The CSS Exam subjects (Syllabus) underwent revision in 2016, and it has been followed for all subsequent exams. The syllabus is a comprehensive guide that lists all subjects and course contents for each subject & serves as a roadmap for candidates preparing for the CSS Exam. It also helps them in selecting subjects and then preparing appropriately. It includes both compulsory and optional subjects, with the optional subjects divided into groups. Candidates must choose one optional subject from each group, and they are worth a total of 600 marks. A subject with 100 marks requires one paper, while a subject with 200 marks requires two papers of 100 marks each.
Table of Contents
Complete List of CSS eXAM Subjects
Q: How many total subjects are there in CSS?
Ans: There is a total of 51 Subjects. Amongst 51 subjects 6 are compulsory subjects. They carry 600 marks in total. While others 45 are optional. Among 45 one has to choose subjects from 7 groups (discussed below) in such a manner that it total makes 600 marks.
- English Essay
- English (Precis and Composition)
- General Science & Ability
- Current Affairs
- Pakistan Affairs
- Islamic Studies
- OR Comparative Study of Major Religions (For non-Muslims)
- Accountancy & Auditing
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Arabic
- Balochi
- Botany
- British History
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Constitutional Law
- Criminology
- Economics
- English Literature
- Environmental Science
- European History
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- Geology
- Governance & Public Policies
- History of Pakistan & India
- History of USA
- International Law
- International Relations
- Islamic History & Culture
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Law
- Mercantile Law
- Muslim Law & Jurisprudence
- Pashto
- Persian
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Punjabi
- Pure Mathematics
- Sindhi
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Town Planning & Urban Management
- Urdu Literature
- Zoology
Also Read: 26 Most Common & Universal Essays (Topics) Asked in PMS/CSS & other Competitive Exams
REVISED SCHEME OF CSS COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION MAIN EXAMINATION (1200 MARKS)
Total Marks CSS EXAM=1200
(600 from Compulsory Subjects + 600 from Optional Subjects)
Fedral Public Service Comission
The syllabus below lists all Compulsory and Optional Subjects. The optional subjects are categorized into groups.
A. COMPULSORY SUBJECTS (600 Marks)
These compulsory subjects are designed to test the candidates’ knowledge and understanding of various fields, including language proficiency, general knowledge, critical thinking, and analytical skills. Candidates are required to perform well in each of these subjects to qualify for the CSS Exam. The CSS Exam has six compulsory subjects that every candidate must take. These subjects are:
Code No. | Subjects | Marks |
---|---|---|
1 | English Essay | 100 |
2 | English (Precis and Composition) | 100 |
3 | General Science & Ability | 100 |
4 | Current Affairs | 100 |
5 | Pakistan Affairs | 100 |
6 | Islamic Studies OR Comparative Study of Major Religions (For Non Muslims) | 100 |
Total | 600 |
B. OPTIONAL SUBJECTS GROUPS (600 Marks)
Each candidate has to choose the optional subject(s) from any of the 7 groups for making a total of 600 marks. The optional subjects carry a total of 600 marks and require either one or two papers, depending on their mark allocation. Understanding the syllabus and following its guidelines can help candidates achieve success in this competitive Exam.
GROUP-1
If anyone selects any subject from this group, He/She must select one subject for (200 marks) only.
Code No. | Subjects | Marks |
---|---|---|
11 | Accountancy & Auditing | 200 |
12 | Economics | 200 |
13 | Computer Science | 200 |
14 | Political Science | 200 |
15 | International Relations | 200 |
GROUP-2
(To select subject(s) of 200 marks only)
Code No. | Subjects | Marks |
---|---|---|
16 | Physics | 200 |
17 | Chemistry | 200 |
18 | Applied Mathematics | 100 |
19 | Pure Mathematics | 100 |
20 | Statistics | 100 |
21 | Geology | 100 |
GROUP-3
To select one subject of 100 marks only.
Code No. | Subjects | Marks |
---|---|---|
22 | Business Administration | 100 |
23 | Public Administration | 100 |
24 | Governance & Public Policies | 100 |
25 | Town Planning & Urban Management | 100 |
GROUP-4
One has to select one subject for 100 marks only.
Code No. | Subjects | 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-5
In this group, the candidate will select one subject for 100 marks only.
Code No. | Subjects | 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-6
From this group, one must select one subject for 100 marks only.
Code No. | Subjects | 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-7
Again in this group, the candidate has to choose 1 subject for 100 marks only.
Code No. | Subjects | 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 |
SPECIAL POINTS TO REMEMBER WHILE SELECTING OR ATTEMPTING CSS EXAM
Note-1: The question papers in Urdu or other Pakistani regional languages (Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, and Balochi), Persian, and Arabic should be answered in the respective languages. However, questions relating to translation from the respective languages into English or vice versa may be answered as directed in the question paper.
Note-2: There will be two papers of 100 marks for each of the subjects which carry 200 marks. In other subjects of 100 marks, there will be one paper. Each paper will be 3 hours in duration.
Note-3: The ratio of MCQs in compulsory papers for CE-2016 will be 20 MCQs in each paper except in the paper Essay. Similarly, there will be 20 MCQs from each optional paper except Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
Note-4: The question paper in Islamic Studies OR Comparative Study of Major Religions (For Non-Muslims) is to be answered in English or Urdu only. All other papers must be answered in English unless otherwise directed in the Question Paper.
Note-5: Non-Muslim Candidates may either opt for Islamic Studies OR Comparative Study of Major Religions as may suit them.
Download IN PDF REVISED SYLLABI FOR CSS COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION, CE-2016
CSS Subjects (syllabus) revised in 2016 named CE-2016. You can download this syllabus in pdf by clicking on the download button below.
–OR– You can Read the CSS exam subject and syllabus in detail below.
Revised_Syllabus_for_CE-2016_and_onwards