If you cleared the MCQ-based Preliminary Test (MPT) in September, the CSS 2027 written exam application is now open, and the online window closes on 25 November 2026. The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) also wants a hard copy of the online form, with documents, by 4 December. The written papers are due to begin on 27 January 2027.
The fee reported from the notice is Rs2,200, paid against a 16-digit PSID. That gives MPT-qualified candidates less than two weeks for the online part and about three for the paperwork. This guide sets out the dates, the reported eligibility rules and a practical checklist to help you send a complete application the first time.
CSS 2027 written exam: the four dates to diarise
- Wed 25 November 2026Online form on fpsc.gov.pk closes (window opened 10 November).
- Fri 4 December 2026Signed printout plus documents must arrive at FPSC, Islamabad.
- By 8 January 2027Admission certificates go online; download your own copy.
- Wed 27 January 2027Written papers start (FPSC calls this tentative).
- Fee: Rs2,200 (reported)
- Pay via 16-digit PSID on 1Link
- Age 21 to 30 on 31 Dec 2026
- MPT passers only
- 19 exam cities
Listen: CSS 2027 deadlines in 60 seconds
In this guide
What is the last date to apply for the CSS 2027 written exam?
The online application window runs from 10 November to 25 November 2026. The hard copy of the online application, with the required documents, must reach FPSC by 4 December 2026. The written examination is scheduled to start on 27 January 2027.
CSS 2027 written exam: key dates
FPSC set out the full CSS 2027 cycle in an Advance Public Notice dated 5 July 2026 (PDF). The written-exam advertisement appeared on 8 November, in line with that schedule.
| Stage | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| MPT public notice | 2 August 2026 | Done |
| MPT online applications | 3 to 20 August 2026 | Done |
| MPT (screening test) | 27 September 2026 | Done |
| Written exam advertisement | 8 November 2026 | Published |
| Online applications for written exam | 10 to 25 November 2026 | Open now |
| Hard copy and documents to FPSC | By 4 December 2026 | Upcoming |
| Admission certificates online | By 8 January 2027 | Upcoming |
| Written exam begins | Wednesday 27 January 2027 | Tentative |
FPSC calls these dates tentative in its advance notice. The FPSC website can be slow or fail to load at busy times, so start early and keep checking it for any change to the schedule.
Who can apply for the CSS 2027 written exam
According to reports of the 8 November public notice, including those by 24 News HD and Pakistan Times, only candidates who passed the MPT for CSS 2027 can apply. The other main conditions reported are:
| Requirement | As reported for CSS 2027 |
|---|---|
| Screening | Must have passed the MPT for CSS Competitive Examination 2027 |
| Education | At least a second-division bachelor’s degree |
| Domicile | A domicile certificate in the candidate’s own name |
| Cut-off date | 31 December 2026 applies to age, qualifications and domicile |
| Age | 21 to 30 years on 31 December 2026 |
| Age relaxation | Up to two years for the categories listed in Rule 6 of the CSS rules |
| Exam centres | 19 cities |
| Fee | Rs2,200 |
Age and attempt rules for CSS have been debated in Parliament, and we covered the National Assembly’s approved changes to CSS age and attempts last year. For the 2027 exam, rely on the age limit printed in FPSC’s current notice, not on older proposals.
How to apply for the CSS 2027 written exam
The application is filed online on the FPSC website and then followed by a signed hard copy. Based on the reported notice, the order of work is:
- Read the notice in full on fpsc.gov.pk, including the appendix of optional subjects.
- Sign in through “Apply Online” with the username and password you used for the MPT, so your result links to this application.
- Complete your profile and check every detail against your CNIC and matriculation certificate: name spelling, father’s name, date of birth and domicile.
- Generate the 16-digit PSID (Payment Slip ID) and pay the Rs2,200 fee through a 1Link channel: ATM, internet or mobile banking, a wallet such as Easypaisa or JazzCash, or over the counter at a 1Link member bank. Old TR-6 challans, cheques, bank drafts and pay orders are reported to be rejected.
- Log in again and fill in the remaining sections: optional subjects, occupational group preferences and your examination centre.
- Submit the form and confirm that it appears under “Application History”. FPSC may not allow changes after submission.
- Print and sign the submitted application and send it with the documents so it reaches FPSC before 4 December.
Do not leave the online step until 24 or 25 November. Portals tend to slow down near deadlines, and a payment that fails on the last evening may not be fixable in time.
The CSS 2027 hard copy and documents
FPSC requires a signed printout of the submitted online application to reach it by 4 December 2026, and reports say documents arriving after that date will be rejected. The notice, as reported, asks for:
- The signed printout of your online application
- Attested copies of your educational documents (degrees and certificates)
- A copy of your CNIC
- Your domicile certificate
- Four recent photographs
If you are claiming an age relaxation, add the certificate that proves your category. Keep your own copy of the fee confirmation as well.
The FPSC headquarters address printed on the advance notice is Aga Khan Road, Sector F-5/1, Islamabad, and its UAN is 051-111-000-248. Reports say the hard copy must reach FPSC headquarters; confirm the address in the notice, and use a courier or post service that gives you a tracking number.
Mistakes that cost CSS candidates their place
Every year some candidates who passed the screening test lose their chance through avoidable errors. Watch for these:
| Mistake | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Missing the hard-copy deadline after filing online | Treat 4 December as the date the envelope must arrive, not the date you send it |
| Unsigned form or missing photograph | Sign every page FPSC asks for and check the photograph box before sealing |
| Name or date of birth mismatch | Copy details exactly as on your CNIC and matric certificate |
| Claiming age relaxation without proof | Attach the certificate that supports your category |
| Wrong optional subject combination | Check the subject rules before you submit; changes may not be allowed later |
| Paying by an old challan or cheque | Pay only against your PSID through a 1Link channel |
| Assuming a roll number settles eligibility | FPSC can cancel a candidature at any stage if a candidate turns out to be ineligible, so be accurate from the start |
Checking your CSS 2027 age correctly
The reported cut-off date for age is 31 December 2026, and the range is 21 to 30. FPSC notices normally turn this into a pair of birth dates, the earliest and latest date of birth that qualify. Compare your date of birth with that printed range rather than working it out in your head, because the difference between “30” and “under 31” is exactly the kind of detail that leads to rejection.
Use the date of birth on your matriculation certificate, since that is the record your application is checked against. If you are near the upper limit and claim a relaxation, the reported maximum is two years, and only for the categories allowed under the CSS rules. Attach the proof with your hard copy.
After you submit
Once the online form and hard copy are in, the next milestone is the admission certificate. FPSC is reported to be uploading these to its website by 8 January 2027, and candidates must download them; they are not posted. Save your application number, the courier receipt and screenshots of the submitted form. If your hard copy is lost in transit, that evidence is what you will need when you contact FPSC.
With about ten weeks between the application deadline and 27 January, use the time to revise compulsory papers first, since they are common to all candidates. Practise answer writing under timed conditions; many candidates know the material but run out of time in the exam hall.
CSS 2027 written exam: frequently asked questions
When will the CSS 2027 written exam start?
FPSC’s schedule shows the written exam beginning on 27 January 2027.
What is the last date for the CSS 2027 online application?
25 November 2026. The online window opened on 10 November 2026.
When is the CSS 2027 hard copy due?
The hard copy of the online application, with documents, must reach FPSC by 4 December 2026.
Can I apply for the CSS 2027 written exam without passing the MPT?
No. Reports of the advertisement say only candidates who passed the MPT for CSS 2027 can apply.
What is the age limit for CSS 2027?
21 to 30 years on 31 December 2026, with up to two years’ relaxation for categories allowed under the rules, as reported from the notice.
How many cities will hold the CSS 2027 written exam?
Nineteen cities, according to reports of the FPSC advertisement.
What is the fee for the CSS 2027 written exam?
Rs2,200, according to reports of FPSC’s 8 November 2026 notice. It is paid against a 16-digit PSID through 1Link channels such as ATMs, banking apps or mobile wallets.
When will CSS 2027 admission certificates be issued?
FPSC is reported to be uploading admission certificates to its website by 8 January 2027. Candidates have to download them themselves.
Passing the MPT was the first filter. For the CSS 2027 written exam, the next one is administrative: a complete online form and a correct hard copy on time. Finish both this month, then give your full attention to preparation.
