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HPSC HCS
2026-27 Complete Guide

The ultimate guide to Haryana's Civil Services Examination

Salary Job Profile Eligibility Exam Pattern Syllabus

Haryana Public Service Commission — Civil Services (Executive Branch) & Allied Services
Sources: HPSC Advt. A-1/E-1/PCS-2025, HPSC Mains Date Notice, HPSC Exam Calendar 2026 • Updated: April 2026

675Final Merit Marks

6Mains Papers

3Selection Stages

NONEOptional Subject

2026-27 Notification Awaited The Main Notification (Advertisement) for the HPSC HCS 2026-27 cycle is awaited and will be released on hpsc.gov.in. The most recent cycle (2025-26, Advt. No. 22/2026, 102 posts) is in progress — Prelims held 26 April 2026, Mains scheduled 27–29 June 2026. That cycle is the FIRST under the revised 6-paper Mains pattern. Start preparing now; do not wait for the notification.

Source Disclosure. Every fact here is drawn from official sources only: the Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) Rules, 2008 (as amended by the 2025 Amendment Rules), the Haryana Government Gazette Notification No. 42/1/2018-5SII dated 7 January 2026 (revised pattern & syllabus), Haryana Government age-relaxation instructions dated 25 March 2022, the Haryana Police Service Rules (DSP physical standards), and HPSC Advertisement No. 22/2026 (used for historical reference). Verify all details at hpsc.gov.in.

Data reliability. The exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility, age limits and physical standards are taken directly from the Gazette and are verified. All cycle-specific figures for 2026-27 — vacancies, dates, fee, reservation roster — are AWAITED and will be confirmed only when the official advertisement is released. Pay and allowance amounts are indicative, based on the 7th Pay Commission framework as adopted by Haryana, and are subject to revision.

1What is HPSC HCS?

The Haryana Civil Services (Executive Branch) and Allied Services Examination — popularly the HPSC HCS or HCS Exam — is conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission for direct recruitment to a wide spectrum of Group A and Group B Gazetted posts in the Government of Haryana. HPSC was established in 1966 with the formation of Haryana and is the state's premier recruitment authority for senior administrative posts.

The exam recruits for services including the Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) — the SDM-cadre flagship leading to ADM, DM and senior secretariat roles — as well as DSP, Excise & Taxation Officer (ETO), BDPO, Tehsildar, AETO, Assistant Employment Officer, District Food & Supplies Controller, Traffic Manager (Haryana Roadways), and other allied posts.

Selected officers serve as Class-I or Class-II Gazetted officers across Haryana's 22 districts — from the NCR millennial cities of Gurugram and Faridabad, through the agricultural heartland of Karnal-Kurukshetra-Kaithal, to the industrial belt of Panipat-Sonipat-Rohtak and the Aravali/NCR fringe of Mewat-Palwal.

1.1 HPSC HCS at a Glance

Particular	Detail
Full Name	Haryana Civil Services (Executive Branch) & Allied Services Examination
Conducting Authority	Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC)
Constitutional Basis	Article 315 of the Constitution of India
Established	1966 (with the formation of Haryana on 1 Nov 1966)
Frequency	Annual (subject to Government requisition)
Selection Stages	Three — Preliminary + Main + Personality Test
Application Mode	Online only via hpsc.gov.in
Exam Mode	Prelims: OMR objective; Mains: pen-and-paper descriptive; PT: in-person interview
Languages	Bilingual (English/Hindi); Hindi in Devanagari script mandatory
Headquarters	Bays No. 1-10, Block-B, Sector-4, Panchkula — 134112
Education	Bachelor's degree in any discipline; final-year students may apply provisionally
Age	21–42 years (most posts); 21–27 years for DSP (relaxations apply)
Final Merit	Mains 600 + Personality Test 75 = 675 marks
Mains Structure	6 compulsory papers of 100 marks each (English, Hindi, GS-I to GS-IV)
Optional Subject	NONE — removed per Haryana Gazette dated 7 Jan 2026

22026-27 Cycle — What to Expect

The Main Notification is awaited. Here is the code glossary you'll meet once it's published, plus what recent cycles looked like.

Notification Codes Explained

Code Format	What It Means
Advertisement No. XX/YYYY (e.g. 22/2026)	HPSC's standard format: Advertisement Number / Year. Each new HCS cycle carries a new number.
Notification No. 42/1/2018-5SII	The foundational rules notification governing pattern, syllabus and procedure. The version dated 7 Jan 2026 governs the current revised 6-paper Mains.
Group A / Group B	Group A = senior cadre (HCS, DSP, ETO); Group B = subordinate gazetted (BDPO, Tehsildar, AETO, AEO). HPSC HCS recruits to both in one exam.
BC-A / BC-B (Haryana)	Haryana's two Backward Class sub-categories under the OBC umbrella, each with its own roster and creamy-layer rules.
ESM / DESM / ESP	Ex-Servicemen / Dependents of Ex-Servicemen / Eligible Sports Person — horizontal reservation for Haryana-domiciled candidates.
12x and 3x Shortlisting	Prelims shortlists 12× vacancies for Mains; Mains shortlists up to 3× vacancies for the Personality Test.

2.2 Recent Cycle: HPSC HCS 2025-26 (In Progress)

Stage / Event	Date / Detail
Main Notification	Advertisement No. 22/2026
Notification Date	30 January 2026
Total Vacancies	102 posts (HCS Executive Branch & Allied Services)
Application Window	6 Feb 2026 to 26 Feb 2026 (5:00 PM)
Prelims Admit Card	20 April 2026
Preliminary Exam	26 April 2026 (Sunday)
Main Exam	27–29 June 2026 (Sat–Mon)
Mains Pattern	Revised 6-paper structure (English, Hindi, GS-I to GS-IV)
Personality Test	Expected Aug/Sep 2026 (post Mains result)

The 2025-26 cycle is the first cycle under the revised 6-paper Mains pattern (6 compulsory papers, no Optional). Its question papers are the most reliable indicator of HPSC's thinking for 2026-27 — study them carefully.

Previous Cycle: HPSC HCS 2023 (Completed)

Stage / Event	Date / Detail
Main Notification	Advertisement No. 58/2023 (17 Nov 2023)
Total Vacancies	121 posts
Application Window	1 Dec 2023 to 25 Dec 2023
Preliminary Exam	11 February 2024
Main Exam	30–31 March 2024 (two days, four shifts)
Personality Test	10–14 June 2024
Final Result	18 June 2024 — 112 recommended against 121 vacancies
Total Cycle Duration	Approximately 7 months (notification to final result)

What this means for 2026-27. Recent cycles were notified in January (2025-26) and November (2023), with 102–121 posts. From the 2025-26 cycle onward, ALL cycles follow the revised 6-paper Mains. Notification-to-Prelims is typically 2–3 months; notification-to-final-result is 7–12 months. Plan a 12–18 month preparation runway and start now.

3Exam Calendar — When Things Happen

A full HPSC HCS cycle runs 12–14 months across three stages. Specific 2026-27 dates are confirmed only in the official notification.

3.1 Overall Cycle at a Glance

Cycle Marker	Date
Notification & Application Opens (Next Cycle)	Awaited
Application Closes / Last Date for Fee	Awaited
Main Examination	Awaited
Final Selection Result	Awaited
Service Allocation Letters	Awaited

3.2–3.4 Stage-Wise Micro-Events

Prelims: single online application (HPSC OTR portal) → admit card ~7–15 days before exam → two mandatory sessions (GS Paper-I and CSAT Paper-II) on one day → provisional answer key & objections → final key & Prelims result.
Mains: separate online Mains form + fee after Prelims result → admit card ~10–15 days before → six descriptive papers held over multiple days at limited centres (Panchkula, Chandigarh, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal, Gurugram, Faridabad) → Mains result.
Personality Test: call letter + attestation & service-preference forms → document verification on interview day → 75-mark interview at HPSC HQ, Panchkula → final merit list with service allocation.

Pattern correction. The Mains has 6 compulsory papers (English, Hindi, GS-I, GS-II, GS-III, GS-IV/Ethics) totalling 600 marks under the revised Gazette of 7 Jan 2026 — there is no Optional subject and no separate Essay paper (Essay is built into the English and Hindi papers). Treat any reference to an older "8-paper / optional" structure as outdated. HPSC also has a documented history of postponements — the 2025 Mains was rescheduled once. Treat all announced dates as firm-but-revisable until the admit card is in hand.

3.6 Key Reminders

Bookmark hpsc.gov.in and check it at least twice a week for corrigenda and date changes.
Avoid last-day submissions — server load near deadlines causes failed payments.
Once a stage closes (application, fee, exam), there is no second chance until the next annual cycle.
Cross-check your name, photo, signature and roll number on every admit card; report any discrepancy immediately.

4Eligibility Criteria

A. Citizenship

HPSC HCS is open to all Indian citizens. Also eligible (with a Government of India eligibility certificate): subjects of Nepal or Bhutan; Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1 January 1962 to settle permanently; and persons of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, or specified East African countries to settle permanently in India.

No restrictive domicile to apply. Any Indian citizen may apply. But candidates claiming Haryana-specific reservation (SC / BC-A / BC-B / EWS / PwBD / ESM / DESM / ESP / Female of Haryana) MUST hold the relevant certificate from the competent authority of the Government of Haryana. Reserved-category candidates from other states are treated as Open Merit (General). Knowledge of Hindi (Devanagari) is mandatory for the Mains Hindi paper.

B. Educational Qualification

A Bachelor's degree in Arts, Science, Commerce or an equivalent from a recognised university. Final-year students may apply provisionally, provided their final result is declared on or before the application closing date. Foreign-degree holders must obtain an Equivalence Certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) before applying.

C. Knowledge of Hindi and English

Hindi (Devanagari script) is mandatory and tested via the Hindi compulsory paper; English is tested via the English compulsory paper. Candidates must score at least 33% in EACH language paper, plus a 45% aggregate across all written papers, to qualify for the Personality Test.

5Age Limit

Calculated as on 1 January of the examination year (exact cut-off in the Main Notification). Range varies by post.

HCS (Executive Branch) and most Allied Services: 21 to 42 years.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP): 21 to 27 years (general category).

5.1 Age Relaxation (Haryana Govt instructions, 25 March 2022)

Category	Upper Age Relaxation
SC / BC-A / BC-B / EWS of Haryana	5 years (DSP upper age becomes 32)
PwBD of Haryana	10 years (up to a maximum of 50)
PwBD + SC / BC-A / BC-B / EWS	Combined 15 years (up to a maximum of 55)
Ex-Servicemen (ESM) of Haryana	Actual age minus (service period + 3 years break), within limits
Haryana Govt Servants (regular, 4+ yrs)	Up to 45 years; up to 3 chances after 42
Haryana Govt Servants (ad-hoc/contract)	Actual age minus years of service (max 52, one-time)
Unmarried Female / Divorced / Widow / Judicially Separated	As per Haryana Government rules
Haryana Eligible Sports Person (ESP)	As per Haryana Government rules

5.2 Number of Attempts

There is no formal cap on attempts. Eligibility is governed by the upper age limit (with category relaxations) — a candidate may appear as many times as desired while within the age limit.

6Reservation Categories

HPSC follows the reservation policy of the Government of Haryana, applied as vertical and horizontal reservation.

Vertical: Scheduled Castes (SC), Backward Class-A (BC-A), Backward Class-B (BC-B), and EWS of Haryana. Haryana uses BC-A/BC-B classification, distinct from the central OBC categorisation.
Horizontal: Female candidates of Haryana, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen (ESM), Dependents of Ex-Servicemen (DESM), Eligible Sports Persons (ESP), and Dependents of Freedom Fighters.

Domicile rules. Haryana-specific reservation requires a valid certificate from the competent authority of the Government of Haryana. SC/OBC/EWS candidates from other states are treated as Open Merit — central OBC/EWS certificates are NOT valid for the Haryana quota. BC-A/BC-B candidates need a Non-Creamy Layer certificate within the validity period; creamy-layer candidates are treated as General.

7Posts, Salary, Job Profile & Perks

A complete picture of life after selection — pay, post-wise responsibilities, physical standards, and what working in Haryana looks like.

7.1 Pay Structure (7th Pay Commission — Indicative)

Post Category	Pay Range (Indicative)	Representative Posts
Group A — Senior Officer Cadre	Entry ~₹56,100 – 1,77,500	HCS (Executive Branch), Deputy SP, Excise & Taxation Officer (ETO)
Group B — Subordinate Gazetted	Entry ~₹44,900 – 1,42,400	BDPO, Tehsildar, AETO, AEO, DFSC, Traffic Manager (Haryana Roadways)

Allowances & Benefits

Dearness Allowance (DA): ~50–55% of basic pay, revised twice a year.
House Rent Allowance (HRA): 8–24% of basic depending on city/town of posting.
Travelling Allowance, Medical Benefits: per Haryana rules; medical covers self, spouse and dependents.
Pension (NPS): employee contributes 10% of (basic + DA); Haryana Government contributes 14%.
Leave: Earned 30 days/yr, Casual 14 days/yr, Maternity 180 days, Paternity 15 days, Child Care 730 days (women).
Post-specific: official vehicle (senior posts), official residence in some cadres, and protocol privileges.

Exact pay levels per post are notified in the cycle's Main Notification. Figures above are indicative, based on the 7th Pay Commission framework adopted by Haryana.

7.2 Job Profile by Post

HCS (Executive Branch) / SDM — Group A flagship

Sub-divisional administration, revenue collection, magisterial functions (Executive Magistrate), disaster-management coordination, supervision of land records, election administration, and execution of state schemes at sub-district level. Career path: SDM → ADM → DM → Divisional Commissioner → Secretary to the Haryana Government.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) — Group A

Supervises police circles / SDPO charge, investigates serious crimes, maintains law and order, collates intelligence, and commands armed police units. Career path: DSP → SP → SSP → DIG → IG. Requires meeting prescribed physical standards (see 7.3).

Excise & Taxation Officer (ETO) — Group A

GST / Excise / VAT administration, tax collection, audit of registered dealers, anti-evasion enforcement, and adjudication of tax disputes at the assessing-officer level.

Block Development & Panchayat Officer (BDPO) — Group B

Implements rural development schemes (MGNREGS, PMAY-G, PMGSY), supervises Panchayati Raj institutions, coordinates block-level welfare programmes, and drives convergence of departmental activities.

Tehsildar — Group B

Revenue administration of a tehsil, custody of land records, mutation entries, registration of property, collection of land revenue, and conduct of revenue courts.

Other Allied Posts (AETO, AEO, DFSC, Traffic Manager)

AETO: assistant to ETO — field inspection, tax collection, anti-evasion, dealer audit. AEO: district employment exchange, job-seeker registration, placement coordination. DFSC: Public Distribution System, fair-price shops, food procurement and stock monitoring. Traffic Manager (Haryana Roadways): depot operations, route planning, fleet utilisation, and staff supervision.

7.3 Physical Standards (DSP Post Only)

Gender	Height	Chest (Male only)
Male	170.18 cm (5'7")	83.82 cm unexpanded; 87.63 cm expanded (min 1.5" / 3.81 cm expansion)
Female	157.50 cm (5'2")	Not applicable

Only the DSP post has physical standards. A candidate who falls short on height/chest is NOT disqualified from the exam — they remain eligible for HCS (Executive Branch), ETO, BDPO, Tehsildar and all other posts, and can set their service preference accordingly.

7.4 Compensatory Time & Scribe (PwBD Candidates)

Compensatory time: 20 minutes per hour of exam (a 3-hour Mains paper becomes 4 hours).
Scribe: available for Visually Handicapped candidates and those with locomotor disability that severely affects writing, with prior Commission permission; the scribe's qualifications and conduct are regulated.
Must be claimed in the Main Application Form, supported by a valid PwBD certificate (40%+) from a competent medical board, and intimated to HPSC well before the exam.

7.5 Working in Haryana

Postings span the full spread of the state — the NCR cities of Gurugram and Faridabad (complex urban administration), the agricultural heartland of Karnal-Kurukshetra-Kaithal (land, water and farmer issues), the industrial corridor of Panipat-Sonipat-Rohtak, and the NCR fringe of Mewat-Palwal. Officers should expect urban, semi-urban and rural postings in early service, and Haryana-specific challenges such as the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal dispute, Aravali ecology, agricultural protests and Yamuna pollution.

8Exam Pattern (Revised)

Revised pattern. Per Haryana Gazette No. 42/1/2018-5SII dated 7 Jan 2026, the Optional Subject was removed and the Mains now has 6 compulsory papers totalling 600 marks. This applies to the 2026 cycle and all subsequent cycles.

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination

Paper	Subject	Marks	Duration	Nature
Paper-I	General Studies	100	2 hrs	Counted for Prelims merit
Paper-II	General Aptitude (CSAT)	100	2 hrs	Qualifying only — min 33%
	TOTAL	200	—

Negative marking: 0.25 (one-fourth) per wrong answer; unattempted questions not penalised.
Prelims merit is based on Paper-I only; Paper-II (CSAT) just needs 33% to qualify.
Prelims marks are NOT carried to final merit — used only to shortlist Mains candidates (~12:1 ratio).

Stage 2: Main Examination (6 Papers, 600 Marks)

Paper	Name	Marks	Duration	Nature
I	English (including English Essay)	100	3 hrs	Compulsory — 33% qualifying
II	Hindi (including Hindi Essay) — Devanagari	100	3 hrs	Compulsory — 33% qualifying
III	GS-I (Heritage, Culture, History, Geography, Society)	100	3 hrs	Compulsory
IV	GS-II (Polity, Governance, Constitution, IR + Haryana)	100	3 hrs	Compulsory
V	GS-III (Economy, Agriculture, Science, Environment, Security + Haryana)	100	3 hrs	Compulsory
VI	GS-IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude)	100	3 hrs	Compulsory
	TOTAL	600	—

Minimum 33% in EACH of English and Hindi; minimum 45% aggregate across all six papers.
Failing either threshold disqualifies the candidate from the Personality Test.
Personality Test shortlisting is ~3:1 relative to vacancies, based on Mains marks.

Stage 3: Personality Test

Conducted at HPSC HQ, Panchkula. Carries 75 marks. Assesses personality, communication, problem-solving, leadership, Haryana current affairs and general awareness.

Final Merit = Mains 600 + Personality Test 75 = 675. Prelims marks are not counted.

9Detailed Syllabus

9.1 Prelims Syllabus

Paper-I — General Studies (100 marks, counted for merit): current events of national/international importance; history of India & the freedom movement; Indian & world geography; Indian polity; Indian economy; general science; general mental ability; and Haryana — economy, people, institutions, languages, agriculture, geography, history and current affairs.

Paper-II — General Aptitude / CSAT (100 marks, qualifying 33%): comprehension; interpersonal & communication skills; logical reasoning & analytical ability; decision-making & problem-solving; general mental ability; basic numeracy and data interpretation (Class X level).

9.2 Mains Syllabus — The Parcham Strategic Map

The revised 6-paper structure mirrors the UPSC pattern, with one key addition: Haryana-specific issues are integrated across GS-I, GS-II and GS-III. Below, each paper is broken down by what it really tests and where the Haryana marks hide. Always cross-check the official Mains Syllabus PDF on hpsc.gov.in.

Paper-I — English (incl. English Essay) — 100 marks

Tests reading discursive English prose and clear, correct expression, plus a structured essay.

Comprehension of unseen passages
Precis writing (condense to ~one-third)
Usage, vocabulary, grammar & composition
Essay on a chosen topic

33% gateway: Hindi-medium aspirants have lost candidatures here — do not skip it. Ten minutes a day of editorial reading plus weekly precis and essay practice is the floor.

Paper-II — Hindi (incl. Hindi Essay), Devanagari — 100 marks

Same skills as the English paper, in Hindi — measuring your ability to function as an officer in a Hindi-speaking state.

Translation of an English passage into Hindi
Explanation of Hindi prose & poetry in Hindi
Composition — idioms, corrections, vocabulary, grammar
Essay on a chosen topic

33% gateway (same as English). English-medium urban aspirants underestimate formal written Hindi — weekly Hindi composition is non-negotiable.

Paper-III — GS-I: Heritage, Culture, History, Geography & Society — 100 marks

Indian culture — art, literature, architecture; Indus Valley sites in Haryana (Rakhigarhi, Banawali, Mitathal, Kunal); Mahabharata context (Kurukshetra, Pehowa)
Modern Indian history & freedom struggle; Haryana's contribution (Sir Chhotu Ram, Lala Lajpat Rai, Ch. Devi Lal)
Post-Independence consolidation; formation of Haryana (1 Nov 1966); world history from the 18th century
Indian society & geography; Haryana's geography (Aravalis, Yamuna basin, Ghaggar system, agro-climatic zones)

Scoring tip: Haryana culture and freedom-struggle anchors are high-weight. Memorise Indus Valley sites with districts, key Haryana personalities, and folk traditions (Saang, Phag, Lohri, Teej).

Paper-IV — GS-II: Polity, Governance, Constitution & IR — 100 marks

The Constitution — evolution, FRs, DPSPs, duties, amendment process, basic structure
Federal architecture — Union-State functions, devolution, centre-state relations
Institutions & governance — Parliament, legislatures, executive, judiciary, constitutional bodies, e-governance
International relations — neighbourhood, groupings, global institutions

Haryana anchors: Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Panchayati Raj, the SYL Canal dispute (Article 262), and e-governance (Antyodaya Saral Portal, Parivar Pehchan Patra).

Paper-V — GS-III: Economy, Agriculture, Science, Environment & Security — 100 marks

Economy & agriculture — growth, inclusive growth, budgeting; crops, MSP, PDS, irrigation
Infrastructure — energy, transport, PPP; KMP/KGP expressways, DMIC, IMT Manesar
Science, technology & environment — IT, space, biotech; Aravali ecology, Yamuna pollution, NCR air quality, groundwater
Security — internal & cyber security, money laundering, organised crime

Scoring tip: agriculture is the single highest-weight zone — master MSP procurement (Haryana is India's second-largest wheat procurer), the 2020-21 farm protests, and schemes like Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana.

Paper-VI — GS-IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude — 100 marks

Ethics & human interface — essence, determinants, consequences; role of family, society, institutions
Attitude — content, structure, function; moral and political attitudes; persuasion
Aptitude & foundational values — integrity, impartiality, objectivity, empathy, tolerance
Emotional intelligence; contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers
Public/civil-service values & ethics in administration — probity, corruption, codes of conduct, citizens' charters
Dedicated case-study section on administrative dilemmas

Scoring tip: Ethics is NEW for HPSC HCS. Practice 25–30 case studies using one framework (stakeholders → value conflict → options → recommendation). The case-study section alone can be 50–60 of the 100 marks.

Optional removed. Per the 7 Jan 2026 Gazette, the Optional Subject (200 marks) is gone, replaced by the 100-mark Ethics paper. There is no transition arrangement — the revised pattern applies from the 2026 cycle. The change rewards broad generalist preparation over deep single-optional specialism.

10Personality Test (Interview)

Particular	Detail
Total Marks	75 (counted in final merit)
Number Called	Up to 3× vacancies (Mains-qualifying merit)
Venue	HPSC Headquarters, Panchkula
Format	Face-to-face before a Board of Commission Members
Areas Assessed	Personality, communication, problem-solving, leadership, current affairs, Haryana issues, suitability
Duration	~25–40 minutes per candidate

The Board typically probes your application form (education, hobbies, work, preferences), national and Haryana current affairs of the past 6–12 months, your home district's administration and issues, Haryana-specific topics (SYL, Aravali, Yamuna, agriculture, Mukhyamantri schemes, NCR governance), and situational/ethical dilemmas. Honest, confident responses beat fabricated certainty; mock interviews between the Mains result and interview are essential.

11How to Apply

Applications are online only via hpsc.gov.in. The workflow for the 2026-27 cycle (once notified):

Open the portalVisit hpsc.gov.in and go to "Recruitment Notification" / "Apply Online".

One Time Registration (OTR)Complete the OTR on the HPSC portal if not already registered.

Apply against the notificationLog in with OTR credentials and select "Apply" against the HPSC HCS notification.

Fill the formEnter personal, contact, educational and category details.

Upload documentsUpload the mandatory documents in the prescribed format and dimensions.

Pay the feePay online via Net Banking / Debit / Credit Card / UPI.

Submit & saveVerify all details, submit, and download/print the acknowledgement.

Use the correction windowMake limited corrections during the window (usually a few days after the form closes), if needed.

11.1 Mandatory Documents

Passport-size colour photo & scanned signature (per HPSC specs).
Matriculation (DOB proof), Intermediate, and Graduation degree / final-year mark sheet; PG certificate where applicable.
Category certificate (SC / BC-A / BC-B / EWS / PwBD) from the competent Haryana authority; Haryana domicile certificate for state reservation.
Non-Creamy Layer certificate for BC-A/BC-B (within the prescribed validity); ESM/DESM/ESP/Freedom-Fighter-dependent certificate if applicable.
PwBD certificate (40%+) from a competent medical board; AIU Equivalence Certificate for foreign degrees; experience certificate if mandated.

11.2 Photo IDs Accepted at the Centre

Acceptable Photo ID	Notes
Aadhaar Card	Most widely accepted; original or m-Aadhaar
Voter ID (EPIC)	Issued by the Election Commission of India
PAN Card	Permanent Account Number card
Indian Passport	Valid Indian passport
Driving Licence	Valid licence with photograph
Government Employee ID	For candidates already in government service
University / College ID	For final-year students; preferably with photo and signature

Photocopies or phone photos of IDs are NOT accepted. Carry the original on every exam day. Report any lost admit card/ID to HPSC immediately.

12Application Fee

The exact 2026-27 fee is in the Main Notification. Reference: the preceding cycle (Advt. No. 22/2026).

Category	Application Fee
Male — all standard categories (UR / others) & other-state candidates	₹1,000
Reserved categories of Haryana: SC / BC-A (NCL) / BC-B (NCL) / EWS / ESM / Female of Haryana	₹250
DESM of Haryana under reserved categories	₹250
PwBD of Haryana (40%+ disability)	Zero (waived)

Payment via Net Banking / Credit / Debit Card / UPI. The fee is non-refundable. If multiple forms are submitted (due to errors), HPSC considers ONLY the application with the highest transaction/application number. The 2026-27 fee is subject to confirmation in the upcoming notification.

13HPSC Office & Contact

Detail	Information
Official Name	Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC)
Headquarters	Bays No. 1-10, Block-B, Sector-4, Panchkula — 134112, Haryana
Constitutional Basis	Article 315 of the Constitution of India
Established	1966 (formation of Haryana, 1 Nov 1966)
Official Website	hpsc.gov.in
Helpline	1800-1800-431 (toll-free, working days 10:00 AM – 04:00 PM)
Email	SR4-hpsc@hry.gov.in (technical support)
Application Portal	OTR section via the hpsc.gov.in homepage

14Selection Process Summary

Stage 1 — Prelims: two-paper objective screening on one day. Paper-I (GS, 100) counts for Prelims merit; Paper-II (CSAT, 100) is qualifying at 33%. Shortlist ~12:1 for Mains. Negative marking 0.25/wrong. Prelims marks not carried forward.
Stage 2 — Mains: 6 compulsory descriptive papers (English, Hindi, GS-I to GS-IV) = 600 marks. 33% in each of English & Hindi; 45% aggregate. Shortlist ~3:1 for the Personality Test.
Stage 3 — Personality Test: 75-mark interview before the Commission Board at Panchkula.
Final Selection: Mains 600 + Personality Test 75 = 675. Inter-se merit and service preference decide post/department allocation. DSP candidature is confirmed only after physical & medical verification.

15Preparation Tips from Parcham Classes

HPSC HCS rewards a UPSC-quality grasp of national subjects PLUS thorough mastery of Haryana-specific knowledge — organised into four phases that mirror the aspirant journey.

Phase 1 — Foundation (months 1–4)

01 Build the GS foundation with NCERTs

Class 6–12 NCERTs in History, Geography, Polity, Economy and Science — read twice with notes. The NCERT Advanced Batch 2026-27 structures this.

02 Master Haryana from Day One

Haryana content runs across GS-I, GS-II and GS-III. Anchors: Indus Valley sites (Rakhigarhi, Banawali), Kurukshetra, Aravali ecology, MSP procurement, Mukhyamantri schemes, SYL Canal.

03 Treat English & Hindi as gateways

33% qualifying in EACH. English-medium aspirants underestimate Hindi; Hindi-medium underestimate English — both miscalculations are expensive.

Phase 2 — Active Preparation (months 4–8)

04 Treat Essay as a separate skill

Practice essays under exam conditions every weekend from six months out. Examiners reward structure and exact expression, not padding.

05 Solve 5+ years of HPSC PYQs

Patterns repeat. PYQs are the single highest-leverage resource — worth more than any one textbook.

06 Build CA around Haryana

Cabinet decisions, scheme launches, SYL updates, NCR governance, Aravali developments score in the "Related issues of Haryana" sections. The Current Affairs Complete Kit 2026 gives the state-PCS angle.

07 Map every news event to a paper

A farmer protest is GS-III (economy), GS-II (federalism), and GS-IV (Ethics case). File every Haryana fact under the paper where it earns marks.

Phase 3 — Mains Endgame (last 3 months)

08 Take full-paper timed mocks

Three hours per paper, six papers across three days, from three months out. The HPSC Pattern Mock Test Series is calibrated to the revised structure.

09 Read the Haryana Economic Survey

Dense and unloved — and full of the exact data examiners pull from. Memorise 8–10 numbers cold for GS-III.

10 Master Ethics via case studies

GS-IV is new. Practice 25–30 case studies with one framework: stakeholders → value conflict → options → recommendation. The case-study section is 50–60 marks.

11 Prepare your DAF line by line

Every line on your form is a potential interview question. Know your home district, hobbies and views, and be ready for SYL, Aravali, Yamuna, NCR and agriculture.

Phase 4 — Long-Game Mindset

12 Error log + health are part of the syllabus

A one-page error log per mock kills recurring mistakes. Sleep, exercise and weekly breaks are non-negotiable — burnout three months before Mains ends more candidatures than any subject.

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16Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can a candidate from outside Haryana apply?

Yes — HPSC HCS is open to all Indian citizens (and Nepalese/Bhutanese subjects, Tibetan refugees and certain migrant categories with eligibility certificate). But non-Haryana candidates cannot avail Haryana-specific reservation and compete against the Open Merit cut-off. Central OBC/EWS certificates are not valid for the Haryana quota.

Q2. Are there optional subjects in the Mains?

No. Per the Haryana Gazette dated 7 Jan 2026, the Optional Subject was removed. The Mains has 6 compulsory papers — English (with Essay), Hindi (with Essay) in Devanagari, GS-I, GS-II, GS-III and GS-IV (Ethics) — totalling 600 marks.

Q3. What is the qualifying threshold in the language papers?

At least 33% in EACH of English (Paper-I) and Hindi (Paper-II), plus a 45% aggregate across all six Mains papers. Failing either threshold disqualifies you from the Personality Test.

Q4. Is CSAT in Prelims qualifying or counted for merit?

Qualifying only. Paper-II (CSAT) carries 100 marks but needs just 33% to qualify. Prelims merit is based on Paper-I (GS) only. Negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer applies to both papers.

Q5. How many attempts are permitted?

There is no strict numerical cap. Eligibility is governed by the upper age limit (with category relaxations). You may appear as many times as desired while within the age limit.

Q6. What is the age cut-off date?

1 January of the examination year (exact date in the Main Notification). Final-year graduates may apply provisionally, but their result must be declared on or before the application closing date.

Q7. Where is the Mains conducted?

At limited centres only. For the preceding cycle these included Panchkula, Chandigarh, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal, Gurugram and Faridabad. The centre is allotted by HPSC — plan travel and accommodation accordingly.

Q8. What is the role of Personality Test marks?

The 75 PT marks are added to the 600 Mains marks for the final merit (out of 675). The interview is at HPSC HQ, Panchkula. Prelims marks are not counted in final merit.

Q9. Can application details be edited after submission?

Limited corrections may be possible during a designated correction window if HPSC notifies one. Fundamental fields (post, category, name) typically cannot be changed after final submission. If multiple applications are submitted, HPSC considers only the one with the highest transaction/application number.

Q10. What is the most authoritative source for syllabus & pattern?

The Main Notification (when released), the Haryana Gazette No. 42/1/2018-5SII dated 7 Jan 2026 (revised syllabus & pattern), and hpsc.gov.in are the only authoritative sources. Treat all other portals as derivative.

Q11. What if HPSC postpones an exam date?

Postponements are announced only on hpsc.gov.in — monitor it at least twice a week. Treat announced dates as firm-but-revisable until the admit card is in hand. Helpdesk: 1800-1800-431 (working days, 10 AM–4 PM).

Q12. Does HPSC HCS provide medical, housing and pension benefits?

Yes — DA, HRA, TA, medical benefits (self, spouse, dependents), leave entitlements, and pension under NPS. Senior posts also get post-specific facilities such as official vehicle, residence and protocol privileges.

Q13. What if I don't meet DSP physical standards?

You are not disqualified from the exam — only from the DSP post. You remain eligible for HCS (Executive Branch), ETO, BDPO, Tehsildar, AETO, AEO, DFSC and other posts, and can set your service preference accordingly.

Q14. Can PwBD candidates avail compensatory time and a scribe?

Yes. PwBD candidates with 40%+ disability get 20 minutes per hour of compensatory time. Visually Handicapped candidates and those with locomotor disability affecting writing may use a scribe with prior Commission permission. Claim it in the Main Application Form with a valid PwBD certificate.

Q15. What is the "10 percent rule" in Prelims?

HPSC may apply a category-specific minimum threshold (often described as the "10 percent rule") below which candidates are not considered for the Mains shortlist regardless of rank — a screening floor for baseline competence. The exact threshold is at the Commission's discretion per the Main Notification.

Q16. Is there a Haryana domicile requirement to apply?

No — any Indian citizen can apply. But only candidates with a valid Haryana domicile/Resident certificate can claim Haryana-specific reservation. Outside-state candidates compete in Open Merit.

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Disclaimer & Source Citation

This document was prepared by Parcham Classes based exclusively on official HPSC documents and Government of Haryana rules:

Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) Rules, 2008 (as amended by the 2025 Amendment Rules) — hpsc.gov.in
Haryana Government Gazette Notification No. 42/1/2018-5SII dated 7 January 2026 — revised 6-paper Mains (English, Hindi, GS-I to GS-IV/Ethics) totalling 600 marks; removal of the Optional Subject; detailed syllabus
Haryana Government instructions dated 25 March 2022 — age relaxation entitlements
Government of Haryana reservation orders — vertical (SC, BC-A, BC-B, EWS) and horizontal (Female, PwBD, ESM, DESM, ESP, Freedom Fighter dependent) rosters
Haryana Police Service Rules — DSP physical standards
HPSC HCS Advertisement No. 22/2026 dated 30 January 2026 — referenced only for historical context (vacancies, fees, dates)

Awaited data: All 2026-27 cycle dates (notification, application, prelims, mains, interview), vacancy figures, and post-wise reservation rosters are awaited and will be confirmed only when the Main Notification is released.

Indicative data: Allowance amounts (DA, HRA, TA), per-post pay levels, and the fee structure shown are based on the preceding cycle and the 7th Pay Commission framework adopted by Haryana — subject to revision in the 2026-27 notification.

Verify: For any HPSC corrigenda or further notifications, verify the latest information directly at hpsc.gov.in. Last updated: April 2026.