: Here you have to select one subject only
| Subject | Marks |
| Law | 100 |
| International Law | 100 |
| Constitutional Law | 100 |
| Criminology | 100 |
| Mercantile Law | 100 |
| Philosophy | 100 |
| Muslim Law and Jurisprudence | 100 |
Group 7: Here you have to select one subject only
| Subject | Marks |
| Journalism and Mass Communication | 100 |
| Psychology | 100 |
| Geography | 100 |
| Anthropology | 100 |
| Sociology | 100 |
| Punjabi | 100 |
| Pashto | 100 |
| Balochi | 100 |
| Sindhi | 100 |
| Arabic | 100 |
| Persian | 100 |
Note: Any exam carrying 100 marks has one paper. Similarly, exams with 200 marks are split into two papers.
Medical Test
Once you get done with your writing test, the next for you as a CSS student is to undergo a medical test. The purpose of medical test is to check the physical health of the candidate. Candidates who fail to fulfil medical requirements will not be chosen.
In case of a disabled candidate, the disability certificates, which should be issued by a recognized authority, must be submitted beforehand. Physically challenged people are allowed to give CSS Examination in four disciplines: Pakistan Audit and Account, Postal Service, Commerce and Trade and Information Services. Upon special request, physically impaired candidates can also be provided with a helper who can assist them during exams.
Pro Tip: It is suggested for candidates to have a thorough medical examination by a well-reputed medical institution before appearing in the CSS Exam.
Psychological Test and Viva Voce
The psychological test in CSS Examination is designed to judge the mental aptness, attitudinal aspects and behavioural traits of the candidates with regards to their competency to undergo civil services. Both Psychological Test and Viva Voce carry 300 marks together. To pass Viva Voce, which is basically an interview to assess the intelligence and readiness of mind of a CSS candidate, you must possess good general knowledge and communication skills.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to apply for a CSS Exam in Pakistan, you must fulfil the following eligibility criteria.
Nationality Criterion: The candidate must be Pakistani National
Educational Criterion: CSS applicants needs to have completed their Bachelor’s Degree with at least 2nd division from any university in Pakistan or outside Pakistan, which is recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
Age Criterion: Candidates ranging between 21 and 30 years of age can appear in CSS Exam in Pakistan.
Where is CSS Examination conducted in Pakistan?
CSS Exam is conducted in multiple cities across Pakistan like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, D.I. Khan, Gilgit, Hyderabad, Gujranwala, Khuzdar, Larkana, Multan, Okara, Muzaffarabad, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Skardu, Sialkot and Sukkur.
However, interviewing sessions for CSS Examination are only held in five major cities namely Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar.
How to Apply for CSS Exam in Pakistan?
CSS Exam is conducted during February and March each year. Advertisements regarding the announcement of these exams usually appear in the newspaper in the month of September. Below is the schedule of application submission dates and commencement of Central Superior Service Exam.
- Submission of Online Application: 1st to 31st October 2019
- Last Date For Receipt Of Hard Copy Of Online Application: 11th November 2019
- Cut-Off Date For Determining Eligibility Criteria: 31st December 2019
- Commencement of CSS Examination: 12th February 2020
How to Apply for CSS Exam Online?
The submission of online application is a must. If you are also a CSS applicant, then you need to take care of the following requirements
Information like CNIC Number, Bank Details, Mention of Optional Subjects, educational and professional experience details of the applicant.
All of the information must be carefully and correctly punched online as the information provided in the online application form can’t be edited later.
Once you submit your online application, you will get a confirmation email, which will also contain the tracking ID for your online CSS application.
Documents Required To Submit Along The Hard Copy of Online CSS Application
The hard copy of your online CSS application needs to be submitted along with the following documents
- Copy of Educational Certificates
- Photographs
- Bank Receipt of Exam Fee
- Experience Certificates, if required
Pro Tip: Document requirements may vary from applicant to applicant so read the CSS advertisement in the newspaper thoroughly before applying.
Fee Structure for CSS Examination Declared By FPSC
Exam Application Fee: PKR 2,200
Paper Rechecking Fee: PKR 500
Note: A candidate can only appear in CSS Examination for three times.
This was almost everything that you should know before applying for CSS Exam. If you have any questions or want to add some useful information to our piece that can help the CSS applicants in any way, then let us know about it at blog@zameen.com.
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