CSS Exam Eligibility Criteria | Process & Complete Guide

What is CSS Exam?

CSS stands for (Central Superior Services) in Pakistan. CSS is a Services by FPSC (Federal Public Services Center) in Pakistan. This exam is conducted for the selection of candidates of (BS-17). A selected candidate is known as a commissioner officer.

Eligibility Criteria for CSS Exam:

1. Educational Qualification

• The applicant should have at least 14 years of education (Bachelor’s Degree) with a minimum of second-division marks. From the any recognized university of Pakistan or foreign university recognized by HEC.
• Candidate with 3^rd division degree can apply if, he/she has a higher division in Master’s degree.

2. Age Criteria

The age limit is 21 to 30 years. No gender restriction.

Age relaxation of 2 years for:

• Scheduled Caste or Buddhist Community
• Belonging to the recognized Tribes
• Belonging to AJK and Gilgit Baltistan
• Disabled
• In-Service Government Servants, Armed Forces Personnel, Contract Employees

3. Nationality and Domicile for CSS Exam

• Pakistani citizen or belonging to the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
• A candidate who is married to none Pakistani citizen is not eligible for CSS.

Complete Guide about CSS Exam

How to Apply for CSS Exam?

• The exam date of the CSS exam is announced in September every year.
• Candidates can submit the application fee to the government’s treasury, State Bank, or the National Bank of Pakistan.
• CSS Exam Fee is 2200 till 2020.
• Bank drafts, cheques, and postal orders are not entertained for a fee.
• The original receipt should be attached to the application form 
• Then apply online, the form is available on the official website of FPSC.
• For any query, contact: 051-9205075

What are the Passing Criteria for CSS?

• At least 40 percent of marks in the compulsory subjects and 33 percent of marks in the optional subjects are required.
• A minimum aggregate should be 50 percent for the medical examination, psychological assessment, and viva voce.
• For leaving a single paper, the candidate will not be allowed to sit in the remaining exams.

Read more: Top 8 Websites and Mobile Apps for CSS Exam Preparation

Selection Process for CSS Exam | Test Phases

1. Theory Test
2. Medical Test 
3. Psychological Test
4. Viva Voce

Documents to be Attached for CSS

Download the submitted online form and attach all required documents along with the bank receipt and post it to the headquarter of FPSC Islamabad.

• Copy of Educational Certificates
• Photographs
• Bank Receipt of Exam Fee
• Experience Certificates, if required 

Documents may vary by applicant to applicant.

Number of Chances to Appear in CSS Exam

Only three times a candidate may appear in the CSS Exam.

When CSS Exam Conducted?

• Usually, the CSS exam is conducted in February every year. The announcement of the date of the test is done through advertisements in newspapers.
• Online Applications from 1^st Oct to 31^st Oct.
• Exam date in February

CSS Exam Centers

Karachi	Quetta	Faisalabad	Khuzdar	Muzaffarabad	Rawalpindi	Sukkur	Gilgit
Lahore	Abbottabad	Dera Ghazi Khan	Hyderabad	Okara	Sialkot	Skardu
Peshawar	Dera Ismail Khan	Multan	Larkana	Bahawalpur	Sargodha	Gujranwala

Services for which the CSS Test is Conducted:

• Pakistan Customs Service
• Police Service of Pakistan
• Pakistan Administrative Services
• Foreign Service of Pakistan
• Information Group
• Inland Revenue Service
• Military Lands & Cantonments Group
• Office Management Group
• Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service
• Postal Group
• Commerce & Trade Group
• Railways (Commercial & Transportation) Group District Management Group

CSS Interviews Centers

1. Lahore
2. Karachi
3. Islamabad
4. Peshawar
5. Quetta

CSS Exam Merit Quota

• Punjab: 50%
• Sindh: 19%
• Sindh (Urban): 7.6%
• Sindh (Rural): 11.4%
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 11.5%
• Balochistan: 6%
• Gilgit Baltistan/FATA: 4%
• Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 2%

CSS Subjects and Syllabus:

Total marks 1200 for CSS exam. You can also read Books for CSS preparation.

Compulsory Subjects:

Total 600 marks for 6 subjects:

1. English (Precis and Composition)
2. English Essay
3. General Science and Ability
4. Current Affairs
5. Pakistan Affairs
6. Islamic Studies or Alternative Subject for Non-Muslims

Optional Subjects:

The optional subjects are categorized into seven different groups. The total marks for optional are 600.

Read more about CSS Exam – Compulsory and Optional Subjects – Latest