HPSC HCS Prelims Question Paper 2026 (26 April)- Download PDF

HPSC HCS Prelims GS Question Paper held on 26 April 2026 — Download PDF
The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) successfully conducted the HCS (Executive Branch) & Other Allied Services Preliminary Examination 2026 on Sunday, 26th April 2026. Thousands of candidates appeared in the exam across multiple examination centres in Haryana. Candidates who are preparing for next year's HPSC HCS examination can download the HPSC HCS Question Paper PDF 2026, which has been provided in this article for the General Studies paper held in the morning shift — and for the evening shift, the paper will also be shared here.
The HPSC HCS Preliminary Examination 2026 consists of two objective-type papers — General Studies (Paper I) and CSAT (Paper II) — each conducted for 2 hours. The General Studies paper is considered for merit and shortlisting, while the CSAT paper is qualifying in nature with a minimum score of 33% required. Candidates who clear the Prelims will move to the Mains Written Examination scheduled from 27th to 29th June 2026.
📋 HPSC HCS Prelims 2026 — Exam Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) |
| Exam Name | HCS (Ex. Br.) & Other Allied Services Examination 2025–26 |
| Advertisement No. | 22/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 102 Posts |
| Prelims Exam Date | 26th April 2026 (Sunday) |
| Shift Timings | Paper I: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon | Paper II: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (OMR-based Objective Type) |
| Language Medium | Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
📥 HPSC HCS GS Question Paper 2026 PDF Download
The General Studies paper of 26th April 2026 (10 AM – 12 Noon) has been shared below. Candidates can download the question paper PDF and check which questions were asked in GS Paper I.
HCS 2026 Prelims GS Question Paper PDF (Morning Shift)
⬇️ Download GS Paper I PDF🗝️ Check Unofficial Answer Key 2026
📝 HPSC HCS 2026 Prelims Paper Structure
The examination consists of two objective-type papers. Here's a quick breakdown:
📚 GS Paper I — Topics Covered in HPSC HCS Prelims 2026
The General Studies paper in the HPSC HCS Prelims 2026 covers a broad range of topics. Here's what candidates were tested on:
📊 HPSC HCS Prelims 2026 Exam Analysis — 26 April
Based on candidate feedback from exam centres across Haryana, here is the analysis of both papers:
| Paper | Difficulty Level | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies (Paper I) | Easy to Moderate | The paper was reported to be of moderate difficulty, consistent with previous years. Haryana GK and Current Affairs carried significant weightage. Topics from History, Polity, and Economy had a strong presence. A few questions on Science and Environment were also included. |
| CSAT (Paper II) | To be Updated | Analysis will be updated after candidate feedback from the evening shift. Bookmark this page to stay updated. |
💡 Why Solve HPSC HCS Question Paper 2026?
🎯 For Today's Candidates
- Cross-check answers against unofficial keys to estimate your score
- Identify which sections were easier or harder than past papers
- Use as a benchmark to understand where you stand
🚀 For Future Aspirants
- Many topics repeat every year — especially Polity, History, Geography, Haryana GK
- Understand question trends and prioritise high-weightage topics
- Gain a strategic edge for next year's HCS Prelims preparation
🔮 What's Next After HPSC HCS Prelims 2026?
✅ Prelims Exam Completed
26th April 2026 — Both Paper I (GS) and Paper II (CSAT) conducted successfully.
⏳ Result Declaration
To be announced by HPSC on the official website. Keep checking hpsc.gov.in regularly.
📝 Mains Written Examination
Scheduled from 27th June to 29th June 2026 for candidates who clear the Preliminary Examination.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What are the minimum qualifying marks for HPSC HCS CSAT Paper?
Candidates need to score a minimum of 33% marks in Paper II (CSAT) to qualify. The CSAT score is not counted towards the merit list — only qualifying marks are required.
Q2. Is the CSAT score counted for the merit list?
No. The CSAT (Paper II) is purely qualifying in nature. Only the General Studies (Paper I) score is used for shortlisting candidates for the Mains Examination.
Q3. When will the HPSC HCS Mains Examination be held?
The HPSC HCS Mains Written Examination is scheduled from 27th June to 29th June 2026 for candidates who clear the Preliminary Examination.
Q4. How many vacancies are there in HPSC HCS 2026?
The total number of vacancies for HCS (Ex. Br.) & Other Allied Services Examination 2025–26 is 102 posts as per Advertisement No. 22/2026.
Q5. Where can I download the HCS 2026 Prelims Question Paper PDF?
The HCS 2026 Prelims GS Question Paper PDF is available in the download section above on this page. Click the download button to access the official paper for the morning shift.
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