

     

PUBLISHED CONTENT ▼ SUBMISSIONS COMMUNITY FORUM WORK WITH US CSS/PMS ▼ PAKISTAN UNVEILED

SCHOLARSHIPS, JOBS, & INTERNSHIPS ▼ MAGAZINE

H O M E → C S S / P M S → A G U I D E T O B E C O M I N G A C I V I L S E R VA N T I N PA K I S TA N : F R O M T H E C S S E X A M T O
THE TRAINING PROGRAM

WRITTEN BY TORCHBEARER CSS ACADEMY • MARCH 18, 2023 • 7:56 PM • CSS/PMS, PUBLISHED
CONTENT

A Guide to Becoming a Civil Servant in

Pakistan: From the CSS Exam to the Training
Program
Becoming a civil servant in Pakistan requires passing through multiple phases, including
meeting eligibility criteria, passing an MCQ-based preliminary test, a written examination, a
psychological assessment test, and an interview. Those who successfully pass these
stages must undergo six months of training at the Civil Services Academy (CSA), followed
by specialized training programs at specific group academies. Passing the CSS exam is no
easy feat. Only 2.11% of the students passed the written exams in 2021 (364 of 17,240),
and a mere 1.94% passed in 2022 (393 of 20,262)!
About the Author(s)

Torchbearer CSS Academy

+ posts

Torchbearer CSS Academy – TBA Karachi ignites aspirations and transforms them
 into valuable knowledge and enthusiasm. They magnify talents and carve abilities
to achieve dedicated success, by providing quality education for competitive
exam aspirants who believe in themselves and their goals.

Joining the Bureaucracy

Joining the civil services of Pakistan can be a highly rewarding career path, but it requires careful
consideration and preparation for the CSS exam. Before embarking on this journey, it is essential to
assess your commitment and energy for the job. Serving in civil services demands a consistent
dedication to public service and a willingness to work towards the betterment of Pakistan.

Eligibility Criteria for Candidates

Joining the civil services of Pakistan is a process that involves several steps, and the first and
foremost step is to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for the CSS exam. Typically, the
eligibility criteria include age, educational qualifications, and nationality requirements.

CSS Examination Preparation

To succeed in the CSS exam, you will need to study a wide range of subjects, including Pakistan’s
history, current affairs, and administrative law. The course structure tested in these examinations
includes a list of subjects that you will need to pass.

Upon successfully passing all courses, you will be given employment in one of the following civil
service sectors: Commerce and Trade Group, Pakistan Customs Service, Pakistan Administrative
Service, Foreign Service of Pakistan, Inland Revenue Service, Information Group, Military Lands
and Cantonment Group, Office Management Group, Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service, Police
Service of Pakistan, Postal Group, and Railways (Commercial and Transportation) Group.
 Also Read: Petteri Orpo of the NCP Wins Finland's 2023 Elections

MCQ-Based Preliminary Test

The Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) portion of the CSS exam in Pakistan is known as the MCQs-
based written test or MPT of CSS. This 200-mark exam comprises two papers: General Knowledge
and Ability and Current Affairs.

The syllabus for the General Knowledge and Ability paper includes subjects such as English, Urdu,
Islamic studies, ethics (for non-Muslims), mathematics, general knowledge, and analytical
reasoning, while the syllabus for the Current Affairs paper includes subjects such as Pakistan affairs,
international affairs, and current events.

Consistent practice is a crucial tip to cracking the CSS exam. It is recommended to solve as many
MCQs as possible from previous years’ question papers, mock tests, and online resources. Students
should try to solve the Mathematics portion last as it can be time-consuming. When attempting the
paper, it is essential to manage time effectively as time management is crucial for the MCQs portion
of the CSS exam.

The CSS Written Exam in Pakistan

The CSS written examination is the second stage of the CSS exam in Pakistan and consists of six
compulsory papers and six optional papers. Two papers are held in a single day. The written
examination is a 1200-mark exam, with 600 marks allocated to compulsory papers and 600 marks to
optional papers. These 12 papers are held on six consecutive days at a centre allocated by FPSC.
Qualifying marks for the compulsory papers is 40% and for optional papers, it is 33%

Solving CSS Exam Papers

Each paper of the CSS written exam is three hours long, and there are six compulsory and six
optional papers, held on six consecutive days at a respective centre allocated by the FPSC of
Pakistan. The first two papers are English essays as well as précis and composition.

Students are required to choose one essay from eight to ten options and write a well-structured
essay in three hours, with a clear outline, introduction, and arguments that justify their stance on the
respective topic. This paper can be challenging due to incomplete preparation, difficulty in cracking
the essay topic, and managing time. The second paper is English précis and composition, which
requires proficiency in English grammar.

Also Read: 6 Free Upskilling Opportunities for Pakistani Youth: Self-paced Learning

The other ten papers consist of an objective section (20 marks) and seven subjective questions.
Students must answer four subjective questions. The CSS-written papers cover a wide range of
topics, events, and subjects, with some papers being analytical and others being factual. To succeed
in the exam, time management is vital when attempting the questions. Extra efforts, such as
graphical representation and relevant maps, can help students pass the exam with flying colors.

Psychological Assessment Test (PAT)

Before the interview, candidates are required to take a Psychological Assessment Test (PAT). This
test evaluates individuals through written tasks and group activities, providing insights into their
psychological makeup and assessing their suitability for a particular role or situation. The written
task requires candidates to express their thoughts on a given topic, question, picture, or scenario,
and trained psychologists carefully analyze each response, examining the words and lines written by
the candidate.

This process allows them to gain insight into the candidate’s thought process, personality traits, and
emotional stability, among other factors. Overall, the PAT is an essential component of the selection
process, providing valuable information to assess the candidate’s potential for success in the civil
services of Pakistan.
Panel Interview

The final merit list is prepared based on the results of the written examination, the PAT, the interview,
and the medical examination. The candidates who score the highest marks in these stages are
offered employment in the civil services of Pakistan in various groups. It is important to note that
becoming a part of the civil services of Pakistan is a highly prestigious and fulfilling career, but it
requires dedication, hard work, and consistent effort.

Also Read: Thriving US and Indian Relations: Implications for Pakistan & China

Common Training Program (CTP) of the Civil Services

The basic training at the Civil Services Academy (CSA) in Lahore focuses on developing the
knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for a career in civil services. It covers a wide range of
subjects, including governance, economics, international relations, law, management, and public
policy. The training program consists of classroom lectures, group discussions, case studies, field
visits, and other experiential learning activities.

During the training, candidates are also exposed to various aspects of Pakistani society and culture
to enable them to understand the diverse needs and aspirations of the people they will serve as civil
servants. The training at CSA Lahore also emphasizes the development of leadership,
communication, and interpersonal skills to enable candidates to effectively interact with colleagues,
superiors, and citizens.

Special Training Program (STP)

The Special Training Program (STP) is a mandatory training program for candidates who have
completed their Common Training Program. The National School of Public Policy (NSPP) conducts
the STP to provide practical training in respective cadres in designated institutions. Over the course
of six months, the STP covers a wide range of topics, including management, leadership, public
policy, governance, and administration.

To excel in the STP, candidates should be proactive, enhance their networking skills, manage their
time effectively, and participate in extracurricular activities. Some famous academies for the STP are
the National Police Academy, Foreign Service Academy, Pakistan Railway Academy Walton, and the
Information Group Academy, among others.
Overall, this examination requires patience, consistency, decisiveness, and an eagerness to achieve
something bigger. Candidates who possess these abilities will easily crack all phases of the
competitive examinations.

If you want to submit your articles, research papers, and book reviews, please check
the Submissions page.

The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not
necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift.

PREVIOUS STORY
← Women’s Mobility in Karachi: The Pink Bus
Initiative

NEXT STORY
The Pashtuns: A Contested History →

Related Posts
India and Bangladesh Interview with Aarish
Relations In Tumultuous Khan: Discussing Pak-
Times Afghan Tensions, TTP
Threats, & Paths to
W R I T T E N B Y F AT I M A M A Z H A R •
FEBRUARY 2, 2025 • 7:12 PM •
Peace
W R I T T E N B Y PA R A D I G M S H I F T •
India and Bangladesh have FEBRUARY 2, 2025 • 6:32 PM •

historically maintained strong

In an interview with Aarish
bilateral ties, but recent political
Khan, we delve into the
turmoil has strained their
complexities of Pak-Afghan
relationship. India’s unwavering
relations, discussing the
support for Sheikh Hasina’s
repercussions of TTP’s misuse
regime, despite allegations of
of Afghan soil against Pakistan.
election rigging and human
Join us as we discuss the
rights violations, has fueled
roadmap for resolving the
resentment among
tensions between the two
Bangladeshis. The 2024
states and moving toward a
student-led uprising that led to
peaceful future together.
Hasina’s ouster further
deepened the divide, with
India’s decision to grant her
refuge exacerbating tensions.
As Bangladesh’s interim
government seeks regional
realignment, India faces
growing geopolitical challenges,
including shifting alliances with
Pakistan and China.
Hope Amid Hardship: The Vulnerable and
Creating Opportunities Unsafe Roads of Gilgit-
for Pakistan’s Baltistan
Overlooked Areas
WRITTEN BY SAJJAD HUSSAIN •
FEBRUARY 1, 2025 • 6:35 PM •
WRITTEN BY FIZA BIBI AMEEN •
FEBRUARY 1, 2025 • 7:59 PM •
Unlike India, which has been
In these times of declining living excessively focused on
standards for the middle and developing infrastructure to
upper middle classes, the connect Kashmir with the rest
situation in Pakistan’s already of the state, Pakistan has
suffering areas has become largely ignored the potential its
gloomier. It is right to be northern areas hold. With a lack
skeptical about Pakistan’s of proper roads and tunnels,
prospects for a bright future, Gilgit-Baltistan has been victim
particularly in its impoverished to frequent accidents and a
regions. When a shortage of fragile, easily severable
infrastructure hinders a career connection with the rest of
in such parts, less saturation in Pakistan, impacting both
occupations and particular tourism and trade opportunities.
quotas help compensate to
some extent. This article delves
deeper into development
initiatives that have the
potential to benefit underserved
areas of Pakistan in particular.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *

Name * Email * Website

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

POST COMMENT

TRENDING

1
The Postal Codes in Pakistan

2
The Future of Palestine

3
Salary and Compensation Packages for CSS Officers in Pakistan

4
Neutrality Day: Turkmenistan’s Pride

5
A Guide to the Civil Judge Exam in Pakistan
SUBSCRIBE!

Subscribe to Receive Our PDF

Magazine, Trending Content, & More!

Email

Subscribe

Please check your spam/junk or promotions folder to verify

your email address.

MOST READ – ALL TIME

1
Essay on Energy Crisis in Pakistan

2
Energy Crisis in Pakistan and Its Solution (Updated)

3
The US Imposes More Sanctions on the Nuclear Program of Pakistan
(Updated)
 4
The Postal Codes in Pakistan

5
A Guide to Becoming a Civil Servant in Pakistan: From the CSS
Exam to the Training Program

ABOUT | OUR TEAM | C O N TA C T | CHARITY | ADVERTISE | SUPPORT US |

CONTRIBUTORS | TOP INTERNS | PA R T N E R S & C O L L A B O R ATO R S

FAQs

Sitemap

Terms of Service & Privacy Policy

FACEBOOK TWITTER I N S TA G R A M YOUTUBE LINKEDIN

    

W H AT S A P P


© 2020-2024 ParadigmShift.com.pk ®