CSS Exam – Compulsory and Optional Subjects – Latest 2023

Most of the students and some job holders were asking about the revised scheme of Compulsory and Optional subjects for the CSS exam. I’ve grouped all the information and some important instructions for the exam in this article.

I’m going to share the revised scheme of FPSC for the CSS competitive examination (Main examination 1200 MARKS). All compulsory and optional subjects for examination 2022. CSS Competitive Exam Phase includes Written/Theory Test, Medical Test, Psychological Test, and Viva Voce. Written test subjects are further divided into two parts. These are called compulsory and optional subjects.

CSS Exam Compulsory and Optional Subjects:

CSS written exam syllabus was revised in 2016 and is available onward. For 2023, there is the same syllabus. Compulsory subjects are for all candidates to appear in. But there is a free hand to select subjects according to your field of interest. A good selection of subjects ensures your success in the written exam.

The written test contains two parts A and B.

CSS written test contains a total of 1200 marks for written test. Part A contains 600 marks for compulsory subjects and 600 marks for optional subjects in the B part.

There are a total of 6 compulsory subjects. Optional subjects are divided into groups. You can select subjects according to your choice.

Sometimes, there may be confusion as to what subjects should you select as optional. The simple answer is according to your academic subjects and interest in the study.

Read also: CSS Exam Eligibility Criteria

A: Compulsory Subjects for CSS (600 Marks)

Code No	Subjects	Marks
1.	English Essay	100
2.	English (Precis and Composition)	100
3.	General Science & Ability	100
4.	Current Affairs	100
5.	Pakistan Affairs	100
6.	Islamic Studies OR Comparative Study of Major Religions (For Non-Muslims)	100
	Total	600

B: Optional Subjects for CSS (600 Marks)

Read also: Group Study Advantages and Disadvantages

Group-I: (To select one subject of (200 marks) only)

If you want to select a subject that contains 200 marks, then you can select any one subject from here:

Code No.	Subject	Marks
11.	Accountancy & Auditing	200
12.	Economics	200
13.	Computer Science	200
14.	Political Science	200
15.	International Relations	200

Group-II: (To select a subject(s) of 200 marks only)

Code No.	Subject	Marks
16.	Physics	200
17.	Chemistry	200
18.	Applied Mathematics	100
19.	Pure Mathematics	100
20.	Statistics	100
21.	Geology	100

Group-III: (To select one subject of 100 marks only)

Case No.	Subject	Marks
22.	Business Administration	100
23.	Public Administration	100
24.	Governance & Public Policies	100
25.	Town Planning & Urban Management	100

Group-IV: (To select one subject of 100 marks only)

Case No.	Subject	Marks
26.	History of Pakistan & India	100
27.	Islamic History & Culture	100
28.	British History	100
29.	European History	100
30.	History of USA	100

Group-V: (To select one subject of 100 marks only)

Case No.	Subject	Marks
31.	Gender Studies	100
32.	Environmental Sciences	100
33.	Agriculture & Forestry	100
34.	Botany	100
35.	Zoology	100
36.	English Literature	100
37.	Urdu Literature	100

Group-VI: (To select one subject of 100 marks only)

Case. No	Subjects	Marks
38.	Law	100
39.	Constitutional Law	100
40.	International Law	100
41.	Muslim Law & Jurisprudence	100
42.	Mercantile Law	100
43.	Criminology	100
44.	Philosophy	100

Group-VII: (To select one subject of 100 marks only)

Case No.	Subject	Marks
45.	Journalism & Mass Communication	100
46.	Psychology	100
47.	Geography	100
48.	Sociology	100
49.	Anthropology	100
50.	Punjabi	100
51.	Sindhi	100
52.	Pashto	100
53	Balochi	100
54.	Persian	100
55.	Arabic	100

You should visit FPSC to apply online for the CSS Exam.

Read more: 12 Tips to Crack MCQs

Important Instructions about the CSS Exam:

1. The question papers in Urdu or other Pakistani regional languages (Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, and Balochi), Persian, and Arabic should be answered in the respective languages. However, questions relating to translation from a respective language into English or vice versa may be answered as directed in the question paper.
2. There will be two papers of 100 marks for each of the subjects which carry 200 marks. In other subjects of 100 marks, there will be one paper. Each paper will be 3 hours in duration.
3. The ratio of MCQs in compulsory papers for CE-2016 will be 20 MCQs in each paper except in the paper Essay. Similarly, there will be 20 MCQs from each optional paper except for Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
4. The question paper in Islamic Studies OR Comparative Study of Major Religions (For Non-Muslims) is to be answered in English or Urdu only. All other papers must be answered in English unless otherwise directed in the Question Paper.
5. Non-Muslim Candidates may either opt for Islamic Studies OR Comparative Study of Major Religions as may suit them.