The upcoming HPSC HCS (Executive Branch) & Allied Services notification. These are designed to address the concerns of aspirants looking for coaching and guidance in Delhi.
General Notification FAQs
Q1: When is the next HPSC HCS notification 2025 expected?
- Answer: HPSC usually releases the HCS notification annually. For the 2025 cycle, the notification is expected to be released in early 2026. Aspirants should keep a close watch on the official website hpsc.gov.in.
Q2: How many vacancies are expected in the upcoming HCS notification?
- Answer: While the exact number depends on the requisition from the Haryana Government.
Q3: Has the HPSC HCS exam pattern changed for the upcoming cycle?
- Answer: Yes. The most significant change is the removal of the Optional Subject from the Mains examination. The Mains will now consist of four General Studies papers, one English paper, and one Hindi paper. This brings the HCS pattern closer to the UPSC/UPPCS structure.
Eligibility Criteria FAQs
Q4: What is the age limit for HPSC HCS?
- Answer:
- General Category: 18 to 42 years.
- DSP Post: 18 to 27 years (for General category).
- Note: Age relaxations apply for SC, BC-A, BC-B, and PwD candidates of Haryana domicile as per government rules.
Q5: What is the educational qualification required?
- Answer: A candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Final-year students can apply provided they have their degree/result at the time of the closing date of the application.
Q6: Can candidates from other states (Non-Haryana) apply?
- Answer: Yes, candidates from any state in India can apply. However, they will be treated as General Category candidates and will not be eligible for reservation benefits (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) even if they belong to those categories in their home state.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus FAQs
Q7: Is there negative marking in the HCS Prelims?
- Answer: Yes. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer in both Paper I (GS) and Paper II (CSAT).
Q8: What is the “5th Option” rule in HPSC OMR sheets?
- Answer: HPSC has a unique rule where each question has 5 circles (A, B, C, D, and E). If you do not know the answer and wish to leave it blank, you must fill the 5th circle (E). If you leave all five circles blank, 0.25 marks will be deducted.
Q9: Is the CSAT paper qualifying?
- Answer: Yes, Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature. You need to score a minimum of 33% marks to pass. The merit for the Mains exam is based solely on the marks of Paper I (General Studies).
Q10: What is the weightage of Haryana GK in the Prelims?
- Answer: Usually, 15 to 25 questions are dedicated to Haryana-specific History, Geography, Economy, Culture, and Current Affairs. This is a crucial section for clearing the cutoff.
Application & Fees FAQs
Q11: What is the application fee for HPSC HCS?
- Answer:
- Male (General/Other State): ₹1,000
- Female (All categories/Other State): ₹250
- SC/BC-A/BC-B/ESM/EWS (Haryana only): ₹250
- PwD (Haryana only): Nil
Q12: Can I choose Delhi as an Exam Centre?
- Answer: No. HPSC HCS exams (Prelims and Mains) are conducted at various centers within the state of Haryana (e.g., Panchkula, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Gurugram).
Preparation FAQs
Q13: How long does it take to prepare for HCS if I start now?
- Answer: Given the new 6-paper Mains pattern, a dedicated preparation of 8 to 10 months is ideal. However, students already preparing for UPSC can adapt to the HCS pattern in 3-4 months by focusing on Haryana GK and specific answer-writing practices.
Q14: Are Delhi-based coachings better than Haryana-based coachings?
- Answer: Delhi coachings (Nalanda IAS) offer a higher level of competition and better resources for General Studies and Ethics. However, ensure the Delhi institute you choose has a specialized module for Haryana GK, as that is the deciding factor in HPSC.
Q15: Does HPSC repeat questions from previous years?
- Answer: HPSC has a tendency to repeat themes and sometimes direct questions from previous years’ papers of HCS and other state services. Practicing the last 10 years of HPSC papers is highly recommended.
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