CSS Political Science Paper II past papers (2016-2026)
CSS Political Science Paper II past papers 2016–2026 (Paper 2) – Solved Archive, Repeated Topics & FPSC Analysis
CSS Political Science Paper II – Comparative & Applied Politics – is the applied half of the subject, and this page is the complete year-wise archive of Paper 2 from 2016 to 2026, including the latest 2025 and 2026 papers. Searched as Political Science Paper 2 or Pol Science Paper II, this paper moves from theory to the real world: the comparative political systems of the USA, UK, France and Germany, global and regional integration, Pakistan’s constitutional development and politics, and international relations. Below the downloads you’ll find a data-driven breakdown of the most repeated Paper II questions, the themes FPSC returns to, the exact paper pattern, examiner demands, common mistakes, and a high-yield study plan – so you prepare Paper 2 by evidence, not guesswork.
Paper II is the most current-affairs-sensitive paper in the subject. It rewards analytical answers backed by recent examples – the 18th Amendment, the comparison of Pakistan’s 1956, 1962 and 1973 Constitutions, the US, UK, French and German systems, the EU and the UN, and Pakistan’s foreign policy – rather than textbook description. The candidates who score well treat the past papers as a map of recurring, predictable themes and write structured, evidence-rich answers.
CSS Political Science Paper II at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| This page | Paper II – Comparative & Applied Politics (Paper 2) |
| Marks | 100 (one of the subject’s two papers) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Format | Part I – 20 MCQs (20 marks) · Part II – descriptive (80 marks) |
| Medium of attempt | English |
| Part A | Comparative systems – USA, UK, France, Germany – & global/regional integration |
| Part B | Pakistan’s government, constitutional development & politics, and international relations |
| Most current-affairs-linked topics | 18th Amendment, foreign policy/CPEC, IMF/WTO, EU/UN |
| Years covered here | 2016–2026 (latest paper: 2026) |
Political Science has two papers – prepare both. This page covers Paper II (Comparative & Applied Politics). For Paper I (Political Theory) – Western and Muslim political thought, concepts, ideologies and local government – use our CSS Political Science Paper I past papers page. The subject is marked out of 200, so neither paper can be skipped.
To download CSS Political Science-II past papers 2016–2026 ! Click on the ⬇️
For objective practice, use the CSS Political Science MCQs, and browse every subject in the CSS Past Papers section. Because Paper II’s international-relations content overlaps with IR, the CSS International Relations past papers make a useful companion. Preparing the whole 200-mark subject? The other half is covered on our CSS Political Science Paper I past papers page.
The CSS Political Science-II Paper is a test of both knowledge and agility, requiring candidates to navigate abstract theories and pressing global issues with equal fluency. By strategically leveraging CSS Political Science-II Past Papers, aspirants can uncover patterns, hone analytical skills, and cultivate the precision needed for high-stakes answers.
Why CSS Political Science Paper II Past Papers Matter
Paper II is the most current-affairs-sensitive paper in the subject, but its structure is remarkably stable. Solving 2016–2026 shows you the recurring anchors (the 18th Amendment, the comparison of the 1956/1962/1973 Constitutions, the US and UK systems, the EU and UN, Pakistan’s foreign policy), the framing the examiner prefers (compare, critically evaluate, assess the effectiveness), and the expectation that every answer is backed by recent examples – CPEC, recent elections, IMF programmes, Brexit. Candidates who solve the past papers learn to argue with constitutional articles and contemporary evidence rather than narrate textbook descriptions.
The CSS Political Science Paper II 2025 & 2026 Papers – What to Notice
The 2025 and 2026 FPSC Paper II papers sit at the top of the archive and are the most valuable to study. The 2026 paper leaned heavily on comparative systems and global politics – including the implications of Brexit on EU integration, a comparison of the US and German party systems and their effect on stability and representation, and the role of the UN in peace, security and development – alongside a question on Pakistan’s national capacity. That mix is a clear signal: master the comparative Part A and the international-organisations material, and keep your Pakistan answers analytical and current. Solve 2026 and 2025 yourself under timed conditions, mark which themes appear, then trace them back through 2024 and 2023 – but always confirm the exact questions against the official PDFs above.
CSS Political Science Paper II Syllabus (Topic-Wise Overview)
Paper II is built in two parts:
Part A – Comparative Politics
- Comparative & analytical study of political systems: the USA (presidential system, separation of powers, Congress), the UK (parliamentary system, cabinet, sovereignty of Parliament), France (the Fifth Republic / semi-presidential system) and Germany (federal system, Bundestag, Chancellor, party system).
- Global and regional integration: the EU and regionalism (and comparisons such as SAARC vs the EU).
Part B – Government & Politics in Pakistan + International Relations
- Constitutional development: constitution-making 1947–1956; a comparative analysis of the 1956, 1962 and 1973 Constitutions; constitutional amendments to date (including the 18th Amendment); the federal structure and centre–province relations after the 18th Amendment.
- Pakistan’s politics: political culture; the role of civil and military bureaucracy; the judiciary; feudalism and dynastic politics; political parties and interest groups; elections and voting behaviour; religion and politics; ethnicity and national integration; the rise of Muslim nationalism and the Pakistan Movement (Sir Syed, Iqbal, Quaid-i-Azam).
- International relations: post-WWII history of IR; Pakistan’s foreign policy – national interest and its major determinants – and external factors such as the international power structure, international organisations and world public opinion.
For the official, full outline with a downloadable PDF, use the dedicated page rather than this one: CSS Syllabus – Political Science. This past-papers page is built around the papers; the syllabus page is built around the outline, so each ranks for its own intent.
CSS Political Science Paper II Past Papers Analysis: Repeated Questions, Themes & FPSC Demands
1. Thematic Map (How Paper II Repeats)
| Cluster | Sub-themes & typical focus | The kind of question FPSC asks |
| Comparative Government Systems | USA (presidential, Congress, Senate); UK (cabinet, PM, Parliament); France (Fifth Republic / semi-presidential); Germany (federal, Chancellor, party system) | “Compare the US presidential and UK parliamentary systems. Which better ensures accountability?” |
| Global & Regional Integration | EU integration, Brexit, regionalism (SAARC vs EU) | “Analyse the implications of Brexit for EU integration and its global influence.” |
| Pakistan: Constitutional Development | 1956/1962/1973 Constitutions, amendments, 18th Amendment, federalism, centre–province relations | “Has the 18th Amendment resolved or deepened federal tensions in Pakistan?” |
| Pakistan: Institutions & Politics | Civil-military relations, judiciary, parties & interest groups, elections, political culture, ethnicity | “Critically examine civil-military relations in Pakistan and their effect on democratic consolidation.” |
| International Relations & Foreign Policy | Pakistan’s foreign-policy determinants, CPEC/Pak-China, international organisations (UN/IMF/WTO) | “Discuss the major determinants of Pakistan’s foreign policy with current examples.” |
2. Most Repeated CSS Political Science Paper II Topics
| Topic / theme | Recurrence | Typical question framing |
| 18th Amendment & federalism / centre–province relations | Very High | “Assess whether the 18th Amendment strengthened the federation or weakened the centre.” |
| Comparative analysis of the 1956 / 1962 / 1973 Constitutions | High | “Compare the salient features of Pakistan’s three constitutions.” |
| US presidential system (separation of powers, Congress, Senate) | High | “Why is the US Senate often called the most powerful upper house? Compare with Pakistan.” |
| UK parliamentary system (cabinet, PM, sovereignty of Parliament) | High | “Examine cabinet government and the sovereignty of Parliament in the UK.” |
| French Fifth Republic / semi-presidential system | High | “Assess the stability of the French semi-presidential system.” |
| German federal system & party system | Medium–High | “Compare the party systems of the USA and Germany and their effect on stability.” |
| EU & regional integration (Brexit, SAARC vs EU) | High | “Analyse Brexit’s implications for European integration.” |
| United Nations & international organisations | High | “Evaluate the UN’s role in peace and security – its successes and limitations.” |
| IMF / WTO & global economic governance | Medium–High | “Critically examine the limitations of the IMF and WTO for developing states.” |
| Pakistan’s foreign policy & its determinants | High | “Discuss the determinants of Pakistan’s foreign policy, using CPEC and recent shifts.” |
| Civil-military relations / role of the military | High | “Analyse the structural causes of military intervention in Pakistani politics.” |
| Judiciary / judicial activism | Medium–High | “Examine the role of the judiciary in Pakistan’s constitutional development.” |
| Political parties & interest groups in Pakistan | Medium–High | “Evaluate the role of political parties in Pakistan’s democratic development.” |
| Elections & voting behaviour | Medium | “Discuss the factors shaping voting behaviour in Pakistan.” |
| Religion & politics / ethnicity & national integration | Medium | “Examine the challenge of ethnicity to national integration in Pakistan.” |
| Pakistan Movement & constitutional foundations (Sir Syed, Iqbal, Quaid) | Medium | “Assess the role of Iqbal and Jinnah in the making of Pakistan.” |
| Political culture of Pakistan | Medium | “Describe the salient features of Pakistan’s political culture.” |
| Civil bureaucracy & governance | Medium | “Evaluate the role of bureaucracy in Pakistan’s political development.” |
Recurrence bands reflect analysis of the Paper II archive; treat them as priority signals and confirm the exact years by solving the PDFs above.
3. FPSC Trend Analysis (Paper II) – What the Examiner Now Wants
- Application over description. Paper II tests whether you can apply political concepts to real scenarios – recent papers reward analysis of contemporary politics, not textbook summaries.
- Current affairs as evidence. Answers on the 18th Amendment, foreign policy, the IMF/WTO and regional integration must be backed by current examples – CPEC, recent NFC and provincial debates, IMF programmes, Brexit, recent geopolitical shifts.
- Take a position. Directives like “assess the effectiveness,” “take a stance and support it,” and “critically evaluate” are common, especially on the 18th Amendment and comparative systems.
- Institutional analysis. Persistent focus on evaluating the power and performance of Pakistan’s key institutions – the military, judiciary, parliament and bureaucracy – with structural causes and effects.
4. Aspirant Priority Ranking (Paper II)
| Priority | Themes | Why |
| High | 18th Amendment & federalism, constitutional comparison (1956/62/73), comparative systems (US/UK/France/Germany) | Appear in almost every cycle and reward structured, argumentative answers |
| Medium | EU/UN/IMF & regional integration, Pakistan’s foreign policy, civil-military relations | Strong, frequently tested – prepare with current examples and a clear stance |
| Supporting | Judiciary, parties, elections, political culture, ethnicity | Excellent inside larger answers and for the 20 MCQs |
| Lower | Isolated one-off topics | Useful for MCQs and supporting evidence, not as primary essays |
5. High-Probability Themes to Pre-Write
- A full argumentative answer on the 18th Amendment and centre–province relations.
- A comparison table of the 1956, 1962 and 1973 Constitutions you can reproduce under pressure.
- Comparative-systems answers: US vs UK (presidential vs parliamentary), the French Fifth Republic, and the US vs German party systems.
- EU integration / Brexit and the UN’s role as ready essays.
- Pakistan’s foreign policy determinants with CPEC and current geopolitics as evidence.
- Civil-military relations and the judiciary as structured, cause-and-effect essays.
Paper Pattern & Answer-Writing Strategy (Paper II)
Part I is 20 MCQs (20 marks) drawn from comparative systems, Pakistan’s constitutional and political development, and international relations. Part II is descriptive (80 marks). To score in Part II:
- Open with a thesis, then structure every answer: Context → key features/arguments → critical analysis → current examples → conclusion.
- Cite the specifics – constitutional articles and amendments, named institutions (the Senate, the Bundestag, the National Assembly), and dates.
- Use comparison frames for systems questions (US vs UK, parliamentary vs presidential, 1962 vs 1973) – they signal command of the material.
- Bring current affairs as evidence – CPEC, recent NFC/provincial debates, IMF programmes, Brexit, recent elections – wherever the question allows.
- Take a stance on “assess / evaluate / do you agree” questions and defend it with logic and examples.
- Connect structure to outcomes – e.g., how the 18th Amendment changed fiscal and administrative dynamics between the centre and provinces.
6 Mistakes That Cost Marks in CSS Political Science Paper II
- Outdated or missing current affairs. Paper II answers without recent examples read as theoretical and score lower.
- Describing institutions instead of comparing or evaluating. “Compare the US and UK systems” needs a genuine side-by-side, not two separate descriptions.
- Ignoring constitutional specifics. Vague answers on the 18th Amendment or the 1973 Constitution lose marks; cite articles and amendments.
- Narrating Pakistan questions. Treating civil-military relations or federalism descriptively, without structural analysis, caps your score.
- Neglecting Part A. Many candidates over-prepare Pakistan and under-prepare the comparative systems and global-integration material – both parts must be attempted.
- Under-preparing the 20 MCQs. They are 20 quick, decisive marks across comparative systems, Pakistan’s politics and IR – easy to secure with focused practice.
CSS Political Science Paper II Study Plan (Past-Paper Driven)
| Focus area | Strategy |
| 1. Comparative systems (do first) | Master the US, UK, French and German systems with reproducible comparison tables (executive, legislature, party system, stability). |
| 2. Pakistan’s constitutional timeline | Build a clear 1947 → 1956 → 1962 → 1973 → amendments → 18th Amendment map, ready as argumentative answers. |
| 3. Foreign policy & IR | Prepare Pakistan’s foreign-policy determinants and the major international organisations (UN, IMF, WTO, EU) with current examples. |
| 4. Institutions of Pakistan | Civil-military relations, judiciary, parties and bureaucracy as structured, cause-and-effect essays. |
| 5. MCQ practice | Drill comparative facts, constitutional details and IR using the Political Science MCQs. |
| 6. Timed past-paper writing | Solve 2016–2026 under exam conditions, writing full analytical answers in the Context → Analysis → Current examples structure. |
Is CSS Political Science Paper II Hard? (And How to Use the Overlap)
Paper II is the applied paper: it expects current, analytical answers rather than memorised theory, which is why current affairs and constitutional specifics matter so much here. Its content overlaps with Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs and International Relations, so the same preparation – Pakistan’s constitutional development, foreign policy, and the major international systems and organisations – pays off across several papers, and you can reuse the same current examples. Treat the 2016–2026 archive as a map of recurring themes (the 18th Amendment, comparative systems, the EU and UN, Pakistan’s foreign policy) and write structured, evidence-rich answers that take a clear position.
Additional Resources for CSS Political Science-II Past Papers Preparation
CSS Political Science-II Syllabus:
- Carefully study the official CSS syllabus for CSS Political Science-II Past Papers to make sure you cover all necessary topics.
Textbooks and Study Guides:
- Utilize recommended textbooks and study guides to build a strong theoretical foundation.
Remember, consistent practice and effective utilization of Political Science-II CSS Past Papers are key ingredients for success in this competitive exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What topics does CSS Political Science Paper II cover?
Paper II is Comparative & Applied Politics. Part A is the comparative study of the political systems of the USA, UK, France and Germany, plus global and regional integration such as the EU. Part B covers Pakistan’s constitutional development (the 1956, 1962 and 1973 Constitutions, amendments including the 18th, and federalism), Pakistan’s politics (civil-military relations, the judiciary, parties, elections, political culture, ethnicity), and international relations including Pakistan’s foreign policy and the major international organisations.
Which countries’ political systems are studied in CSS Political Science Paper II?
The comparative part of Paper II focuses on the political systems of the United States (presidential system, Congress), the United Kingdom (parliamentary system, cabinet), France (the Fifth Republic / semi-presidential system) and Germany (federal system, Chancellor, party system), along with global and regional integration such as the European Union.
Which questions repeat most often in CSS Political Science Paper II?
The most frequently repeated Paper II themes are the 18th Amendment and federalism, the comparison of Pakistan’s 1956, 1962 and 1973 Constitutions, the US, UK, French and German systems, the EU and the United Nations, the IMF and WTO, and Pakistan’s foreign policy and its determinants, along with civil-military relations.
What was asked in the 2026 CSS Political Science Paper II?
The 2026 Paper II emphasised comparative and global politics – including the implications of Brexit for EU integration, a comparison of the US and German party systems and their effect on stability and representation, and the role of the United Nations in peace, security and development – together with a question on Pakistan’s national capacity. Solve the 2026 PDF above to see the full paper.
How is the 18th Amendment tested in CSS Political Science Paper II?
It is one of the most repeated Paper II topics and is almost always framed as an argument – whether the 18th Amendment resolved federal tensions, strengthened the federation, or created new centre–province frictions. A strong answer takes a clear position and supports it with the amendment’s specifics and recent fiscal and administrative examples.
How should I answer comparative-systems questions in CSS Political Science Paper II?
Use a genuine comparison frame rather than two separate descriptions. Compare the executive, legislature, party system and stability side by side (for example, US presidential vs UK parliamentary, or the US vs German party systems), cite named institutions such as the Senate or the Bundestag, and finish with an evaluative judgement.
How do I integrate current affairs into CSS Political Science Paper II answers?
Use current events as evidence for analytical points, not as standalone facts. For the 18th Amendment, cite recent NFC awards and provincial debates; for the IMF and WTO, mention recent programmes and their conditions; for foreign policy, use CPEC, Pak-China relations and recent geopolitical shifts.
Does CSS Political Science Paper II overlap with Pakistan Affairs and International Relations?
Yes. Paper II’s sections on Pakistan’s constitutional development and politics overlap with Pakistan Affairs, and its international-relations and foreign-policy content overlaps with International Relations. Preparing Paper II therefore strengthens those papers too, and you can reuse the same current examples across them.
Where can I download CSS Political Science Paper 2 past papers?
Every Paper II (Paper 2) paper from 2016 to 2026 is available as a PDF in the download section on this page, with the latest 2025 and 2026 papers at the top. For objective practice, use the Political Science MCQs.
How should I prepare the comparison of Pakistan’s 1956, 1962 and 1973 Constitutions?
Build a single comparison table covering the form of government (parliamentary vs presidential), the federal structure, fundamental rights, the role of Islam, and the fate of each constitution. Being able to reproduce that table under exam pressure lets you answer any framing of this high-frequency question quickly and with specifics.
What are the determinants of Pakistan’s foreign policy for CSS Political Science Paper II?
The major determinants include geography and size, economic development and resources, security and the regional environment, ideology, and external factors such as the international power structure, international organisations and world public opinion. Strong answers explain these with current examples like CPEC and recent geopolitical shifts.
How many MCQs are in CSS Political Science Paper II and what do they cover?
Part I of Paper II contains 20 MCQs worth 20 marks, drawn from comparative political systems, Pakistan’s constitutional and political development, and international relations. They are quick, decisive marks, so practise them alongside the descriptive section using the Political Science MCQs.
Are civil-military relations an important topic in CSS Political Science Paper II?
Yes – civil-military relations and the role of the military in politics are high-frequency Paper II topics. Examiners expect a structural, cause-and-effect analysis of why the military has intervened in Pakistani politics and how this has affected democratic consolidation, rather than a narrative account.
How should I structure a CSS Political Science Paper II answer?
Use a clear structure: open with a thesis, then set out the key features or arguments, add critical analysis, support it with current examples, and close with an evaluative conclusion. Citing constitutional articles, named institutions and recent events is what separates a high-scoring Paper II answer from a descriptive one.