QUERIES of CSS, PMS, PCS Aspirants

For all your queries about CSS, PMS, PCS and other Competitive Exams, please write to us or email at the following address: CSS GURU Jahangir’s World Times 121-D, Gulberg II, Lahore. email: cssguru@jworldtimes.com

Dear CSS Guru
I want to appear in CSS 2014 exams and my subjects are Sociology, Journalism, Sindhi, Psychology and Public Administration. Please advise me on the selection of these subjects.
Leela Ram

Dear Leela,
Your subject selection is good. However, you must remember that Sociology and Journalism haven’t been high-scoring ones for few years for many reasons. Above all, it is the faulty approach of candidates who just superficially study these subjects and appear in exam thinking that the scoring trend would save them. Remember, it’s always your attempt that fetches you good marks. You need to properly study key terms and concepts of each subject before preparation. Same is true for Psychology too which is so far a good scoring subject.

Dear Guru,
Assalam-o-Alaikum!
First of all, I admire your invaluable services and relentless efforts you are putting in for the aspirants of competitive exams. I am writing this letter to seek your guidance so that I may become the part of Civil Service of Pakistan.

Recently, I have taken final exams of Masters in English Literature from BZU, Multan. Now, I have started preparation for CSS and PMS but I’m facing problems in the selection of optional papers. I’ve taken Arabic, Punjabi and Journalism. But I’m confused about the subject for the remaining 200 marks.
Firstly, are the abovementioned subjects good scoring? If so, kindly suggest two good books for each subject.
Secondly, suggest three to four other subjects for the remaining two hundred so that I may opt from them.
Mubashar Hassnain
MA English, B.Ed.

Dear Mubashar,
I can suggest you following books:
1.    Punjabi Punjab Rang by Faisal Hayat Jappa and Qamar Husnain Qadri
2.    Nawain Zaviye by Syed Akhtar Jaffri
3.    Journalism for All by Dr Mehdi Hassan & Dr Abdus Salam Khurshid
4.    Journalism for CSS/PMS by Quratuain & Haseeb Gohar
5.    Arabic Made Easy (2 Books) by Dr Inam-ul-Huq Ghazi
6.    Arabic by Khaliq Dad Malik
You may opt from Islamic History & Culture, Indo-Pak History, Sociology and Geography. You must, however, decide after perusing the syllabi and past papers of these subjects.

Respected sir,
I’m a student of final year BDS, and will appear in competitive exams 2014, I have selected Psychology, Geography, US History and Journalism as optional subjects. Kindly guide me whether my selection is good? Or should I choose Arabic instead of US History and Journalism; which combination is better?
Dr Ramsha Akhter

Dear Dr,
US History is a good subject with decent scoring trends. Similarly, Journalism offers a good choice if you can prepare it well. However, you may opt for Arabic if you are familiar with Arabic language and literature or have an interest in it. In my opinion, US History and Journalism should be preferred over Arabic.

I want to appear in CSS. Please guide me on CSS exams and high scoring subjects.
Thank you!
Yasir Kubar Mustafa

Dear Yasir,
For a complete guidance on CSS exam, paper techniques and optional as well as compulsory subjects, please refer to the CSS Beginners’ Guide by CSS Guru.

Sir,
I want to have a sitting with you. I live in Lahore and I am very much interested in CSS. I have to make some final decisions about my subjects. Is the meeting possible?
Zaib Noul

Dear Zaib,
Please feel free to put forth any query related to exam through these pages. A personal meeting may not be possible.

Dear Sir,
I will appear in CSS 2014 Insha Allah. I have started my preparation. I have opted Arabic as one of my optional subjects. I am facing difficulty in preparing for it because of lack of material I have for it. Please refer at least 2 good books for it.
Bilawal Afzaal

Dear Bilawal,
You may refer to these books for preparation of Arabic:
1.    Arabic Made Easy (2 Books) by Dr Inam-ul-Huq Ghazi
2.    Arabic by Khaliq Dad Malik

Dear Guru,
Please guide me about books for optional subject of CSS. I have opted for Islamic History, Islamic Law, International Law, Punjabi and Forestry.
Rao Atif

Dear Atif,
You may refer to these books:
Islamic History & Culture:
1.    Islamic History by K. Ali
2.    A short history of Islam – Mazhar ul Haq
3.    Ameer Ali’s ‘Spirit of Islam’ and ‘History of Saracens’
Muslim Law & Jurisprudence:
1.    Muslim Law & Jurisprudence by Aatir Rizvi
2.    Muhammadan Law by D.F Mulla
International Law:
1.    Introduction to International Law by J.G. Starke
2.    International Law by Tandon
3.    International Law by Agarwal
Punjabi:
1.    Punjab Rang by Faisal Hayat Jappa and Qamar Husnain Qadri
2.    Nawain Zaviye by Syed Akhtar Jaffri
Forestry:
1.    Forestry by Prof. Dr. Masood A. A. Qureshi (Vol. I & II)
2.    Forestry for CSS by Salman Kazmi
3.    Dawn Economic and Business section

Dear Guru,
I hail from Kashmir and I want to know that what is the age limit for the Azad Kashmir students? Actually, some relaxation is given to the Kashmiri students. I read at the CSS site that student those who belong to Kashmir, have 2-year relaxation in age, and they can appear till the age of 30 years.
I have done LLB, and in my whole career, I have 3rd division in intermediate only but rest marks are good. Can it affect initial or interview stage of CSS?
Irsalan Kashmiri

Dear Irsalan,
The upper age limit is relaxed by two years up to the age of 30 years in respect of the candidates who are permanent residents of Azad Kashmir Territory, subject to submission of a certificate (Annex-C of Application Form) to be issued by Kashmir Affairs Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad. Your intermediate marks would not adversely affect your candidature at any stage of CSS exam.