Haryana revises HCS exam syllabi, introduces four General Studies papers for Mains

Haryana-specific elements like its economy, people, social institutions, culture, and language are integrated throughout.

Paper II, the Civil Services Aptitude Test, tests comprehension, interpersonal and communication skills, logical reasoning, decision-making, problem-solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy (Class 10 level), and data interpretation from charts, graphs, tables, and questions.

Six descriptive papers for Mains

The Main Written Examination introduces a more robust structure with six descriptive papers, each of three hours’ duration and 100 marks, totalling 600 marks—a key change eliminating optional subjects and introducing four General Studies papers, as confirmed in recent Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) updates.

Paper I (English and Essay) evaluates reading serious prose, precise expression through precis writing, passage comprehension, usage, vocabulary, grammar, composition, and an essay on a chosen topic, stressing orderly ideas and conciseness.

Paper II (Hindi and Hindi Essay in Devnagri script) covers English-to-Hindi translation, letter/precis writing, prose/poetry explanations, idioms, corrections, composition, and a topic-based essay.

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, colonisation, and philosophies like communism and socialism; Indian society’s diversity, women’s roles, population, poverty, urbanisation, globalisation 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 covers the Indian Constitution’s evolution, features, amendments, federal structure challenges, devolution to local levels, separation of powers, dispute mechanisms, comparisons with other nations; Parliament and legislatures’ functioning; executive and judiciary structures, pressure groups; Representation of the People Act; constitutional bodies; statutory/regulatory institutions; development policies, NGOs, self-help groups; welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, health, education, poverty, hunger; governance aspects like e-governance, transparency, civil services’ role, India-neighbourhood relations, international groupings, diaspora, global institutions, and Haryana issues.

General Studies III addresses Indian economy planning, resource mobilisation, growth, employment, inclusive growth, budgeting; agriculture including crops, irrigation, subsidies, minium support prices, public distribution system, food security, animal rearing, food processing; land reforms; liberalisation effects, industrial policy; infrastructure like energy, ports, transport; science-technology applications, IT, space, biotech, intellectual property rights; environment conservation, disasters; extremism linkages, internal security challenges from cyber, media, organised crime, border issues, security forces, with Haryana relevance.

Finally, General Studies IV on Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude uses case studies to probe attitudes towards public life probity, covering ethics essence in actions, human values from leaders, attitude influences, foundational civil service values like integrity and empathy, emotional intelligence, moral thinkers; public service ethics, dilemmas, accountability; governance probity including RTI, codes, citizen charters, and corruption challenges.