CSS Examination Detailed Guide
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| What is CSS Examination: A Detailed Guide Covering Everything |
What is CSS Examination
Civil Superior Services exam commonly called CSS exam is a competitive exam in Pakistan. It is the recruitment exam of BS 17 officers in 12 occupational groups. The exam qualifiers get allocations in various government departments across Pakistan according to merit. There are four layers of the exam starting from Mcqs based Preliminary Test or MPT. After MPT, there is a written part, then a psychological assessment, and lastly the interview.
MCQs Based Preliminary Test - MPT
CSS MPT, as its name suggests, is a 200-mark Mock Test based on Mock Questions. The candidates have to score at least 66 marks to qualify for the next part. In MPT, the examiner tests the aspirants' knowledge of current affairs, Pakistan affairs, Islamic studies, Science, Math, and English.
Federal Public Service Commission is responsible for conducting CSS exam. Every year in August the commission advertises the next exam on its website and in all leading national newspapers. The first advertisement contains information about the coming MPT, the deadline for submitting the applications, and the date of the test.
At this stage, aspirants of the CSS exam apply online on the commission's website. The aspirants must appear and qualify for the test if they wish to take part in the main exam.
CSS Written Examination
After MPT, the successful candidates appear in the written part. In the written exam, there are 12 papers of 100 marks each. A candidate has to score at least 40% marks in each of the papers and 50% marks in aggregate to qualify for the next step.
The first six papers are compulsory for all of the CSS aspirants having 600 marks in all. Irrespective of their academic background, all the candidates must pass each of the exams. The candidates are advised to go through the CSS Syllabus before starting preparation.
The compulsory papers include,
- English Precise and Composition
- English Essay
- General Science and Ability
- Current Affairs
- Pakistan Affairs
- Islamic Studies - Ethics for Non-Muslims
There are around 45 different optional subjects, and the candidates need to choose papers totalling 600 marks.
Details of the compulsory and optional subjects are given in the CSS Syllabus.
The CSS written exam is commenced in February every year. After the exam, candidates have to wait for about eight months as in October the written part result is announced.
Medical and Psychological Assessment
The qualifiers of the CSS exam are notified to undergo a medical checkup before the interview. After a medical checkup, there is a psychological assessment. It is a short test to ascertain a candidate's mental approach towards various occupational challenges. Although this test does not have weightage in the exam, it does play an important role in the final interview.
Viva Voce - CSS Interview
In the last phase, the CSS written exam qualifiers appear in the final interview. In the interview, they are asked questions from compulsory as well as their optional subjects, and their personal and previous academic life. They are also asked why they want to Join the Civil Service of Pakistan. CSS interview has 300 marks in total. To pass the interview, a candidate has to score a minimum of 180 marks.
CSS Eligibility Criteria
Any person of Pakistani origin having a valid CNIC, a second-class graduation degree, and between the age group of 21 and 30 can appear in the CSS exam. It doesn't matter if a candidate is a simple BA from a Pakistani university or holds a Masters qualification from an international university, they are eligible for the exam.
Who Should Take CSS Exam
Any graduate wishing to serve in a government department as a gazetted officer should avail this opportunity. It gives the officer a chance to participate in the top-level policy-making process for the public good. CSS officers are important figures in the government machinery. They are highly respected in society and enjoy various perks and privileges.
Books for CSS Examination
CSS aspirants should prepare their subjects from a wide variety of books. They should consult only the quality books instead of readily available local books and notes.
Candidates should keep in mind that CSS is a competitive examination and preparing the exam from local books will not help them compete with the hundreds of thousands of aspirants from diverse academic backgrounds.
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| Candidates must consult recommended books to score high in the exam |
For instance, a candidate preparing for CSS International Relations must consult Global Politics by Andrew Heywood, and International Relations by Joshua S. Goldstein instead of a local book published by Caravan.
Recommended Books by Awaid Irshad Bhatti
Topper of CSS 2017
Training of CSS Officers
The successful candidates of the CSS exam are called CSPs. After the final result, they have to wait for quite some time until they are informed of which occupational groups they have been allocated. About 3,4 months after the final result, they get their offer letters. With the offer letter, they get instructions about the commencement of the training.
There are two training programs,
Common Training Program - CTP
The successful qualifiers for the CSS exam are trained in the Civil Services Academy -CSA- located in Lahore. This program is common for all of the allocatees irrespective of their occupational groups. It is a classroom-based training where all the qualifiers attend regular classes starting from 9 AM. They study different subjects including public policy and governance.
CTP spans around 10 months. After the end of the CTP the commoners, CSS qualifiers who attend the CTP, are required to pass another exam or tests. The qualifiers must pass this exam.
There is a whole different set of criteria to test the participants including their participation in classroom discussions, their academic excellence, and their proactive role in other key events taking place in the CSA. One who tops the CTP is rewarded with a gold medal and allocated to the best department. The topper has a bright career ahead in the federal and provincial bureaucracy.
Specialized Training Program - STP
After an initial 10 months of rigorous training, the commenters are sent to their respective training academies for a specialized program called STP. In the STP, the qualifiers gain valuable knowledge and expertise akin to their professional career. The STP spans nearly 12 months. After this training, the CSPs are posted in different ministries and departments.
The details of all occupational groups and the perks attached to them are given below.
CSS Occupational Groups
There are 12 different occupational groups in CSS. The CSS officers get their allocations in these groups. They are later posted in relevant departments and ministries according to their merit and personal choice.
1. Pakistan Administrative Service - PAS
In Pakistan Administrative Service or PAS (formally DMG) an officer is posted as Assistant Commissioner and gets a field assignment. If posted in the secretariat, he gets exposure to working in different provincial and federal ministries and departments. After 3,4 years of service, the officer is promoted to BS 18 where he serves as additional deputy commissioner of a district.
In later years the PAS officers are posted as deputy commissioners and commissioners, additional secretaries, and secretaries.
PAS is the favorite group of newly qualified CSS officers. Due to the perks and privileges attached to the group, aspirants place this group first on their priority list. PAS officers get personal security, an operator, and a driver soon after their first posting after training.
Each year only 20 to 40 vacancies arise in the entire PAS group. Hence, the qualifiers having merit numbers 1 to 40 get their allocation in this prestigious group if they wish to join it.
However, the number of vacancies differs each year. Provincial quota also plays a key role in the final allocation. Punjab gets a 50% share of all the vacancies in each group. Sindh, KPK, Balochistan and Newly Merged Districts - Ex FATA get 19%, 11.5%, 6%, and 3% respectively.
Training of PAS Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy Lahore
- Specialized Training Program - STP: PAS Academy Lahore
2. Police Service of Pakistan - PSP
PSP is the second most important occupational group. Many of the successful candidates place this group 1st in their priority list because of its charm, position, and power. In the Police Service of Pakistan, the officer is posted as Assistant Suppretendant of Police - ASP.
In the PSP, the officers get fast promotions. Just in 3 years, a PSP officer gets promoted to the rank of Supretendant of Police -SP- of a district in Pakistan. Just like PAS, a PSP officer also gets their personal security, operator, and driver who accompanies them everywhere.
Training of PSP Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy Lahore
- Specialized Training Program - STP: National Police Academy Islamabad
3. Foreign Service of Pakistan - FSP
FSP is another lucrative and one of the most prestigious occupational groups. The FSP officers are posted in different countries of the world and enjoy a luxurious life. In most of the cases, a newly qualified FSP officer gets the title of Protocol Officer.
They are responsible for receiving foreign dignitaries from around the world when posted in the Head office in Islamabad. In the initial 3 years, an FSP officer serves in Islamabad. Afterward, they are posted to a Pakistani embassy as third secretary in any country where Pakistan has a diplomatic presence.
FSP officers get opportunities to study and learn different languages in world-class universities. They live in the capital city of the country be it London, Paris, New York, Dehli, Kabul, or Dhaka. FSP officers represent Pakistan in key international events. They also get an opportunity to serve in the United Nations.
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Training of FSP Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy Lahore
- Specialized Training Program - STP: Foreign Service Academy Islamabad
4. Pakistan Customs Service - PCS
PCS is another prestigious service. Qualifiers having comparatively lower merit in the final result are offered to this group. A PCS officer is posted as an Assistant Collector in the national customs directorates located in different cities of the country.
The PCS officers collect customs duties, levy taxes, and keep a vigil on the movement of goods from airports, seaports, dry ports, and national borders.
Training of PCS Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy Lahore
- Specialized Training Program - STP: Pakistan Custom House Karachi
5. Commerce and Trade Group - CTG
Officers of this occupational group play a key role in the national economy. A newly qualified CSP officer of the CTG is posted as an Assistant Director. This group focuses on managing and promoting Pakistan's trade relations, both domestically and internationally. CTG group promotes and safeguards Pakistan's trade interests in Pakistan and outside of the country.
The officers belonging to the group conduct different exhibitions and conferences for the Pakistani business community to showcase their products.
The CTG officers are posted in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO), and Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development.
The officers formulate both short-term and long-term trade policies to boost national trade domestically and on an international level. Pakistan's shift from agricultural to industrial economy has doubled the importance of this group.
Training of CTG Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy
- Specialized Training Program - STP: Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development Karachi
6. Inland Revenue Service - IRS
The IRS is the backbone of Pakistan's financial system. It is responsible for the collection of taxes, ensuring compliance with tax laws, and contributing to the government's revenue generation efforts. IRS officers get postings in different zones across Pakistan. A newly appointed IRS officer is called the Assistant Commissioner.
Training of IRS Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy
- Specialized Training Program - STP: Inland Revenue Service Academy IRSA Lahore
7. Military Lands and Cantonment Group - MLCG
This group manages and administers military lands and cantonments across the country. Officers in this group ensure the proper utilization of these lands and oversee the provision of municipal services in cantonment areas.
Training of IRS Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy
- Specialized Training Program - STP: Inland Revenue Service Academy IRSA Lahore
8. Office Management Group - OMG
This group plays a vital role in the smooth functioning of government ministries and departments. Officers in this group manage administrative affairs, ensure efficient record-keeping, and support decision-making processes.
Training of OMG Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy
- Specialized Training Program - STP: Secretariat Training Institute Islamabad
9. Postal Group
This group is responsible for providing postal services across the country. Officers in this group manage postal operations, ensure timely delivery of mail, and work to modernize postal services.
Training of Postal Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy
- Specialized Training Program - STP: Postal Staff College Islamabad
10. Railway Group
This group manages and operates Pakistan Railways, the national railway system. Officers in this group oversee railway operations, infrastructure development, and passenger and freight transportation.
Training of Railway Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy
- Specialized Training Program - STP: Pakistan Railway Academy Lahore
11. Information Group - IG
This group is responsible for disseminating information about government policies and initiatives to the public. Officers in this group work in various media outlets and public relations departments to keep citizens informed.
Training of IG Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy
- Specialized Training Program - STP: Secretariat Training Institute Islamabad
12. Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service - PAAS
This group ensures financial accountability and transparency in government spending. Officers in this group conduct audits of government departments and provide recommendations for improved financial management.
Training of PAAS Officers
- Common Training Program - CTP: Civil Services Academy
- Specialized Training Program - STP: Pakistan Audit and Accounts Academy Lahore
Final Words
Civil Superior Service - CSS examination is the elite exam in Pakistan for recruitment of BS 17 officers. This exam provides opportunities to candidates across the country from diversified backgrounds. CSS is often called the shortcut to success. Although there is no shortcut to qualify for this competitive exam, it is indeed the shortest route to glory if one is able to pass the exam and join the prestigious civil service.
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