PMS Compulsory Subjects — Full Syllabus & Paper Outlines

Candidates are required to write an essay in English of about 1,500 words. A wide choice of topics is given in the question paper. The topics may include issues related to education, economy, foreign policy, governance, human rights, constitution, law & order and other socio-economic issues related to Pakistan, as well as topics of a general nature.

Candidates are expected to reflect a clear understanding of the topic, conceptual clarity and logical reasoning. Articulation, expression and correct use of the English language will be examined.

The examination will essentially test the ability of candidates to handle précis writing, comprehension, syntax, translation, grammar and vocabulary.

1. Précis Writing. A passage of generic nature with enough room for compression shall be given for writing a précis and suggesting a suitable topic.
2. Comprehension. A carefully selected passage, rich in substance but not specific to any discipline, shall be given, followed by five questions requiring answers from the passage itself.
3. Grammar & Vocabulary. Questions relating to correct usage of tense, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, punctuation and verbs.
4. Sentence Correction. Sentences each having a flaw in grammar, punctuation or use of capitals. Candidates are expected to correct them without making unnecessary alterations.
5. Grouping of Words & Pairs of Words. Words chosen at random that need to be grouped in pairs having similar or opposite meaning; use of idioms and proverbs as clearly directed in the question; antonyms and synonyms.

A short passage in Urdu that may contain figurative or idiomatic expressions shall be given for accurate translation into English.

Candidates are required to write an essay in Urdu of about 1,000 words. A wide choice of topics is given, and may include issues related to education, economy, foreign policy, governance, human rights, constitution, law & order and other socio-economic issues related to Pakistan, as well as topics of a general nature.

Candidates are expected to reflect a clear understanding of the topic, conceptual clarity and logical reasoning. Articulation, expression and correct use of the Urdu language will be examined.

The examination will essentially test the ability of candidates to handle précis writing, comprehension, syntax, translation, grammar and vocabulary.

1. Précis Writing. A passage of generic nature with enough room for compression shall be given for writing a précis and suggesting a suitable topic.
2. Comprehension. A carefully selected passage, rich in substance but not specific to any discipline, shall be given, followed by five questions requiring answers from the passage itself.
3. Grammar & Vocabulary. Questions relating to correct usage of tense, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, punctuation and verbs.
4. Sentence Correction. Sentences each having a flaw in grammar, punctuation or use of capitals, to be corrected without unnecessary alteration.
5. Grouping of Words & Pairs of Words. Words chosen at random to be grouped in pairs having similar or opposite meaning; idioms and proverbs; antonyms and synonyms.

A short passage in English that may contain figurative or idiomatic expressions shall be given for accurate translation into Urdu.

1. Introduction to Islam. Advent of Islam, fundamentals of Islam, concepts and their importance, Deen and its religious impact on the individual and society — spiritual, moral and social impact. Basic beliefs, Amar Bil Maroof and Nahi anil Munkir.
2. Seerat-un-Nabi. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a Messenger, Reformer, Administrator, Educator, Diplomat, Statesman and Military Leader.
3. Early Islamic History up to Khulfa-e-Rashideen.
4. Human Rights in Islam, including the status of women and the rights of minorities.
5. Islam and the World. Impact on the West and vice versa; role in the modern world; contemporary challenges for the Muslim world and Muslim minorities in the world.
6. Islamic Code of Life. Salient features of the Islamic socio-political and economic system, judicial system and administrative system; Ijtihad and its forms.

1. Religions of the world — revealed and non-revealed.
2. Important religious books.
3. Contribution of religions in the development of societies.
4. Ethics and morality.
5. Human rights and obligations.
6. Commonality in religions.
7. Revelation.

• Muslim rule in the sub-continent and its downfall. Muslim renaissance, reform and educational movements. Pakistan Movement; the role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam in the making of Pakistan.
• Land and people of Pakistan: geography, society, culture, natural resources, agriculture, industry, education.
• Pakistan and the changing regional scenario.
• Pakistan's nuclear programme and international concerns.
• Regional cooperation including SAARC, ECO and SCO, and the role of Pakistan.
• Socio-economic challenges and opportunities in Pakistan.
• National security dynamics and challenges for Pakistan.
• Pakistan and the United Nations.
• Pakistan and important global issues, including Palestine, growing extremism and militancy, and the war on terror.
• Constitutional history of Pakistan.
• Political evolution since 1971.
• Foreign policy of Pakistan; Pakistan and its neighbours, the super powers, the Islamic bloc and the European Union.
• Evolution of democracy and democratic institutions in Pakistan.
• The Kashmir dispute.
• The situation in Afghanistan since 1979 and its impact on Pakistan.
• Pakistan's energy problems, their economic impact and prospects for the future.
• Socio-economic problems of Pakistan and strategies to deal with issues related to poverty, education, health, sanitation, empowerment of women and human rights.
• The 1973 Constitution, constitutional amendments and important constitutional cases.
• Governance issues in Pakistan: accountability, transparency, fundamental rights, women's empowerment, sustainable development goals.

Candidates are expected to have updated knowledge of current events, issues and developments, and to know the historical perspective needed to understand them. Candidates shall be examined in the following areas:

1. Pakistan's economic, social and political issues; regional disparities; water scarcity; cyber laws.
2. Pakistan's relations with its neighbours.
3. Pakistan's relations with the Muslim world.
4. Pakistan and the UN, European Union and regional organisations (ECO, SAARC, SCO, ASEAN, ARF).
5. Pakistan's relations with the US, China, EU and Russia.
6. Global issues: international peace and security; economy; human rights; terrorism; food security; energy security; global warming; nuclear issues including proliferation and security; international trade and trade regimes; Sustainable Development Goals.
7. Relations with India, including the Kashmir dispute.
8. Middle East and South West Asia issues.
9. Prominent personalities, opinion makers, NGOs, INGOs and non-state actors.
10. Globalisation.
11. The evolving socio-economic and political situation in Pakistan and the world; important events.
12. Sports, music, culture and literature.

1. Basic information on the solar system, galaxies and the universe, and knowledge of common terms used in astronomy.
2. Natural hazards and disasters — earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis — and disaster risk management.
3. Energy sources, both fossil fuels and renewable sources, and their sustainable use.
4. Basics of physics and chemistry including atomic structure, chemical bonding, radiation, and the laws and principles of physics.
5. Materials, chemicals and their properties.
6. Minerals and their mining.

1. Fundamentals of life forms — cell structure, nucleus.
2. Bio-molecular structures such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and enzymes, and their functions and properties.
3. Plant and animal life.
4. The human body, its parts and organs and their functions.
5. Common diseases, their causes, symptoms and treatment; vitamins, their sources and functions; vaccines.

1. Ecosystem, biodiversity, climate change, the water cycle, the biosphere, rock types.
2. Atmospheric pollution — its types, sources and effects; ozone depletion; greenhouse effects; CFCs.
3. International conventions and regimes on climate change, biodiversity, wetlands, desertification and carbon credits, and ongoing negotiations on the environment.
4. Water pollution — types, sources, effects and remedies; sustainable use of water; recycling; waste management.

1. Diet and essential compounds for health.
2. Quality of food, preservation, problems relating to the deterioration of fruits and vegetables, adulteration.
3. Food security and global issues concerning hunger.

1. Fundamentals of hardware and software.
2. Data processing; knowledge of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
3. Networking, e-mail, social media.
4. Basics of telecommunication including GPS and fibre optics.

1. Quantitative reasoning and problem solving.
2. Basic arithmetic, algebra and geometry; problems relating to averages, ratios and percentages; geometric figures; sets; equations; areas of figures.
3. Logical and analytical reasoning through problem solving, number series, analogies and relationships.
4. Mental mathematics.
5. Arithmetical problems relating to time and work, distance and speed, age and directions.
6. Basic statistics.

1. Famous scientists and their claim to fame.
2. Famous inventions, discoveries, scientific laws, theories and postulates.
3. Units and instruments of measurement.