Political Science is one of the most-picked CSS optional subjects in Group I, carrying 200 marks across two papers. It pairs naturally with IR, Public Administration, and Governance & Public Policies. Below you can download Political Science CSS Past Papers from 2000 to 2025, with paper pattern, syllabus highlights, recommended books, and a clear strategy for CSS 2026.
Download Political Science CSS Past Papers (Year-wise PDFs)
Paper Pattern (FPSC 2026)
- Paper I — Western political thought, Muslim political thought, key concepts & ideologies.
- Paper II — Comparative politics, Pakistan’s political system, contemporary political developments.
Each paper is 100 marks, 3 hours. Format: 20 MCQs + 4 subjective questions out of 8 (each 20 marks). Pass mark per paper: 40%.
FPSC Syllabus Highlights
Paper I — Political Theory
- Western thinkers: Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Marx
- Muslim thinkers: Al-Farabi, Al-Mawardi, Ibn Khaldun, Shah Waliullah, Iqbal
- Concepts: state, sovereignty, law, liberty, equality, justice, rights
- Ideologies: liberalism, conservatism, socialism, fascism, feminism, environmentalism
- Forms of government & political institutions
Paper II — Comparative & Pakistani Politics
- Comparative political systems: UK, USA, France, China, Iran, Turkey
- Political development in Pakistan since 1947
- 1956, 1962, 1973 constitutions & 18th Amendment
- Federalism, civil-military relations, judicial activism
- Political parties & electoral systems in Pakistan
- Contemporary issues: governance, populism, identity politics
Most Repeated Topics (2016-2025)
- Comparison of Plato & Aristotle on justice
- Ibn Khaldun’s theory of state & civilisation cycle
- Rousseau’s general will and modern democracy
- Iqbal’s reconstruction of Muslim political thought
- 18th Amendment and federalism in Pakistan
- Civil-military relations and democratic transitions
- Comparative analysis: presidential vs parliamentary systems
- Rise of populism in Western democracies
High-Scoring Strategy
- Read one textbook end-to-end — Andrew Heywood’s Political Theory: An Introduction is the gold standard.
- Build a thinkers’ notebook — One page per thinker with key works, central thesis, 2-3 quotes.
- Compare and contrast — Many questions ask for comparison (Plato vs Aristotle, Locke vs Hobbes). Practice these explicitly.
- Tie theory to Pakistan — Paper II rewards application; link Hobbes to authoritarian regimes, Rousseau to popular sovereignty debates.
- Practice 8-10 papers under exam timing in the final 6 weeks.
- Cite scholars in every answer — Heywood, Sabine, Strauss, Iqbal, Ayesha Jalal.
Recommended Books
- Political Theory: An Introduction — Andrew Heywood
- A History of Political Theory — George Sabine
- Political Ideologies — Andrew Heywood
- Comparative Government and Politics — Rod Hague
- The Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan — Hamid Khan
- The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam — Allama Iqbal
- Pakistan: A Hard Country — Anatol Lieven
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Political Science easier than International Relations?
Political Science is more theory-heavy and conceptually demanding; IR is more dynamic and current-affairs driven. Many aspirants pick both as a pair because the syllabi reinforce each other.
How many Muslim political thinkers should I prepare?
At minimum: Al-Farabi, Al-Mawardi, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Khaldun, Shah Waliullah, Sir Syed, and Iqbal. Know each thinker’s life, key works, and central political contributions.
Can I score 130+ in Political Science?
Yes — with structured answers, scholar citations, and tight time management. The subject rewards clear conceptual writing more than memorisation.