Eligibility and Age limit for HCS
Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Eligibility & Age Limit 2026
Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Exam is one of the toughest and most prestigious exam of Haryana. The HCS Exam is conducted by the HPSC (Haryana Public Services Commission) for the appointment of the top positions like SDM, DSP, Tehsildar etc. Eligibility for the HCS exam is mentioned in HCS Notification. A candidate appearing for the HCS exam must fulfill the all the criteria to appear in the exam.
This article covers complete HCS eligibility criteria and HCS age limit 2026 with category-wise relaxations and DSP standards. For recent exam trends, practice from HCS Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs).
Last updated: January 22, 2026
HCS Eligibility Criteria 2026
To appear for the HCS exam, candidates must meet requirements on nationality, education, and minimum qualifying marks as prescribed by HPSC.
Nationality Requirements
- A citizen of India; or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan; or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 Jan 1962 to settle permanently; or a PIO who migrated from specified countries to settle permanently in India.
Certificate of Eligibility: Non-Indian citizens (as above) must produce a Government of India certificate. You may sit for the exam/interview before obtaining it, but appointment requires this certificate.
Minimum Educational Qualification
Graduate degree in any discipline from a UGC-recognized University. Final-year students may apply if their final result date precedes the application closing date.
If you have a degree from a foreign University
Foreign University degrees are also Eligible for HCS . The candidate needs to Obtain an Equivalence Certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Typical steps include: getting your degree attested by the Indian High Commission; sending attested degree/transcripts, class 10/12 copies, and fee to AIU, New Delhi. Usual processing: ~2 days (in-person) or ~1 week (by post).
Minimum Marks to Qualify for Interview
- 45% aggregate in all written papers, and at least 33% each in Hindi (incl. Essay) and English (incl. Essay).
- Final merit is prepared from Mains (600) + Interview (75) = 675.
HCS Age Limit 2026 & Relaxations
General age window for most posts: 21–42 years. (DSP has a different band; see below.)
Category-wise Relaxations for HCS Exam (Highlights)
- SC/ST (Haryana): +5 years (max 47).
- BC-A/BC-B (Haryana): +5 years (max 47).
- Unmarried Women/Widows/Judicially Separated: +5 years (max 47).
- Wives of Disabled Military Personnel: +5 years (max 47).
- PwD (Haryana): +10 years (max 50); if PwD + SC/BC/EWS, +15 (max 55).
- Haryana Govt. Employees (Regular): Up to 45; 4+ years’ service; only 3 attempts after age 42.
- Haryana Govt. Employees (Ad-hoc/Contract): Age = Actual Age − Years of Service (max 52; one-time benefit).
- Ex-Servicemen (ESM): Age = Actual Age − (Service + 3 years break), subject to limits.
- Evidence of Age: Matriculation or equivalent certificate only.
DSP Age & Physical Standards for HCS Exam
Age: 18–27 years. Relaxation: +5 years for SC/ST/BC/EWS only.
- Male: Height 5’7” (170.18 cm); Chest 33” (unexpanded), 34.5” (expanded).
- Female: Height 5’2” (157.50 cm). (Chest N/A)
Note: As per Haryana Police Service rules, 1.5″ chest expansion is mandatory for male candidates.
Reservation Policy & Creamy Layer Rules for HCS Exam
HPSC follows the Haryana Government’s reservation policy. Candidates seeking benefits must satisfy domicile requirements and produce valid category certificates within the dates prescribed in the notification.
- SC / BC-A / BC-B / EWS (Haryana only): Reservation as per state rules. Central OBC/EWS certificates are not valid for state quota.
- BC Creamy Layer: Candidates falling under the creamy layer are treated as General category; ensure your Non-Creamy Layer certificate is as per latest rules.
- ESM / PwD / ESP / FF categories: Upload the specific certificate(s) in the format and timeline mentioned by HPSC.
Tip: Keep your category certificate, Non-Creamy Layer (for BC), and EWS income/asset certificate updated for the current financial year as per the notification window.
Domicile & Mandatory Certificates for HCS exam
Reservation and age relaxations are applicable only to candidates with valid Haryana domicile and correct category documents. Keep scanned PDFs ready in original color.
Identity & Age
Matriculation certificate (DoB proof), Photo ID (Aadhaar/Passport), recent photographs.
Education
UG degree/Provisional, final marksheets. Final-year must have result date before application deadline.
Domicile & Category
Haryana domicile; SC/BC/EWS/ESM/PwD/ESP certificates in prescribed format and validity window.
Name Mismatch
If names differ across documents, attach a gazette / affidavit clarifying the variation.
Attempts, Disqualifications & Other Rules
HPSC generally does not specify a fixed number of attempts; eligibility is governed by age limits, qualification, and conduct. Read the specific notification for any year-wise exceptions.
- Debarment: Can occur for impersonation, unfair means, or document forgery.
- Multiple Applications: If multiple applications exist, the latest complete/paid form is usually considered.
- Medical Standards: For posts like DSP, medical/physical standards are compulsory and verified before appointment.
Related Guides for HCS Preparation
Strengthen your understanding with these in-depth resources:
Need help verifying your HCS eligibility or age relaxation?
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Eligibility & Age-Limit – FAQs (HCS 2026)
Quick answers to common questions on HCS eligibility, age limit, documents, and category relaxations. Always verify final details in the official HPSC notification before applying.
What is the minimum educational qualification for HCS?
How is the HCS age limit calculated?
Which categories typically get age relaxation?
Is Haryana domicile mandatory for reservation benefits?
What documents do I need for eligibility verification?
Are there medical/physical standards for specific posts (e.g., DSP)?
Does the number of attempts apply in HCS?
Is CSAT qualifying? Does it affect eligibility?
Where can I read the official syllabus and exam scheme?
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