HPSC Exam Pattern 2024: Prelims, Mains Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

HPSC Exam Pattern 2024: The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) releases the pattern for HPSC HCS exam along with the notification on its official website. Candidates preparing for the examination must know the exam pattern as it helps candidates know the marking scheme, weightage, and overall exam structure. 

As per the revised HPSC exam pattern for Haryana Civil Services (Executive Branch) examination, the selection process is divided into three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The preliminary round consists of two papers: Paper I (General Studies) & Paper II (CSAT). The CSAT paper, similar to the UPSC IAS Exam, is qualifying in nature. Hence, the HPSC HCS preliminary result will be based on marks obtained by candidates in Paper I (General Studies). There is also a negative marking of 0.25 marks in the preliminary examination. Also Read: HPSC HCS Syllabus 2024

The HPSC HCS mains examination will be conducted in a descriptive format. A total of five papers will be conducted out of which two are optional subjects. Students can choose two optional subjects out of a list of 23 subjects. Students who clear the main examination will be called for the interview round. The interview round, also known as the Personality Test, carries 75 marks. 

HPSC Exam Pattern 2024: Highlights

Interested candidates can check the highlights of the HPSC exam pattern in the table below:

HPSC Exam Pattern 2024: Prelims

The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) conducts the preliminary examination for HCS (Executive Branch) & Other Allied Services. The preliminary examination is a qualifying exam that screens candidates for the main examination. Below is the HCS exam pattern for preliminary examinations:

Interested candidates can check the key points of the exam pattern below:

• The preliminary exam consists of two papers: Paper I (General Studies) & Paper II (CSAT)
• Questions will be MCQ type.
• There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.
• The medium of language will be both Hindi & English.
• The CSAT paper is qualifying. In other words, students must bring at least 33% marks to pass the examination.
• The merit list released after the preliminary examination will be based on marks scored by candidates in Paper I (General Studies).

HPSC Exam Pattern 2024: Mains

• The Mains examination is the second stage of the HPSC HCS exam. 
• Candidates who clear the preliminary exam cutoff are eligible to appear for the mains round. 
• The Mains examination is descriptive in nature. 
• There are a total of 5 papers in the mains examination out of which two papers are of optional subjects. 
• The duration of each paper is 3 hours
• The optional subjects carry 150 marks each, while other subjects carry 100 marks each.

HPSC Exam Pattern 2024: Interview Round

The interview round/personality test is the last stage of the HPSC HCS selection process. The interview round carries 75 marks. Students must note that the HPSC HCS result (final merit list) will be released based on marks obtained by them in the mains and the interview round. In other words, marks scored by them out of 675 will serve as the basis of their selection.

HPSC Exam Pattern 2024: Optional Subjects

The HPSC HCS mains exam consists of two papers from optional subjects. Below is the list of 23 optional subjects:

However, there are certain combinations of subjects which are not allowed by the commission. These combinations are as follows:

• Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) & Public Administration
• Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Service & Agriculture
• Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering
• Hindi literature, English literature, Sanskrit literature and Punjabi literature

HPSC Exam Pattern 2024: Important Instructions

Candidates must know the following instructions while attempting the paper:

• Each question shall have five options (A, B, C, D and E). lf a candidate is attempting a question, he shall have to darken the appropriate circle A, B, C or D and if not attempting a question then, he shall have to darken the corresponding circle E below #. If none of the circles is darkened, one-fourth (0.25) mark shall be deducted.
• Any candidate not darkening any of the five circles in more than 10% questions in each paper, shall be disqualified.
• Any omission or discrepancy in filling the Roll Number, Question Booklet Series and Question Booklet Number will render the OMR Answer Sheet liable for rejection.