REVISED CSS SUBJECTS and SYLLABUS

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.