CSS Registrations: How to Apply for CSS

As is the case every year, without fail, the CSS exam registrations open usually in early October. If you are thinking of applying, go no further! This blog will walk you through the entire process so that you don’t have to go through the pain of sifting through endless documents on the FPSC website.

First things first, you need to know if you are eligible to apply for the CSS examinations at all. There is a long list of criteria, so we have condensed it into a simple checklist just for you.

Eligibility Criteria For the CSS Exam

1. CSS Exam Age Limits

a-General Age Restrictions

You must be aged between 21 and 30, inclusive, calculated on the 31st of December, of the year preceding your exam.

1. If you are above 30 or below 21 by even a day, counted on the aforementioned date, you are not eligible to apply.
2. For example, you are not eligible for the CSS Examinations 2022 if:
3. You were born on or before December 31, 1991.
4. You were born on or after January 2, 2021.

b-CSS Age Relaxation

There is, however, an age relaxation clause, that allows members of specific demographic groups, to apply till the age of 32, calculated as mentioned above. The figure below illustrates in a simplified form, whether or not the age relaxation clause applies to you. If you fall in any one of the categories mentioned and are between 30 and 32 years of age, you are eligible.

​*Note: If you belong to a recognized tribe, the age relaxation clause only applies to you if you or your family also currently reside in one of the following areas (proof of residence required):

1. Balochistan;
2. Tribal Areas of D.I. Khan and Peshawar Divisions;
3. Baloch Area part of D.G. Khan and Rajanpur Districts;
4. Former Tribal Areas of Mardan and Hazara Divisions;
5. Upper Tanawal Area of Hazara Division.

2. Which Degree is Required for CSS

We have condensed the degree requirements for you in the form of an appropriately sized chart below. If you have any specific questions, not covered here, feel free to refer to our free counseling service at any point in time or refer to our CSS online test preparation.

*Note: If you do not know whether or not your college is accredited, be sure to check the HEC’s List of Accredited Institutions. If it is not there, then please consult the HEC’s List of Fake Universities. If you find it in the latter, your degree might be useless in Pakistan, so do consider transferring to another college/university.

Read More: After FSC, Which Subjects Should I Choose for CSS

3. Nationality

1. You MUST be a citizen of Pakistan or the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
2. If you are married to a foreign national, you are not eligible, unless you obtain permission from the federal government, prior to marriage.

4. Domicile

1. Seats in Occupational Groups and Services are allocated in accordance with your domicile and are subject to changes in policy by the federal government.
2. You will be required to present attested copies of your domicile when registering.
3. For candidates from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, along with the domicile, a permanent residence certificate and application forms signed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Secretary or higher are also required.
4. The documents, once submitted, cannot be changed at the current or any subsequent examination.

5. Additional Eligibility Criteria For the CSS Exam

1. You are not eligible to apply if you have already availed three chances of the CSS examination.

*Note: An attempt is only counted if you actually appeared in the examination, and submitted an answer book or sheet that was not blank. Just registering does not count as an attempt.

1. You must show your original Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and CSS admission form, at the examination center, otherwise you will not be admitted.
2. If you arrive at the examination center later than the time mentioned in the CSS admission form, you will not be admitted.
3. If you are admitted into the examination center despite not being eligible in any respect, there will be a detailed examination of your application after the exam and your application will be disqualified later. So please make sure you satisfy all the aforementioned criteria!

FPSC CSS Exam Registration Process

Once you have determined whether or not you are eligible for the CSS exam, it’s time to figure out how to actually apply for the CSS exam. We will take you to step by step through all that you need to know to apply online CSS and then also submit the FPSC’s required documents, via mail.

1. Timeline

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to register for the CSS exam, it might be useful for you to have a look at the tentative timeline, given below:

2. CSS Exam Timings and Venues in Pakistan

1. The CSS exam is conducted once every year, in mid-February, and spans 9 consecutive days (including weekends).
2. Each individual test is 3 hours long, usually scheduled from 09:00 am to 12:00 pm and 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm
3. The venues include designated examination halls and public schools in major cities. (Your specific venue will be mentioned on your admission certificate)
4. The table below lists the major cities in which CSS exam centers are usually designated (this is subject to change):

3. How to Apply for the CSS Exam

Registration Fee Payment

1. When registrations open, download and print the year-specific challan form.
2. Fill in your details and submit the fee of 2,200 PKR at any branch of the National Bank of Pakistan, under the head of account C02101 – Organs of State Exam Fee (FPSC Receipt).
3. Once you submit the fee, make sure to collect 2 receipts from the bank teller;
4. For your own record and
5. The Original Treasury Receipt.
6. Also, make sure you note down
7. The date of your deposit and
8. The branch code of the NBP branch where you made the payment.

Collecting All Required Documents for the CSS Exam

There is a long list of documents you are required to submit in your application. We have summarized it in the table below, including some optional documents, depending on your specific context.

Documents Required For CSS Registration by the FPSC

4. FPSC CSS Online Apply

1. Once you have collected all your documents, except of course the form itself, you must apply online through the FPSC’s portal, before registrations for the CSS exams close. For details on how to use the portal, you can refer to this guide.
2. On the portal, you must first register, then create your profile, and finally apply online for your CSS exam. At this point, optional subjects must be selected correctly in the application form. Incorrect selection will result in your application being rejected.
3. Now, simply print a copy of your online application form.

5. Mailing Your Application

1. Now that you have all your documents, it’s time to mail them (make sure to include the hard copy of the CSS online application form).
2. Number all your supporting documents and the CSS application form with a pencil.
3. Mail your package, in one envelope, with no extra documents, to the following address: FPSC Headquarters (Secretary, Federal Public Service Commission; F-5/1 Agha Khan Road, Islamabad)
4. If the hardcopy is not submitted or arrives late, your application will be rejected; no questions asked.

Your Questions, Asked and Answered!

1. Can you apply for the CSS exam after a 16-year education in IT?

A. No you cannot, because diplomas are not characterized as bachelor's degrees. You can refer to the section on “Degree Requirements” above, for more details.

2. How can you apply for the age relaxation clause for your CSS exam?

A. If you meet any of the eligibility criteria for the CSS age relaxation clause (see above in “Age Limits” section), then all you need to do is submit supporting documents in your CSS application, that provide evidence of your meeting said criteria.

3. Can you change your examination center after submitting the CSS online application form?

A. No. Usually, the FPSC does not allow changes to be made to the form after submission. However, if you have a valid reason for requesting the change, you can contact the FPSC through their helpline or telephone numbers listed here.

4. How do you enroll for your second or third CSS exam attempt, if you forgot your password or roll number?

A. Don’t worry if you forgot your login credentials. You can simply reset them by entering your CNIC# and your email address. Then enter the verification code you will receive via email, and a new password will be generated for you.

May the Force Be With You!

Good luck with your ambition of becoming a CSS officer! We hope this guide on how to apply for the CSS exam online proves useful! If you ever need any help, guidance, or just someone to ease your anxiety about the journey ahead, we’re just a click or text away! If you’re already on your way to preparing for the CSS test, be sure to check out the CSS online preparation courses we have compiled just for you!