CSS written syllabus
CSS English Essay Syllabus
English Essay is a 100-mark compulsory subject in the CSS written exam, examined in one three-hour paper. Below is FPSC's official syllabus, word for word: the paper's instructions, topics and suggested readings.
- Marks
- 100
- Papers
- 1
- Time
- 3 hours a paper
- Group
- Compulsory
- Subject code
- 1
The paper
100 marksCandidates will be required to write one or more Essay in English. A wide choice of topics will be given.
Candidates are expected to reflect comprehensive and research based knowledge on a selected topic. Candidate’s articulation, expression and technical treatment of the style of English Essay writing will be examined.
How the English Essay paper is set
FPSC's syllabus for this paper is the two sentences above. This is how the paper itself has looked in the 11 papers from 2016 to 2026, compiled by Mock CSS from the papers.
- Topics a year
- 10, you write one
- Length
- 2,500 to 3,000 words, with an outline
- Papers here
- 11, 2016 to 2026
Prepare an outline and write a comprehensive essay (2500 – 3000 words) on any one of the given topics. You are expected to comprehend the subject issue correctly and articulate your stance with valid arguments and clear ideas duly supported by relevant data and examples. Your articulation, expression and technical treatment of the English Essay will be examined.
The 2026 topics
- 1Youth Bulge: a demographic dividend or a demographic bomb?
- 2Local Government System: the missing link in Pakistan’s governance structure.
- 3Cyber Security as the new national security frontier.
- 4Emerging Multipolar World Order: opportunities and risks for Pakistan.
- 5The one who controls the sea, rules the world.
- 6There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet an enemy.
- 7Revitalising agriculture sector of Pakistan.
- 8Countering the growing menace of beggary.
- 9Politicisation of sports - a new challenge.
- 10Nations have no permanent friends and enemies, they have only permanent interests.
Past papers
FPSC's English Essay papers from 2016 to 2026, as text. Open a year, or see them all.