Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) Syllabus | 10 Aug 2021

Last Updated: May 2024

Preliminary Examination

General Studies (Paper I):
- General Science: Questions on General Science will cover general appreciation and understanding of science including matters of everyday observation and experience, as may be expected of a well educated person who has not made a special study of any particular scientific discipline.
- Current events of national and international importance: In current events, knowledge of significant national and international events will be tested.
- History of India and Indian National Movement: In History of India, emphasis will be on broad general understanding of the subject in its social, economic and political aspects.
  - Questions on the Indian National Movement will relate to the nature and character of the nineteenth century resurgence, growth of nationalism and attainment of Independence.
- Indian and World Geography: In Geography, emphasis will be on Geography of India.
  - Questions on the Geography of India will relate to physical, social and economic Geography of the country, including the main features of Indian agricultural and natural resources.
- Indian Polity: Questions on Indian Polity and Economy will test knowledge on the country‘s political system and Constitution of India.
  - Panchayati Raj, social systems and economic developments in India. On general mental ability, the candidates will be tested on reasoning and analytical abilities.
- Indian Economy: Haryana-Economy and people.
- Indian Culture: Social, economic and cultural institutions and language of Haryana.
Paper II (CSAT):
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision making and problem solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, order of magnitude, etc.-Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, date sufficiency etc. – Class X-level).

Main Examination

Paper 1 (Compulsory Subject):
- English and Hindi Essay: The aim of the paper is to test the candidate‘s ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express his ideas: clearly and correctly in English.
- The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:
- English:
  - Precis Writing
  - Comprehension of given passages
  - Essay
  - Usage and Vocabulary
  - General Grammar/Composition
- Essay:
  - Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion and to write concisely.
  - Credit will be given for effective, and exact expression.
Paper II (Hindi and Hindi Essay in Devnagri script):
- Translation of an English passage into Hindi.
- Letter/Precis writing.
- Explanation of Hindi passages (prose and poetry) in the same language.
- Composition (idioms, correction etc.).
- Essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given.
Paper III (General Studies):
- The nature and standard questions in these papers will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study.
- The questions will be such as to test a candidate‘s general awareness of a variety of subjects which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services.
- Part-I:
  - History of Modern India and Indian Culture:
    - The History of Modern India, will cover history of the country from about the middle of the nineteenth century and would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the freedom movement and social reforms.
    - The part relating to Indian Culture‘ will cover all aspects of Indian culture from the ancient to modern times.
  - Geography of India: In this part, questions will be on the physical, economic and social geography of India.
  - Indian Polity: This part will include questions on the Constitution of India, Political system and related matters.
  - Current National issues and topics of social relevance: This part is intended to test the candidate‘s awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in present-day India, such as the following : Demography and Human Resources and related issues.
  - Behavioural and social issues and social welfare problems, such as child labour, gender equality, adult literacy, rehabilitation of the handicapped and other deprived segments of the society, drug abuse, public health etc. Law enforcement issues, human rights, corruption in public life, communal harmony etc. Internal Security and related issues. Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage. The role of national institutions, their relevance and need for change.
- Part-II:
  - India and the World: This part is intended to test candidate‘s awareness of India‘s relationship with the world in various spheres, such as the following:-
    - Foreign Affairs External Security and related matters. Nuclear Policy. Indian abroad.
  - Indian Economy: In this part, questions will be on the planning and economic development in India, economic and trade issues foreign trade, the role and functions of I.M.F. World Bank, W.T.O. etc.
  - International Affairs and Institutions: This part will include questions on important events in world affairs and on international institutions.
  - Developments in the field of science and technology, communications and space: In this part, questions will test the candidate‘s awareness of the developments in the field of science and technology, communications and space and also basic ideas about computers.
  - Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams: This part will include exercises to test the candidate‘s ability to draw common sense conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatic form and to point out deficiencies, limitations or inconsistencies therein.
Paper IV (Optional Subject):
- One optional subject has to be chosen by the candidate from the list given in notification.
- The detailed syllabus of optional subject is given in the notification.
- List of 23 Optional Subjects for Main Examination are:
  - Agriculture
  - Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
  - Botany
  - Chemistry
  - Civil Engineering
  - Commerce and Accountancy
  - Economics
  - Electrical Engineering
  - English Literature
  - Geography
  - Hindi Literature (in Devanagari Script)
  - Indian History
  - Law
  - Mathematics
  - Mechanical Engineering
  - Physics
  - Political Science and International Relations
  - Psychology
  - Public Administration
  - Punjabi Literature
  - Sociology
  - Sanskrit Literature
  - Zoology