The Best CSS Books

Navigating the vast world of books for the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam can be daunting. To help you on your journey, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide based on recommendations from successful aspirants and veteran members of the CSS forum. This guide consolidates the best-recommended books and resources for both compulsory and optional subjects, focusing on the old syllabus.

Compulsory Subjects

English (Precis & Composition)

• Exploring the World of English by Saadat Ali Shah: Frequently mentioned as the “English Bible for CSS” for its comprehensive coverage.
• A Practical English Grammar by A. J. Thomson, A. V. Martinet, and Practical English Usage by Michael Swan: Highly praised for their focus on grammar and usage.
• Wren & Martin: A classic for fundamental grammar concepts.
• A Better Guide to English by B. R. Mullick.
• Precis Writing by Abdul Basit Jasra, Naimatullah Khan Joyia.
• English Grammar & Composition by Nawaz Khalid, Mohammad Baqir Hussain and Shabbir Hussain Chaudhry.
• Dictionary of Synonyms & Antonyms by Prof. Tariq Ali Khan.
• Oxford Idioms and Chambers Idioms: Suggested for improving vocabulary and idioms.
• BA (English) Test papers from Punjab University are also recommended.

Essay Writing

• Reading newspapers, particularly the Daily Dawn, is considered essential for developing writing skills.
• Writing at least one essay per week is a key practice.
• Paragraphs & Essays by Prof. Manzoor Mirza and Dogar’s Unique Latest Essays by Prof. Mohammad Asif Qadri are mentioned as useful resources.
• Current Essays and Latest English Essays by AP Aamer Publications.

Everyday Science (EDS)

• Everyday Science Advance by Imtiaz Shahid is a popular choice among multiple forum members.
• Encyclopedic Manual of Everyday Science by Dr. Rab Nawaz Samo is also highly recommended.
• Encyclopedia of Every Day Science by Dr. Zafar Saeed Chouhadry.
• EDS by Carvan Publishers.
• For MCQs, Dogars Unique Everyday Science MCQs, CSS Everyday Science with Solved Papers by Shabbir Hussain Chaudhry, and Everyday Science (Objective Type) by Syed Baqir Raza are good options.

Current Affairs

• Reading the Daily Dawn newspaper is unanimously recommended as the most important resource.
• Contemporary Affairs by Imtiaz Shahid and International Affairs by Dr. Safdar Mahmood are excellent for broader context.
• Strategic Studies (a quarterly publication) and the Economic Survey of Pakistan are also valuable.
• Dogars Monthly Magazine is good for objective-type questions.
• Monthly Press Review and development and security digest of FRIENDS Org.
• Current Affairs including solved CSS Papers from AP Aamer Publications.

Pakistan Affairs

• Pakistan Affairs by M. Ikram Rabbani is a top recommendation. Other authors include Imtiaz Shahids, Bhatti Sons, and Muhammad Sohail Bhatti.
• Struggle for Pakistan by I. H. Qureshi and Making of Pakistan by K. K. Aziz are considered superior for a deeper understanding of pre-partition history.
• Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: A Reappraisal by Shahid M. Amin and The Military & Politics in Pakistan by Hasan Askari Rizvi offer specialized insights.
• Pakistan Political Roots & Development 1947-1999 by Safdar Mahmood.
• The Idea of Pakistan by Stephen Philip Cohen and The Political System of Pakistan by Khalid B. Sayeed.
• EXAM CRAM Pakistan Affairs by Adeel Niaz.
• Early Phase of Muslim Political Movement, Middle Phase, and Final Phase by Jamil-ud-Din-Ahmad.
• The website www.storyofpakistan.com is also a suggested resource.

Islamiat

• Islami Nazriya i Hayath by Professor Khursheed Ahmad and Islamiat by Zahid Hussain Anjum are key books for Urdu-medium candidates.
• Islam its Meaning and Message is an ideal book for preparation.
• Islamiat Advance by Muhammad Imtiaz Shahid and Attiya Bano is a good option for both English and Urdu mediums.
• Islam at a glance by Islahi and Towards Islamiyat by Doggar Sons.
• Islamic ideology by S. M. Shahid.
• Misbah ul Islam by Qamar Hasnain Qadri.

Optional Subjects

Sociology

• Sociology by Horton and Hunt and Sociology by John J. Macionis are standard recommendations.
• For a local perspective, Pakistani Society by M. Iqbal Chaudhry is a good choice.
• Other suggestions include An Introduction to Sociology by Javed Soonhoro Jiskani Baloch, Sociology an introduction by S. M. Shahid, and Sociology by Abd-ul-Hameed Taga.
• Social Problems of Pakistan by Dr. Mohammad Khalid.
• For MCQs, EXAM CRAM Sociology MCQs by Syed Salman Hameed Kazmi and Sociology MCQs by Zahid Saeed.

Public Administration

• Public Administration by Dr. Sultan Khan is highly regarded.
• Principles of Public Administration by Dr. Muhammad Hassan Sheikh and EXAM CRAM Public Administration by Asif J. Mir are also recommended.
• Public Administration by S. M. Shahid and Public Administration by Liaqat Niazi.
• Personnel Management by Dr. Sultan.
• Tiyagi Book for the Schools and approaches of Public administration.

International Relations (IR)

• International Relations by Prakash Chander, Dr. Sultan Khan, and Joshua S. Goldstein are prominent suggestions.
• International Relations and Political Theory by Kamran Shahid.
• Introduction to International Relations: Power and Justice by T. A. Couloumbis and J. H. Wolfe.
• International Relations (objective) by Muhammad Asif Malik, Raja Mansoor Ahmad.

History

• European History: Books by David Thomson, C. D. Hazen, V. D. Mahajan, Stuart T. Miller, and Stephen. J. Lee.
• US History: Recommendations include works by Bernard Bailyn, Gordon S. Wood, and Alexis de Tocqueville’s classic Democracy in America. Other suggestions include “The First Salute,” “Miracle at Philadelphia,” “American Scripture” and “Novus Ordo Seclorum.”
• Indo-Pak History: For pre-partition, Muslim Rule in Subcontinent by Ishwari Parsad, S. M. Ikram, and Stanley Lanepoole. For post-partition, Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan by Hamid Khan is suggested, as well as Trek to Pakistan by Ahmed Saeed.
• British History: Books by Birdsall S. Viault, Norman Lowe, and A. Qayoom.

Psychology

• An Introduction to Psychology by Morgan and King and Abnormal Psychology by Neil Davisson are recommended. It’s noted to be cautious of Pakistani authors, as they often copy foreign works.

Journalism

• Mass Communication by Imtiaz Shahid and Exploring Journalism by Safdar Mahmood are recommended.
• A-One Exploring Journalism by Mirza Muhammad Yousaf.
• Journalism for CSS by Mian Muhammad Asghar.
• Competitive Journalism by Abid Tehami.
• For MCQs, Mass Communications MCQs by Muhammad Asif Malik and Faridi’s Objective Mass Communication by Javed Iqbal & Mukhtiar Ali Shar.
• Journalism For All by Dr Mehdi Hassan.

Constitutional Law

• World Constitutions by Kaeley.
• How States Are Governed.
• Studies In The Constitution Of Pakistan by Dr. Safdar Mahmood.

Economics

• Paper I: Modern Economic Theory by K. K. Dewett and Economics international edition by Paul A. Samuelson.
• Paper II: Economics of Pakistan by Saeed Nasir and Kamal Haider.

Geography

• Paper I: Physical Geography by A. Strahler, Modern Physical Geography by Sarfaraz Ahmad Bajwa.
• Paper II: Human geography by Deblij, A Geography of Pakistan by Huma Naz Sethi, and Pakistan: Geography, Economy & People by Fazle Karim Khan.
• World Economic and Commercial Geography by Prof. Nazeer Ahmad Khalid.

Accounting & Auditing

• Financial Accounting: Principles of accounting by Gani & Ejaz, Accounting-basis for business decision by Meigs and Meigs, and Financial Accounting by Shukla.
• Cost Accounting: Cost accounting by Matz & Usury and Managerial accounting by HILTON.
• Auditing: AUDITING by Khawaja Amjad Saeed.
• Taxation: INCOME TAX by Mohammad Moazzam Mughal.
• Business Organization: INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS by Saeed Nasir.

Islamic History & Culture

• History of Islam by Mazhurl Haq and History of Saracens by Syed Ameer Ali.
• History of the Arabs by Phillip K. Hitti.
• Study of Islamic History by K. Ali.

Applied Mathematics

• Paper I (Mechanics): Books by Dr. G. K. Ghouri, Z. R. Bhatti, Charlton Jeffreys.
• Paper II (Advanced Engineering Mathematics): Books by Erwin Kreyzig and Dr. S. A. Bhatti.

Physics

• Modern physics by A. Beiser.
• University physics by Sears Zemansky.
• Fundamentals of physics by Halliday and Resnick.

Agriculture

• Towards understanding agriculture by Mohd Ishaq Khan.
• Agriculture by Asif Malik and Masood A. A. Qureshi.

Sindhi

• Sindhi adab jo tanqidi ibheyas by Abdulmajeed Memon.
• Sindhi boli ji mukhtasar tarikh by Leghari.
• Sindhi adab jo mukhtasar jaizo by Abduljabar Junejo.

International Law

• International Law by S. K. Kapoor, J. J. Starke, Tandon, and Agarwal.