The CSS examination is a competitive exam conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) of Pakistan for recruitment to various civil services.

Eligibility requires a Bachelor’s degree with at least a second division and age between 21 and 30 years, with certain exceptions.

Age relaxation of up to 2 years is allowed for candidates from specific groups, such as government employees with 2+ years of service or residents of certain regions.

Candidates are allowed three attempts for the CSS exam.

The CSS exam consists of written tests, a medical examination, a psychological assessment, and a viva voce (interview).

The CSS exam includes 12 subjects: 6 compulsory and 6 optional chosen from a provided list.

Compulsory subjects include Essay, English (Precis and Composition), General Science & Ability, Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, and Islamic Studies or Comparative Religion.

Optional subjects are chosen from groups provided by FPSC, ensuring a total of 600 marks from these subjects.

The written test is marked out of 1200, with 600 marks for compulsory subjects and 600 for optional subjects. A minimum of 40% is required in each compulsory subject and 33% in optional subjects.

Candidates must secure at least 600 marks in the written exam and pass the medical, psychological, and viva voce assessments.

Recommended resources include FPSC syllabus guidelines, past papers, books, and online classes from reputed institutions.

Yes, foreign graduates can apply, provided they have an equivalence certificate from HEC of Pakistan.

Yes, the CSS exam has quotas for provinces, women, and minorities, as outlined by the government.

Failing even one subject, whether compulsory or optional, disqualifies the candidate from moving forward.

The CSS written exam is typically conducted in February each year, with registration starting months earlier.

The entire CSS process, from registration to final selection, can take up to a year.

Yes, candidates must pay an application fee to register for the exam. The exact fee is announced by FPSC each year.

The viva voce is a 300-mark oral interview to assess candidates’ personality, communication skills, and knowledge.

Current affairs play a vital role in both the written test and interview, as candidates are expected to be aware of national and international events.

Preparation in 6 months is possible with consistent effort, proper planning, and use of the right resources, though 1 year is generally recommended.