Table of Contents10 sections
Group-VI offers seven subjects including six law-related subjects. CSS aspirants can select ONE subject from this group carrying 100 marks. This comprehensive guide covers all law subjects with their complete syllabi.
Group-VI Overview
| Code | Subject | Marks | MCQs | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Law | 100 | 20 | LLB graduates |
| 39 | Constitutional Law | 100 | 20 | Law, Political Science students |
| 40 | International Law | 100 | 20 | LLB, IR students |
| 41 | Muslim Law & Jurisprudence | 100 | 20 | Islamic Studies, Law |
| 42 | Mercantile Law | 100 | 20 | Commerce, Business students |
| 43 | Criminology | 100 | 20 | Sociology, Law students |
| 44 | Philosophy | 100 | 20 | Philosophy enthusiasts |
1. Constitutional Law (100 Marks)
Constitutional Law is one of the most popular law subjects in CSS, highly relevant for civil service career.
Complete Syllabus
Section I: Basic Constitutional Concepts
Definition and Scope:
- Definition of Constitutional Law
- Scope and importance
- Constitutional Conventions
- Rule of Law
- Due Process
Constitutional Structures:
- Parliamentary System
- Presidential System
- Separation of Powers
Judiciary:
- Independence of Judiciary
- Judicial Review
- Theories of Constitutional Interpretation
Fundamental Rights:
- Freedom of speech
- Association and assembly
- Movement and Right to Counsel
- Right to life, property, religion
- Privacy, self-incrimination
- Double jeopardy
Section II: Comparative Constitutional Law
Principles with reference to:
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- France
- Russia
- China
- Pakistan
- India
- Turkey
Section III: Constitutional History of Pakistan
Pre-Independence:
- Government of India Act, 1935 (Salient features)
- Indian Independence Act, 1947
Constitution Making:
- Objectives Resolution, 1949
- Constitution of 1956
- Constitution of 1962
- Constitution of 1973
Constitutional Developments:
- Abrogation and Suspension of Constitutions
- Martial Laws
- Legal Framework Order, 1970
- PCO of 1981
- RCO of 1985
- LFO-2002
- Constitutional Amendments (all amendments up-to-date)
Section IV: Landmark Legal Cases
Essential Case Law:
| Case | Citation | Key Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan v. Federation | PLD 1955 Sindh 96 | Governor-General's powers |
| Federation v. Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan | PLD 1955 FC 240 | Dissolution of Assembly |
| Reference by Governor-General | PLD 1955 FC 435 | Constitutional crisis |
| State v. Dosso | PLD 1958 SC 533 | Martial Law validity |
| Usif Patel v. Crown | PLD 1955 FC 387 | Fundamental rights |
| Asma Jilani v. Govt. of Punjab | PLD 1972 SC 139 | Martial Law illegality |
| Begum Nusrat Bhutto v. Chief of Army Staff | PLD 1977 SC 657 | Doctrine of necessity |
| Nawaz Sharif v. President | PLD 1993 SC 473 | Presidential powers |
| Benazir Bhutto v. President | PLD 1992 SC 492 | Dissolution of Assembly |
| Zafar Ali Shah v. Gen. Pervez Musharraf | PLD 2000 SC 869 | Military takeover |
| Sindh High Court Bar v. Federation | PLD 2009 SC 879 | Judicial independence |
Recommended Books for Constitutional Law
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Comparative Constitutional Law | Hamid Khan & M.W. Rana |
| Constitution of Pakistan 1973 | Shabbar Raza Rizvi |
| Introduction to Study of the Law of the Constitution | Dicey |
| Constitutional & Political History of Pakistan | Hamid Khan, Advocate |
| Human Rights in Constitutional Law | SR. Bansali |
| Constitutional Documents of Pakistan | Safdar Mahmood |
| The Leading Cases in Constitutional Law | A.G. Chaudhry |
2. International Law (100 Marks)
International Law is essential for those aspiring to foreign service or international relations roles.
Complete Syllabus
I. Nature and Basis of International Law
- Emergence of International Law
- Early European Authors
- The Nation-State System
- Enforcement and Effectiveness
- Weaknesses of International Law
- Juridical Basis
- Future of International Law
- Material Sources
II. Relation Between International Law and State Law
- Article 38 of ICJ Statute
- Primary Sources of International Law
- Subsidiary Sources
- International Soft Law
III. State and Recognition
- Personality and Statehood
- Subjects of International Law
- Recognition of State
- Recognition of Government
- Recognition in National Law
IV. Law of Treaties
- Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
- Formation of treaties
- Reservations
- Amendment and modification
- Invalidity and termination
V. Settlement of International Disputes
- Negotiation
- Mediation and Good Offices
- Inquiry
- Settlement by United Nations
- Conciliation
- Arbitration
- International Court of Justice
VI. International Humanitarian Law
- International and Non-International Armed Conflicts
- 'Combatant' and 'Protected Persons'
- Protection of Wounded, Sick and Ship-Wrecked
- Prisoners of War (POWs)
- Civilians
- Limitations on Conduct of War
- Limits on Methods and Means of Warfare
VII. The Use of Force
- Law before UN Charter
- Law after the Charter
- Collective Use of Force
- Right of Self-Defence
VIII. Other Topics
- International Institutions
- State Territorial Sovereignty
- State Responsibility
- State Jurisdiction
- Succession to Rights and Obligations
- The State and the Individual
- The State and Economic Interest
- Diplomatic Envoys, Consuls and Representatives
- War, Armed Conflicts and Hostilities
- Neutrality
Recommended Books for International Law
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| International Law | Malcolm N. Shaw |
| Principles of Public International Law | Ian Brownlie |
| International Law | Dr. S.K. Kapoor |
| Introduction to International Law | J.G. Starke, QC |
| International Humanitarian Law | ICRC Pakistan |
| Cases and Materials on International Law | D.J. Harris |
Important Acts and Conventions
- Extradition Act, 1972
- Diplomatic and Consular Privileges Act, 1972
- Territorial Waters and Maritime Zone Act, 1976
- UN Convention on Law of the Sea, 1984
3. Law (General) (100 Marks)
This subject covers procedural laws and the Pakistan Penal Code.
Complete Syllabus
I. Definitions of Crime
- Elements of crime
- Classification of crimes
- Criminal liability
II. Pakistan Penal Code, 1860
- All provisions
- Offences against state
- Offences against public tranquility
- Offences against human body
- Offences against property
III. Criminal Procedure Code, 1898
- All provisions
- Investigation
- Trial procedures
- Appeals and revisions
IV. Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- All provisions
- Jurisdiction
- Parties to suits
- Pleadings
- Trial and decree
- Execution
V. Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984
- Law of evidence
- Burden of proof
- Witnesses
- Documentary evidence
VI. Arbitration
- Concept of arbitration
- Arbitration with court intervention
- Arbitration without court intervention
- Arbitration in civil suits
VII. Civil Courts
- Establishment of Civil Courts
- Original Jurisdiction
- Appellate Jurisdiction
Recommended Books for Law
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 | M. Mahmood |
| Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 | Shaukat Mahmood |
| Law of Evidence | Justice (R) Khalil ur Rahman Khan |
| The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 | Aamir Raza A. Khan |
| The Arbitration Laws in Pakistan | M. Mahmood |
| Civil Courts Ordinance, 1962 | Nisar Ahmad Nisar |
4. Muslim Law & Jurisprudence (100 Marks)
This subject combines Islamic jurisprudence with personal law in Pakistan.
Complete Syllabus
I. Sources of Islamic Law
- The Quran
- The Sunnah
- Ijma (Consensus)
- Qiyas (Analogical reasoning)
- Ijtihad (Independent reasoning)
II. Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
- Usul al-Fiqh
- Schools of thought (Madhahib)
- Legal maxims (Qawaid Fiqhiyyah)
III. Islamic Criminal Law
Hadd Offences:
- Zina (Adultery/Fornication)
- Qazf (False accusation)
- Sariqah (Theft)
- Hirabah (Highway robbery)
- Shurb al-Khamr (Drinking alcohol)
Taz'ir:
- Definition and scope
- Discretionary punishments
Qisas and Diyat:
- Qisas (Retaliation)
- Diyat (Blood money)
- Arsh (Compensation)
IV. Islamic Family Law
Marriage (Nikah):
- Essentials of valid marriage
- Types of marriage
- Mahr (Dower)
- Rights and duties of spouses
Dower (Mahr):
- Types: Prompt and deferred
- Amount and payment
Divorce:
- Talaq (Repudiation)
- Khula (Mutual separation)
- Faskh (Judicial separation)
- Post-divorce maintenance (Iddah)
Child Custody (Hadanah):
- Rights of mother
- Rights of father
- Best interest of child
Succession:
- Quranic heirs
- Agnatic heirs
- Inheritance shares
V. Islamic Law of Contract
- Essentials of valid contract
- Types of contracts
- Prohibited transactions
VI. Islamic Banking and Insurance
- Prohibition of Riba
- Islamic banking products
- Takaful (Islamic insurance)
VII. Islamic International Law
- Laws of war (Jihad)
- Treatment of non-Muslims
- Treaties and agreements
VIII. Islamic Law and Human Rights
- Fundamental rights in Islam
- Dignity and equality
- Protection of minorities
IX. Relevant Pakistani Legislation
- Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939
- Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961
Recommended Books for Muslim Law & Jurisprudence
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Study of Islamic Law | Dr. Hussain Hamid Hassan |
| Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence | Mohammad Hashim Kamali |
| Theories of Islamic Law | Prof. Imran Ahsan Nyazee |
| Islamic Law of Contracts and Business Transactions | Tahir Mansuri |
| Family Law in Islam | Dr. Mohammad Tahir Mansuri |
| General Principles of Criminal Law | Prof. Imran Ahsan Nyazee |
| State and Legislation in Islam | Dr. Mahmood Ahmad Gazi |
| Mahomedan Jurisprudence | Abdur Rahim |
| Islamic Law of Inheritance | Hamid Khan, Advocate |
| Principles of Muhammadan Law | Munir Ahmad Siddiqui |
5. Mercantile Law (100 Marks)
Mercantile Law covers commercial and business transactions - best for commerce backgrounds.
Complete Syllabus
I. Law of Contract, 1872
Essentials of Valid Contract:
- Proposal and Acceptance
- Consideration
- Free Consent
- Capacity of Parties
- Not declared Void
Kinds of Contracts:
- Valid, Void, Voidable
- Contingent, Quasi
- Bailment, Pledge
- Indemnity, Agency
Performance and Breach:
- Contracts that need not be performed
- Breach of contract
- Consequences and damages
II. Sale of Goods Act, 1930
Key Concepts:
- Sale vs. Agreement to sell
- Conditions vs. Warranties
- Express and Implied conditions
Important Doctrines:
- Caveat emptor (Buyer beware)
- Nemo dat (No one gives what they don't have)
Rights and Duties:
- Rights of seller and buyer
- Rights of unpaid seller
III. Partnership Act, 1932
Essentials:
- Definition of partnership
- Types: At will, Particular, Limited
Rights and Duties:
- Rights of partners
- Duties of partners
- Implied authority
- Doctrine of holding out
Partners:
- Incoming and outgoing partners
- Minor as partner
Dissolution:
- Compulsory dissolution
- By agreement
- By court
- By notice
- On contingencies
IV. Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
Types:
- Cheque
- Bill of Exchange
- Promissory Note
Parties:
- Drawer, Drawee, Payee
- Holder and Holder in due course
Rules:
- Negotiation
- Presentment
- Payment and Interest
- Discharge
- Noting and Protest
- Compensation
- Acceptance
Special Provisions:
- Cheques and bills of exchange
- Dishonor
- Duties of banker
- Foreign instruments
V. Competition Act, 2010
Prohibitions:
- Abuse of dominant position
- Certain agreements
- Marketing practices
Competition Commission:
- Establishment
- Functions and powers
- Approval of mergers
- Penalties and appeals
VI. Electronic Transactions Ordinance, 2002
Recognition of Electronic Transactions:
- Writing, Signature
- Stamp duty, Attestation
Electronic Documents:
- Attribution
- Acknowledgement
- Time and place of dispatch
Other Matters:
- Certification service providers
- Application to acts outside Pakistan
- Offences
VII. Arbitration Law in Pakistan
Arbitration Process:
- Appointment of arbitrator
- Number and removal
- Award by arbitrator
Court Powers:
- Remittance of award
- Modification of award
- Setting aside of award
Types:
- With court intervention
- Without court intervention
- Stay of legal proceedings
VIII. Consumer Protection Act, 2006
Consumer Commission:
- Establishment
- Powers and functions
- Complaints and disposal
Duties and Liabilities:
- Compulsory recall of goods
- Return and refund
- Provider's responsibilities
Other Matters:
- Offences and penalties
- Consumer-provider contracts
IX. Companies Ordinance, 1984
Types of Companies:
- Public and Private
- Limited and Unlimited
Fundamental Documents:
- Memorandum of Association
- Articles of Association
- Prospectus
Management:
- Promoters
- Shareholders
- Directors
- Chief Executive
- Auditors
Meetings:
- Statutory meeting
- General meeting
- Annual general meeting
Winding Up:
- Voluntary
- By court
X. Electronic Fund Transfer Act, 2007
Payment Systems:
- Designation and revocation
- Real time gross settlement
- Governance and operation
Payment Instruments:
- Designation and issuing
- Prohibition of instruments
Other Matters:
- Clearing and obligations
- State Bank supervision
- Documentation
- Error notification
- Liabilities of parties
Important Case Law for Mercantile Law
| Case | Citation | Key Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. | (1893) 1 QB 256 | Offer and acceptance |
| Pharmaceutical Society v. Boots Cash | (1952) 2 QB 795 | Invitation to treat |
| Curie v. Misa | (1875) LR 10 Ex 153 | Consideration |
| Mohri Bibi v. Dharmodas Ghose | (1903) 30 IA 114 | Minor's contract |
| Derry v. Peeks | (1889) 14 App. Cas 337 | Fraud |
| Salomon v. A. Salomon & Co. | (1897) AC 22 | Corporate veil |
| Royal British Bank v. Turquand | (1856) 6 E&B 327 | Indoor management rule |
| Ashbury Railway v. Riche | (1875) LR 7HL 653 | Ultra vires |
| Lee v. Lee's Air Farming | (1960) 3 All ER 420 | Separate legal entity |
Recommended Books for Mercantile Law
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Law of Contract | Agarwala, M. Mehmood |
| Sales of Goods Act | Pollock & Mulla |
| Contract Act, 1872 (Bare Act) | Government of Pakistan |
| Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881 | Government of Pakistan |
| Companies Ordinance, 1984 | Government of Pakistan |
| Competition Act, 2010 | Government of Pakistan |
| Electronic Transactions Ordinance, 2002 | Government of Pakistan |
6. Criminology (100 Marks)
Criminology studies crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system.
Complete Syllabus
Section I: Introduction (25 Marks)
Basic Concepts:
- Crime, criminality, criminal behavior
- Deviance, Sin, Vice, Evil
- Norms, Values
- Security (Physical, Social, Economic)
Understanding Criminology:
- Definition and scope
- Criminology and criminal law
- Crime as social problem
Types of Criminals:
- Occasional criminals
- Habitual criminals
- Professional criminals
- White-collar crime
- Organized crime
- Corporate crimes
Theoretical Perspectives:
Early Explanations:
- Biological Theories
- Psychological Theories
- Sociological Theories
Modern Theories:
- Social Disorganization theory
- Strain theory
- Social Control theory
- Learning theory
- Labeling Theory
- Islamic perspective on deviance and crime
Section II: Juvenile Delinquency (25 Marks)
Concepts:
- Behavioral vs. Legal definitions
- Juvenile delinquent vs. status offender
- Official statistics
Juvenile Justice System:
- Role of police
- Juvenile court process:
- Pretrial
- Trial
- Sentencing
- Key roles:
- Prosecutor
- Defense counsel
- Juvenile judge
- Juvenile probation officer
- Juvenile correctional institutions
- Probation and non-punitive alternatives
Section III: Criminal Justice System (25 Marks)
Components:
- Police and its role
- Trial and Conviction of Offenders
- Agencies: formal and informal
Criminal Courts:
- Procedures and problems
- Role of prosecutors
Corrections:
- Prisons
- Probation
- Parole
Punishment and Rehabilitation:
- Corporal punishment
- Imprisonment
- Rehabilitation of criminals
Criminal Investigation:
- Principles of investigation
- Manual of preliminary investigation
- Intelligence operations
- Database investigation
- Electronic investigation
- Forensic Investigation
Investigation Techniques:
- Gathering information from persons
- Interviewing and interrogation
- Criminal investigation analysis
Legal Guidelines:
- Stop and frisk operations
- Arrest procedures
- Search and seizure
International Organizations:
- UNAFEI
- INTERPOL
- EUROPOL
- UNODC
- UNICEF
- IPA
Section IV: Contemporary Criminology (25 Marks)
Modern Concepts:
- Terrorism, Radicalism & War on Terror
- Media's representation of Crime
- Modern Law Enforcement
- Intelligence-led Policing
- Community Policing
- Private Public Partnership
- Gender and Crime
- Crime and Urbanization
- Organized Crime
- White-Collar Crime
- Human Rights Abuses
- Money-laundering
- Cyber Crime
- Role of NAB, FIA, ANF
Recommended Books for Criminology
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| New Perspectives in Criminology | Conklin, J.E |
| Criminal Interrogation and Confessions | Fred, E.I., John, E.R. |
| Theoretical Criminology | George B. Vold, Thomas J. Bernard |
| Modern Criminology | Hagan, J. |
| Juvenile Delinquency: An Integrated Approach | James, B. |
| Security Studies: An Introduction | Paul, D.W. |
| Crime, Justice and Society | Ronald, J.B. |
| Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law | Seigel, L.J. |
| Crime Prevention: Theory and Practice | Stephen, S. |
Useful Websites for Criminology
- International Society of Criminology: www.isc-sic.org
- American Society of Criminology: www.asc41.com
- British Society of Criminology: www.britsoccrim.org
- Pakistan Society of Criminology: www.pakistansocietyofcriminology.com
- INTERPOL: www.interpol.int
- UNODC: www.unodc.org
7. Philosophy (100 Marks)
Philosophy is included in Group-VI for candidates interested in abstract thinking and reasoning.
Complete Syllabus
I. Introduction
- Definition, Nature, and Scope of Philosophy
II. Philosophical Methods
- Socratic Method (Socrates)
- Inductive Method (Bacon, Mill)
- Deductive Method (Aristotle, Descartes)
- Dialectical Method (Hegel)
- Fallibilistic Method (Popper)
III. Epistemology (Theory of Knowledge)
- Rationalism (Plato, Descartes, Spinoza)
- Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume)
- Transcendentalism (Kant)
- Intuitionism (Bergson)
IV. Ontology (Study of Being)
- Idealism (Plato, Berkeley)
- Representative Realism (Locke)
- Historical and Dialectical Materialism (Marx)
V. Ethics
- What is morality?
- Challenge of cultural relativism
- Morality and religion
- Psychological and ethical egoism
- Virtue Ethics (Aristotle)
- Moral Absolutism (Kant)
- Utilitarianism (J.S. Mill)
- Social Contract Theory (Hobbes, Rawls)
VI. Muslim Thinkers
- Al-Farabi
- Ibn Sina
- Al-Ghazali
- Ibn Rushd
- Ibn Khaldun
- Shah Waliullah
- Muhammad Iqbal
VII. Contemporary Philosophical Movements
- Existentialism (Heidegger, Sartre)
- Pragmatism (Peirce, James, Dewey)
- Neo-pragmatism (Rorty)
- Postmodernism (Lyotard, Foucault, Derrida)
Recommended Books for Philosophy
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| A History of Western Philosophy | Bertrand Russell |
| Philosophy: The Power of Ideas | Brooke Noel Moore & Kenneth Bruder |
| Elements of Moral Philosophy | James Rachels |
| Existentialism & Human Emotions | Jean Paul Sartre |
| Continental Philosophy in the 20th Century | Richard Kearney |
| A Short History of Modern Philosophy | Roger Scruton |
| A History of Muslim Philosophy (Vol. I & II) | M.M. Sharif |
| A History of Islamic Philosophy | Majid Fakhry |
| The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam | Muhammad Iqbal |
Subject Selection Comparison
| Subject | Difficulty | Best For | Scoring Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Law | Medium | Political Science, Law students | High |
| International Law | Medium | IR, Law students | High |
| Law | High | LLB graduates only | Medium |
| Muslim Law | Medium | Islamic Studies, Law | Medium-High |
| Mercantile Law | High | Commerce, Business | Medium |
| Criminology | Medium | Sociology, Psychology | High |
| Philosophy | High | Philosophy enthusiasts | Medium |
Most Popular Choice
Constitutional Law is the most selected subject from Group-VI due to:
- Direct relevance to civil service
- Overlap with Pakistan Affairs and Political Science
- Well-defined syllabus
- Scoring opportunities in subjective answers
Preparation Tips for Law Subjects
- Read Acts and Ordinances - Don't rely solely on textbooks
- Study Case Law - Know important judgments and their principles
- Understand Concepts - Law requires application, not just memorization
- Practice Answer Writing - Legal writing has specific structure
- Stay Updated - Know recent amendments and landmark cases
- Use Legal Terminology - Show command of legal language
Based on official FPSC CSS Syllabus for CE-2016 onwards. Always verify current syllabus from FPSC website.