The Central Superior Services (CSS) Syllabus is the official framework issued by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) for candidates preparing for the competitive examination. The written exam totals 1200 marks, split equally between compulsory and optional subjects.
Understanding this syllabus is the first crucial step, as it dictates the minimum passing criteria for each subject and the rules for selecting your optional papers.
1. Compulsory Subjects (600 Marks) 📝
These six subjects are mandatory for all candidates. You must score a minimum of 40% in each of these papers to pass the written exam (with the exception of General Knowledge papers, which have a collective passing requirement).
| Subject | Marks | Critical Focus Areas |
| English Essay | 100 | Analytical, argumentative, and discursive writing; comprehensive & research-based knowledge on social/national issues. |
| English (Precis & Composition) | 100 | Precis writing, reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, and Urdu-to-English translation. |
| General Science & Ability | 100 | Basic science concepts, environmental science, mental ability (arithmetic, logic, and basic statistics). |
| Current Affairs | 100 | National, regional, and international events; political, economic, and security developments (generally covering the last 1–2 years). |
| Pakistan Affairs | 100 | History, geography, political system, socio-economic issues, and current policy challenges of Pakistan. |
| Islamic Studies / Comparative Study | 100 | Basic principles, historical events, ethical teachings, and governance in Islam (for Muslims) OR Comparative Study of Major Religions (for non-Muslims). |
2. Optional Subjects (600 Marks) 📚
Candidates must select subjects totaling 600 marks from the list of optional subjects, which are divided into seven groups. The key rules are:
- A minimum of 33% is required in each optional subject paper.
- The subjects must be chosen according to the group selection rules to total exactly 600 marks.
- You cannot opt for more than one subject from any single group (except for Group II, which has specific rules).
Here is a simplified breakdown of the optional subject groups:
| Group | Subjects (Examples) | Marks Options | Rule for Selection |
| Group I | Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Computer Science | 200 | Select one subject of 200 marks only. |
| Group II | Physics, Chemistry, Applied/Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Geology | 200/100 | Select one subject of 200 marks OR two subjects of 100 marks each. |
| Group III | Public Administration, Business Administration, Governance & Public Policies | 100 | Select one subject of 100 marks only. |
| Group IV | History of Pakistan & India, History of USA, British History, Islamic History & Culture | 100 | Select one subject of 100 marks only. |
| Group V | Gender Studies, Environmental Sciences, English/Urdu Literature, Zoology/Botany | 100 | Select one subject of 100 marks only. |
| Group VI | Law, Constitutional Law, International Law, Criminology, Philosophy | 100 | Select one subject of 100 marks only. |
| Group VII | Journalism & Mass Communication, Psychology, Sociology, Geography, Regional Languages (e.g., Punjabi, Pashto) | 100 | Select one subject of 100 marks only. |
💡 Subject Selection Strategy
Choosing your optional subjects is often a major factor in success. It’s advisable to select subjects that:
- You have a strong academic background in (e.g., your university major).
- Have a significant overlap with the compulsory papers (e.g., International Relations, Constitutional Law).
- Have a reputation for being high-scoring or are generally easier to manage given the length of the syllabus.
You must refer to the latest official FPSC Syllabus PDF for the detailed course outline of each subject before finalizing your choices.