Chandigarh, January 8 – In a significant update to streamline recruitment for top administrative posts, the Haryana Government has released a comprehensive revision of the syllabi for the Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) and Allied Services examinations through an Extraordinary Gazette notification. A notification in this regard has been issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi.
For the Preliminary Examination, candidates will face two objective papers totaling 400 marks. Paper I on General Studies delves into general science, drawing from everyday observations expected of an educated individual; current national and international events; broad aspects of Indian history, including the National Movement’s resurgence and independence; Indian and world geography with focus on physical, social, and economic features, agriculture, and resources; Indian polity, economy, culture, and mental ability through reasoning. Haryana-specific elements like its economy, people, social institutions, culture, and language are integrated throughout. Paper II, the Civil Services Aptitude Test, tests comprehension, interpersonal and communication skills, logical reasoning, decision-making, problem-solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy (Class X level), and data interpretation from charts, graphs, tables, and sufficiency questions.
The Main Written Examination introduces a more robust structure with six descriptive papers, each of three hours’ duration and 100 marks, totaling 600 marks—a key change eliminating optional subjects and introducing four General Studies papers, as confirmed in recent HPSC updates. Paper I (English and Essay) evaluates reading serious prose, precise expression through precis writing, passage comprehension, usage, vocabulary, grammar, composition, and an essay on a chosen topic stressing orderly ideas and conciseness. Paper II (Hindi and Hindi Essay in Devnagri script) covers English-to-Hindi translation, letter/precis writing, prose/poetry explanations, idioms, corrections, composition, and a topic-based essay.
General Studies-I explores Indian art forms, literature, and architecture from ancient to modern times; modern Indian history from the 18th century, freedom struggle stages and contributors; post-independence consolidation; world history including industrial revolution, wars, colonization, and philosophies like communism and socialism; Indian society’s diversity, women’s roles, population, poverty, urbanization, globalization effects, social empowerment, communalism, regionalism, secularism; world physical geography, resource distribution, industry locations, geophysical phenomena like earthquakes and cyclones, and critical changes in geography, flora, fauna, with Haryana linkages.
General Studies-II covers the Indian Constitution’s evolution, features, amendments, federal structure challenges, devolution to local levels, separation of powers, dispute mechanisms, comparisons with other nations; Parliament and legislatures’ functioning; executive and judiciary structures, pressure groups; Representation of People’s Act; constitutional bodies; statutory/regulatory institutions; development policies, NGOs, SHGs; welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, health, education, poverty, hunger; governance aspects like e-governance, transparency, civil services’ role, India-neighborhood relations, international groupings, diaspora, global institutions, and Haryana issues.
General Studies-III addresses Indian economy planning, resource mobilization, growth, employment, inclusive growth, budgeting; agriculture including crops, irrigation, subsidies, MSP, PDS, food security, animal rearing, food processing; land reforms; liberalization effects, industrial policy; infrastructure like energy, ports, transport; science-technology applications, IT, space, biotech, IPR; environment conservation, disasters; extremism linkages, internal security challenges from cyber, media, organized crime, border issues, security forces, with Haryana relevance.
Finally, General Studies-IV on Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude uses case studies to probe attitudes towards public life probity, covering ethics essence in actions, human values from leaders, attitude influences, foundational civil service values like integrity and empathy, emotional intelligence, moral thinkers; public service ethics, dilemmas, accountability; governance probity including RTI, codes, citizen charters and corruption challenges.
