HPSC Syllabus 2026: HCS Prelims and Mains Syllabus, Check Latest Exam Pattern

The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) has released the updated HPSC Syllabus 2026 for the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Examination. Candidates preparing for HCS 2026 must go through the latest syllabus carefully, especially after the recent amendments in the exam pattern. The HCS examination is conducted in three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview, and only those who qualify each stage move forward in the selection process.

This article provides complete details about the HPSC HCS Prelims and Mains Syllabus 2026, exam pattern, marks distribution, and direct guidance to download the official syllabus PDF.

HPSC HCS Exam Date 2026 OUT

HPSC HCS Exam Pattern 2026 – Overview

Only marks obtained in the Mains and Interview are counted for the final merit.

HPSC HCS Prelims Syllabus 2026

The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers:

Paper I: General Studies (100 Marks)

This paper is counted for shortlisting candidates for the Mains examination.

Topics include:

• General Science & Technology
• Current Affairs (National & International)
• Indian History and Indian National Movement
• Indian & World Geography
• Indian Polity and Constitution
• Indian Economy
• Environment and Ecology
• Haryana History, Geography, Economy, Polity & Culture
• Social issues and development

Paper II: CSAT (Qualifying – 100 Marks)

Candidates must score 33% marks to qualify.

Topics include:

• Comprehension and communication skills
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision making and problem solving
• Basic numeracy (Class X level)
• Data interpretation
• General mental ability

HPSC HCS Mains Syllabus 2026 (New Pattern)

As per the amended rules, the Mains examination now consists of six compulsory descriptive papers, each carrying 100 marks, making a total of 600 marks.

Each paper will be of 3 hours duration and will be conventional (essay-type).

Detailed HPSC HCS Mains Syllabus

English & English Essay

English

• Precis Writing
  
• Comprehension
  
• Essay
  
• Vocabulary & Usage
  
• General Grammar and Composition
  

English Essay

Candidates must write one essay on a given topic, maintaining clarity, coherence, and precision.

Hindi & Hindi Essay (देवनागरी लिपि में)

• अंग्रेज़ी गद्यांश का हिंदी अनुवाद
  
• पत्र/प्रेसिस लेखन
  
• हिंदी गद्य/पद्य का व्याख्यान
  
• रचना (मुहावरे, अशुद्धि-शोधन)
  
• किसी विशेष विषय पर निबंध
  

GENERAL STUDIES – I

1. Indian Heritage & Culture
   – Art forms, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern India.
2. Modern Indian History
   – Mid-18th century to present: events, personalities, issues.
   – Freedom Struggle: stages, contributors across regions.
   – Post-independence consolidation and reorganisation.
3. World History
   – Industrial Revolution, world wars, boundary redrawals, colonisation & decolonisation, political ideologies.
4. Society
   – Features of Indian society: diversity.
   – Women, population, poverty, development, urbanisation, globalisation.
   – Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, secularism.
5. Geography
   – World physical geography.
   – Resources distribution globally (including South Asia & India).
   – Factors affecting the location of industries.
   – Geophysical phenomena—earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, cyclones.
   – Changes in geographical features, flora, and fauna.
6. Haryana-specific issues

GENERAL STUDIES – II

1. Polity & Constitution
   – Evolution, features, amendments, basic structure.
   – Federal structure, devolution of powers & finances.
   – Separation of powers & dispute-redressal institutions.
   – Comparison with the constitutions of other nations.
2. Legislature & Executive
   – Parliament & State Legislatures: structure, functioning, privileges, issues.
   – Executive & Judiciary: organisation, functioning.
   – Pressure groups, NGOs.
3. Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
   – Powers, functions, appointments.
   – Statutory, regulatory, quasi-judicial bodies.
4. Governance & Social Sector
   – Government policies & interventions.
   – Development processes; role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, stakeholders.
   – Welfare schemes for vulnerable groups.
   – Health, education, HR development.
   – Poverty & hunger.
5. Governance & Accountability
   – Transparency, e-governance, RTI, citizen charters, accountability.
   – Role of civil services.
6. International Relations
   – India’s relations with neighbours.
   – Bilateral, regional, global groupings and agreements.
   – Impact of policies of developed/developing nations.
   – Indian diaspora.
   – International institutions and mandates.
7. Haryana-specific issues

GENERAL STUDIES – III

1. Economy
   – Planning, resource mobilisation, growth, development, and employment.
   – Inclusive growth.
   – Government budgeting.
2. Agriculture
   – Major crops, cropping patterns, irrigation systems.
   – Agricultural marketing, storage, transport.
   – e-technology for farmers.
   – Subsidies, MSP, PDS, buffer stocks, food security.
   – Animal husbandry economics.
   – Technology missions.
3. Industries & Infrastructure
   – Food processing: scope, significance, supply chains.
   – Land reforms.
   – Liberalisation and industrial policy impacts.
   – Infrastructure: energy, ports, roads, airports, railways.
   – Investment models.
4. Science & Technology
   – Applications in daily life.
   – Achievements of Indians; indigenisation.
   – IT, space, computers, robotics, nano-tech, biotechnology, and IPR issues.
5. Environment & Disaster Management
   – Conservation, pollution, degradation, EIA.
   – Disaster types and management.
6. Internal Security
   – Extremism & development linkages.
   – External/non-state actors.
   – Cyber security, communication networks, media/social media issues.
   – Money laundering.
   – Border security, organised crime & terrorism linkages.
   – Security forces & agencies.
7. Haryana-specific issues

GENERAL STUDIES – IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude)

1. Ethics & Human Interface
   – Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics in human actions.
   – Ethics in private/public relationships.
   – Human values—lessons from leaders, reformers, administrators.
   – Role of family, society, institutions in value formation.
2. Attitude
   – Content, structure, function.
   – Moral & political attitudes.
   – Social influence, persuasion.
3. Aptitude & Foundational Values
   – Integrity, impartiality, non-partisanship.
   – Objectivity, public service dedication.
   – Empathy, tolerance, compassion.
4. Emotional Intelligence
   – Concepts, utilities, application in governance.
5. Moral Thinkers & Philosophers
   – Indian and global thinkers.
6. Public Administration Ethics
   – Public service values.
   – Ethical concerns in government/private institutions.
   – Laws, rules, regulations, conscience.
   – Accountability & ethical governance.
   – Corporate governance, international ethics.
7. Probity in Governance
   – Concept of public service.
   – RTP, transparency, citizen charter, work culture.
   – Quality of service delivery, use of public funds.
   – Corruption challenges.

8. Case Studies
– Based on the above themes.

Personality Test / Interview (75 Marks)

The interview assesses:

• Leadership qualities

• Administrative aptitude

• Decision-making ability

• Communication skills

• Overall personality and suitability for civil services

Final merit = Mains (600) + Interview (75) = 675 Marks

Minimum Qualifying Marks

• 45% aggregate marks in Mains

• 33% marks separately in:

  • English

  • Hindi

• For candidates with benchmark disabilities, aggregate marks may be relaxed up to 35%.

How to Download HPSC HCS Syllabus 2026 PDF

Candidates can download the official syllabus PDF by following these steps:

1. Visit the official HPSC website: hpsc.gov.in

2. Click on the “Syllabus” section.

3. Select Haryana Civil Services (HCS).

4. Download the Prelims and Mains Syllabus PDF.

5. Save it for offline reference.

Why the HPSC Syllabus 2026 Is Important

• The Mains exam has been expanded to six papers, increasing its importance.

• Greater emphasis on:

  • General Studies

  • Ethics

  • Essay writing

  • Language proficiency

• The pattern now closely resembles the UPSC Civil Services, raising the competitive standard.

Preparation Strategy Based on New HPSC Syllabus

• Start daily answer writing practice.

• Prepare essays in both English and Hindi.

• Read newspapers and Haryana-specific current affairs.

• Revise static subjects using NCERT and standard books.

• Practice CSAT regularly to avoid elimination in Prelims.

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