Past Paper Analysis — CSS Current Affairs (2016–2026)

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What this page is for: a full analysis of every CSS Current Affairs paper from 2016 to 2026 — all subjective questions, all readable MCQs (2024–2026), the themes that keep coming back, and a fixed method for writing every Current Affairs topic page so it matches what the examiner actually asks.

Questions are copied from the papers as printed (spelling mistakes included). Patterns, tiers and the watch-list are my own analysis, not FPSC policy.

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1. Paper at a Glance

Things to notice:

• Q8 is often short notes, any two of three (10 + 10) — in 2017, 2022, 2024 and 2026. Short notes are the safest scoring option if you've prepared broad themes.
• Since 2023, many questions are two- or three-part (causes + impact + way forward). Every part must be answered at one place.
• 2026 brought back statement-based questions: a quote is given and you must "critically evaluate" or "critically appraise" it.

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In simple words: the examiner isn't testing whether you read the news. He's testing whether you can explain why something happened, what it means for Pakistan, and what should be done. Facts get you to pass marks; analysis gets you to 50+.

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2. Complete Question Bank (2016–2026)

2.1 — 2016

1. Q2. Discuss in detail the efficacy of counter terrorism measures adopted by the government, especially with reference to the National Action Plan.
2. Q3. What measures would you suggest to improve the economy of Pakistan particularly in the areas of debt reduction and enhancing export capacity?
3. Q4. Discuss the possibilities of progress under the recently agreed rubric of comprehensive dialogue between Pakistan and India. In your opinion what are the major constraints at present?
4. Q5. Discuss the prospects and challenges to the construction of "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor". How will CPEC become a game changer for the region?
5. Q6. How do you see recent developments in the Middle East, particularly with reference to deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran? What role, if any, Pakistan could play in reducing the tensions between the two Muslim countries?
6. Q7. Examine the emerging strategic competition between China and the US and its impact on global order.
7. Q8. Discuss the adverse impact of climate change on the world and the measures recently adopted by the Paris Conference to address this issue.

2.2 — 2017

1. Q2. Highlight the role of National Action Plan (NAP) in stabilization of internal security of Pakistan. Critically analyze its outcomes?
2. Q3. What measures do you suggest to improve the security conditions of Balochistan in respect to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the role of regional powers to sabotage it?
3. Q4. Critically analyze the US-Russia relations in context of ISIS and its impact on the security situation of Middle East.
4. Q5. Explain the salient contours of the US 'rebalancing' policy and China's assertive policy in South China Sea and latter's disputes with the regional countries. Critically evaluate.
5. Q6. The impact of burgeoning US-India strategic partnership over the security situation of the region and Indian Ocean Region.
6. Q7. Critically examine China's strategic vision behind its 'One Belt, One Road' venture.
7. Q8. (a) Analyze the effects of commissioning of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arihant equipped with nuclear-capable missile called K-4 over the strategic stability of South Asia. (10) (b) US-India in August 2016 signed Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) that will reportedly facilitate the two allies to use each other's military facilities to check China's growing influence. Comment. (10)

2.3 — 2018

1. Q2. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is considered as a game-changer. How the CPEC can be helpful to uplift the Pakistan's economy? Discuss.
2. Q3. Discuss in detail the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and challenges to it.
3. Q4. How the United States is trying to keep its dominant position in the Asia-Pacific and what is the China's response to it?
4. Q5. Critically analyze the newly established Islamic Military Alliance and its future implications for the Muslim World?
5. Q6. Describe the 2017 Qatar Diplomatic Crisis and its impact on the Middle East.
6. Q7. Critically examine the Donald Trump's Policy for South Asia and its implications for Pakistan and the region.
7. Q8. What are the opportunities and challenges for Pakistan as one of the new members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)?

2.4 — 2019

1. Q2. Examine China strategic vision behind 'The Bell and Road initiative (BRI)' also known as One Belt One Road (OBOR).
2. Q3. Elaborate the reasons and impacts on Doland Trump withdrawal from climate change Paris agreement in 2015.
3. Q4. What will be the reason of emerging water conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan?
4. Q5. Give a critical review of Pakistan Energy Policy 2013 – 2018.
5. Q6. How can the corruption elimination strategy be made part of governance system of Pakistan?
6. Q7. How can the governing structure have the capacity to neutralize threats to internal security of Pakistan?
7. Q8. Discuss instrument of techniques of Hybrid warfare in context to Pakistan.

2.5 — 2020

1. Q2. What impact global climate change will have on the water resources of Pakistan? How will it affect inter-provincial harmony?
2. Q3. Why was Pakistan placed on the 'Grey List' of Financial Action Task Force (FATF)? What are the implications and what measures should Pakistan take to move out of this list?
3. Q4. Given the volatile lockdown in Indian Occupied Kashmir, what are the viable policy choices available to Pakistan? What can Pakistan realistically do to ease the sufferings of Kashmiri people?
4. Q5. Discuss the strategic contours of Indo-US evolving partnership and how will it impact Pakistan-US and Pakistan-China relations?
5. Q6. Strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region is increasingly becoming intense. Define the interests and role of US, China, India, Japan and Australia in the geopolitics of Indo-Pacific region.
6. Q7. Discuss in detail the role of OIC, Arab league and GCC in the Middle East crises and conflicts.
7. Q8. In view of the evolving global alignments and changing nature of major-power relationships, what is the future of globalism and multilateralism? Discuss with examples.

2.6 — 2021

1. Q2. What will be the strategic and political implications of the US withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty, and how is it impacting the arms control arrangements between the great powers?
2. Q3. What are the similarities and differences between Nagorno-Kaharabakh and Kashmir conflicts?
3. Q4. Last two decades have seen the rise of the right as a potent challenge to the liberal democracies throughout the world. What are the causes of this rise and how can states attend to this challenge?
4. Q5. Most of the major political parties have committed to the creation of the new provinces in Pakistan. Should new provinces be created or not, in Pakistan? Elaborate your answer by giving references from the new provinces debate.
5. Q6. Some scholars term Afghan Peace Deal as the US Withdrawal Deal. Do you agree? Answer the question while discussing the contours of the Afghan peace process.
6. Q7. How is militarization of Artificial Intelligence and Computing revolutionizing the military affairs?
7. Q8. Delineate the ways in which Covid-19 has affected the contours of the contemporary world order.

2.7 — 2022

1. Q2. Propose prospective foreign policy options for Pakistan in the wake of Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
2. Q3. The 2021 Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan presents regional and global challenges. Elaborate the anticipated policies of the Taliban government and the regional and global response.
3. Q4. How do the nature and possible prospects of US-Russia strategic nuclear deterrence change with the enforcement of New START treaty of 2021? What could be the treaty's implications on Pakistan's nuclear programme, keeping in view its defence policy?
4. Q5. Muslim Ummah has failed to unite under one roof. The leadership, their internal wrangling and sectarian divide keeps them away from each other. No wonder the Muslim world is in shambles in their home countries, at OIC level and at international forums. Taking a tag from above, discuss ways and means to unite the Muslim Ummah with a pragmatic approach.
5. Q6. Numerous political systems- Parliamentary as well as Presidential, have been in vogue in Pakistan with limited success. Draft your own proposed but practical system that would result in good governance of the country. Stipulate reasons and conditions for its success.
6. Q7. The US and China have been in an on-going trade war since 2018. In academic circles, it has been argued that this conflict may as well be the Second Cold War. Critically evaluate the future world order with main actors as China, Russia and the US.
7. Q8. Short notes on any two: (a) Poverty & Trade in South Asia and the role of SAARC (b) A comparison of leadership qualities between Xi Jinping of China and Joe Biden of the US (c) 2022 FIFA World Cup and politics of the Arab World

2.8 — 2023

1. Q2. Discuss historic Pakistan and Turkey bilateral relations beyond the areas of socio-economic and strategic realms. Explain its geopolitical ripple effects in the Himalayas, the Arabian Peninsula, and the South Caucasus.
2. Q3. The UN climate summit (COP-27) in Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt) discussed Pakistan catastrophic summer floods exacerbated by climate change and the country is facing imminent threat of epidemics and other multi-dimensional dangers. Discuss the COP-27 roadmap to face the challenge of climate change and proposed measures for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Pakistan.
3. Q4. Discuss the core causes of Russian invasion of Ukraine which have considerable socio-economic, political and strategic consequences on the world. Explain its devastating impact on Pakistan and its severe lesson for the country's survival.
4. Q5. Discuss the project idea of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is the great leap forward of economic regionalization in the globalized world. Explain its potential advantages, challenges and future prospects.
5. Q6. November 15, 2022, will be a historic date in humanity's history because at this date the Earth's population reached to the 8 billion mark. Critically discuss that the 21st century is a century of rapid population growth which has a devastating negative impact in the world. Explain the severe consequences of rapid population growth which will affect to every country on earth.
6. Q7. Critically discuss the conceptualized energy's influence on the world geo-politics and its distinctiveness of global energy governance.
7. Q8. Critically discuss that why Pakistan's economic growth continues to be "Balance-of-Payments" constraint which is one of the core cause to keep the foreign exchange reserves under pressure. Do you think that Pakistan's export performance remains the most relevant long-term challenge to alleviate the balance-of-payments constraint for sustained economics growth and explain radical structural reforms to improve export performance?

2.9 — 2024

1. Q2. The creation of more provinces is a persistent demand from some circles in Pakistan. How do you see the creation of more provinces in Pakistan; as beneficial or harmful for the people? Explain your views with solid justification.
2. Q3. Discuss the Pakistan's historic role in Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and under the framework of regional integration; what are the future prospects of ECO for Pakistan?
3. Q4. Critically evaluate the US-Pakistan relations under the Joe Biden Administration vis-à-vis the US' Indo-Pacific strategy.
4. Q5. Saudi Arabia and Iran both have significant place in Pakistan's foreign policy. How Pakistan can maintain friendly relations with both Saudi Arabia and Iran, especially after the mediation of China between the two countries?
5. Q6. Palestine conflict is a long-standing one on the United Nations table. Discuss its recent escalation since October 2023 and critically assess the big powers' reaction to it.
6. Q7. Evaluate the implications of Ukraine War for the Russia-Europe energy relations.
7. Q8. Short notes on any two: (a) Prospects of regional integration in South Asia (b) The UN efforts for nuclear non-proliferation (c) Climate Change and the Big Powers' role

2.10 — 2025

1. Q2. What do you know about ethnicity in Pakistan? Do you think its emergence as a serious threat to national integration of Pakistan? Explain your opinion with reference to various scholarly evidences and suggest your recommendations to deal with it.
2. Q3. Discuss in detail the reasons for fragility of economic stability of Pakistan and suggest pragmatic remedial measures for ensuring smooth and sustainable economic growth.
3. Q4. Discuss the contours of Pakistan's strategic relations with India and Afghanistan in detail. Do you foresee any serious security challenges from these neighbours in near future? Explain your opinion with scholarly evidences.
4. Q5. Discuss the major contours of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime and discuss the prospects of their sucesss/failure with reference to India-United States Strategic Partnership.
5. Q6. Discuss the emergence of SCO and BRICS as a challenge to American politico-ecomic dominance in world politics. What measures can be taken by the US to counter them?
6. Q7. Discuss the prospects of peace in South Asia with reference to Kashmir Conflict and Nuclear Arms-race between India and Pakistan.
7. Q8. Discuss the reasons of environmental degradation in Pakistan and suggest remedial measures for sustainable environmental rehabilitation.

2.11 — 2026 (transcribed from a blurry scan — small wording differences possible)

1. Q2. "Pakistan stands at a decisive turning point where climate shocks, rapid population growth, governance gaps, multi-dimensional security threats and intense fiscal stress are converging to heighten national vulnerability." Critically evaluate the above statement and propose policy measures for building a stable, secure and climate-resilient Pakistan.
2. Q3. "Brain drain threatens Pakistan's ability to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030." Write a comprehensive note on the causes and consequences of brain drain from Pakistan, focusing on its impact on achieving SDGs (you may choose any three SDGs for answering this question).
3. Q4. Critically appraise the following statement with relevant examples. Furthermore, draw relevant lessons and propose way forward for Pakistan: "Natural resources, though desirable for development of a country, can become a source of conflict and instability."
4. Q5. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), once called "force multiplier", are now having trust issues as public skepticism about the virtues and advantages of NGOs has deepened. Critically examine why NGOs' space is shrinking in many parts of the world with specific reference to Pakistan.
5. Q6. COP — the annual climate negotiation, Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) — is organized every year since 1995. What are the significant achievements of COPs in general and COP-30 in particular?
6. Q7. Conduct a critical analysis of the prospects of resolution of the Palestinian conflict with special reference to the UN Security Council's recently approved U.S. drafted resolution for peace in Gaza. Can Pakistan play any role in this initiative?
7. Q8. Short notes on any two: (i) Pros and cons of food production through Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) (ii) Implications of depopulation (iii) Role of China in evolving world order

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3. Theme Frequency (2016–2026)

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Key takeaway: five themes have appeared in six or more of the eleven papers — climate, Middle East, great-power rivalry, governance, and the economy. If you master these five as flexible blocks, you'll almost always have at least three questions you can attempt well.

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4. How the Paper Has Changed

4.1 Four phases

1. 2016–2019 — CPEC and security years. NAP, CPEC (asked every year), Balochistan, US–China in Asia-Pacific, Middle East rivalries.
2. 2020–2022 — world order and neighbourhood. Kashmir lockdown, Afghan peace deal and Taliban takeover, arms-control treaties, COVID and multilateralism, Ukraine.
3. 2023–2025 — economy and alignments. Balance of payments, economic fragility, Saudi–Iran–China, Gaza, SCO/BRICS, ethnicity, environment.
4. 2026 — non-traditional security. Climate, population, brain drain, NGOs, natural resources, GMOs, depopulation. Only Gaza and China's role were classic geopolitics. CPEC, India and Afghanistan were not asked at all.

4.2 Question styles to expect

• Statement-based: a quote is given — "critically evaluate / appraise the statement" (2022 Q5, 2026 Q2, Q3, Q4). You must agree, disagree or partly agree, and say so in the intro.
• Multi-part: causes → impact → way forward (2020 FATF, 2023 BoP, 2025 Q3). Missing one part caps your marks.
• "With scholarly evidence": 2025 asked for it twice. Quote named scholars, reports and data.
• Pakistan angle on global issues: 2023 Ukraine ("lesson for Pakistan"), 2026 Gaza ("can Pakistan play any role?").
• Choose-your-own scope: 2026 Q3 let you pick any three SDGs. Prepare specific SDG data in advance.
• Very recent events: the Gaza UNSC resolution (November 2025) and COP-30 (November 2025) appeared in the February 2026 paper — only about three months later.

4.3 Repeats you can count on

• New provinces: 2021 and 2024 — nearly the same question.
• NAP: 2016 and 2017.
• Saudi–Iran and Pakistan's balancing role: 2016 and 2024.
• BRI/OBOR strategic vision: 2017 and 2019 — nearly the same question.
• COP summits: 2016 (Paris), 2023 (COP-27), 2026 (COP-30).
• Population: 2023 (8 billion) and 2026 (depopulation — the flip side).

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5. Command Words — What Each One Means

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6. How to Write Content for Any Current Affairs Topic

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Standing format for every topic page in the Current Affairs hub. Each page should be able to answer any question the examiner could set on that topic — causes, impact, Pakistan's role, way forward, or a quoted statement. Within a page, developments run oldest first, newest last.

6.1 Topic page template

1. Past-paper link — which years and question numbers touched this topic, quoted in full, plus likely angles for 2027.
2. Key points (quick revision) — 6–8 bullets you can read in two minutes before the exam.
3. Background in simple words — a short layman explanation of what the issue is and why it matters.
4. Timeline — dated milestones, oldest first, most recent last.
5. Facts & figures box — numbers, dates, names, reports, each with its year and source, plus an "as of" date.
6. Causes / drivers — 4–6 reasons, each explained in 2–3 lines.
7. Positions of key actors — what each country or organisation wants and why.
8. Impact on Pakistan — security, economy, diplomacy, society.
9. Challenges — what stands in the way.
10. Way forward — 5–7 practical, specific steps (who, what, how).
11. Scholarly evidence — 3–5 named scholars, books, reports or official statements to quote in answers.
12. Counter-arguments — the strongest opposing view and how to answer it.
13. Exam outline — Roman headings, A/B/C sub-points, then 1/2 details, properly indented.
14. Model answer — written from the outline, 20-mark length, in natural human English.
15. MCQ fact bank — 5–10 MCQs with all four options (A–D) and a one-line explanation.
16. Last updated — the date, and what changed.

6.2 Writing rules for topic content

• Lead with analysis, not news. Each point is a claim, then an explanation, then a fact or example, then why it matters.
• Always include the Pakistan angle, even on global topics.
• Date every number. For example, "inflation 4.1% (Sept 2025)", not "inflation is low".
• Keep old context; add new events at the end. Don't overwrite history.
• Separate confirmed facts from claims. For example, "India alleges…", "Pakistan maintains…".
• Cover non-traditional angles. Climate, population, migration, technology and civil society, because 2026 shows the paper is moving that way.
• Keep it lean. Include only what an answer needs, so the page can be memorised.
• Write naturally. Vary sentence length, use plain words, and avoid stiff or robotic phrasing.

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7. Model Answer Format (20 Marks)

7.1 Outline first (3–4 minutes)

Sample — 2026 Q3: Brain drain and Pakistan's SDGs

• I. Introduction
  • A. Define brain drain
  • B. Scale of the problem, with dated emigration data from the Bureau of Emigration
  • C. Thesis: brain drain is draining the skills Pakistan needs for SDGs 3, 4 and 8, but well-managed migration can partly offset the loss
• II. Causes of brain drain
  • A. Economic: low wages, inflation, unemployment
  • B. Political: instability and weak rule of law
  • C. Institutional: merit gaps and poor research funding
  • D. Social: security concerns and quality of life
• III. Consequences for three SDGs
  • A. SDG 3 (Health): doctors and nurses leaving, a widening doctor–patient gap
  • B. SDG 4 (Education): loss of teachers and PhDs, weaker universities
  • C. SDG 8 (Decent Work & Growth): lower productivity, a shrinking tech sector
• IV. Counter-view: brain gain
  • A. Remittances
  • B. Diaspora networks
  • C. Skill transfer when people return
• V. Way forward
  1. Pay and career reforms in health and education
  2. Diaspora engagement and return incentives
  3. Bigger research grants
  4. Political and economic stability
  5. Managed, circular migration
• VI. Conclusion — turn the drain into circulation

7.2 Writing rules

• Intro: answer the question within the first 4–5 lines and state your thesis.
• Headings: use 6–8 clear headings per answer.
• Evidence: include at least 3 dated facts and 2 named sources.
• Critical edge: add one serious counter-argument and explain its limits.
• Way forward: give specific steps with owners, not slogans.
• Time: about 35–40 minutes per question, roughly 1,800–2,200 words.

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8. Past-Paper MCQs with Answers (2024–2026)

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These are the actual MCQs with their printed options. The answers and explanations are my study key, not an official FPSC key. Answers marked (verify) are ones where the paper is ambiguous or I'm not fully sure.

8.1 — 2024

1. The recent escalation in Palestinian-Israel Conflict occurred on ___ 2023.

• (A) 6 October
• (B) 7 October
• (C) 8 October
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, which started the Gaza war.

2. "The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia's New Geopolitics" was written by:

• (A) Stephen P. Cohen
• (B) Andrew Linklater
• (C) Andrew Small
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C. Andrew Small, 2015.

3. The 2023 G20 Summit held in India on ___ September.

• (A) 5-6
• (B) 7-8
• (C) 9-10
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C. New Delhi; the African Union became a permanent member there.

4. An extraordinary meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers on Palestine conflict held in October 2023 in:

• (A) Bahrain
• (B) Saudi Arabia
• (C) Qatar
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. Jeddah, 18 October 2023.

5. Krakow is a city in:

• (A) Poland
• (B) Ukraine
• (C) Russia
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. Poland's second-largest city.

6. The Headquarters of African Union is situated in:

• (A) Ethiopia
• (B) Niger
• (C) Nigeria
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. Addis Ababa.

7. The capital of Costa Rica is:

• (A) San Jose
• (B) Tegucigalpa
• (C) Managua
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. Tegucigalpa is Honduras and Managua is Nicaragua.

8. TASS is the ___ State-owned news agency.

• (A) French
• (B) Russian
• (C) German
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. Russia's state news agency.

9. The Boao Forum for Asia was founded in:

• (A) 2001
• (B) 2002
• (C) 2003
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. Launched in February 2001 in Hainan, China.

10. Article 25(A) of Pakistan's Constitution deals with:

• (A) Right to Health
• (B) Right to Vote
• (C) Right to Education
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C. Added by the 18th Amendment; free education for ages 5–16.

11. World Snooker Championship 2023 held in:

• (A) England
• (B) Scotland
• (C) Ireland
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.

12. ___ is the Nigerian currency.

• (A) Nigerian Dollar
• (B) Nigerian Lira
• (C) Nigerian Naira
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C. The Naira.

13. There are ___ Special Economic Zones in CPEC.

• (A) Six
• (B) Seven
• (C) Eight
• (D) None of these
• Answer: D. Nine priority SEZs were planned.

14. Nobel Prize winner for Literature Louise Gluck belongs to:

• (A) USA
• (B) Canada
• (C) Australia
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. An American poet; she won in 2020. Note the paper wrongly says "Mr."

15. "The United States and the Turmoil in Afghanistan and Pakistan" was written by:

• (A) Ahmed Rashid
• (B) Sarah Chayes
• (C) Andrew Exum
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A (verify). The title loosely matches Ahmed Rashid's Descent into Chaos (2008), which deals with the US and the failure of nation building in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

16. The UN Climate Change Conference was held in November–December 2023 in:

• (A) Copenhagen
• (B) Bonn
• (C) Brussels
• (D) None of these
• Answer: D. COP-28 was held in Dubai, UAE.

17. There are ___ members in OPEC.

• (A) 12
• (B) 13
• (C) 14
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. Twelve after Angola left in January 2024; it was 13 before that.

18. World Tourism Day is observed every year on:

• (A) 25 September
• (B) 26 September
• (C) 27 September
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C. 27 September.

19. ___ is the current Chancellor of Germany.

• (A) Angela Merkel
• (B) Olaf Scholz
• (C) Robert Habeck
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B at the time of the paper. Friedrich Merz has been Chancellor since May 2025.

20. The 2023 SDG Summit took place on 18–19 September 2023 in:

• (A) New York
• (B) Washington DC
• (C) Chicago
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. At UN Headquarters, alongside the General Assembly.

8.2 — 2025

1. The UN Climate Change Conference 2024 was held in:

• (A) Azerbaijan
• (B) Tajikistan
• (C) Turkmenistan
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. COP-29 in Baku.

2. When did Dr. Muhammad Yunus win the Nobel Prize?

• (A) 1996
• (B) 2006
• (C) 2009
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. The Peace Prize, shared with Grameen Bank.

3. 7th NFC Award was signed in:

• (A) 1996
• (B) 2006
• (C) 2010
• (D) None of these
• Answer: D (verify). It was agreed at Gwadar in December 2009 and took effect in July 2010, so some keys give C.

4. The concept of Ijma'a follows the principle of agreement by:

• (A) 51%
• (B) 66%
• (C) 100%
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C. Ijma means full consensus of the qualified scholars.

5. Which article of Pakistan's constitution talks about clean environment?

• (A) Article 8A
• (B) Article 9A
• (C) Article 7A
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. Added by the 26th Amendment (2024).

6. The book 'Pakistan Political and Constitutional Engineering' was written by:

• (A) Hassan Askari
• (B) Ilhan Niaz
• (C) Mahboob Ahmad
• (D) None of these
• Answer: verify. No confident answer; check a published key before memorising.

7. The book 'Pakistan's Security and The India-US Strategic Partnership' was written by:

• (A) Hassan Askari
• (B) Zafar Nawaz Jaspal
• (C) Shahid Bukhari
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C (verify). Most keys give Shahid Bukhari.

8. British constitution can be amended through ___ majority.

• (A) Two-Third
• (B) Three-Fourth
• (C) One-Two
• (D) None of these
• Answer: D. A simple majority in Parliament, because the constitution is unwritten and flexible.

9. Ismail Haniyeh was martyred in Iran on:

• (A) July 30, 2024
• (B) July 31, 2024
• (C) July 03, 2024
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. In Tehran.

10. Arshad Nadeem won Olympic gold by throwing the javelin to:

• (A) 81.55 m
• (B) 81.21 m
• (C) 82.15 m
• (D) None of these
• Answer: D. 92.97 m, an Olympic record, Paris 2024.

11. SIFC was created for promoting ___ in Pakistan.

• (A) Business
• (B) Economy
• (C) Investment
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C. The Special Investment Facilitation Council, set up in 2023.

12. Trump has threatened to take control of Panama Canal due to:

• (A) Security issues
• (B) Fee charges increase
• (C) Trade dispute
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. He called the fees charged to US ships unfair; Chinese influence was a secondary complaint.

13. Saudi Arabia re-established its diplomatic relations with Iran on:

• (A) December 10, 2023
• (B) May 10, 2023
• (C) March 10, 2023
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C. The Beijing agreement brokered by China.

14. Largest importer of conventional arms for 2023 according to SIPRI:

• (A) India
• (B) Saudi Arabia
• (C) UAE
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. India was the top importer for 2019–23.

15. G20 Summit held in ___ in 2024.

• (A) Costa Rica
• (B) Rio de Janeiro
• (C) Tokyo
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. Brazil hosted.

16. India's largest trading partner for 2024:

• (A) USA
• (B) China
• (C) Russia
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B (verify). China narrowly passed the US in FY2023-24. The US leads on exports alone.

17. Largest export destination of Pakistan:

• (A) China
• (B) USA
• (C) UK
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. The USA.

18. AUKUS Agreement was signed on:

• (A) August 05, 2024
• (B) August 05, 2023
• (C) August 15, 2023
• (D) None of these
• Answer: D. Announced 15 September 2021.

19. Who owns Wakhan Corridor?

• (A) Uzbekistan
• (B) Afghanistan
• (C) Tajikistan
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. A thin strip of Afghanistan between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

20. Martial Law was imposed in South Korea on:

• (A) December 30, 2024
• (B) December 03, 2024
• (C) December 13, 2024
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. Declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol and lifted within hours.

8.3 — 2026 (from scan)

1. What was the central agenda of Emmanuel Macron's 2025 visit to China?

• (A) Military alliance formation
• (B) Trade rebalancing and economic cooperation
• (C) Cooperation in AI
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. France pressed China on its trade surplus with the EU.

2. ___ is the author of "Essay on Population (1798)":

• (A) Thomas Malthus
• (B) Ester Boserup
• (C) Garrett Hardin
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. Malthus argued that population grows faster than food supply.

3. During the Putin–Modi summit, Russia emphasised which key priority for bilateral ties?

• (A) Increasing military supply to India
• (B) Cutting trade imbalance
• (C) Uninterrupted fuel and energy supplies to India
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C (verify). At the December 2025 summit Putin pledged uninterrupted fuel supplies. The tick on the scan points to B.

4. ___ got the Nobel Peace Prize 2025:

• (A) Nicolás Maduro (Venezuela)
• (B) María Corina Machado (Venezuela)
• (C) Giorgia Meloni (Italy)
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. The Venezuelan opposition leader.

5. In 2025, conflict between Thailand and Cambodia erupted on the issue of:

• (A) Human trafficking
• (B) Boundary claims
• (C) Unchecked smuggling
• (D) Ownership of a temple
• Answer: D. The clashes centred on disputed border temples. B is close, but D is the specific trigger.

6. On June 22, 2025, US B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles hit the Fordow nuclear facility as part of:

• (A) Operation Inherent Resolve
• (B) Operation Resolute Sentinel
• (C) Operation Rising Lion
• (D) Operation Midnight Hammer
• Answer: D. Rising Lion was Israel's own operation against Iran.

7. ___ Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is in vogue for 2015–2030:

• (A) Sendai
• (B) Yokohama
• (C) Hyogo
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. Sendai Framework, 2015–2030. Hyogo was 2005–2015. The tick on the scan (C) is wrong.

8. The central idea of Anatol Lieven's book "Pakistan: A Hard Country" is:

• (A) Pakistan is unsustainable
• (B) Pakistan is hard-wired
• (C) Society is extraordinarily resilient
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C. Lieven argues that kinship and social structures make Pakistan more stable than it looks.

9. Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is called:

• (A) Sustainable development
• (B) Green development
• (C) Positive development
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. The Brundtland Report definition (1987).

10. The Doha Forum is an annual global forum held in Doha that gathers world leaders, policymakers, civil society, business leaders and media. The Doha Forum and Doha Dialogue are:

• (A) The same
• (B) Different
• (C) Doha Forum is part of Doha Dialogue
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B (verify). This follows the scan's tick.

11. ___ authored the book "Prisoners of Geography":

• (A) Tim Marshall
• (B) Henry Kissinger
• (C) Samuel P. Huntington
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. Tim Marshall, 2015.

12. Which Pakistani economist contributed significantly towards the Human Security theory?

• (A) Dr. Umer Chapra
• (B) Dr. Mahbub ul Haq
• (C) Dr. Akmal Hussain
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. Human Development Report 1994; he also created the Human Development Index.

13. Who authored the seminal book "World Order"?

• (A) Fareed Zakaria
• (B) Henry Kissinger
• (C) Andrew Heywood
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. Henry Kissinger, 2014.

14. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is operational in the EU. It applies to:

• (A) Imports
• (B) Exports
• (C) Production in border regions of EU
• (D) None of these
• Answer: A. It puts a carbon price on imports of steel, cement, aluminium, fertiliser and similar goods. The scan's tick (C) is wrong. This matters for Pakistan's exports.

15. An economic model designed to eliminate waste and keep resources in use as long as possible is:

• (A) Rational consumption
• (B) Mercantilism
• (C) Circular economy
• (D) None of these
• Answer: C. The circular economy (reduce, reuse, recycle).

16. ___ will co-host next year's COP-31:

• (A) Indonesia and Turkey
• (B) Australia and Turkey
• (C) Turkey and Thailand
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. Türkiye hosts in Antalya, and Australia leads the negotiations.

17. In a new report, ___ urged world leaders to halt an "obsession" with energy sources that fuel the climate crisis:

• (A) Amnesty International
• (B) UN Environment Programme
• (C) IPCC
• (D) None of these
• Answer: verify. The scan's tick shows C. Check the source report before memorising.

18. Advances in ___ are enabling treatments tailored to an individual's makeup for cancer, cardiovascular disease and mental health:

• (A) Telemedicine
• (B) Genomic medicine
• (C) Robotic medicine
• (D) None of these
• Answer: B. Also called personalised or precision medicine.

19. On Inauguration Day President Trump withdrew the USA from:

• (A) Paris Agreement
• (B) World Health Organization
• (C) NAFTA
• (D) Both A & B
• Answer: D. Both executive orders were signed on 20 January 2025.

20. In May 2025, the European Union lifted all economic sanctions against:

• (A) Iran
• (B) Cuba
• (C) Sudan
• (D) Syria
• Answer: D. After Assad's fall.

8.4 MCQ pattern

• 2025 events dominate the 2026 paper: Nobel Prizes, Operation Midnight Hammer, Trump's day-one orders, COP-31 hosts, Putin–Modi, Macron in China.
• Books and authors appear every year: Andrew Small, Tim Marshall, Kissinger, Lieven, Malthus. Keep a list of 30–40 key books on Pakistan and world order.
• Climate and development terms keep coming up: Sendai, CBAM, circular economy, sustainable development.
• Pakistan's Constitution: Articles 25A and 9A; also NFC Awards.
• Static GK: capitals, currencies, international days, headquarters.
• Watch for traps: outdated facts (OPEC members, German Chancellor) and spelling errors in names.

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9. Watch-List for CSS 2027

Ranked by how well each fits the recurring themes and the 2026 shift toward non-traditional issues. Notes for each are in the Current Affairs hub.

⚠️

This is a priority list, not a guess paper. The examiner has repeatedly asked about events from the last three to four months before the exam, so keep updating until January 2027.

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10. Revision Routine & Self-Check

• Weekly: update two Tier 1 topics and revise 20 MCQs.
• Every two weeks: answer one real past-paper question in 40 minutes.
• Monthly: practise one set of short notes (two notes in 40 minutes).
• Final two weeks: leaders, summits, Nobel Prizes, books, constitutional articles, latest figures.

Self-check before finishing any answer:

• Answered the exact command word?
• Covered every part of the question?
• Stated a clear thesis or position in the intro?
• Gave at least 3 dated facts and 2 named sources?
• Added a counter-argument?
• Explained Pakistan's stakes?
• Gave specific, realistic steps?

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11. Sources

• FPSC CSS General Knowledge-II (Current Affairs) papers, 2016–2026, from CSSAspirants.pk reproductions.
• The 2023 paper is a photo of the original; the 2026 paper is a low-quality scan, so small wording differences are possible.
• MCQs for 2016–2023 were not included in the reproductions.
• MCQ answers are a study key. Items marked (verify) should be checked against an official or published key.