HCS Notification 2026 – Eligibility, Syllabus, Age Limit
Last updated:
HCS Notification 2026 – Exam Dates, Vacancies, Eligibility, Syllabus & Pattern (HPSC)
The Haryana Civil Services (HCS) exam is conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) to recruit for roles like SDM, DSP, Tehsildar and other allied services. This guide compiles the key points you search for—vacancies, how to apply, fees, eligibility, age relaxation, exam pattern, syllabus and cut-offs—in a fast, mobile-friendly format.
HCS 2026 Highlights (at a glance)
Exam Authority
Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC)
Vacancies (expected)
90–100 (exact to be notified by HPSC)
Mode
Offline (Pen & Paper)
Official Website
How to Apply for HCS Notification 2026
Applications are submitted online only at hpsc.gov.in. Follow the on-screen instructions for registration, form fill, upload and fee payment. No other mode is accepted.
Application Fee (as per category)
- Male (General, incl. DESM) & Male (other states): ₹1000
- All Female candidates: ₹250
- SC/BC-A/BC-B/ESM/EWS (Haryana only): ₹250
- PwD (Haryana only): NIL
Exact dates (last date, prelims) will be notified by HPSC.
Key Posts (Executive & Allied)
HCS (Ex. Br.)
DSP
Tehsildar (A-Class)
Naib Tehsildar
AETO / ETO
BDPO
DFSC / DFSO
ARCS / AEO / TM*
*Traffic Manager / Tehsildar as per year’s notification.
HCS 2026 Eligibility & Nationality
You must be a Citizen of India; or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan; or a Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1-Jan-1962 for permanent settlement; or a Person of Indian Origin migrating for permanent settlement from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire or Ethiopia.
If you are not an Indian citizen, a Certificate of Eligibility by Govt. of India is mandatory for appointment (you may sit the exam/interview earlier). Exception: Subjects of Nepal/Bhutan and Tibetan Refugees are not eligible for IFS (Indian Foreign Service).
Educational Qualification
Graduate degree (any discipline) from a UGC-recognized university. Final-year students may apply if the result date precedes the application closing date.
Foreign degree? Obtain AIU Equivalence Certificate. Send attested degree & transcripts (via Indian High Commission), 10th/12th photocopies and fee (~₹5,000 / USD 100) to AIU, New Delhi. Typical timeline: ~2 days (in-person) or ~1 week (post).
Age Criteria (as per HCS Notification 2026)
General posts: 21–42 years.
DSP: 18–27 years.
Relaxations (Haryana):
- SC/ST, BC-A/BC-B, Unmarried/Widow/Judicially separated women, Wives of disabled military personnel: +5 yrs (max 47)
- PwD (Haryana): +10 yrs (up to 50); PwD + SC/BC/EWS: +15 yrs (up to 55)
- Haryana Govt. employees (Regular): up to 45 (4+ yrs service; 3 chances after 42)
- Haryana Govt. employees (Ad-hoc/Contract): Age = Actual − Years of Service (max 52), one-time
- Ex-Servicemen (ESM): Age = Actual − (Service + 3 yrs break), within limits
DSP – Age & Physical Standards
- Minimum age: 18; Base max age: 27; Relaxation +5 years only for SC/ST/BC/EWS (max 32)
- Male: Height 5’7” (170.18 cm); Chest 33” (unexpanded), 34.5” (expanded)
- Female: Height 5’2” (157.50 cm)
HCS Exam Pattern 2026 (Prelims • Mains • Interview)
Prelims (Objective)
- GS – 100 marks (counts for screening merit)
- CSAT – 100 marks (qualifying, 33%)
- Shortlisting: 12× posts (+ bracketed) to Mains
Mains (Subjective • 600)
- English & Essay – 100
- Hindi & Essay – 100
- GS-I – 100 • GS-II – 100 • GS-III – 100 • GS-IV – 100
- Shortlisting to Interview: 3× posts (+ bracketed)
Interview (Personality Test)
- 75 marks: leadership, decision-making, awareness, communication
- Final Merit = 600 (Mains) + 75 (Interview)
HCS Syllabus 2026 – Overview
Prelims – GS (100)
- General Science, current events (India & world)
- History of India & National Movement
- Indian & World Geography
- Polity & Economy (Constitution, PRIs, development)
- Haryana GK – society, economy, culture, languages
Prelims – CSAT (100)
- General Mental Ability, reasoning & analytical ability
- Qualifying with 33%
Mains – Language Papers (each 100)
- English: Precis, comprehension, vocabulary/usage, grammar, essay
- Hindi: Translation (EN→HI), letter/precis, prose/poetry explanation, grammar, essay
Mains – General Studies (4×100)
- GS-I: History, Heritage, Culture, Geography, Society
- GS-II: Polity, Governance, Constitution, IR
- GS-III: Economy, Environment, Sci-Tech, Internal Security
- GS-IV: Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude
HCS Cut-off (Past Years)
Use these historical benchmarks to plan your targets. Values are reproduced as noted in prior notifications/results.
Prelims (out of 200 in 2017; out of 100 in 2021/2022/2023)
- General: 130.31 (2017) • 68.50 (2021) • Tentative (2022, 2023)
- BC-A: 115.16 (2017) • 66.50 (2021) • Tentative (2022, 2023)
- BC-B: 129.34 (2017) • 58.75 (2021) • Tentative (2022, 2023)
- SC: 105.15 (2017) • 54.50 (2021) • Tentative (2022, 2023)
- EWS: – • 60.25 (2021) • Tentative (2022, 2023)
Mains (out of 600 except 2023 out of 675)
- General: 328 (2017) • 369.3 (2021) • 370 (2022) • 359.50 (2023)
- BC-A: 308 (2017) • 341.35 (2021) • 355 (2022) • 341.50 (2023)
- BC-B: 328 (2017) • 357.2 (2021) • 360 (2022) • 359.50 (2023)
- SC: 307 (2017) • 323.7 (2021) • 330 (2022) • 315.50 (2023)
- EWS: – • 358.5 (2021) • 365 (2022) • 349.50 (2023)
Final Merit (out of 675 except 2022 out of 600)
- General: 370 (2017) • 360.8 (2021) • 430 (2022) • 350.0 (2023)
- BC-A: 350 (2017) • 339.1 (2021) • 420 (2022) • 327.5 (2023)
- BC-B: 366.5 (2017) • 342.5 (2021) • 430 (2022) • 330.0 (2023)
- SC: 351 (2017) • 318.2 (2021) • 390 (2022) • 317.5 (2023)
- EWS: – • 319 (2021) • 425 (2022) • 318.5 (2023)
Admit Card – Download
Admit cards will be released on the HPSC portal. Login with your registration details to download and verify particulars.
FAQs on HCS Notification 2026
Is there age relaxation for DSP?
Yes, +5 years for SC/ST/BC/EWS only (max 32 years).
Exam medium?
The HCS exam is conducted in Hindi and English.
Can I give the interview in Hindi?
Yes. The interview evaluates personality, awareness, decision-making and communication; language choice is not a barrier.
Can working professionals prepare?
Absolutely. O2 IAS Academy also offers night batches designed for professionals.
Get a Plan for the New Pattern
Need clarity on books, timetable and test practice for HCS 2026? Talk to a mentor and get a personalized study plan. Explore our 1:1 Mentorship or see HPAS/HCS syllabus references.
Summary – Why Read the HCS Notification 2026 Carefully
The official HPSC notice will finalize dates, vacancies and instructions. Meanwhile, your best move is to align prep with the confirmed pattern, syllabus and eligibility, track age/relaxation rules and keep documents ready (AIU for foreign degrees). When HCS Notification 2026 publishes, you can apply on day one and focus fully on performance.
