Overview

The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) conducts the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) exam to select candidates for the state civil services and associated services every year. The HPSC HCS exam has been modeled on the lines of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This recruitment is for the posts of Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch); Deputy Superintendent of Police; Excise & Taxation Officer; District Food & Supplies Controller; Assistant Registrar Co-operative Societies; Assistant Excise & Taxation Officer; Block Development & Panchayat Officer; Traffic Manager; District Food & Supplies Officer; Assistant Employment Officer; and 'A' Class Naib Tehsildar.

Important Dates

Download Notifications PDF

Download Notifications PDF

Selection Process

The candidates are selected through three phases of exams:

• Preliminary Examination (for screening only)
• Main Written Examination
• Personality Test / Viva-voce

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification Candidates must possess a Bachelor Degree in Arts/Science/Commerce or an equivalent degree from a recognized University as on 21/12/2023.

Age Limit   The candidate (except for the post of DSP) should not be less than 18 years and not more than 42 years of age, on or before 01/01/2023. For the post of DSP, a candidate should not be less than 18 years and not more than 27 years of age on or before 01/01/2023.

Syllabus & Exam Pattern

For Preliminary Examination

For Main Written Examination

Optional Subjects   Agriculture; Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science; Anthropology; Botany; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Commerce and Accountancy; Economics; Electrical Engineering; English Literature; Geology; Geography; Hindi Literature (in Devnagari Script); Indian History; Law; Mathematics; Management; Mechanical Engineering; Medical Science; Physics; Philosophy; Political Science and International Relations; Psychology; Public Administration; Punjabi Literature; Statistics; Sociology; Sanskrit Literature; Zoology

Syllabus

For Preliminary Examination

Paper-I  (General Studies)

• General Science    Questions on General Science will encompass broad comprehension and understanding of science, including ordinary observation and experience, as may be anticipated of a well-educated person who has not specialised in any scientific subject.
• Current Events of National and International Importance    Knowledge of key national and international events will be assessed in current events. 
• History of India and the Indian National Movement    The emphasis in History of India will be on gaining a comprehensive general grasp of the topic in its social, economic, and political dimensions. The nature and character of the nineteenth-century upsurge, expansion of nationalism, and accomplishment of independence will be addressed in questions about the Indian National Movement.
• Indian and World Geography    The emphasis in Geography will be on Indian geography. Questions on Indian Geography will focus on the country's physical, social, and economic geography, as well as the key characteristics of Indian agricultural and natural resources.
• Indian Culture, Indian Polity and Indian Economy    Questions on Indian Polity and Economy will put your knowledge of the country's political structure and the Indian Constitution to the test. India's Panchayati Raj, social structures, and economic advancements will be the areas from where questions will be asked. 
• General Mental Ability    Candidates will be examined on reasoning and analytical abilities in addition to general mental abilities. 
• Haryana-Economy and People. Social, Economic and Cultural Institutions and Language of Haryana    In this section, questions will be asked related to the State of Haryana (History, Geography, Economy, Society, Culture, & Language)

Paper-II (CSAT)

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, order of magnitude, etc.-Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level).

For Main Written Examination

Paper-I (English)     Precis Writing, Comprehension of given passages, Essay, Usage and Vocabulary, General Grammar/Composition

Paper-II (Hindi)     Translation of an English passage into Hindi; Letter/Precis writing; Explanation of Hindi passage (prose and poetry) in the same language; Composition (idioms, correction etc.); Essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given.

Paper-III (General Studies)     The General Studies section is divided into two parts. The detailed syllabus for both parts is as below:

Part 1

• History of Modern India and Indian Culture    The History of Modern India will cover the history of the country from about the middle of the nineteenth century and would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the freedom movement and social reforms. The part relating to Indian Culture‘ will cover all aspects of Indian culture from ancient to modern times.
• Geography of India      In this part, questions will on the physical, economic and social geography of India. 
• Indian Polity        This part will include questions on the Constitution of India, the Political system and related matters. 
• Current National Issues and Topics of Social Relevance       This part is intended to test the candidate‘s awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in present-day India, such as the following: Demography and Human Resources and related issues. Behavioural and social issues and social welfare problems, such as child labour, gender equality, adult literacy, rehabilitation of the handicapped and other deprived segments of society, drug abuse, public health etc. Law enforcement issues, human rights, corruption in public life, communal harmony etc. Internal Security and related issues. Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage. The role of national institutions, their relevance and the need for change.

Part 2

• India and the World       This section is designed to assess the candidate's understanding of India's connection with the rest of the world in many areas, such as Foreign Affairs, External Security, and related issues. The Nuclear Policy. Indians living in other countries.
• Indian Economy       In this section, questions will be asked on India's planning and economic development, economic and trade difficulties, foreign commerce, the role and activities of the IMF, World Bank, and the World Trade Organisation, among other things.
• International Affairs and Institutions     This section will cover questions about major world events and international organisations.  
• Developments in the Field of Science & Technology, Communications and Space     Questions in this section will assess the candidate's knowledge of advancements in science and technology, communications and space, as well as fundamental computer concepts.
• Statistical Analysis, Graphs and Diagrams      This section will include activities to assess the candidate's ability to derive reasonable inferences from data provided in statistical, graphical, or diagrammatical forms, as well as to identify inadequacies, limits, or contradictions.

Admit Card

Following are the steps to download the admit card : 

• Access the official Portal at hpsc.gov.in.
• On the homepage click on the “HPSC HCS Admit Card 20XX” download Link.
• Then a login window will display and you have to login by entering your login credential like your Registration Number and Date of Birth then submit it.
• The HPSC HCS Hall Ticket will appear and you can see and be able to check all information on the Haryana HCS Admit Card 20XX.
• Download it and take a print copy to appear in the examination of Haryana Civil Service.

Result

Follow the below steps to check the HPSC HCS result :

• Candidates should go to the official website of the Haryana Public Service Commission at http://hpsc.gov.in/ 
• Search for What’s New Section on the HPSC Official Website
• Click on the Final Result for the Posts of HCS (Ex. Br.) & Other Allied Services Examination – 202X
• After clicking the link, a new page will open up containing a PDF roll no of candidates who appeared in HPSC HCS (Ex Br) and other Allied Services Exam 202X. 
• Download the HPSC HCS Result 202X PDF List and Check your Name, Roll number

Answer Key

The candidates can check their Answer Key by following the steps given below : 

• Visit the official website of Haryana Public Service Commission.
• Look for the “Answer Key” or “Answer Sheet” section on the homepage. It is usually available under the “Notifications” or “Latest Updates” tab.
• Click on the link provided for the HPSC Answer Key 202X.
• A new page will open where you will find the answer key for the respective exam. It may be available in PDF format or displayed directly on the webpage. 
• If it’s a PDF file, you can click on the download button to save it to your computer or mobile device.
• If the answer key is displayed directly on the webpage, you can view and analyze the answers online.

Preparation Tips

Check below a few general tips and tricks to crack the exam  :  

• Prepare Daily Study Timetable      Preparing a study plan is very essential for preparing for civil service examinations that have such a comprehensive syllabus with a variety of subjects. Draw out a realistic study plan for yourself and try to devote at least 3-4 hours daily and not more than 8-9 hours daily to avoid burden. Start with easy topics first and solve questions in it for good revision before moving on to complex concepts. For instance, theory papers require more time while CSAT papers require more intelligence to prepare.
• Objectify the HPSC HCS Syllabus      Most of the aspirants feel that the volume of Haryana Civil Services Syllabus is a barrier to crack the HPSC HCS exam in the first attempt. Undoubtedly, the HCS Syllabus consists of a variety of multidisciplinary subjects but it is something that you have already studied in your elementary and graduation level. For instance, subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science, English & Hindi. Brush up your existing knowledge and clear your subject fundamentals first. Then, try to divide each section into key topics and prepare a study plan in balance.   
• Discuss with your Mentors & Ex-Aspirants      For a state civil service exam like HCS, it’s quite important to indulge in regular discussions regarding the developments of the exam. Discussing general as well as subject affairs with your mentors and past toppers will give you an edge over others in not just Prelims & Mains but also in the Interview stage.     
• Practice Answer Writing Skills      In the HPSC Mains stage, you will have to write descriptive/essay type answers which require rigorous practice and habit. Thus, studying the syllabus simply won’t suffice. Approach each topic with advanced attention and try to note down points in your notebook to create answers of your own. You can take help from HSC exam preparation apps as well as online portals but don’t simply copy answers from them. The commission will test your analytical skills in an answer which needs to have determined practice.   
• Use Two-Times Revision Rule     In your daily study plan, keep enough time to revise both theory and CSAT papers twice. With such a lengthy syllabus in hand, you might forget topics studied in your initial days. So, ensure revising after approaching each topic and then revise in entirety one or two weeks before the exam date.    
• Prioritize Study of NCERTs      Studying from NCERT books will create a basic subject foundation. As you know, NCERT books cover basic General Studies subjects in an easy and concise manner. Thus, it will help you approach complex topics and clear your fundamentals to solve all types of questions. 
• Attempt Mock Tests      You must solve both full-length and subject-wise mock papers for both Prelims and Mains. Solving the HPSC HCS Mock Test with updated questions and expert suggestions for both GS and CSAT papers will help you track your daily progress and assess your strengths and weaknesses for further preparation. 
• Solve Previous Exam Papers       To prepare for such a comprehensive Haryana Civil Services exam, you will require ample practice of exam-level questions. Thus, solving Haryana Civil Services Previous Year Papers should be on your priority list as several questions for GS also get repeated on a two-year cycle.  
• Read Newspapers Daily      Several questions from the GK & Current Affairs portion come from state and international news affairs found easily in newspapers. Stick to reading not more than two newspapers daily and know what to read and what not to. Follow business and economy columns, science affairs as well as news related to Haryana state on a daily basis.

Apply Online

To apply online, follow the below mentioned steps :   

• The candidates are required to apply online on the website http://hpsc.gov.in.
• Detailed instructions for filling up online applications are available on the above mentioned website.
• No other means / mode of submission of application will be accepted.

FAQs

Who is eligible for the HPSC HCS 2024 Exam?
All the Graduates are eligible for HPSC HCS Exam 2024.

How many attempts are allowed for HCS exam? 
HPSC has not fixed any maximum number of attempts for any candidate. However, only those candidates whose age equals the age limit as fixed by the commission, are deemed to be satisfying all Haryana Civil Services Eligibility for the Haryana Civil Services examination. 

Is there any negative marking in the HPSC HCS exam?
Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks (for each incorrect answer) in the HPSC HCS preliminary exam. 

Can candidates from other states apply for the HPSC HCS exam?
Yes, candidates from other states can also apply for the HPSC HCS exam. However, they will not receive the reservation benefit (if they are from the reserved category) and will be considered as General category candidates.

How many marks are required to clear HCS Preliminary Exam?
There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. The medium of language will be both Hindi & English. The CSAT paper is qualifying. In other words, students must bring at least 33% marks to pass the examination.