Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) Examination Structure
1. Overview
The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) conducts the Haryana Civil Services (HCS)
Examination for recruiting candidates into various administrative roles in the state
government. The examination consists of three stages:
1. Preliminary Examination – Qualifying stage
2. Main Examination – Descriptive papers
3. Personality Test (Interview) – Final selection stage
2. Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers:
• Paper I: General Studies (100 marks)
• Paper II: Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT) (100 marks)
Each paper is 2 hours long and carries negative marking of 0.25 marks per incorrect
answer.
Syllabus Breakdown
Paper I: General Studies
• General Science
• Current Affairs
• History of India and Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography
• Indian Polity and Economy
• General Mental Ability
• Haryana-specific social, economic, and cultural aspects
Paper II: CSAT
• Reading Comprehension
• Decision-making and Problem-solving
• Interpersonal Skills
• Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
• General Mental Ability
• Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation
3. Main Examination
Candidates who qualify for the Preliminary Exam appear for the Main Examination, which
consists of five descriptive papers:
Paper Subject Marks
Paper I English (including Essay) 100
Paper II Hindi (including Essay in 100
Devanagari script)
Paper III General Studies 200
Paper IV Optional Subject 1 150
Paper V Optional Subject 2 150
Total Marks: 600
Each paper is 3 hours long.
List of Optional Subjects
Candidates must select two optional subjects from the following list:
• Agriculture
• Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Commerce & Accountancy
• Economics
• Electrical Engineering
• English Literature
• Geography
• Hindi Literature (Devanagari Script)
• Indian History
• Law
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Physics
• Political Science & International Relations
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Punjabi Literature
• Sanskrit Literature
• Sociology
• Zoology
Subject Combination Restrictions
Certain combinations are not permitted, including:
• Political Science & International Relations with Public Administration
• Agriculture with Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
• Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering (only one can be
chosen)
• Hindi, English, Sanskrit, and Punjabi Literature (only one can be chosen)
4. Personality Test (Interview)
Candidates who clear the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test (Interview).
• Marks: 75
• Final Merit Calculation = Main Exam (600 marks) + Interview (75 marks) = 675 marks
The final selection is based on the combined scores of the Main Exam and Interview.
5. Detailed Syllabus for Main Examination
Paper I: English (including Essay)
• Precis Writing
• Comprehension
• Essay Writing
• Usage and Vocabulary
• General Grammar and Composition
Paper II: Hindi (including Essay in Devanagari script)
• Translation of an English passage into Hindi
• Explanation of Hindi passages (Prose and Poetry)
• Composition (Idioms, Corrections, etc.)
• Letter and Precis Writing
• Essay on a specific topic
Paper III: General Studies
Part I
• History of Modern India & Indian Culture
• Geography of India
• Indian Polity
• Current National Issues & Social Relevance
Part II
• India and the World
• Indian Economy
