FPSC CSS (Pakistan) 2026 Exam Pattern: Questions, Marks, Duration & Negative Marking
FPSC CSS (Pakistan) 2026 exam pattern — number of questions, marks per question, duration, negative marking scheme, section-wise split, and tips to maximise your score within the time limit.
Reviewed by: StudyRoadmap Editorial · Last verified: 2026-04-24
FPSC CSS (Pakistan) 2026 exam pattern
The CSS examination consists of a written examination followed by a psychological test and interview. The written examination has 12 papers (six compulsory and six optional) each of 100 marks. Compulsory papers include English (Essay, Précis, and Composition), Urdu (Precise Writing and Translation), Islamic Studies/Pakistan Studies, Current Affairs (100 marks), General Science and Computer Proficiency (100 marks), and Pakistan Affairs and Islamic History (100 marks). Optional papers cover subjects chosen by the candidate from a list of 27 groups including History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and others. Each paper is of 3 hours duration. The total marks for the written examination are 1200. The psychological test includes written tests and an interview.
Subjects in this exam
- English: 10 topics
- General Science: 8 topics
- Current Affairs: 8 topics
- Pakistan Affairs: 8 topics
- Islamic Studies: 8 topics