CSS Syllabus
CSS Syllabus 2026-2027: Complete Compulsory & Optional Subjects Guide with PDF Downloads
The CSS Competitive Examination syllabus is divided into 6 compulsory subjects (600 marks) and 7 optional subject groups (600 marks). This complete guide covers all subjects, group-wise PDF downloads, and FPSC-approved curriculum details for CSS aspirants.
The CSS syllabus has 6 compulsory subjects worth 600 marks and 7 optional subject groups worth 600 marks — total 1200 marks for the written examination. Every subject carries either 100 or 200 marks. FPSC publishes the complete syllabus in PDF format, and each subject’s detailed course content can be downloaded individually from our tables below.
1. CSS Syllabus Overview
The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) publishes the official CSS syllabus for every competitive examination cycle. The syllabus is the blueprint for CSS preparation — it defines exactly which subjects you will be examined on and which topics fall under each subject.
The CSS syllabus is divided into two broad categories:
Compulsory Subjects
6 subjects · 600 marks. Every candidate must appear in all compulsory papers. No choice here.
Optional Subjects
7 groups · 600 marks. Choose subjects from each group according to FPSC’s group rules.
Written Examination: 1200 marks (600 Compulsory + 600 Optional). Interview/Viva Voce: 300 marks. Grand Total: 1500 marks.
2. Why Understanding the Syllabus Matters
The CSS syllabus is not just a list of subjects — it is your preparation roadmap. Candidates who ignore the syllabus often waste months on topics that will never be tested, while missing critical areas that carry high weightage.
- Targeted preparation: Focus only on what FPSC will test.
- Time allocation: Distribute study hours based on marks weightage.
- Strength identification: Pick optional subjects that suit your academic background.
- Confidence: Reduces exam anxiety — you know exactly what to expect.
3. Compulsory Subjects (600 Marks)
The compulsory section consists of 6 subjects worth 600 marks. Every CSS candidate must appear in each compulsory paper. Below is the complete list with individual PDF downloads.
| Code | Compulsory Subject | Marks | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Essay | 100 | Download PDF |
| 2 | English (Precis & Composition) | 100 | Download PDF |
| 3 | General Science & Ability | 100 | Download PDF |
| 4 | Current Affairs | 100 | Download PDF |
| 5 | Pakistan Affairs | 100 | Download PDF |
| 6 | Islamic Studies | 100 | Download PDF |
| 7 | Comparative Study of Major Religions (for Non-Muslims) | 100 | Download PDF |
Muslim candidates appear in Islamic Studies. Non-Muslim candidates appear in Comparative Study of Major Religions instead. Both papers carry 100 marks.
4. Optional Subjects — Group I to VII
Optional subjects carry 600 marks in total, distributed across 7 groups. FPSC has specific rules for selecting subjects from these groups — including restrictions on similar subjects. Click the download buttons to access the official FPSC syllabus PDF for each subject.
Group I — Select One Subject of 200 Marks
| Code | Subject | Marks | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Accountancy & Auditing | 200 | Paper 1 Paper 2 |
| 9 | Economics | 200 | Paper 1 Paper 2 |
| 10 | Computer Science | 200 | Paper 1 Paper 2 |
| 11 | Political Science | 200 | Paper 1 Paper 2 |
| 12 | International Relations | 200 | Paper 1 Paper 2 |
Group II — Select One Subject of 200 Marks
| Code | Subject | Marks | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Physics | 200 | Paper 1 Paper 2 |
| 14 | Chemistry | 200 | Paper 1 Paper 2 |
| 15 | Applied Mathematics | 200 | Download PDF |
| 16 | Pure Mathematics | 200 | Download PDF |
| 17 | Statistics | 200 | Download PDF |
| 18 | Geology | 200 | Download PDF |
Group III — Select One Subject of 100 Marks
| Code | Subject | Marks | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Business Administration | 100 | Download PDF |
| 20 | Public Administration | 100 | Download PDF |
| 21 | Governance & Public Policies | 100 | Download PDF |
| 22 | Town Planning & Urban Management | 100 | Download PDF |
Group IV — Select One Subject of 100 Marks
| Code | Subject | Marks | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | History of Pakistan & India | 100 | Download PDF |
| 24 | Islamic History & Culture | 100 | Download PDF |
| 25 | British History | 100 | Download PDF |
| 26 | European History | 100 | Download PDF |
| 27 | History of USA | 100 | Download PDF |
Group V — Select One Subject of 100 Marks
| Code | Subject | Marks | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Gender Studies | 100 | Download PDF |
| 29 | Environmental Sciences | 100 | Download PDF |
| 30 | Agriculture & Forestry | 100 | Download PDF |
| 31 | Botany | 100 | Download PDF |
| 32 | Zoology | 100 | Download PDF |
| 33 | English Literature | 100 | Download PDF |
| 34 | Urdu Literature | 100 | Download PDF |
Group VI — Select One Subject of 100 Marks
| Code | Subject | Marks | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Law | 100 | Download PDF |
| 36 | Constitutional Law | 100 | Download PDF |
| 37 | International Law | 100 | Download PDF |
| 38 | Muslim Law & Jurisprudence | 100 | Download PDF |
| 39 | Mercantile Law | 100 | Download PDF |
| 40 | Criminology | 100 | Download PDF |
| 41 | Philosophy | 100 | Download PDF |
Group VII — Select One Subject of 100 Marks
| Code | Subject | Marks | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | Journalism & Mass Communication | 100 | Download PDF |
| 43 | Psychology | 100 | Download PDF |
| 44 | Geography | 100 | Download PDF |
| 45 | Sociology | 100 | Download PDF |
| 46 | Anthropology | 100 | Download PDF |
| 47 | Punjabi | 100 | Download PDF |
| 48 | Sindhi | 100 | Download PDF |
| 49 | Pashto | 100 | Download PDF |
| 50 | Balochi | 100 | Download PDF |
| 51 | Persian | 100 | Download PDF |
| 52 | Arabic | 100 | Download PDF |
FPSC restricts combinations of similar subjects. Certain pairs (like Business Administration with Public Administration, or International Law with International Relations) cannot be chosen together. Always check the latest FPSC advertisement before finalizing your optional subjects.
5. How to Download FPSC Syllabus PDFs
The Federal Public Service Commission publishes the complete CSS syllabus in PDF format on its official website. You can either:
- Download individual subject PDFs using the “Download PDF” buttons in the tables above.
- Download the complete syllabus directly from the FPSC website: fpsc.gov.pk
If any PDF link is not working, visit the official FPSC website and navigate to the “Syllabus” section under the CSS Competitive Examination tab. The FPSC updates the syllabus for each cycle, so always download the latest version.
Alternatively, you can report the broken link directly to us. We will fix it as soon as possible:
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6. Frequently Asked Questions
The CSS syllabus is the official curriculum published by FPSC that defines the subjects, topics, and marks distribution for the CSS Competitive Examination. It consists of 6 compulsory subjects and 7 optional subject groups.
There are 6 compulsory subjects: English Essay (100), English Precis & Composition (100), General Science & Ability (100), Current Affairs (100), Pakistan Affairs (100), and Islamic Studies (100) — or Comparative Study of Major Religions for non-Muslim candidates.
There are 7 optional subject groups in the CSS syllabus. You must select subjects totaling 600 marks from these groups, following FPSC’s group-wise rules.
No. Urdu is not a compulsory subject in CSS. However, Urdu Literature is available as an optional subject in Group V.
You can download the CSS syllabus PDF from the FPSC website (fpsc.gov.pk) or use the individual subject download links provided in the tables above.
No. Optional subject selection is final once you submit the online application. FPSC does not allow subject changes after submission.
CSS written exam total marks: 1200 (600 compulsory + 600 optional). Interview/Viva Voce: 300 marks. Grand total: 1500 marks.
The “best” optional subjects depend on your academic background and scoring trends. Popular choices include Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, and Public Administration. For detailed selection strategy, read our CSS Optional Subjects Scoring Trends & Selector Guide.
FPSC publishes the CSS syllabus for multi-year cycles. Major changes are rare, but FPSC can update the syllabus. Always check the latest FPSC advertisement and syllabus PDF for the current examination cycle.
Compulsory subjects are mandatory for every candidate (6 papers, 600 marks). Optional subjects let you choose subjects based on your strengths and interests (7 groups, 600 marks total). Both sections must be cleared to qualify for the interview.
7. Related CSS Guides
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