CSS Guide

Age is measured on 31 December

You must be at least 21 and not above 30 on 31 December of the year before the competitive examination. For CSS 2027, the cut-off date is 31 December 2026.

Do not calculate age from the application date or exam date.

Two-year upper-age relaxation is limited

The rules provide a two-year upper-age relaxation for specified categories, including listed communities and areas, eligible persons with disabilities, and qualifying government servants with at least two years of continuous service by the cut-off date.

Autonomous and semi-autonomous body employees are not automatically covered. Verify the exact category and certificate language in Rule 6.

Minimum education

A candidate needs at least a second-division or grade-C bachelor's degree from a Pakistani university, or an HEC-recognized equivalent foreign qualification. A third-division bachelor's degree can qualify when followed by a higher division or grade in a master's degree.

Maximum three written attempts

A candidate may use no more than three CSS written-exam chances within the age limit. A chance is consumed when the candidate appears in any written paper, even if the answer book is blank or the candidature is later rejected.

Sitting only the MPT is not described by Rule 11 as consuming a written CSS attempt.

Nationality and domicile

Candidates must be Pakistani citizens or derive nationality from the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Allocation is governed by the applicable quota policy and the accepted domicile. A domicile accepted for CSS cannot be changed for a later examination or selection.

Test shape

The MPT carries 200 marks. The official subject distribution is Islamic Studies or the permitted non-Muslim alternative 20, Urdu 20, English 50, General Ability 60, and General Knowledge 50.

Qualifying purpose

MPT is a screening stage. Qualifying it makes a candidate eligible to apply for that year's written CSS examination; its score is not added to written and viva marks for final merit.

Current affairs must stay current

General Knowledge includes current affairs, Pakistan affairs, and everyday science. Current-affairs MCQs should be revised from a rolling source rather than treated as a permanent static question bank.

1,200 written marks

The written examination has 600 compulsory marks and 600 optional marks. The six compulsory papers are Essay, English Precis and Composition, General Science and Ability, Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, and Islamic Studies or Comparative Study of Major Religions for non-Muslims.

Every pass threshold matters

A written candidate must secure at least 40% in every compulsory subject, at least 33% in every optional subject, and at least 50% in the 1,200-mark aggregate. The three General Knowledge papers must also be passed collectively with at least 120 out of 300.

A high aggregate cannot rescue a failed compulsory or optional paper.

Paper duration and 200-mark subjects

Each written paper is three hours. A 200-mark optional subject has two papers of 100 marks each; a 100-mark optional has one paper.

Answer language

Regional-language, Urdu, Persian, and Arabic papers are answered in their respective languages. Islamic Studies or Comparative Study of Major Religions may be answered in English or Urdu. Other papers are answered in English unless the question paper directs otherwise.

Missing one paper ends the written sitting

A candidate who misses a compulsory or optional written paper for medical or any other reason is not allowed to appear in the remaining papers and is not given a separate re-examination.

Exam-hall essentials

Carry the original CNIC and downloaded admission certificate, arrive within the stated reporting time, use only blue or black ink, and keep phones or communication devices out of the examination hall. Calculators are permitted only in the subjects listed by the rules.

Apply for MPT first

Use the FPSC online portal during the announced MPT window. The detailed public notice controls the fee, centres, and supporting instructions for that examination year.

For CSS 2027, the detailed MPT notice is scheduled for 2 August 2026.

Written application follows MPT qualification

After qualifying MPT, submit the written application online within the announced window. Print and sign the application, attach the specified documents and original treasury receipt, and dispatch the hardcopy so it reaches FPSC by the announced deadline.

Optional selection becomes final

Wrong optional-subject selection can lead to rejection. The combination chosen before the closing date, including an allowed correction made on the hardcopy, becomes final and cannot be changed later.

Verify fees in the current notice

The standing CSS rules list the written application fee, but also allow FPSC to change it. Treat the current year's advertisement and payment instructions as controlling rather than relying on an old academy post or challan.

Medical examination

Candidates declared qualified in the written examination and found eligible proceed to medical examination. The rules contain separate provisions for eligible candidates with disabilities, writers, computers, and limited extra time.

Psychological assessment

The psychological stage uses written tests and group tasks to assess abilities, attitude, personality, and aptitude for civil service. It has no separate marks, but the viva board considers the assessment. Absence prevents appearance in viva voce.

Viva voce: 300 marks

The viva carries 300 marks, with at least 100 required to pass. The board considers career record, general interest, moral and ethical qualities, intelligence, alertness, character, leadership potential, and relevant activities.

Passing does not guarantee allocation

Final merit combines written and viva marks. Recommendations depend on merit, suitability, preferences, domicile quota, and available vacancies. Passing CSS by itself creates no right to appointment.

Occupational groups and services

The rules list Commerce and Trade, Foreign Service, Information, Inland Revenue, Military Lands and Cantonments, Office Management, Pakistan Administrative Service, Pakistan Audit and Accounts, Pakistan Customs, Police Service, Postal, and Railways Commercial and Transportation.

CSS 2025 outcome

FPSC reported that 12,792 candidates appeared in the CSS 2025 written examination, 355 passed, and 170 received allocations against available vacancies and quota. That is about 2.78% written-qualified and 1.33% allocated relative to appeared candidates.

Treat 'high-scoring subject' claims cautiously

FPSC publishes results and periodic subject pass data, but it does not guarantee a stable scoring category for an optional subject. Subject choice should combine eligibility under group rules, prior knowledge, syllabus load, source availability, and answer-writing fit.

Subject metrics are decision aids, not official predicted marks.