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The CSS exam is Pakistan’s most competitive examination. It is the only route into the federal civil service at BPS-17, and about 2 to 3 candidates in every 100 who sit the written papers pass. In CE-2026, 24,321 candidates applied, 17,351 appeared, and only 476 passed the written exam.
This guide explains how the CSS exam works: who can apply, the five stages, the 12 papers, the passing marks and the dates for the next cycle.
What Is the CSS Exam?#
The Central Superior Services (CSS) competitive examination is held every year by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). It recruits officers for Pakistan’s federal civil services at BPS-17, in 12 occupational groups including the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), the Foreign Service of Pakistan (FSP), Customs, Inland Revenue, and the Office Management Group (OMG).
A CSS officer enters at BPS-17 and can rise to BPS-22 (Secretary level) over a career of 25 to 30 years. Our BPS-17 salary guide gives the starting pay, allowances and gross salary for the grade.
The Five Stages#
The CSS exam is not one test. It is five stages, and you must clear each one to reach the next.
Who Can Apply for CSS?#
Four conditions decide eligibility. All four must hold on the closing date of applications.
| Condition | Rule |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree, second division. A third division disqualifies you. |
| Age | 21 to 30 years on 31 December of the year before the exam, exact to the day. |
| Nationality | Pakistani citizen. |
| Attempts | Maximum 3 attempts. The MPT does not count as an attempt. |
Rule 6 gives a 2-year age relaxation, taking the maximum age to 32. It is not cumulative: you get one relaxation, not several stacked together. It applies to government servants, minorities and candidates from certain regions. Our CSS age limit guide explains the exact cut-off dates, the relaxation categories and the myths around the 35-year reform, which the Establishment Division rejected.
Stage 1: The MPT Screening Test#
The MPT (MCQ-Based Preliminary Test) is the screening test. It was introduced in 2022. You must pass it before you can sit the written papers.
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | 200 multiple-choice questions, 200 marks, 200 minutes |
| Negative marking | None. Attempt every question. |
| Qualifying marks | 33% (66 out of 200) |
| Counts toward merit? | No. It is a qualifying gate only. |
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| General Abilities | 60 |
| English | 50 |
| General Knowledge | 50 |
| Urdu | 20 |
| Islamic Studies (or Civics & Ethics for non-Muslims) | 20 |
| Total | 200 |
For CE-2027, the MPT was scheduled for 10 October 2026 (the advance notice first gave 27 September 2026). In CE-2026, 63,368 candidates applied for the MPT, 43,189 appeared and 36,758 passed.
Stage 2: The Written Examination#
The written examination is the real filter. It carries 1,200 marks across 12 papers of 100 marks each: 6 compulsory papers (600 marks) and 6 optional papers (600 marks). Each paper is 3 hours long, and most papers open with a 20-MCQ objective section.
The six compulsory papers are the same for every candidate. They are English Essay, English (Precis and Composition), General Science and Ability, Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, and Islamic Studies (or Comparative Study of Major Religions for non-Muslims). The six optional papers are chosen from FPSC’s seven subject groups and must total exactly 600 marks. Subjects carry 100 or 200 marks, and a 200-mark subject is two separate 100-mark papers. Your combination is locked in at application and cannot be changed later. The syllabus framework has been unchanged since CE-2016.
Passing Criteria#
The passing rule has three parts, and all three must hold at the same time.
| Component | Minimum to pass |
|---|---|
| Each compulsory paper | 40% (40 out of 100) |
| Each optional paper | 33% (33 out of 100) |
| Written aggregate | 50% (600 out of 1,200) |
| Viva voce | 100 out of 300 |
| Final merit | Out of 1,500 (written 1,200 + viva 300) |
The rule is unforgiving: score below the threshold in even one paper and the whole written stage is lost, whatever your aggregate. Clearing the minimum gets you past elimination. It does not get you a service group. Merit position is what allocates you to PAS, PSP or FSP.
Stages 3, 4 and 5: Medical, Psychological Assessment and Viva Voce#
Candidates who pass the written exam go for a medical examination, then a psychological assessment, then the viva voce (interview) worth 300 marks. The viva tests depth of knowledge in the subjects you studied, plus basic Islam and Pakistan. Non-Muslim candidates are not asked about Islam.
The final result comes after all three stages. For CE-2026, the written result was announced on 31 August 2026 and the final result had not been announced as of 4 November 2026. The viva voce schedule runs from November 2026 to early April 2027 across Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Multan. Our FPSC CSS result guide has the full CE-2026 numbers and the latest status.
CSS Exam Dates: CE-2026 and CE-2027#
| Event | CE-2026 | CE-2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Advertisement | Published 2025 | Expected 8 November 2026 |
| Applications | Closed 2025 | 10 to 25 November 2026 |
| Fee | Rs 250 | Rs 250 |
| MPT | Held 2025 | 10 October 2026 |
| Written exam | 4 to 15 February 2026 | From 27 January 2027 (tentative) |
| Written result | 31 August 2026 (476 passed) | Not yet held |
The CE-2027 dates are tentative. Confirm them on fpsc.gov.pk before you plan around them. Our CSS age limit guide has the age cut-off for CE-2027 (21 to 30 on 31 December 2026) and the relaxation rules.
Mistakes to Avoid#
- Thinking 33% passes every paper. Compulsory papers need 40%. A 35% in English Essay fails you.
- Ignoring the MPT. You cannot sit the written papers without passing it, and it is held months before the written exam.
- Choosing optional subjects late. Your combination is locked in at application. Check it against the official FPSC syllabus before you apply.
- Counting the MPT as an attempt. It does not count. Your three attempts are the written examinations.
- Trusting the 35-year age reform. The National Assembly resolution was non-binding and the Establishment Division rejected it. The limit is still 30, or 32 with relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions#
What is the CSS exam?
The Central Superior Services (CSS) competitive examination is held every year by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). It recruits officers for Pakistan’s federal civil services at BPS-17, in 12 occupational groups including PAS, PSP, FSP, Customs, Inland Revenue and OMG.
Who can apply for CSS?
A Pakistani citizen with a Bachelor’s degree (second division) who is 21 to 30 years old on 31 December of the year before the exam. You get a maximum of 3 attempts, and a 2-year age relaxation (maximum age 32) applies to government servants, minorities and candidates from certain regions.
What is the passing criteria for CSS?
In the written exam you need 40% in each compulsory paper, 33% in each optional paper and 50% aggregate across the 1,200 written marks. You also need 100 out of 300 in the viva voce. Final merit is out of 1,500.
How many attempts are allowed in CSS?
Three attempts at the written examination. The MPT screening test does not count as an attempt. Once you have used three attempts, you cannot apply again.
When is the CSS 2027 exam?
The CE-2027 MPT was held on 10 October 2026. The written examination is tentatively scheduled from 27 January 2027. The advertisement was expected on 8 November 2026 and applications from 10 to 25 November 2026, with a fee of Rs 250. Confirm the dates on fpsc.gov.pk.
