CSS / PMS Guide

CSS Book Recommender

Select one subject per group (600 optional marks total)
and get live book recommendations from our store.

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1Eligibility
2Rules
3Exam
4Background
5Subjects
6Books
βœ… Quick Eligibility Check

Answer 4 quick questions to check if you are eligible for CSS. This takes less than a minute.

1. What is your age on 31st December of this year?
πŸ“‹ Must-Know Rules Before You Proceed

These are official FPSC rules. Read carefully β€” many candidates lose their attempt due to these.

πŸ”΄ Critical β€” Can disqualify you
⚠️
Attempting 1 paper = 1 attempt used
You only have 3 CSS written exam attempts total (within age limit). Even sitting for a single paper counts as one full attempt. MPT attempts do NOT count.
πŸ“…
Hard copy deadline is strict
After submitting online, you must submit the hard copy within 10 days of the closing date. Late submission = candidature rejected, no exceptions.
πŸ”’
Optional subjects cannot be changed
Once the closing date passes, your optional subject selection is final. Choose carefully β€” you cannot switch subjects later.
πŸ“
No rechecking of answer books
Answer books are NOT rechecked. You can only request recounting of marks within 1 month of result announcement.
🟑 Important β€” Know before exam
πŸ“Š
Passing marks you must score
Compulsory subjects: 40% each Β· Optional subjects: 33% each Β· Overall aggregate: 50% in written exam
πŸ§ͺ
MPT must be cleared first
MPT (MCQ-Based Preliminary Test) is compulsory. You need 33% (66/200) to qualify. MPT result is valid for that year only. Fee: Rs 250.
πŸ’°
Exam fees
MPT: Rs 250 Β· Written Examination: Rs 2,200. Pay via 1-Link ATM, Mobile Banking (EasyPaisa, JazzCash) or Internet Banking using your PSID.
πŸ†
Passing CSS β‰  guaranteed civil service
Final merit is based on written exam + psychological assessment + viva voce. Allocation to a civil service group depends on merit position, provincial quota, and vacancy availability.
🟒 Good to Know
πŸ“ Exam held at 19 cities across Pakistan
🌍 Overseas Pakistanis can apply if eligible
πŸ” Age relaxation of 2 years for AJK, GB, tribal areas, govt servants & special candidates
πŸ“‹ Governed by CSS Competitive Examination Rules 2019
βš–οΈ Representation fee: Rs 500 if candidature rejected (within 15 days)
πŸ₯ Medical exam after written result only
12 CSS Occupational Groups & Services
β‘  Commerce & Trade Group
β‘‘ Foreign Service of Pakistan
β‘’ Information Group
β‘£ Inland Revenue Service
β‘€ Military Lands & Cantonments
β‘₯ Office Management Group
⑦ Pakistan Administrative Service
⑧ Pakistan Audit & Accounts Service
⑨ Pakistan Customs Service
β‘© Police Service of Pakistan
β‘ͺ Postal Group
β‘« Railways Group
ℹ️ Source: Official FPSC FAQs β€” fpsc.gov.pk. Always verify with latest FPSC notifications.
πŸ“‹ Which exam are you preparing for?

Select your exam to get the correct subject scheme, book recommendations and preparation guide.

πŸ›οΈ
CSS
Central Superior Services
Federal Public Service Commission
6 Compulsory + 6 Optional Papers
1200 Total Marks
🏒
PMS Punjab
Provincial Management Services
Punjab Public Service Commission
6 Compulsory + 3 Optional Papers
1200 Total Marks
πŸŽ“ What is your academic background?

Based on your background, we'll highlight the most suitable optional subjects for you. You can still choose any subject β€” this is just a guide.

πŸ“š
Arts / Humanities
Literature, History, Languages, Islamic Studies, Fine Arts
Recommended: Political Science, IR, History, Sociology, Journalism, Urdu/English Literature
πŸ”¬
Pure Sciences
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Statistics
Recommended: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology, Botany, Zoology, Geography
πŸ’Ό
Commerce / Finance
Accountancy, Economics, Business, Finance, Banking
Recommended: Accountancy & Auditing, Economics, Business Admin, Mercantile Law
βš–οΈ
Law / LLB
Constitutional Law, Islamic Law, International Law, Jurisprudence
Recommended: Constitutional Law, International Law, Muslim Law, Mercantile Law, Criminology
πŸ’»
Computer Science / IT
Software Engineering, IT, Telecom, Electronics
Recommended: Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics
🌍
Social Sciences
Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Political Science, IR
Recommended: Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Gender Studies, Political Science, IR
πŸ›οΈ
Public Administration / Management
Public Admin, Business Admin, Governance, Urban Planning
Recommended: Public Administration, Business Admin, Governance & Public Policies, Town Planning
🌾
Agriculture / Environment
Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental Science, Food Science
Recommended: Agriculture & Forestry, Environmental Sciences, Botany, Zoology, Geology
βœ… Compulsory Subjects β€” 600 Marks (All Mandatory)
English Essay100
English (Precis & Composition)100
General Science & Ability100
Current Affairs100
Pakistan Affairs100
Islamic Studies / Comp. Religion100
πŸ“Œ Optional Subjects β€” Select ONE per Group (600 Marks Total)
0 / 600
Select below
Group I  βœ“ONE subject β€” 200 marks
11.Accountancy & Auditing200
12.Economics200
13.Computer Science200
14.Political Science200
15.International Relations200
Group II  βœ“ONE subject β€” 200 marks
16.Physics200
17.Chemistry200
18.Applied Mathematics200
19.Pure Mathematics200
20.Statistics200
21.Geology200
Group III  βœ“ONE subject β€” 100 marks
22.Business Administration100
23.Public Administration100
24.Governance & Public Policies100
25.Town Planning & Urban Management100
Group IV  βœ“ONE subject β€” 100 marks
26.History of Pakistan & India100
27.Islamic History & Culture100
28.British History100
29.European History100
30.History of USA100
Group V  βœ“ONE subject β€” 100 marks
31.Gender Studies100
32.Environmental Sciences100
33.Agriculture & Forestry100
34.Botany100
35.Zoology100
36.English Literature100
37.Urdu Literature100
Group VI  βœ“ONE subject β€” 100 marks
38.Law100
39.Constitutional Law100
40.International Law100
41.Muslim Law & Jurisprudence100
42.Mercantile Law100
43.Criminology100
44.Philosophy100
Group VII  βœ“ONE subject β€” 100 marks
45.Journalism & Mass Communication100
46.Psychology100
47.Geography100
48.Sociology100
49.Anthropology100
50.Punjabi100
51.Sindhi100
52.Pashto100
53.Balochi100
54.Persian100
55.Arabic100
βœ… PMS Compulsory Subjects β€” 600 Marks (All Mandatory)
English Essay100
English (Precis, Comprehension & Translation)100
Urdu (Essay, Precis & Translation)100
Islamic Studies / Ethics100
Pakistan Studies100
General Knowledge100
πŸ“Œ PMS Optional Subjects β€” Select ONE per Group (3 subjects = 600 Marks)
0 / 600
Select one from each group
Group A  βœ“ONE subject β€” 200 marks
1.Commerce200
2.Economics200
3.Business Administration200
4.Public Administration200
Group B  βœ“ONE subject β€” 200 marks
5.Agriculture200
6.Veterinary Science200
7.Botany200
8.Zoology200
Group C  βœ“ONE subject β€” 200 marks
9.Mathematics200
10.Computer Science200
11.Statistics200
12.Principle of Engineering200
Group D  βœ“ONE subject β€” 200 marks
13.Physics200
14.Chemistry200
15.Geology200
16.Geography200
Group E  βœ“ONE subject β€” 200 marks
17.Political Science200
18.History200
19.Law200
20.Mass Communication200
Group F  βœ“ONE subject β€” 200 marks
21.Philosophy200
22.Psychology200
23.Sociology200
24.Social Work200
Group G  βœ“ONE subject β€” 200 marks
25.English Literature200
26.Urdu200
27.Arabic200
28.Education200
29.Persian200
30.Punjabi200
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⚠️ Disclaimer: This tool is provisional and intended as a general guide only. Book recommendations and subject suggestions may not be fully up to date. Always verify with official FPSC / PPSC notifications before making decisions. CSS Pakistan is not responsible for any inaccuracies.