HCS Syllabus 2024

Preparing for the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) examination requires a clear understanding of its syllabus. At O2 IAS Academy, we provide the best HCS coaching both online and offline in Chandigarh, ensuring you are well-equipped to tackle every aspect of the exam. Understand the Syllabus is vital before starting the preparation Journey . Here, we break down the HCS syllabus for both Prelims and Mains to guide your preparation effectively.

Here, you will find the complete HCS Syllabus for all the stages of the examination:

• Preliminary Stage – General Studies & CSAT
• Mains Stage – 4 Theory Papers (Language Papers, GS & Optional)
• Personality Test – Interview

 HCS Prelims Syllabus

The HCS Prelims consists of two papers: General Studies and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).

Paper 1: General Studies

The General Studies paper covers a broad range of topics:

• General Science: Basic understanding of everyday scientific concepts and observations in Physics, Chemistry and Biology including recent develpments in the fields of Technology .
• Current Affairs: Significant national and international events.
• History of India and Indian National Movement: Focus on the social, economic, and Political aspects of Ancient and Medieval Indian History icluding Art and culture, and Indian Freedom Struggle. 
• Indian and World Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the World, including agricultural and natural resources.
• Environment and Ecology :- Basic aspects of Environment and Ecology including new conventions & Agreements in news
• Indian Polity and Indian Economy: The political system, Constitution of India, Panchayati Raj, social systems, and Basic Macroecomic Concepts like National income, Poverty, Inflation, Population & Unemplyement, Banking & Public Finance , Agriculture , Industry and economic developments.
• Haryana-specific topics: Economy, people, social, economic, cultural institutions, and language of Haryana.

Paper 2: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

CSAT assesses:

• Comprehension: Understanding and interpreting passages.
• Interpersonal Skills: Communication abilities.
• Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability: Problem-solving skills.
• Decision Making: Evaluating scenarios and making decisions.
• General Mental Ability: Numerical and data interpretation at the Class X level.
• To be noted:
  • The preliminary examination is only meant for screening a candidate for the subsequent stages of the exam.
  • The marks obtained in the Prelims will not be added up while arriving at the final rank list.

  The subjects included in the prelims are common for all. However, there is an option to opt for a few subjects in the mains phase of the examination

 HCS Mains Syllabus

The HCS Mains examination is more detailed and includes compulsory subjects.

Compulsory Subjects:

1. English and English Essay (100 Marks):

   • English: Precis writing, comprehension, essay writing, usage, vocabulary, and general grammar.
   • Essay: Writing on given topics, emphasizing clear, concise, and effective expression.

2. Hindi and Hindi Essay (100 Marks):

   • Translation: English to Hindi.
   • Letter/Precis Writing.
   • Explanation of Hindi Passages: Both prose and poetry.
   • Composition: Idioms, corrections.
   • Essay: Writing on given topics in Hindi.

3. General Studies (200 marks):

Part-I:

• History of Modern India and Indian Culture: From the mid-19th century, focusing on personalities, freedom movement, and social reforms.
• Geography of India: Physical, economic, and social geography.
• Indian Polity: Constitution, political system, and current national issues.
• Current National Issues: Demography, human resources, social welfare, law enforcement, human rights, corruption, and internal security.
• Environmental Issues: Ecological preservation and conservation of resources.

Part-II:

• India and the World: Foreign affairs, external security, nuclear policy, and the Indian diaspora.
• Indian Economy: Planning, development, trade issues, and roles of IMF, World Bank, and WTO.
• International Affairs and Institutions: World events and international bodies.
• Science and Technology: Developments in science, technology, communication, and space.
• Statistical Analysis: Interpreting data from statistical, graphical, or diagrammatic presentations.

HPSC HCS Optional Subjects 2024

When completing the HPSC HCS Application form 2024, candidates should choose just one of the 29 optional subjects from the list below that they wish to take for the HPSC HCS Mains in 2024. It should be noted that after submitting the HPSC HCS Application Form 2024, no changes can be made to the optional subject. The following section lists the current optional subjects that are offered.

When completing the application form, candidates are instructed to choose/select only one optional subject from the aforementioned 29 optional subjects in which they wish to appear in the Main. It should be noted that no changes to the optional subject chosen at this point will be permitted

HCS Detailed Syllabus in English :-Download PDF Here

Must-Know Facts about UPSC Mains

• The Mains examination constitutes the 2nd phase of the Civil Services Examination. Only after successfully qualifying in the prelims exam would the candidates be allowed to write the IAS Mains.
• The Mains exam tests the candidate’s academic talent in depth and his/her ability to present his/her understanding according to the requirements of the question in a time-bound manner.

Key Takeaways 

• Focus on comprehensive preparation for both Prelims and Mains, covering all aspects of the HCS syllabus.
• Regularly update yourself with current events, especially those relevant to Haryana.
• Develop a strong foundation in basic science, history, geography, polity, and economy.
• Hone your mental ability and problem-solving skills.
• Practice essay writing and improve your comprehension and communication skills in both English and Hindi.

FAQs on HCS Syllabus

Q1: How many questions are asked from Haryana GK in Prelims? 

Answer: Typically, 7-8 questions are asked from Haryana GK in the HCS Prelims.

Q2: How many questions are asked from Haryana GK in Mains? 

Answer: None. There are no specific questions from Haryana GK in the HCS Mains.

Q3: Is Ethics a part of the HCS Mains syllabus?  

Answer: No, Ethics is not included in the HCS Mains syllabus.

Q4: Is there an Essay paper in HCS Mains? 

Answer: No, there isn't a separate Essay paper. Essays are included within the language papers only.

Q5: How many optional subjects are there in HCS Mains? 

Answer: There is 1 optional subject, which is of 200 marks.

Q6: What is the duration of each paper in HCS Mains? 

Answer: Each paper in the HCS Mains is typically 3 hours long.

Q7: Are there any negative markings in HCS Prelims? 

Answer: Yes, there is a negative marking for incorrect answers in the HCS Prelims.

Q8: What is the medium of the HCS examination? 

Answer: The HCS examination can be taken in either English or Hindi, except for the language papers.

At O2 IAS Academy, our expert faculty and structured coaching programs are designed to help you excel in the HCS exam. With our guidance, you can navigate the extensive syllabus and approach your preparation with confidence.

For more detailed coaching and personalized study plans, join O2 IAS Academy in Chandigarh, where we offer the best HCS coaching to help you achieve your goals