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CSS past paper

CSS Governance and Public Policies Past Paper 2026

CSS Governance and Public Policies 2026 carries 100 marks over 3 hours. It has 7 questions.

Marks
100
Time
3 hours
Questions
7

How to attempt: Attempt ONLY FOUR questions from PART-II. ALL questions carry EQUAL marks.

Questions

Question 1 (Part I) is the paper's MCQs, which are not reproduced here.

  1. Q. 2
    Critically analyze the role of policy networks in contemporary governance. How do networks affect power, coordination, and accountability?
    (20)
  2. Q. 3
    Explain how Rational Choice Theory and Regulation Theory differ in conceptualizing the behavior of state actors and markets. Using an applied policy example (such as energy, telecommunications, or labor markets), analyze the implications of these differences for regulatory design and enforcement.
    (20)
  3. Q. 4
    Discuss the role of agenda setting in the policy process. How do power, framing, and focusing events influence which issues gain political attention?
    (20)
  4. Q. 5
    Critically analyze how Federalism shapes the design and effectiveness of devolution and decentralization reforms. In your answer, assess the political, administrative, and fiscal dimensions of decentralization, with reference to challenges faced by federal states in balancing national unity and subnational autonomy.
    (20)
  5. Q. 6
    Devolution is often presented to enhance accountability and service delivery, yet outcomes vary widely across countries. Using an analytical framework, evaluate the conditions under which decentralization leads to improved governance, and explain why it may also produce coordination failures or regional inequalities.
    (20)
  6. Q. 7
    Critically analyze the role of citizens in promoting good governance, accountability, and policy implementation in Pakistan. In your answer, discuss the impact of civic engagement, public participation mechanisms, and social accountability tools, and evaluate the challenges that limit effective citizen involvement in governance processes.
    (20)
  7. Q. 8
    Explain any two (2) of the following:- (10 each)
    (20)
    • (a)
      Max Weber's Theory of Bureaucracy
      (10)
    • (b)
      Composition of Corruption Perception Index
      (10)
    • (c)
      Strengths and limitations of quantitative methods in policy analysis
      (10)
  1. Part-II is to be attempted on the separate Answer Book.
  2. Attempt ONLY FOUR questions from PART-II. ALL questions carry EQUAL marks.
  3. All the parts (if any) of each Question must be attempted at one place instead of at different places.
  4. Write Q. No. in the Answer Book in accordance with Q. No. in the Q.Paper.
  5. No Page/Space be left blank between the answers. All the blank pages of Answer Book must be crossed.
  6. Extra attempt of any question or any part of the question will not be considered.