CSS Optional Subjects
ICEP CSS Institute prepares CSS aspirants in Lahore for the optional subject component of the FPSC written exam, with dedicated coaching in Political Science and International Relations under Sir Abu Bakar, who holds an MPhil in Political Science. Optional subjects carry 600 of the 1200 written marks and are chosen across seven FPSC-defined groups. Before selecting a combination, aspirants should confirm they meet the CSS eligibility criteria, since some optional subjects carry academic background considerations.
CSS Optional Subjects: Marks and Group Structure
FPSC organises optional subjects into seven groups. Group I and Group II carry 200 marks each, and Groups III to VII carry 100 marks per subject. A candidate does not need to pick from every group. The requirement is a combination that adds up to exactly 600 marks, following each group’s selection rule.
| Group | Selection Rule | Marks Available |
|---|---|---|
| Group I | Select one subject | 200 |
| Group II | Select one subject (200) or two subjects (100 each) | 200 |
| Group III | Select one subject | 100 |
| Group IV | Select one subject | 100 |
| Group V | Select one subject | 100 |
| Group VI | Select one subject | 100 |
| Group VII | Select one subject | 100 |
Group-by-Group List of CSS Optional Subjects
Group I — Select One Subject (200 Marks)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Accountancy and Auditing | 200 |
| Economics | 200 |
| Computer Science | 200 |
| Political Science | 200 |
| International Relations | 200 |
Group II — Select One Subject of 200 Marks, or Two Subjects of 100 Marks Each
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Physics | 200 |
| Chemistry | 200 |
| Applied Mathematics | 100 |
| Pure Mathematics | 100 |
| Statistics | 100 |
| Geology | 100 |
Group III — Select One Subject (100 Marks)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Business Administration | 100 |
| Public Administration | 100 |
| Governance and Public Policies | 100 |
| Town Planning and Urban Management | 100 |
Group IV — Select One Subject (100 Marks)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| History of Pakistan and India | 100 |
| Islamic History and Culture | 100 |
| British History | 100 |
| European History | 100 |
| History of USA | 100 |
Group V — Select One Subject (100 Marks)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Gender Studies | 100 |
| Environmental Sciences | 100 |
| Agriculture and Forestry | 100 |
| Botany | 100 |
| Zoology | 100 |
| English Literature | 100 |
| Urdu Literature | 100 |
Group VI — Select One Subject (100 Marks)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Law | 100 |
| Constitutional Law | 100 |
| International Law | 100 |
| Muslim Law and Jurisprudence | 100 |
| Mercantile Law | 100 |
| Criminology | 100 |
| Philosophy | 100 |
Group VII — Select One Subject (100 Marks)
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Journalism and Mass Communication | 100 |
| Psychology | 100 |
| Geography | 100 |
| Sociology | 100 |
| Anthropology | 100 |
| Punjabi | 100 |
| Sindhi | 100 |
| Pashto | 100 |
| Balochi | 100 |
| Persian | 100 |
| Arabic | 100 |
How Many Optional Subjects Can an Aspirant Choose
A candidate is not required to draw from every group. The only requirement is a combination totalling 600 marks, respecting each group’s own rule. In practice, this works out to one subject from Group I, either one or two subjects from Group II, and two 100-mark subjects picked from any two of Groups III to VII.
| Example Combination | Marks |
|---|---|
| Political Science (Group I) | 200 |
| Physics (Group II) | 200 |
| Governance and Public Policies (Group III) | 100 |
| Gender Studies (Group V) | 100 |
| Total | 600 |
A second valid combination replaces Physics with two Group II subjects:
| Example Combination | Marks |
|---|---|
| International Relations (Group I) | 200 |
| Applied Mathematics + Statistics (Group II) | 200 |
| Criminology (Group VI) | 100 |
| Sociology (Group VII) | 100 |
| Total | 600 |
Optional Subjects Taught at ICEP CSS Institute
ICEP CSS Institute teaches Political Science and International Relations, both Group I subjects worth 200 marks each. Sir Abu Bakar mentors both subjects, drawing on an MPhil in Political Science and a background in governance and Pakistan Affairs. His classes connect political theory to Pakistan’s institutional structure, which carries over into Current Affairs and Pakistan Affairs answers as well. Review the full CSS syllabus for how optional subject preparation fits alongside the six compulsory papers.
How to Choose Your CSS Optional Subjects
Base the decision on academic background first, since a subject studied at university level needs less foundational work. Check overlap with compulsory papers next — Political Science and International Relations both feed directly into Essay, Current Affairs, and Pakistan Affairs answers, so preparation time serves more than one paper at once. Confirm the syllabus depth of each candidate subject before committing, since a 200-mark subject demands roughly twice the preparation load of a 100-mark subject.
Enroll in CSS Optional Subject Preparation
ICEP CSS Institute is located at 22-B New, Ali Block New Garden Town, Lahore, 54000, opposite Barkat Market.
Call or WhatsApp +92 309 1447989 to confirm optional subject batch timing and fee.
There are 6 compulsory subjects besides the 6 optional subjects. Learn more about the compulsory papers on our Compulsory Subjects page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSS optional subjects can a candidate choose?
There is no fixed number of subjects. A candidate needs a combination totalling 600 marks, which typically means one Group I subject, one or two Group II subjects, and two 100-mark subjects from any two of Groups III to VII.
Is it compulsory to pick one subject from every group?
No. A candidate can skip groups entirely as long as the chosen subjects add up to 600 marks and follow each group’s own selection rule.
Which optional subjects does ICEP CSS Institute teach?
ICEP currently teaches Political Science and International Relations, both Group I subjects, under Sir Abu Bakar, who holds an MPhil in Political Science.
Can I combine two 100-mark subjects instead of one 200-mark subject in Group II?
Yes. Group II allows either one 200-mark subject, such as Physics or Chemistry, or two 100-mark subjects, such as Applied Mathematics and Statistics.
What is the fee for optional subject preparation at ICEP?
Fee depends on the subject combination and batch timing. Call or WhatsApp +92 309 1447989 for the current confirmed figure.