Haryana revises HCS syllabus; optional subjects removed, four General Studies papers added for mains to strengthen civil service preparation.

In a major move to expedite hiring for high-level administrative positions, the Haryana government published an Extraordinary Gazette notice announcing a thorough overhaul to the exam syllabus for the Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) and Allied Services. Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi has issued a notification in this regard.

Candidates will take the 400-mark preliminary exam, which consists of two objective papers. Indian and world geography with an emphasis on physical, social, and economic features, agriculture, and resources; Indian polity, economy, culture, and mental ability through reasoning; daily observations that are expected of an educated person; current national and international events; and broad aspects of Indian history, including the resurgence and independence of the National Movement. The economy, people, social structures, culture, language, and other aspects unique to Haryana are all incorporated. The Civil Services Aptitude Test, Paper II, assesses comprehension, communication and interpersonal skills, logical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, general mental capacity, basic numeracy (Class X level), and the ability to analyze data from tables, charts, graphs, and sufficiency questions.

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Six descriptive papers, each lasting three hours and worth 100 marks, make up the Main Written Examination’s more substantial structure. Recent HPSC updates have confirmed that this change eliminates optional subjects and adds four General Studies papers, for a total score of 600. Paper I (English and Essay) assesses reading serious prose, exact expression through precis writing, comprehension of passages, usage, vocabulary, syntax, composition, and an essay on a selected topic that emphasizes coherent and succinct thoughts. English-to-Hindi translation, letter/precise writing, prose/poetry explanations, idioms, corrections, composition, and a topic-based essay are all covered in Paper II (Hindi and Hindi Essay in Devnagri script).

General Studies-I explores Indian art forms, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern times; modern Indian history from the 18th century, freedom struggle stages and contributors; post-independence consolidation; world history including industrial revolution, wars, colonization, and philosophies like communism and socialism; Indian society’s diversity, women’s roles, population, poverty, urbanization, globalization effects, social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, secularism; world physical geography, resource distribution, industry locations, geophysical phenomena like earthquakes and cyclones, and critical changes in geography, flora, fauna, with Haryana linkages.

General Studies II discusses the development, characteristics, and modifications of the Indian Constitution, as well as issues with the federal system, local devolution, the division of powers, dispute resolution procedures, and international comparisons; The operation of parliaments and legislatures; the judiciary and executive branches; pressure groups; the Representation of People’s Act; constitutional bodies; statutory/regulatory institutions; development policies, NGOs, SHGs; welfare programs for vulnerable groups, health, education, poverty, and hunger; aspects of governance such as e-governance, transparency, the role of civil services, India-neighborhood relations, international organizations, diaspora, global institutions, and Haryana issues.

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Planning, resource mobilization, growth, employment, inclusive growth, budgeting, agriculture (crops, irrigation, subsidies, MSP, PDS, food security, animal rearing, food processing), land reforms, the effects of liberalization, industrial policy, infrastructure (energy, ports, transportation), science-technology applications, IT, space, biotech, IPR, environmental conservation, disasters, extremism, internal security challenges from cyber, media, organized crime, border issues, and security forces, with a focus on Haryana.

Last but not least, General Studies-IV on Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude uses case studies to examine attitudes toward public life probity. It covers the essence of ethics in actions, human values from leaders, attitude influences, foundational civil service values like integrity and empathy, emotional intelligence, and moral thinkers; public service ethics, dilemmas, and accountability; and governance probity, including RTI, codes, citizen charters, and corruption challenges.