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A beginner-friendly map of the CSS examination: what it is, who can apply, how it works, and how to plan your first year of preparation.
Rules and dates may change. Always confirm current information from the official FPSC notice linked on this page.
What is CSS?
The Central Superior Services (CSS) Competitive Examination is Pakistan’s federal recruitment examination for the twelve occupational groups of the civil services - conducted annually by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).
Its purpose is to select, through open competition, the officers who will run federal administration, policing, diplomacy, taxation, audit and related functions. The examination tests breadth (six compulsory subjects), depth (six optional subjects), and finally personality through psychological assessment and viva voce.
Eligibility at a glance
Age
21–30 years
Cut-off per advertisement; limited relaxation categories exist
Qualification
Bachelor (≥ 2nd Div.)
HEC-recognised university
Attempts
Three
An MPT-only appearance does not consume a written attempt
Nationality
Pakistani citizen
Domicile decides provincial/regional quota
Age relaxation: the CSS Rules provide limited relaxation (commonly up to two years) for specified categories such as certain government servants, recognised tribal areas, AJK/GB and others. The exact categories and conditions exist only in the current Rules and advertisement - verify before relying on any relaxation.
Source: FPSC - CSS Competitive Examination Rules & Syllabus · Last updated: 2026-07-17
Examination stages
- 1
MPT - MCQ-based Preliminary Test
A screening MCQ paper conducted before the written exam (introduced from CSS 2022). Only candidates who qualify the MPT may appear in the written examination. Qualifying threshold and pattern are set in the official notice.
- 2
Written Examination - 1200 marks
Twelve papers: six compulsory (600 marks) and six optional (600 marks). Pass rule: 40% in each compulsory subject, 33% in each optional subject, and 50% aggregate (verify current rule from FPSC).
- 3
Medical Examination
Conducted per FPSC rules to confirm fitness for service. Certain services have specific physical standards (e.g. PSP); check the current rules.
- 4
Psychological Assessment
Written exercises, group tasks and an interview assessing personality, aptitude and suitability for the civil services.
- 5
Viva Voce - 300 marks
A structured interview before the FPSC panel covering personality, general awareness, optional subjects and service preferences.
- 6
Allocation
Final merit = written (1200) + viva (300) = 1500. Allocation to the twelve occupational groups follows merit-cum-quota rules.
Official CSS MPT syllabus
Subject distribution and syllabus areas verified from the FPSC MPT Rules, FPSC MPT Syllabus and the compulsory-subject syllabus adopted by the MPT syllabus.
Paper
200 MCQs
Marks
200
Duration
200 minutes
Qualifying threshold
33%
Islamic Studies
- Introduction to Islam: concept and distinctive aspects of Islam; importance of Din; difference between Din and religion; Islamic beliefs and fundamentals; spiritual, moral and social impact of worship.
- Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a role model for the individual, diplomat, educator, military strategist and peacemaker.
- Human rights and the status and dignity of women and men in Islam.
- Islamic civilization and culture: meaning, vital elements, community development, Tawhid, self-purification, human dignity, equality, social justice, moral values, tolerance and rule of law.
- Islam and the world: mutual impact of Islamic and Western civilization, Islam in the modern world, contemporary challenges facing the Muslim world and the rise of extremism.
- Public administration and governance in Islam: Quranic guidance, Shura, legislation, sources of Islamic law, governance under the Pious Caliphate, responsibilities of civil servants and accountability (Hisbah).
- Islamic code of life: social, political, economic, judicial and administrative systems; Ijma and Ijtihad.
Civics (non-Muslim option)
- Definition, nature and significance of civics.
- The state and its elements; organs of the state.
- Fundamental human rights.
- Rights and obligations of non-Muslims under the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973.
- United Nations aims and objectives, principal organs and agencies.
Ethics (non-Muslim option)
- Human values and the role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating universal moral values.
- Integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship; objectivity; dedication to public service; empathy, tolerance and compassion towards weaker sections.
- Emotional intelligence: concepts and application in administration and governance.
صرف و نحو کا استعمال
- اقسامِ کلمہ / اجزائے کلام، ترکیبی فعل، زمانے
- واحد جمع، جملے کی ساخت، الفاظ کے جوڑے، مذکر و مونث، مترادف اور متضاد الفاظ
- ترجمہ
Vocabulary and grammar usage
- Vocabulary in context, synonyms and antonyms, phrasal verbs, grouping of words and commonly confused pairs of words.
- Correct use of tenses, articles, prepositions, conjunctions and punctuation.
- Sentence structure and sentence correction.
Comprehension
- Understanding the main idea, detail, inference, vocabulary and meaning in an unseen English passage.
Quantitative ability
- Basic arithmetic at SSC level: averages, ratios, rates, percentages, remainders and rounding of numbers.
- Algebra at SSC level: equations, symbols, sets and quantitative problem solving.
- Geometry at SSC level: angles, triangles and basic geometric problem solving.
Reasoning and mental ability
- Logical problem solving using a rational and systematic series of steps.
- Analytical ability: interpreting information, visualising relationships and solving simple and complex problems.
- Mental abilities, including verbal, mechanical, numerical and social ability.
Everyday Science
- Physical science: universe and solar system; natural processes, weather, hazards, energy resources, atomic structure, chemical bonding, radiation and modern materials and chemicals.
- Biological science: cells and organelles, biomolecules, plant and animal kingdoms, human physiology, common diseases and epidemics, and biofuel.
- Environmental science: atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere; air, water and land pollution; climate agreements; GIS and remote sensing; population planning.
- Food science: balanced diet and nutrients, food quality, additives, deterioration, adulteration and preservation.
- Information technology: hardware and software, input/output and storage, networks and internet standards, applications, social media, information systems, artificial intelligence and telecommunications.
Current Affairs
- Pakistan domestic affairs: political, economic and social developments.
- Pakistan external affairs: relations with neighbouring states, the Muslim world, the United States, and regional and international organisations including the UN, SAARC, ECO, OIC, WTO and GCC.
- Global issues: international security and political economy; human rights; climate and environment; population; terrorism and counter-terrorism; energy politics; nuclear security and South Asian nuclear politics; international trade; Indian, Pacific and Arabian Sea competition; global development goals; globalisation; the Middle East; Kashmir and Palestine.
Pakistan Affairs
- Ideology of Pakistan, Muslim rule in the subcontinent, reform movements, educational institutions, and the ideas of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
- Land and people of Pakistan: geography, society, natural resources, agriculture, industry and education.
- Pakistan and the changing regional environment; Pakistan’s role in the region and regional organisations (SAARC, ECO and SCO).
- Pakistan’s nuclear programme, safety and security, and international concerns.
- Civil-military relations; political evolution since 1971; democratic development; ethnic issues and national integration.
- Economic challenges, energy problems, major economic sectors, the latest Economic Survey and federal budgets.
- Traditional and non-traditional security threats, national interest, sovereignty, terrorism, proxy wars and external actors.
- Foreign policy after 9/11; relations with the United States, India and other neighbours; Afghanistan since 1979; Kashmir and Palestine.
- Hydropolitics and water issues in domestic and regional contexts.
- Recent constitutional and legal debates, amendments, important legislation, major cases and the role of higher courts.
- Social problems and responses, including poverty, education, health and sanitation.
Official FPSC sources
Last verified from fpsc.gov.pk on 18 July 2026. FPSC remains the final authority for later amendments.
Typical annual cycle
The usual pattern of a CSS year - binding dates exist only in the official advertisement.
| Stage | Typical window | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Advertisement & online applications | Around October | Exact dates appear only in the FPSC advertisement. |
| MPT (MCQ-based Preliminary Test) | Around November | Screening stage introduced from CSS 2022; qualify to sit the written exam. |
| Written examination | Around February | Twelve papers: six compulsory and six optional. |
| Written result | Later in the year | Published on the FPSC website. |
| Medical, psychological assessment & viva voce | After the written result | Conducted per FPSC schedule for qualified candidates. |
| Final merit & allocation | After viva completion | Merit-cum-quota allocation to occupational groups. |
Application procedure & documents
Applications are submitted online through the FPSC portal when the advertisement opens, followed by the hard-copy submission where required.
Documents checklist
- CNIC (valid)
- Domicile certificate
- Bachelor degree and transcripts (HEC-recognised)
- Recent photographs as specified
- Bank challan/treasury receipt of the application fee
- Equivalence certificate (for foreign degrees, from HEC)
- Service certificate (for age-relaxation categories, where applicable)
Common application mistakes
- Waiting for the last day to apply. Server load and document issues peak near deadlines; apply in the first week.
- Wrong optional-subject combination. Validate against the group rules (one subject per group; group-II allows two 100-mark subjects). Use the Subject Selector.
- Incorrect domicile or category. Quota is decided by domicile - ensure it matches your documents exactly.
- Blurry or wrong-sized uploads. Follow the advertisement’s exact photograph/signature specifications.
- Ignoring the MPT. The MPT is a hard screening gate; practise timed MCQs from day one.
- Fee challan errors. Keep the paid challan and enter its details exactly as printed.
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Application checklists
Step-by-step, tick-off checklists for the MPT and the written application.
CSS MPT Application Checklist
0/19 doneStep 1 - Before you apply
Step 2 - FPSC online application
Step 3 - Before the MPT
Candidates must check the latest official FPSC advertisement before applying - requirements, fees and dates are binding only as published by FPSC.
Frequently asked questions
A maximum of three attempts (confirm current rules from FPSC).
21 to 30 years, calculated as of the cut-off date in the official advertisement; limited age relaxation exists for categories defined in the CSS Rules (confirm from FPSC).
Minimum a Bachelor degree (at least 2nd Division) from an HEC-recognised university (confirm current rules from FPSC).
No. The MPT is an MCQ screening test held months before the written examination. Qualifying it only earns you the right to sit the written papers; its marks are not carried forward.
Subject changes follow the deadlines and procedure in the official advertisement. Do not assume changes are possible after submission - choose carefully using the group rules.
Allocations to occupational groups are made on merit-cum-quota: provincial/regional shares (Punjab, Sindh Urban/Rural, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, GB/FATA, AJK) plus a minorities quota, as defined in the CSS Rules and the Establishment Division policy. Verify current percentages from official sources.
No. With the official syllabus, past papers, disciplined answer-writing practice and credible sources, self-preparation is entirely viable. Coaching is a personal choice, not a requirement.
Only from FPSC (fpsc.gov.pk) and the current advertisement. CSS Vista links official sources but FPSC remains the final authority.
Guidance content - FPSC remains the final authority for all rules