CSS 2026 SUBJECT PLAN
Total Marks: 1,200 (600 Compulsory + 600 Optional)
FPSC-Compliant ✅ | Verified for 2026 Exam
1. COMPULSORY SUBJECTS (600 MARKS)
M
ar
Subject ks Critical Focus Areas
Pakistan 10 Post-1947 history, constitutions, Kashmir, political
Affairs 0 evolution
Current Affairs 10 Regional dynamics, economy, climate change,
0 international relations (2023–2026)
Islamic Studies 10 Islamic political thought, governance in Islam,
0 contemporary Muslim world
General 10 Basic science, environment, arithmetic, logic,
Science & 0 statistics
Ability
English Essay 10 Issue-based essay writing, argument development,
0 outlines
English (Precis 10 Grammar, precis writing, comprehension,
& Composition) 0 vocabulary
2. OPTIONAL SUBJECTS (600 MARKS)
(Verified combinations — Max 1 from each group)
Gro Mar Difficul
Subject up ks ty Why Strategic?
International I 200 ★★★★ Overlaps with CA, PA, Essay
Relations ☆
Public III 100 ★★★☆ Easy concepts, practical
Administration ☆ application
Constitutional VI 100 ★★★★ Relevant to Pak Affairs + IR
Law ☆
Gender Studies V 100 ★★☆☆ High scoring, analytical, updated
☆ topics
Gro Mar Difficul
Subject up ks ty Why Strategic?
Sociology VII 100 ★★★☆ Essay-friendly, social theories
☆
Environmental VIII 100 ★★☆☆ Overlaps with GSA, scoring
Science ☆ subject
★ = Easy | ★★★★★ = Hard
3. COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST
✅ One Subject per Group Rule
✅ Balanced Selection (200 + 100×4)
✅ Avoided Subjective/Low-Scoring Areas
✅ Overlap Optimization: IR/CA/Law/Gender linkages
4. PREPARATION TIMELINE
Phase 1: Aug–Dec 2025
Start with: IR, Current Affairs, Constitutional Law
Daily: Dawn Editorial reading, Grammar, GSA concepts
Weekly: 1 Essay Outline, CA MCQs practice
Phase 2: Jan–Apr 2026
Begin: Public Admin, Gender Studies, Sociology
Focus: Past Paper Solutions, Concept Building
Weekly: 2 Essays (1 timed + 1 reviewed)
Phase 3: May–Jul 2026
Attempt Full-length Mocks (All Subjects)
Topic Revisions: Federalism, Rights, Climate, Gender Equity
Time Practice: 20 Marks = 17 Minutes
5. ESSENTIAL BOOKS & RESOURCES
(SUBJECT-WISE)
I. COMPULSORY SUBJECTS
Pakistan Affairs
Pakistan: A Historical and Contemporary Look — H. K. Bangash
The Struggle for Pakistan — Ayesha Jalal
Notes: Federalism/Kashmir + Dawn Editorial Digests + Past Papers
(2020–2025)
Current Affairs
Dawn, The Economist, Foreign Affairs, FPSC Bulletins
Practice: CPEC, IMF, Afghan Peace, Middle East
Islamic Studies
Islam: Ideology and Way of Life — Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Comparative Religions — Geoffrey Parrinder (for non-Muslims)
Notes: Hadith (Riyad as-Salihin), Islamic Political Systems
General Science & Ability (GSA)
Caravan GSA Guide
Brighter’s GSA Book
Notes: Climate diagrams (IPCC), disaster frameworks, Past MCQs
(2016–2025)
English Essay & Precis
Functional English — Tariq Rehman
High-Quality Essay Writing — Adeel Niaz
Practice: Dawn precis, 2 essays/week on current themes
II. OPTIONAL SUBJECTS
Subject Core Book Supplementary Material
International Global Politics — UN Yearbook, Past Papers (2020–
Relations Andrew Heywood 2025)
Public Public Administration — PIDE Reports: Governance in
Administratio Nicholas Henry Pakistan
n
Constitutiona Constitutional Law — Annotated Constitution (Part III)
l Law Hamid Khan
Gender Theorizing Patriarchy — PCSW Reports, CSSPoint Notes
Studies Sylvia Walby
Sociology Themes & Perspectives SDPI Reports on Pakistani Society
— Haralambos
Environment Environmental Science IUCN + PCRWR Reports (Climate,
al Science — Enger & Smith Water Scarcity in Pakistan)
6. ADDITIONAL STUDY TOOLS & TIPS
Past Paper Sources
LegalVersity | Zicosh
Key Topics: NATO withdrawal, 18th Amendment, Women Rights,
Cybersecurity
Notes & Flowcharts
GSA: Disaster Management Charts
CA: ISSI Geopolitical Pulse Summaries
Writing Aids
Essay Outline Templates (Climate, Governance, Tech)
Precis Frameworks (150–170 Words)
7. RELIABILITY & AVOIDANCE CHECKLIST
✅ FPSC-Aligned Books Only
✅ Updated with 2025 Paper Trends
❌ Avoid Pre-2020 IR & Law Sources
⚠️Don’t Pick Psychology without Science Background
8. FINAL STRATEGY SNAPSHOT
Aug–Dec 2025: Read core books, bullet-point notes, 1 past
paper/week
Jan–Mar 2026: Join peer essay groups, revise from FPSC model keys
Apr–Jun 2026: Attempt 3–5 full-length mocks in real timing conditions
🔗 Useful Links:
- FPSC Official Portal
- CSSPrepForum
📌 Key Tip: Prioritize high-recurrence topics in past papers — e.g.,
Fundamental Rights (Law), CPEC (CA), Feminism (GS), Climate Policy
(Env Sci).
