Preparation Strategy for HPAS Prelims
HPAS is one of the most prestigious and tough entrance exams in India. Every year thousands of devoted aspirants appear for this exam. Most dedicated aspirants, studying in HPAS coaching institutes in Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh, have doubts regarding sources for studying various topics of the huge syllabus prescribed for HPAS. Today we will discuss this topic and all its dimensions in detail. In this blog, we will mention all the relevant books (and multiple options) for HPAS along with the detailed HPAS syllabus. We sincerely hope this will be a detailed topic-wise book list that will help Aspirants and especially new aspirants who don’t know which study material (books) to follow.
Tips to crack HPAS Prelims
- Aspirants should try to finish HPAS prelims preparation within a few months. This preparation should not be haphazard but be focused on the demands of the examination process. Thus it is a must for all aspirants to go through the detailed topics listed on HPPSC’s official website.
- The prelim exam is the first stage in the selection process and it will be based on objective-type questions. But the Main Exam which is the second stage requires candidates to write long descriptive essay-type answers. Thus both stages require aspirants to be highly selective about the study material and to study smart and save time. Even though the syllabus for the stages is almost the same but the type of questions asked is different.
- Devise a strategy/study plan and maintain a timetable. Allot time for each subject topic-wise. This will enable you to track your progress. After each study session keeps 1 hour for revision of topics.
- Never neglect the newspaper. Read newspapers every day to stay updated on the nation and international issues, polity, economy, and important announcements regarding programs and policies of the government, etc.
- Studying in a stretch for long hours without hours can be tedious and will lead to diminishing returns. Thus study in 2-hour slots and take a 10min break after every 45 mins and 20 min break after 2 hours.
- It is very important to maintain proper mental and physical health, to ensure your good performance on the big day. Give your brain an appropriate time to refresh. Sleep for 8 hours, take breaks, eat nutritious food, and do light exercise.
- Don’t over-exhaust yourself on a regular basis. Manage your stress. Take it slow and steady.
- Attempt mock tests regularly and revise regularly
Subject wise Distribution of questions in HPAS Prelims
Paper 1: General Studies
| Subject | Expected number of questions as
Per the current trends |
| Ancient History + Medieval History + Culture + Modern History | 10-20 |
| Indian Polity + International Relations | 10-12 |
| Geography | 10-15 |
| Economic & Social Development | 12-18 |
| Science + Tech | 12-20 |
| Environment + Biodiversity | 10-12 |
| Himachal General Knowledge | 20-25 |
| Current Events [National + International] | 5-10 |
| Misc ( Awards, Organizations, etc) | 4-5 |
Paper 2: General Aptitude Test
| Subject topic | Expected number of questions as
Per the current trends |
| Logical Reasoning | 30-35 |
| Mathematical Ability | 30-35 |
| Behavioral Psychology + Interpersonal Skills + Decision Making & Problem Solving | 20-25 |
| English (Comprehension, blanks) | 15 |
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The pattern of HPAS Prelims
Paper 1: General Studies
Time: 2 Hours | Max Marks: 200 | Questions: 100
- Ancient History + Medieval History + Culture + Modern History (10-20 Questions )
In Ancient History:
Prehistoric India, Historic India, Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic India, Mahajanapadas, Mauryan Period, Gupta Period etc
In Medieval History :
The Classical Age, Pala Empire, Rashtrakuta Empire, Islam in India, Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire, Guru Nanak, Mughals, Arrival of Europeans etc
Culture:
Visual Arts (Paintings, Architecture, Sculpture), Performing Arts (Music, Dance, Drama etc), Religions (Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism), Society etc.
In Modern History :
1st War of Independence, Formation of Indian National Congress, Moderates and Extremists, Muslim League, Gandhian Phase, Non-Co-operation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Quit India Movement, Cripps Mission, Cabinet Mission, Mount Batten Plan, Partition of India Indian Constitution etc.
Modern History dominates in this section with 8-10 Questions, although the Number of questions varies each year, so can be 10-20
- Indian Polity + International Relations (10-12 Questions)
Constitution, History, Features, Preamble of the Constitution, Union &Territory, Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties, President, Vice-president, Prime Minister, Parliament, Supreme Court, Governor, Chief Minister, State Legislature, High Court, Subordinate Courts, Federal System, Center-State Relations, Inter-State Relations, Scheduled and Tribal Areas, Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Governments, Emergency Provisions, Special Status of J& K, Election Commission, UPSC, Finance Commission, CAG of India, AG & SG of India, Subjects of Union, State and Concurrent Lists, Precedence Oaths, Definitions under the Constitution, Constitutional Amendments etc
International Relations questions are asked from Current events.
Polity dominates this section with 10-12 questions in which 2-3 current events
- Geography (10-15 Questions)
Geography can be divided into three – Physical Geography, Economic Geography, and Social Geography. The major sub-topics under Physical Indian Geography are Physio-graphic divisions, Drainage, Climate, Vegetation, Natural Resources, etc. Topics related to an environment like wildlife, Soil, Flora, etc should be given stress too. Economic and Social Geography-related aspects of Indian Geography should be studied in parallel to Physical Geography.
- Economic & Social Development (12-18 Questions)
Indian Economy topics: like issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment, Government Budgeting, cropping patterns, Public Distribution System, Technology missions, Food processing, Land reforms, Liberalization, Infrastructure and Investment models.
Social welfare Schemes etc
- Science and Technology (12-20 Questions)
Physics: 4-5 Questions
Chemistry: 4-5 Questions are asked mainly on metal, non-metals, and Organic Chemistry or products
Biology: 4-5 Questions are asked related to DNA, body parts, Diseases etc,
Computer: 1-2 Questions
Current Discoveries or Noble Prize related
Space and Defense related to Current
A very important section, although a number of questions may vary each year
- Environment and Biodiversity (10-12 Questions)
Ecology-related aspects :
Ecosystem, Keystone species, Niche, Food chain, Food web etc.
Biodiversity-related aspects :
Heavy areas like flora and fauna, endangered species, wildlife parks, sanctuaries, bio-diversity hot-spots, biosphere reserves, IUCN, summits etc.
Climate change/Environment degradation related aspects :
Global warming, ozone hole depletion, acid rain etc.
Current questions
News related to conventions or protocols like Ramsar Convention, Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol etc.
- Himachal General Knowledge (20-25 Questions)
History of Himachal Pradesh
Geography of Himachal
Administrative & Political History of Himachal Pradesh
Art, Culture, Customs & Manners of Himachal
Environment & Biodiversity of Himachal
Social and Economic Development of Himachal Pradesh
Current Affairs of Himachal Pradesh
most scoring an important section
- Current Events [National as well as International] (5-10 Questions)
In this section, Current events of National and International are asked.
Some Polity, Economic, Social, Geographic, and Environmental current events are asked and their related theories too. So this is very important to read the newspaper daily and keep relating current affairs with the static part.
- Misc (Awards, Organizations, etc) (4-5 Questions)
Total Questions
A total number of questions in all the sections varies every year.
Paper 2: General Aptitude Test
Time : 2 Hours | Max Marks : 200 | Questions: 100
Topics
- Logical Reasoning
(Weak-Strong Argument, Analogy, Odd man, Coding, Calendar, Direction test, Blood test, Sitting Arrangement, Syllogism, Data Sufficiency etc )
- Q
- Mathematical Ability
( Data Interpretation, Numbers, Series, Data Sufficiency, Divisibility, Percentage, Time-Work, Mode, Median etc )
30-35
- Behavioral Psychology + Interpersonal Skills + Decision Making & Problem Solving
20-25 Q
- English (Comprehension, blanks)
15 Q
Total Questions
100
Essential Books to read for Preparation of HPAS Prelims
General Studies Paper – 1
GS Prelims Syllabus and Topics
Books/Study material
- Himachal Pradesh General Studies/ Himachal GK :
“The Wonderland Himachal” – by Jag Mohan Bhalokhra
“Himachal Pradesh: History, Culture, and Economy”: by Mian Govardhan Singh (also Good Book, but not sufficient.)
- Ancient History
- India’s Ancient Past New (its also Called Old NCERT) (Must have the book)
- NCERT New
- Medieval History
- History Of Medieval India (its also Called Old NCERT)
- NCERT New
- Modern History
- History of Modern India – Spectrum (Very Brief one) (Must have the book)
- Culture
- Indian Art & Culture – Nitin Singhania
- NCERT 11th & 12th
- Geography
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong. (Physical Geography) Important Book
- The Orient BlackSwan School Atlas / Oxford School Atlas by Oxford University Press (Choose one Atlas) (Must have the book)
- NCERT class 6th to 10th social science/ or ICSE Board Books 7th to 10th
- NCERT Geography class 11th, 12th (Very Important)
- Indian Polity
- Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth (Must have the book)
or
- Introduction to the Constitution of India – DD Basu
- NCERT/NIOS of Class 6th-10th Social Science
- NCERT/NIOS of Class 11th-12th Political Science
- Economic & Social Development
- Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh (Must have the book)
- Economic Survey (Economy) Very Important
- Yojna & Kurukshetra
- NCERT 10th 11th, 12th Economics
- Environment & Biodiversity
- Environment – Shankar IAS /
- General Science
Lucent’s manual
Or
- Tata McGraw-Hill General Studies Manual: English / Hindi (Must have the book)
- Latest technology related News read Magazines/Newspaper, Internet
- Current Affairs
- India Yearbook
- Newspapers: The Hindu, The Indian Express, Frontline
This is not a concrete booklist instead it is a suggestive and customizable booklist in which we have tried to minimize the books for mains and pre-preparation. We have also tried to present a pre-oriented booklist different from the mains topic wise booklist as per students demand and requests.
We will discuss a timetable for HPAS preparation and mains booklist in the next blog post.
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We hope that this blog will help you. These were our views and opinions on this topic. What are your thoughts and inputs or queries on this topic? Comment below and share your views with us. We would be happy to assist you in your HPAS preparation battles and answer your queries.
