Choosing the right optional subjects is crucial for CSS aspirants aiming to become Assistant Commissioners. This guide breaks down the top scoring and strategically aligned subjects for the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) — the group that leads to Assistant Commissioner posts. Whether you’re from a science or humanities background, we’ll help you select the most suitable subjects to boost your chances of success.
Here are recommended optional subjects for each of the 12 CSS occupational groups in Pakistan, tailored to align with the core functions and knowledge areas pertinent to each group:
1. Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS)
Public Administration (Understanding governance and administrative structures)
Political Science (Insights into political systems and theories)
Sociology (Study of societal structures and issues)
History of Pakistan & India (Contextual knowledge of regional history)
International Relations (Global affairs and diplomatic relations)
2. Police Service of Pakistan (PSP)
Criminology (Study of crime and criminal behavior)
Psychology (Understanding human behavior and mental processes)
Law (Legal frameworks and judicial systems)
Sociology (Social factors influencing crime)
Public Administration (Management of public sector organizations)
3. Foreign Service of Pakistan (FSP)
International Relations (Diplomatic practices and international affairs)
International Law (Legal aspects of international relations)
Political Science (Political dynamics and government systems)
History of USA (Understanding a major global player)
Sociology (Cultural and societal studies for diplomatic insight)
4. Commerce and Trade Group (CTG)
Economics (Economic theories and practices)
Business Administration (Management principles and practices)
Accounting & Auditing (Financial record-keeping and analysis)
Mercantile Law (Laws related to trade and commerce)
Statistics (Data analysis and interpretation)
5. Pakistan Customs Service (PCS)
International Relations (Global trade dynamics)
Law (Customs laws and regulations)
Business Administration (Operational management in trade)
Economics (Trade policies and economic impact)
Accounting & Auditing (Financial assessments in customs)
6. Inland Revenue Service (IRS)
Accounting & Auditing (Taxation and financial auditing)
Economics (Fiscal policies and economic analysis)
Business Administration (Corporate operations and management)
Mercantile Law (Commercial laws affecting taxation)
Statistics (Quantitative analysis for revenue forecasting)
7. Information Group (IG)
Mass Communication (Media operations and communication strategies)
Journalism (News reporting and media ethics)
Political Science (Government structures and political reporting)
Sociology (Media impact on society)
Public Administration (Information dissemination in public sector)
8. Military Lands and Cantonments Group (MLCG)
Public Administration (Management of military lands)
Law (Legal aspects of land administration)
Urban Planning (Development of cantonment areas)
Geography (Land utilization and environmental considerations)
Sociology (Community development within cantonments)
9. Office Management and Secretariat Group (OMG)
Public Administration (Administrative procedures and policies)
Business Administration (Organizational management)
Sociology (Workplace dynamics and human relations)
Law (Regulatory frameworks in office management)
History of Pakistan & India (Context for governmental operations)
10. Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service (PAAS)
Accounting & Auditing (Financial accountability and auditing standards)
Economics (Economic principles affecting public finance)
Business Administration (Management of financial resources)
Mercantile Law (Legal aspects of financial transactions)
Statistics (Data analysis in financial auditing)
11. Postal Group
Business Administration (Operations management in postal services)
Public Administration (Governmental procedures in postal operations)
Economics (Financial aspects of postal services)
Sociology (Communication’s role in society)
Law (Regulations governing postal services)
12. Railways (Commercial and Transportation) Group
Business Administration (Management of transportation services)
Economics (Transportation economics and policies)
Public Administration (Government involvement in railways)
Geography (Logistics and route planning)
Urban Planning (Integration of railways in urban development)
