What is CSS? Who can do CSS? Who does it, and how does CSS work? Can everyone do it? Are there certain people? Is there a recommendation or a bribe? CSS, Central Superior Services, is an exam the Federal Process Commission conducts. It is also called a competitive examination, so students from all over Pakistan apply and participate.
You can become a bureaucrat, and the CSS exam is not such a difficult task; every student among you who is at graduation level, second class graduation degree can do CSS. When you pass this exam, people are inducted in grade 17 in various government departments and are made direct officers. There are. There is neither bribery nor bribery in it. Those who are successful in it have two things, commitment and dedication.
Now we will discuss more about this competitive exam. I have told you that, Candidates who successfully clear the exam are appointed to grade-17 government positions in various groups and services such as:
Eligibility Criteria For CSS Exam
The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has prescribed certain eligibility criteria that applicants must fulfill in order to appear for the prestigious CSS Exam in Pakistan. Meeting these requirements is mandatory to get admission in the preliminary stage of the exam process. The key criteria are:
Age Limit
- The minimum age for eligibility is 21 years.
- The upper age limit is 30 years.
- Relaxation up to 32 years is allowed for:
- Candidates already serving as government employees for minimum 2 years.
- Applicants belonging to recognized tribes and areas like FATA, PATA, Balochistan etc.
- Applicants from Azad Kashmir or Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Disabled applicants with a valid disability certificate.
Educational Qualification
- Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Degree with minimum Second Division from any recognized university.
- Those with a Third Division Bachelor’s degree can apply only if they have a Higher Division Master’s Degree.
- Degrees must be approved by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.
- Foreign degrees must be from a HEC recognized university.
Nationality
- Only Pakistani citizens are eligible to apply.
- Permanent residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir may also apply.
Meeting the defined age, educational, and nationality requirements is essential for all candidates to be eligible for the CSS preliminary exam. Applicants not fulfilling these criteria will be disqualified from the selection process. The FPSC strictly enforces the eligibility guidelines.
Structure Of CSS Exam
The Central Superior Services (CSS) Exam in Pakistan is conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) as per the defined structure and stages:
Written Exam
- The written exam consists of 12 papers divided as:
- 6 compulsory papers
- 6 optional papers
- It is a 1200 marks test with 600 marks for compulsory and 600 for optional papers.
- Papers are held across 6 consecutive days at designated exam centers.
- Minimum qualifying marks are:
- 40% for compulsory papers
- 33% for optional papers
Compulsory Subject Papers
- English Essay
- English (Précis and Composition)
- General Science and Ability
- Islamic Studies/Ethics
- Pakistan Affairs
- Current Affairs
Optional Papers
- Candidates can choose 1 subject from each of the 7 groups prescribed by FPSC.
- Subjects are of 100 or 200 marks depending on credits defined.
- Choice should total 600 marks.
Medical Test
- Physical health exam to assess fitness for civil services.
Psychological Test
- Evaluates mental capabilities, personality and aptitude.
Viva Voce
- Oral exam to judge candidates’ communication skills, personality and knowledge.
The structured format of the CSS exam allows comprehensive testing of candidates through written papers, medical and psychological analysis and interview skills.
Written Exam Details
The written portion of the CSS Exam is a critical stage consisting of 12 papers – 6 compulsory and 6 optional subjects.
Compulsory Subject Papers
The compulsory papers aim to test candidates’ grasp of key subjects relevant to civil services. Details are:
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| English Essay | 100 |
| English (Précis and Composition) | 100 |
| General Science and Ability | 100 |
| Islamic Studies/Ethics | 100 |
| Pakistan Affairs | 100 |
| Current Affairs | 100 |
Minimum 40% score required to pass each compulsory paper.
Optional Subject Papers
To provide wider choice, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has categorized optional subjects into 7 groups:
- Group I: 5 subjects of 200 marks each. Pick 1 subject.
- Group II: 6 subjects – 2 of 200 marks, 4 of 100 marks each. Pick 1 subject.
- Group III: 4 subjects of 100 marks each. Pick 1 subject.
- Group IV: 5 subjects of 100 marks each. Pick 1 subject.
- Group V: 7 subjects of 100 marks each. Pick 1 subject.
- Group VI: 7 subjects of 100 marks each. Pick 1 subject.
- Group VII: 11 subjects of 100 marks each. Pick 1 subject.
Minimum 33% required to pass each optional paper.
The extensive range of optional subjects allows candidates to leverage their educational strengths. Successful preparation requires studying compulsory and selected optional subjects in depth through syllabus books, previous years’ papers etc.
Medical Test Requirements
After qualifying the written exam stage, CSS candidates have to go through a medical test to prove their health and fitness for appointment to the civil services.
Purpose of Medical Test
- To evaluate candidate’s physical fitness and medical health.
- To detect any illnesses, disabilities or medical conditions that may affect their functioning.
- To confirm candidates are medically fit for the demands of civil service jobs.
Medical Examination Process
- Conducted by an expert medical board at specified centers.
- Involves a full medical checkup including:
- Detailed physical examination
- Diagnostic tests like blood tests
- Pathology tests as required
- Specialist tests if needed such as:
- X-rays
- Scans like CT scan
- Cardiac tests like ECG
Outcomes
- Candidates meeting medical standards are declared “Fit” by the board.
- Candidates falling short are declared “Unfit” and disqualified.
- Disabled candidates who qualify can get approval from the board.
- Right to re-appeal with new documentation if declared “Unfit” initially.
Certification Required
- Disabled applicants must provide a valid disability certificate from the authorized body.
The medical exam ensures selected civil servants have sound health to take on important governance roles. Candidates need to prepare in advance to avoid disqualification.
Psychological Test
The psychological assessment is an important stage of the CSS exam process conducted by expert psychologists.
Purpose of Psychological Test
- Evaluates candidate’s mental capabilities, attitude and personality traits.
- Assesses suitability for demanding roles in civil services.
- Identifies strengths and improvement areas related to psychological makeup.
Test Structure
- Includes a mix of written tasks and group activities.
- Candidates have to express thoughts on given topics, scenarios, questions etc.
- Trained psychologists carefully analyze responses.
- Group exercises allow evaluation of interpersonal skills.
Key Areas Assessed
- Intelligence – comprehension, analytical abilities
- Mental health – emotional stability, stress handling
- Social skills – communication, teamwork
- Ethics – integrity, values, character
- Interests – motivation, zeal for civil service
- Leadership skills – problem-solving, decision-making
Outcomes
- Detailed psychological assessment report created for each candidate.
- Insights used for final selection and post job allocation.
- Candidates not taking the test may get disqualified.
The psychological test provides vital insights into candidates’ suitability for prestigious civil service positions.
Viva Voce
The viva voce is the final stage of the CSS exam process conducted by an expert panel.
Purpose of Viva Voce
- Assesses communication skills, personality and calibre through an oral interview.
- Judges candidate’s temperament, knowledge and quick thinking abilities.
- Provides insights into applicant’s attitude, interests and motivation for civil services.
Key Areas Assessed
- Communication skills – articulation, style, confidence
- Subject knowledge – grasp of national and international affairs
- General awareness – logical reasoning, analytical abilities
- Mental alertness – presence of mind, quick responses
- Leadership qualities – problem-solving, decision-making
- Personality – ethics, integrity, attitudes
Panel Composition
- Headed by a chairman who is a senior civil servant.
- Panelists include experts from a variety of fields.
- May include psychologists for evaluation.
Evaluation Process
- Questions can range from academics to current affairs to general knowledge.
- Follow-up questions used to probe candidate’s depth of knowledge.
- Answers are evaluated by the panel on content, communication, quick thinking.
- Panel discussions held after the interview to finalize assessment.
The viva voce allows comprehensive analysis of the candidate’s suitability for civil services based on their interview performance.
Exam Schedule Timeline
The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) announces the annual timeline and key dates for the CSS competitive exam through official notifications.
Preliminary Exam
- Dates for submission of online application for preliminary MCQ test.
- Date of conduct of the preliminary MCQ test.
- Announcement of result and list of candidates shortlisted for main exam.
Main Exam
- Dates for submission of online applications by preliminary qualifiers.
- Last date for receipt of hard copies of online application along with documents.
- Issuance of roll number slips.
- Schedule for the 12-paper written test specifying date and timing for each paper.
Interview
- Dates for receipt of online applications for interview by written exam qualifiers.
- Timeline for conduct of viva voce at designated centres.
Result
- Dates for announcement of written exam result.
- Expected date for final consolidated result.
Sample Timeline
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Preliminary exam application deadline | August 31 |
| Preliminary MCQ test date | October 15 |
| Written exam application deadline | November 30 |
| Written test commencement | February 1 |
| Interview timeline | May-June |
| Final result date | August 15 |
Knowing the key dates well in advance enables candidates to effectively plan their exam preparation.
Exam Centers Across Pakistan
The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) conducts the CSS written exam and interviews at designated centers across Pakistan.
Written Exam Centers
The written test is held at exam centers in major cities:
- Karachi
- Lahore
- Islamabad
- Peshawar
- Quetta
- Multan
- Sukkur
- Abbottabad
- Faisalabad
- Hyderabad
- Sargodha
- Sialkot
- Bahawalpur
- DG Khan
- Gilgit
- Muzaffarabad
- Skardu
Candidates can submit request for change of written exam center through the online portal. Approval depends on availability.
Interview Centers
The viva voce is held at FPSC’s designated interview centers in:
- Islamabad
- Karachi
- Lahore
- Peshawar
- Quetta
Candidates may be allotted any interview center depending on availability. No change requests are entertained.
The extensive network of exam centers located across Pakistan facilitates candidate participation from all provinces and areas.
Exam Fees Structure
The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has prescribed the following fees structure for various stages and activities related to the CSS Exam:
Registration Fee
- Fee for online submission of application form is Rs. 2200.
Rechecking Fees
- For rechecking of a single written exam paper – Rs. 500
- Rechecking fee per additional paper – Rs. 400
Medical Exam Fees
- For medical examination by the Medical Board – Rs. 1400
- Fee for individual medical tests/examination – Rs. 100
Appeal Fees
- For review of ineligibility/disqualification decision – Rs. 200
- For review of declaration of being unfit in medical exam – Rs. 100
- For request of re-interview after being declared unsuccessful – Rs. 200
Duplicate Documents Fees
- For issuance of duplicate roll number slip – Rs. 200
- For duplicate copy of result card – Rs. 300
Sample Fee Structure
| Particulars | Fee (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Registration | 2200 |
| Rechecking 1 paper | 500 |
| Medical exam | 1400 |
| Duplicate roll slip | 200 |
| Total | 4300 |
Candidates must factor in all applicable fees at the time of registration.