The Central Superior Service (CSS) is a prestigious examination conducted in Pakistan for the recruitment of individuals to various government services, including the Police Service of Pakistan, the Pakistan Administrative Service, and the Foreign Service of Pakistan, among others.
Graana.com has listed all the relevant details about CSS subjects below, including compulsory and optional subjects.
About CSS
CSS has an extensive history that dates back to the British colonial era. It was initially introduced in 1947 and has undergone several changes since then. The examination aims to select individuals based on their intellectual abilities, leadership potential, and suitability for administrative roles.
CSS Compulsory Subjects
All CSS examination candidates are required to take the compulsory subjects, which carry a total of 600 marks. These include the following:
| Code No. | Subject | Marks |
| 01 | English Essay | 100 |
| 02 | English (Precis and Composition) | 100 |
| 03 | General Science and Ability General Science ( MCQS= 20 marks, Subjective =40 marks) Ability (Subjective = 40 marks) | 100 |
| 04 | Current Affairs | 100 |
| 05 | Pakistan Affairs | 100 |
| 06 | Islamic Studies or Comparative Study of Major Religions | 100 |
CSS Optional Subjects List 2023 (600 marks)
Candidates attempting the CSS exam must select subjects from codes 11 to 17 having 200 marks each, and remaining subjects from codes 18 to 55 with 100 marks each.
CSS Group-I Optional Subjects (Select one subject of 200 marks)
| Code No. | Subject | Marks |
| 11 | Accountancy & Auditing | 200 |
| 12 | Economics | 200 |
| 13 | Computer Science | 200 |
| 14 | Political Science | 200 |
| 15 | International Relations | 200 |
Group-II CSS Optional Subjects (Select one subject of 200 marks or 2 subjects of 100 marks)
| Code No. | Subject | Marks |
| 16. | Physics | 200 |
| 17 | Chemistry | 200 |
| 18 | Applied Mathematics | 100 |
| 19 | Pure Mathematics | 100 |
| 20 | Statistics | 100 |
| 21 | Geology | 100 |
Group-III CSS Optional Subjects (Select one subject of 100 marks)
| Code No. | Subject | Marks |
| 22 | Business Administration | 100 |
| 23 | Public Administration | 100 |
| 24 | Governance & Public Policies | 100 |
| 25 | Town Planning & Urban Management | 100 |
Group-IV CSS Optional Subjects (Select one subject of 100 marks)
| Code No. | Subject | Marks |
| 26 | History of Pakistan & India | 100 |
| 27 | Islamic History & Culture | 100 |
| 28. | European History | 100 |
| 29 | British History | 100 |
| 30 | History of USA | 100 |
Group-V CSS Optional Subjects (Select one subject of 100 marks)
| Code No. | Subject | 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 CSS Optional Subjects (Select one Subject of 100 marks)
| Code No. | Subject | 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 (Select one subject of 100 marks)
| Code No. | Subject | 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the CSS examination?
The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) of Pakistan conducts the CSS examination to select candidates for various prestigious posts in the civil service.
What are the eligibility criteria for the CSS examination?
To be eligible, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree, be between 21 and 30 years of age, and fulfil the citizenship requirements.
How can I apply for the CSS examination?
Candidates can apply by submitting an online application through the FPSC website during the specified application period.
What subjects are included in the CSS examination?
It includes compulsory subjects such as Essay, English, General Science and Ability, Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, and Islamic Studies/Ethics. Candidates can also choose optional subjects from a wide range of disciplines.
What are the career prospects after clearing the CSS examination?
Clearing the examination opens up opportunities for administrative positions in the federal and provincial governments of Pakistan.
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