What are the CSS Exams?
Central Superior Service (CSS) Exam, as the name represents, is a recruitment test conducted for bureaucrats by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) in Islamabad. The successful candidates are appointed as gazetted government officers holding BPS-17 under the Federal Government of Pakistan. So, if you’re interested in applying for the CSS Exam in Pakistan, and want to become a gazetted officer in the government of Pakistan then we’ve compiled every essential information in this blog – from the syllabus to the application process.
What are the basic Occupational Groups is CSS Exams?
Here is the list of Federal Government Services where you can serve after you have successfully passed the exams and viva test. Please note that these groups will be provided to you depending on your discipline of education.
- Commerce and Trade Services
- Custom and Excise Service
- District Management Group
- Foreign Service of Pakistan
- Income Tax Group
- Information Group
- Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service
- Police Service of Pakistan
- Postal Service Group
- Railways or Commercial and Transportation Group
- Military Lands and Cantonments Group
- Office Management Group
What is the Structure of the CSS Examination
If you’re wondering about how to prepare for CSS exams in Pakistan, you first need to understand the structure of these examinations. Central exams comprise four modules to testify the knowledge, skills, and intelligence quotient of the applicants:
- Written Exam
- Medical Test
- Psychological Exam
- Viva Voce
Students who are interested in giving CSS exams are part of many CSS groups where students have multiple discussions. They also share many relevant documents and syllabuses. The CSS syllabus contains many courses in multiple subject-wise groups.
Students have given the choice to select among those courses or subjects from each group. They choose according to their relevant education. All the subjects are of 100 to 200 marks. Students get to opt for subjects with these maximum numbers. The total of 100 to 200 marks subjects cannot be exceeded.
Now we will discuss all these in details
What is the Written Exam of CSS?
The first module of the Central Superior Services Exam in Pakistan is a theory test that comprises 12 papers – 6 papers out of which are compulsory while the remaining ones are non-compulsory. Here are some additional things you should know about:
You need to score 40 percent in compulsory papers meanwhile 33 percent marks are required in optional subjects to qualify for the next round.
Candidates have the freedom to pick from the wide list of subjects specified by FPSC.
The optional subjects are based on your educational background.
What is the Medical Test of CSS Exam
Once you have completed the written part of the CSS examination, the next step is to undergo a medical test to declare that you are physically healthy for this position.
On the other hand, physically challenged can appear for CSS Examination. They are shortlisted in four disciplines including Pakistan Audit and Account, Postal Service, Commerce and Trade, and Information Services. If the candidate has any physical disability, they should have a ‘disability certificate’ issued by a recognized authority. The certificates must be submitted beforehand. Further, physically impaired applicants are also provided with assistance during exams upon request.
What is the Psychological Exam of CSS Exam?
As much physical fitness is mandatory for candidates to appear in the CSS exam, they should also be mentally fit for this position. The psychological exam in CSS exam is conducted to assess the mental, behavioral, and attitudinal aspects of the applicant. The candidate should be competitive enough and these elements are considered extremely necessary for civil services.
How to do Viva Voice in CSS?
Viva-voice, on the other hand, is an interview that is conducted to evaluate the intelligence and readiness of a CSS aspirant. The candidate must possess a good mix of general knowledge and communication skills in order to pass this round. Viva-voce and psychological exam make 300 marks altogether.
Note: Candidates who fail any of the tests in the above-mentioned list, they will not be chosen.
What are the Compulsory Subjects in CSS Syllabus?
Total Marks: 600 Marks
These are the six compulsory subjects in the CSS syllabus decided by FPSC. These subjects are mandatory and you need to prepare:
Subjects Marks
- Current Affairs 100
- English (Precis and Composition) 100
- English Essay 100
- General Science and Ability 100
- Islamic Studies Or Alternative Subject for Non-Muslims 100
- Pakistan Affairs 100
How many Optional Subjects in CSS Syllabus?
Total Marks: 600
FPSC has allotted seven different groups for the optional subjects in CSS Syllabus. The marks are divided to maintain uniformity. You can pick any of these subjects from the respective groups. Make sure it adds up to make 600 marks.
Please note that any subject carrying 100 marks has one paper. On the other hand, subjects with 200 marks are split into two papers.
Group 1:
You can select one subject only from group I.
Subjects Marks
- Accountancy & Auditing 200
- Computer Science 200
- Economics 200
- International Relations 200
- Political Science 200
Group 2:
Candidates are required to select one or more than one subject here. They need to make sure the subjects are carrying equivalent to 200 marks.
Subjects Marks
- Applied Mathematics 100
- Chemistry 200
- Geology 100
- Physics 200
- Pure Mathematics 100
Group 3:
You have to select one subject only from here.
Subject Marks
- Business Administration 100
- Government & Public Policies 100
- Public Administration 100
- Town Planning & Urban Management 100
Group 4:
Select one subject from this group.
Subject Marks
- Islamic History and Culture 100
- History of Pakistan and India 100
- British History 100
- European History 100
- History of the USA 100
Group 5:
Here you have to select one subject only.
Subjects Marks
- Gender Studies 100
- Agriculture and Forestry 100
- Environmental Sciences 100
- Zoology 100
- Botany 100
- English Literature 100
- Urdu Literature 100
Group 6:
Candidates are required to select one subject only.
Subjects Marks
- Constitutional Law 100
- Criminology 100
- International Law 100
- Law 100
- Mercantile Law 100
- Muslim Law and Jurisprudence 100
- Philosophy 100
Group 7:
Select only one subject from here.
Subjects Marks
- Anthropology 100
- Geography 100
- Journalism and Mass Communication 100
- Psychology 100
- Sociology 100
- Arabic 100
- Balochi 100
- Pashto 100
- Persian 100
- Punjabi 100
- Sindhi 100
What is the Eligibility Criteria or Requirments for CSS Exam in Pakistan:
If you want to apply for the CSS Exam in Pakistan, take a look at the eligibility criteria:
What is the Age Required for CSS
Age Criterion: The age of the candidate should be between 21 and 30 years to appear in the CSS Exam.
What qualification is required for CSS?
Educational Criterion: The minimum requirement for CSS aspirants is a Bachelor’s Degree. The candidates must have passed their graduation with at least 2nd division from any recognized university in Pakistan [or outside Pakistan]
Is Pakistani Nationality is necessary for CSS?
Nationality Criterion: The aspirant must be a Pakistani National.
Where is CSS Examination Conducted in Pakistan?
CSS Exam is conducted in different cities of Pakistan including Abbottabad, Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Faisalabad. Some other cities such as D.I. Khan, Gilgit, Hyderabad, Larkana, Khuzdar, Gujranwala, Multan, and Okara also make it to the list. Meanwhile, Muzaffarabad, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Skardu, Sialkot, and Sukkur are also the examination centers for CSS exams in Pakistan.
The above-mentioned cities are only the centers for written examinations. Interviewing sessions for CSS Examination are, however, held in five major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, and Peshawar.
What is the application Process for CSS Exam in Pakistan:
Have you been wondering what is the procedure of CSS exams in Pakistan? CSS Exam is conducted every year in Pakistan during the months of February and March. The dates of the application and examination are advertised in the newspapers during the month of September mostly.
Candidates must submit their applications online bearing the below-mentioned factors in mind:
Information like CNIC number, bank details, optional subjects, educational and professional experience details of the applicant must be submitted clearly.
Since the information can’t be altered later, provided information must be entered online with extreme care.
Once you’ve submitted an online application, you will get a confirmation email. You will be provided with the tracking ID for your online CSS application.
What are basic required Documents For CSS Application
The hard copy of your online CSS application needs to be submitted along with the following documents
- Bank receiving of examination fee
- Attested copy of credentials and educational certificates
- Experience certificates
- Photographs
Note: Requirements may vary from applicant to applicant. It is best to read the CSS advertisement thoroughly in the newspaper before applying.
What is the Fee Structure for CSS Examination?
This fee structure for CSS application is declared by FPSC:
Exam Application Fee: PKR 2,200
Paper Rechecking Fee: PKR 500
What are benefits of doing CSS? OR What is the basic salary after doing CSS?
Once you have passed the CSS exam, starting pay or salary will be 60,000 or even more than that. It depends on the type of position in the job. It is not all. The 17th-grade person is also entitled to a car and a house until retirement. There is a specific staff to proceed with at the workplace.
After retirement, there are more hidden benefits for the person to unlock in form of money and other facilities.
Being a civil servant of Pakistan is an honorable job for anyone.
What are the passing marks in CSS Exam?
Based on numbers, allocation is done. The more number you get the higher position you will be able to attain. There is a quota system for each region. Based on that quota you will be hired on different jobs.
Can I pass css exam in first attempt?
It is necessary to have a thorough and strategic plan in preparations for CSS exam before the attempt. In that way, students can easily pass the exam on the first attempt. Start studying at least before 2 or 3 years so that you can have a strong grip on whatever is going to be in the exam.
CSS is a dream of every student, so different platforms provide students to prepare for CSS exams in a better way with the best experience.
How to Check Your Aptitude to Pass CSS
It is the reality that there is no surety that one earns a bachelor’s or master's degree in any of these disciplines with enthusiasm or keen interest. Most of us earned our degrees without re-knocking our attitude. Or we go for a discipline which is in fashion or sometimes we are left with no choice a Hodson choice. In CSS mater is quite different here.
We do not have to earn a degree rather we have to grab excellent marks. If these subjects are marks yielding it is a reality too that these are one of those subjects which cant be solved with general knowledge. Remember in old days only Physical strength was a tool to get success but now physical strength was replaced by intelligence and intelligence replaced by the power of Self-administration. So Only Criterion of Success is to administer yourself, administer your aptitude intelligence as well.
Last but not least point in opting for optional subjects is to evaluate the scope of subjects. Go for that subject where you have adequate interest coupled with a relatively shorter syllabus instead of that subject where you feel too aptitude coupled with too much syllabus.
How to Start Preparation For CSS?
Step-1 Select CSS optional Subjects
Step-2 Know the Exact Date of CSS Schedule
Step-3 Time Management(Do Smart Work than to Hard Work)
Step-4 Filling Up Application Form
Step-5 Preparing the documents to be attached with Application Form
Step-6 Improve your English
Step-7 Preparation of Notes
Step-8 Revise the notes of the Whole Course
Step-9 Taking the Practice Tests
Step-10 Solving Question Papers
How can you get Css Exam Past Paper?
CSS Exam Past Papers are very necessary for the preparation of exams. with the help of these papers, you can get the idea of questions. What is the pattern of paper? how much time do you need to solve the CSS paper? These are also helpful appearing in exams.
Click here to download "CSS Past Papers in Pdf"
What are the Changes that occur in the 2023 CSS Exam?
A preliminary test has been added in CSS exam in which a student who wants to appear in the CSS exam needs to appear this test. This is the MCQs based paper. There would be no negative marking in Preliminary Test (MPT). It would comprise 200 MCQs of One Mark each. The time duration would be 200 minutes.
How to apply online for CSS exams 2023
You need to open the FPSC Website link is available below and
then make a profile by signing up on a website. Here you need to Apply for the preliminary
MCQs Based Paper. When you will pass this Paper you will be able to qualify
for the CSS Exam.