Table of Contents14 sections
Choosing the right optional subjects is the most critical decision in CSS preparation. Your optional subjects contribute 600 marks out of 1200 (50% of total written exam). This guide covers all 55 optional subjects organized into 7 groups and provides strategies for optimal selection.
Optional Subjects Structure
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Optional Marks | 600 marks (50% of written exam) |
| Number of Subjects to Select | 3 subjects |
| Selection Pattern | Must follow group-wise rules |
| 200-Mark Subjects | 1 subject (mandatory from Group-I or Group-II) |
| 100-Mark Subjects | 2 subjects (from remaining groups) |
| Total Optional Papers | Usually 4 papers (200-mark subjects have 2 papers of 100 each) |
Group-wise Subject Breakdown
Group-I: Core Disciplines (Select ONE subject of 200 marks ONLY)
You MUST select one subject from this group:
| Code | Subject | Papers | Total Marks | MCQs per Paper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Accountancy & Auditing | 2 | 200 | 20 + 20 |
| 12 | Economics | 2 | 200 | 20 + 20 |
| 13 | Computer Science | 2 | 200 | 20 + 20 |
| 14 | Political Science | 2 | 200 | 20 + 20 |
| 15 | International Relations | 2 | 200 | 20 + 20 |
Key Points:
- These are the main optional subjects
- Each has 2 papers of 100 marks each
- Total 40 MCQs (20 per paper)
- These subjects form the backbone of your optional combination
Group-II: Sciences & Mathematics (Select subject(s) totaling 200 marks ONLY)
You can select:
- One 200-mark subject (Physics or Chemistry), OR
- Two 100-mark subjects from this group
| Code | Subject | Papers | Marks | MCQs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Physics | 2 | 200 | 20 + 20 |
| 17 | Chemistry | 2 | 200 | 20 + 20 |
| 18 | Applied Mathematics | 1 | 100 | No MCQs |
| 19 | Pure Mathematics | 1 | 100 | No MCQs |
| 20 | Statistics | 1 | 100 | 20 |
| 21 | Geology | 1 | 100 | 20 |
Important Notes:
- Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics have NO MCQs
- If you select Physics (200) or Chemistry (200) from this group, you cannot select from Group-I
- Most candidates select from Group-I instead
Group-III: Management & Administration (Select ONE subject of 100 marks ONLY)
| Code | Subject | Marks | MCQs | Best For | |---|---|---|---| | 22 | Business Administration | 100 | 20 | Business, MBA backgrounds | | 23 | Public Administration | 100 | 20 | Best for CSS, PA graduates | | 24 | Governance & Public Policies | 100 | 20 | Policy enthusiasts | | 25 | Town Planning & Urban Management | 100 | 20 | Architecture, City planning |
Most Selected: Public Administration (highly relevant for CSS career)
Group-IV: History (Select ONE subject of 100 marks ONLY)
| Code | Subject | Marks | MCQs | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | History of Pakistan & India | 100 | 20 | Pre-1947 to independence |
| 27 | Islamic History & Culture | 100 | 20 | From Prophet to Ottoman Empire |
| 28 | British History | 100 | 20 | Medieval to modern Britain |
| 29 | European History | 100 | 20 | Renaissance to modern Europe |
| 30 | History of USA | 100 | 20 | Colonial era to modern USA |
Most Selected: Islamic History & Culture or History of Pakistan & India
Group-V: Sciences, Literature & Social Sciences (Select ONE subject of 100 marks ONLY)
| Code | Subject | Marks | MCQs | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Gender Studies | 100 | 20 | Social sciences, sociology |
| 32 | Environmental Sciences | 100 | 20 | All backgrounds |
| 33 | Agriculture & Forestry | 100 | 20 | Agriculture graduates |
| 34 | Botany | 100 | 20 | Biology, life sciences |
| 35 | Zoology | 100 | 20 | Biology, life sciences |
| 36 | English Literature | 100 | 20 | English, literature lovers |
| 37 | Urdu Literature | 100 | 20 | Urdu background |
Most Selected: English Literature, Gender Studies, or Environmental Sciences
Group-VI: Law & Philosophy (Select ONE subject of 100 marks ONLY)
| Code | Subject | Marks | MCQs | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Law | 100 | 20 | LLB graduates |
| 39 | Constitutional Law | 100 | 20 | Law, political science |
| 40 | International Law | 100 | 20 | LLB, IR students |
| 41 | Muslim Law & Jurisprudence | 100 | 20 | Islamic studies, law |
| 42 | Mercantile Law | 100 | 20 | Commerce, business law |
| 43 | Criminology | 100 | 20 | Sociology, law |
| 44 | Philosophy | 100 | 20 | Philosophy, deep thinkers |
Most Selected: Constitutional Law or International Law
Group-VII: Media, Languages & Social Sciences (Select ONE subject of 100 marks ONLY)
| Code | Subject | Marks | MCQs | Language of Paper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Journalism & Mass Communication | 100 | 20 | English |
| 46 | Psychology | 100 | 20 | English |
| 47 | Geography | 100 | 20 | English |
| 48 | Sociology | 100 | 20 | English |
| 49 | Anthropology | 100 | 20 | English |
| 50 | Punjabi | 100 | 20 | Punjabi |
| 51 | Sindhi | 100 | 20 | Sindhi |
| 52 | Pashto | 100 | 20 | Pashto |
| 53 | Balochi | 100 | 20 | Balochi |
| 54 | Persian | 100 | 20 | Persian |
| 55 | Arabic | 100 | 20 | Arabic |
Most Selected: Psychology, Sociology, or Journalism & Mass Communication
Important Note: Regional language papers (Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi) and foreign language papers (Persian, Arabic) must be answered in the respective language, though translation questions may be English ↔ Language.
Subject Selection Rules & Constraints
Mandatory Rules
Rule 1: You MUST select ONE of the following patterns:
- Pattern A: One 200-mark subject from Group-I + Two 100-mark subjects from other groups
- Pattern B: Two 100-mark subjects from Group-II (totaling 200) + Two 100-mark subjects from other groups
Rule 2: Group-wise selection limits:
- Group-I: Select ONE subject (200 marks) OR skip this group
- Group-II: Select subject(s) totaling 200 marks (either 1×200 or 2×100) OR skip this group
- Groups III to VII: Select ONE subject from any one group (100 marks each)
Rule 3: You CANNOT select:
- More than one subject from Groups III, IV, V, VI, or VII
- Both a Group-I subject and a Group-II 200-mark subject
Most Common Combination Pattern
Group-I (200 marks): Select one subject + Groups III/IV/V/VI/VII (100 marks each): Select two subjects from different groups = Total: 600 marks (3 subjects)
Popular Optional Subject Combinations
For Arts/Humanities Students
Combination 1 (Most Popular):
- International Relations (200) from Group-I
- Public Administration (100) from Group-III
- Psychology (100) from Group-VII
Combination 2:
- Political Science (200) from Group-I
- Islamic History & Culture (100) from Group-IV
- Journalism & Mass Communication (100) from Group-VII
Combination 3:
- Economics (200) from Group-I
- English Literature (100) from Group-V
- Sociology (100) from Group-VII
For Commerce/Business Students
Combination 1:
- Economics (200) from Group-I
- Business Administration (100) from Group-III
- English Literature (100) from Group-V
Combination 2:
- Accountancy & Auditing (200) from Group-I
- Business Administration (100) from Group-III
- Constitutional Law (100) from Group-VI
For Science Students
Combination 1:
- Economics (200) from Group-I
- Environmental Sciences (100) from Group-V
- Psychology (100) from Group-VII
Combination 2:
- Computer Science (200) from Group-I
- Public Administration (100) from Group-III
- Geography (100) from Group-VII
Combination 3 (Pure Science):
- Physics (200) from Group-II
- Statistics (100) from Group-II
- Environmental Sciences (100) from Group-V
For Law Students
Combination 1:
- Political Science (200) from Group-I
- Constitutional Law (100) from Group-VI
- Public Administration (100) from Group-III
Combination 2:
- International Relations (200) from Group-I
- International Law (100) from Group-VI
- Psychology (100) from Group-VII
For Engineering/IT Students
Combination 1:
- Computer Science (200) from Group-I
- Public Administration (100) from Group-III
- English Literature (100) from Group-V
Combination 2:
- Economics (200) from Group-I
- Governance & Public Policies (100) from Group-III
- Geography (100) from Group-VII
Subject Classification by Scoring Potential
High Scoring Subjects (Easier to score 65%+)
- English Literature - Subjective, can score well with good preparation
- International Relations - Conceptual, scoring subject
- Public Administration - Very relevant for CSS, well-defined
- Islamic History & Culture - Well-defined syllabus
- Gender Studies - Contemporary, easy to relate
- Psychology - Interesting, scoring subject
- Environmental Sciences - Current, scoring
Medium Scoring Subjects (Can score 60-65%)
- Political Science - Requires analytical approach
- Economics - Conceptual understanding needed
- Sociology - Requires critical thinking
- History of Pakistan & India - Factual, extensive
- Journalism & Mass Communication - Practical knowledge helps
- Constitutional Law - Requires legal approach
Challenging Subjects (Requires extensive preparation)
- Accountancy & Auditing - Technical subject
- Computer Science - Technical, rapidly changing
- Pure/Applied Mathematics - Highly technical
- Physics/Chemistry - Conceptual depth required
- Philosophy - Abstract, requires deep thinking
- Persian/Arabic - Language proficiency essential
Criteria for Selecting Optional Subjects
1. Academic Background
- Choose subjects you studied previously
- Already familiar with basic concepts
- Have advantage in understanding advanced topics faster
- Example: Economics graduate should consider Economics as Group-I subject
2. Interest & Aptitude
- Genuine interest ensures sustained motivation
- You'll enjoy studying, making preparation easier
- Don't select subjects solely because others recommend
- Assess your analytical, memory, or conceptual strengths
3. Scoring Potential
- Prioritize subjects with higher scoring history
- Check past years' high scorers and their subject choices
- Subjective subjects often allow better expression
- Technical subjects may have definite answers (good or bad depending on preparation)
4. Syllabus Overlap
- Select subjects with overlapping content
- Example: Political Science + Public Administration + International Relations (heavy overlap)
- Reduces overall study load
- Allows cross-subject reinforcement
5. Availability of Study Material
- Ensure quality books and resources are available
- Good teachers or coaching for the subject
- Past papers and model answers accessible
- Online resources and video lectures available
6. Career Relevance
- CSS leads to civil service - subjects like Public Administration, Political Science, IR are directly relevant
- Shows interest in public policy and governance
- Prepares you intellectually for civil service roles
7. Competition & Trends
- Some subjects are over-competitive (many candidates select them)
- Others are under-selected (may have lenient marking if examiners find few good answers)
- Balance between popular (proven) and niche subjects
Common Mistakes in Subject Selection
Mistake 1: Selecting Too Many Technical Subjects
Problem: Accountancy + Computer Science + Mathematics together Better: Mix technical with conceptual/descriptive subjects
Mistake 2: Ignoring Your Academic Background
Problem: Medical student selecting Economics + Law + Political Science (no science background usage) Better: Economics + Environmental Sciences + Psychology (partial overlap with medical knowledge)
Mistake 3: Choosing Subjects Based Only on Others' Recommendations
Problem: Everyone says "take Public Admin and IR" Solution: Assess your own strengths, not herd mentality
Mistake 4: Selecting Subjects Without Checking Syllabus
Problem: Assuming a subject is easy without reading the detailed syllabus Better: Download FPSC syllabus, read thoroughly before deciding
Mistake 5: Mixing Too Many 100-Mark Subjects from Different Domains
Problem: Gender Studies + Pure Mathematics + Criminology (no coherence) Better: Ensure some thematic or conceptual connection
Mistake 6: Last-Minute Changes
Problem: Changing optional subjects 3-4 months before exam Solution: Finalize subjects at least 6-8 months before exam
Mistake 7: Underestimating 100-Mark Subjects
Problem: Focusing only on 200-mark subject, ignoring 100-mark subjects Reality: 60% in a 100-mark subject = 60 marks; as important as 200-mark subject performance
Step-by-Step Subject Selection Process
Step 1: Self-Assessment (1-2 weeks)
- List your academic qualifications
- Identify subjects you studied in BA/BSc/MA/MSc
- Assess your strengths: Memory vs. Analytical vs. Conceptual
- List subjects that genuinely interest you
Step 2: Initial Shortlisting (1 week)
- From Group-I, shortlist 2-3 subjects matching your background
- From Groups III-VII, shortlist 4-6 subjects you find interesting
- Download FPSC syllabus for shortlisted subjects
Step 3: Detailed Syllabus Review (2 weeks)
- Read complete syllabus of all shortlisted subjects
- Check recommended books availability
- Search for past papers
- Watch sample lectures or read sample content
Step 4: Consultation (1 week)
- Consult CSS qualified candidates
- Talk to subject experts or professors
- Join CSS forums and groups for advice
- Discuss with academy teachers (if enrolled)
Step 5: Final Decision (1 week)
- Select 1 subject from Group-I (or 2 from Group-II totaling 200)
- Select 2 subjects from Groups III-VII (from different groups)
- Ensure good balance: technical + conceptual + scoring
- Commit to your selection - don't change later
Step 6: Pilot Study (2-4 weeks)
- Start studying selected subjects
- Read 1-2 chapters of each subject
- Attempt sample questions
- If a subject feels completely alien or too difficult, reconsider now (not later!)
Syllabus Availability & Preparation Resources
Official Syllabus
- FPSC Website: Download official CSS syllabus (CE-2016 onwards)
- Detailed breakdown: For each of 55 subjects
- Recommended books: Listed in official syllabus
- Past papers: Available on FPSC website
Recommended Books (Subject-wise)
Group-I:
- International Relations: "International Relations" by Goldstein & Pevehouse
- Political Science: "Political Science: An Introduction" by Roskin
- Economics: "Economics" by Samuelson & Nordhaus
- Computer Science: Various books (check FPSC syllabus)
- Accountancy & Auditing: ICAP books, ACCA resources
Group-III:
- Public Administration: "Public Administration" by Rumki Basu
- Business Administration: "Principles of Management" by Koontz & Weihrich
Group-IV:
- Islamic History: "History of Islam" by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi
- Pakistan & India History: "A New History of Indo-Pakistan" by Chaudhry
Group-V:
- English Literature: Standard texts (Shakespeare, Milton, etc.)
- Environmental Sciences: "Environmental Science" by Enger & Smith
- Psychology: "Psychology" by Feldman or Morgan
Group-VI:
- Constitutional Law: "Constitutional Law of Pakistan" by Hamid Khan
- International Law: "International Law" by Malcolm Shaw
Group-VII:
- Journalism: "The News Manual" by various authors
- Sociology: "Sociology" by Giddens
- Psychology: "Introduction to Psychology" by various authors
Subject-wise MCQ Pattern
20 MCQs per 100-Mark Paper
- Group-I subjects (200 marks): 40 MCQs total (20 per paper)
- Group-II subjects (200 marks Physics/Chemistry): 40 MCQs total
- 100-mark subjects: 20 MCQs
Exceptions (NO MCQs):
- Pure Mathematics
- Applied Mathematics
MCQ Preparation Tips
- MCQs cover entire syllabus
- Don't skip any topic assuming it won't come
- Practice past MCQs
- Read recommended books thoroughly (MCQs test conceptual clarity)
- Current affairs MCQs in subjects like IR, Political Science
Time Allocation for Optional Subjects
Total Preparation Time Distribution
| Subject Type | Estimated Time | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 200-Mark Subject | 40-45% of optional study time | Backbone of optional marks |
| 1st 100-Mark Subject | 30% of optional study time | Significant scoring opportunity |
| 2nd 100-Mark Subject | 25-30% of optional study time | Important, but often easier |
Example Weekly Time Allocation (20 hours/week for optionals)
- Group-I subject (200): 9 hours/week
- Group-III/IV subject (100): 6 hours/week
- Group-V/VI/VII subject (100): 5 hours/week
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change optional subjects after initial selection?
Technically yes, but strongly not recommended after serious preparation begins. Changing subjects wastes months of preparation. Finalize within the first month of preparation.
Which is the easiest Group-I subject?
There's no universally "easiest" subject. Economics or International Relations are often considered scoring if you have the aptitude. Political Science is also popular.
Should I select a subject just because it has no MCQs?
No. Pure/Applied Mathematics have no MCQs, but they're highly technical. Don't avoid MCQs - they can be scoring if you prepare well.
Can I take two subjects from Group-VII?
No. You can select only ONE subject from Groups III, IV, V, VI, or VII each. Select subjects from different groups.
Is it possible to score 70%+ in optional subjects?
Yes, absolutely! Many CSS qualifiers score 70-75% in optional subjects. Requires thorough preparation, good writing, and strategic subject selection.
Should I select regional language subjects (Punjabi, Sindhi, etc.)?
Only if you have excellent command of the language. These papers must be answered in the respective language. If you're a native speaker with literary knowledge, these can be scoring.
Which combination gives highest marks?
No fixed answer. High-scoring combinations depend on individual strengths. Popular high-scoring combinations include:
- IR + Public Admin + Psychology
- Political Science + English Literature + Sociology
- Economics + Business Admin + Journalism
Final Recommendations
Golden Rules for Subject Selection
Rule 1: Play to your strengths - Select subjects matching your academic background and aptitude
Rule 2: Balance is key - Don't select three highly technical or three purely memory-based subjects
Rule 3: Check syllabus overlap - Subjects with common themes reduce overall study burden
Rule 4: Scoring matters - At least one subject should be known for high scoring potential
Rule 5: Career relevance - Public Administration, Political Science, IR are directly relevant for civil service
Rule 6: Commit early, stick with it - Finalize within 2-3 weeks of serious research, don't change later
Rule 7: Resource availability - Ensure quality study material and guidance available for selected subjects
Rule 8: Interest is crucial - You'll study these subjects for 6-12 months; genuine interest sustains motivation
Conclusion
Selecting optional subjects is a personal decision based on your background, interests, and strengths. There's no "perfect combination" that works for everyone. Research thoroughly, consult wisely, assess honestly, and commit to your choice.
Remember: It's not about selecting the easiest subjects, but the subjects where YOU can score highest based on YOUR unique strengths and preparation approach.
Good luck with your CSS optional subjects selection and preparation!
This guide is based on the official FPSC CSS Syllabus for CE-2016 onwards. Always verify the latest examination scheme from FPSC's official website before finalizing your subject selection.