The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) has introduced significant changes to the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) 2026 syllabus, most notably in the Mains examination. The optional subjects have been removed, and the pattern now closely aligns with the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Here is the detailed syllabus and pattern for the HCS 2026 exam.

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Screening)

The Prelims consist of two objective papers. Marks from Paper I are used for shortlisting, while Paper II is qualifying.

Paper I: General Studies (GS)

• General Science: Basic physics, chemistry, and biology; daily life phenomena and scientific developments.

• Current Events: National and international importance (Policies, IR, Sports, Awards).

• History: History of India and the Indian National Movement (Social, economic, and political aspects).

• Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the World.

• Polity & Economy: Constitution of India, Panchayati Raj, and economic developments.

• Haryana Specific: History, economy, culture, demographics, and social institutions of Haryana.

Paper II: CSAT (Aptitude)

• Comprehension and Interpersonal skills.

• Logical reasoning and analytical ability.

• Decision-making and problem-solving.

• Basic numeracy and data interpretation (Class X level).

Stage 2: Main Written Examination (Descriptive)

Major Update: The HPSC has replaced the optional subject with additional General Studies papers. There are now 6 compulsory papers of 100 marks each.

Detailed Mains GS Syllabus

• GS I: Indian Heritage, History (Modern & World), Culture, Indian Society, and Geography.

• GS II: Governance, Constitution, Indian Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.

• GS III: Technology (IT, Space, Bio-tech), Economic Development, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.

• GS IV (Ethics): Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude, Emotional Intelligence, and Case Studies.

• Note: All GS papers will feature specific questions related to the state of Haryana.

Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)

• Marks: 75

• Focus: It is a viva-voce to assess the candidate’s personality, presence of mind, suitability for administrative roles, and knowledge of current state-level issues.

Key Exam Facts for 2026

• Negative Marking: For every wrong answer in Prelims.

• Qualifying Marks (Mains): Candidates must score at least 33% in English and Hindi papers individually and 45% aggregate in all written papers to qualify for the interview.

• Final Merit: Calculated out of 675 marks (600 Mains + 75 Interview).