Haryana
HCS Exam Syllabus – Mains
- 27 Jan 2025
- 1 min read
Table of Contents
The Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Mains Examination is structured to comprehensively evaluate a candidate’s intellectual depth, analytical skills, and written expression across a diverse range of subjects. This stage tests not only academic knowledge but also the ability to present ideas clearly, concisely, and effectively, making it a crucial determinant of success in the civil services examination.
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The HCS Mains exam has shifted from a "State PCS pattern" (1 GS + Optional) to a UPSC Civil Services style pattern (4 GS Papers + No Optional).
|
Feature |
Old Pattern |
New 2026 Pattern |
|
Optional Subject |
Included (1 Paper) |
Removed |
|
General Studies |
1 Paper (Part I & II) |
4 Papers (GS I, II, III, IV) |
|
Ethics Paper |
No |
Yes (GS-IV) |
|
Focus |
Factual & Static |
Analytical & Dynamic |
The Mains examination now consists of 6 Compulsory Papers. Candidates must appear for all papers.
|
Paper |
Subject |
Syllabus Highlights |
Max. Marks |
|
Paper 1 |
English & English Essay |
Precis, Comprehension, Essay, Grammar |
100 |
|
Paper 2 |
Hindi & Hindi Essay (in Devnagri Script) |
Translation, Prose, Poetry, Composition |
100 |
|
Paper 3 |
General Studies - I |
History, Culture, Geography, Indian Society |
100 |
|
Paper 4 |
General Studies - II |
Polity, Governance, Social Justice, IR |
100 |
|
Paper 5 |
General Studies - III |
Economy, Science & Tech, Environment, Security |
100 |
|
Paper 6 |
General Studies - IV |
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude |
100 |
|
Total Marks |
600 |
||
Detailed HCS Mains Syllabus (New 2026 Pattern)
1. English and English Essay
The aim of the paper is to test the candidate's ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express his ideas: clearly and correctly in English.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:
- Precis Writing
- Comprehension of given passages.
- Essay.
- Usage and Vocabulary.
- General Grammar/Composition.
Note:
- Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic.
- The choice of subjects will be given.
- They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion and to write concisely.
- Credit will be given for effective, and exact expression.
2. Hindi and Hindi Essay (in Devanagari Script)
- Translation of an English passage into Hindi.
- Letter/Precis writing.
- Explanation of Hindi passages (prose and poetry) in the same language.
- Composition (idioms, correction, etc.).
- Essay on a specific topic (choice of subjects will be given).
3. General Studies - I
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
- Indian Culture: Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian History: Significant events, personalities, and issues from the middle of the eighteenth century until the present.
- The Freedom Struggle: Its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
- Post-Independence History: Consolidation and reorganization within the country.
- World History: Events from the 18th century such as the industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.—their forms and effect on society.
- Indian Society: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
- Social Issues: Role of women and women's organizations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
- Globalization: Effects of globalization on Indian society.
- Social Empowerment: Communalism, regionalism, and secularism.
- World Geography: Salient features of the world's physical geography.
- Distribution of Natural Resources: Key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India) .
- Geophysical Phenomena: Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones, etc., geographical features and their location—changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
- Haryana Specific: Related issues of Haryana.
4. General Studies - II
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.
- Indian Constitution: Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
- Federal Structure: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
- Separation of Powers: Power separation between various organs, Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- Comparison of Constitutions: Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Legislature: Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
- Executive and Judiciary: Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary; Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
- Representation of People's Act: Salient features.
- Constitutional Posts & Bodies: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
- Statutory & Regulatory Bodies: Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government Policies: Interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Development Industry: The role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
- Welfare Schemes: Schemes for vulnerable sections by the Centre and States and their performance; mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
- Social Services: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
- Poverty and Hunger: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
- Governance: Transparency and accountability, e-governance (applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential), citizens charters, transparency & accountability, and institutional and other measures .
- Civil Services: Role of civil services in a democracy.
- International Relations: India and its neighborhood—relations.
- Global Groupings: Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.
- Global Politics: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.
- International Institutions: Important International institutions, agencies, and fora—their structure and mandate.
- Haryana Specific: Related issues of Haryana.
5. General Studies - III
Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster management.
- Indian Economy: Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment.
- Inclusive Growth: Issues arising from inclusive growth.
- Budgeting: Government Budgeting.
- Agriculture & Irrigation: Major crops-cropping patterns, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems, storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
- Subsidies & Food Security: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System—objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing .
- Food Processing: Scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
- Land Reforms: Land reforms in India.
- Liberalization: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc..
- Investment Models: Various investment models.
- Science and Technology: Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
- Achievements in S&T: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
- IT & Space Awareness: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology, and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
- Environment: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
- Disaster Management: Disaster and disaster management.
- Internal Security: Linkages between development and spread of extremism; Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Cyber Security: Challenges through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites, basics of cyber security, money-laundering and its prevention.
- Border Management: Security challenges and their management in border areas—linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
- Security Forces: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
- Haryana Specific: Related issues of Haryana.
6. General Studies - IV
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude.
- Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants, and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values—lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers, and administrators; role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values.
- Attitude: Content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
- Aptitude for Civil Service: Integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards the weaker sections.
- Emotional Intelligence: Concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
- Moral Thinkers: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.
- Public/Civil Service Values: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations, and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
- Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
- Case Studies: Case Studies on the above issues.
Ace the HCS Mains with Drishti IAS
Adapting to the updated HCS Mains Syllabus 2026 requires a dynamic study plan and high-quality resources. Since the pattern now mirrors the UPSC CSE, standard rote learning will no longer suffice. You need analytical depth, particularly for the new International Relations and Internal Security modules.
Essential Resources for HCS 2026 Preparation:
- Daily Mains Writing Program (GS I-IV): Perfect for the new UPSC-style HCS pattern. It comprehensively covers all four papers, including the new Ethics (GS-IV) Case Studies. [Daily Mains Writing Program]
- Haryana Current Affairs: Master the mandatory "Related issues of Haryana" section with the Drishti Current Affairs Magazine (Haryana Edition). [Subscribe Now]
- NCERT Foundation: Build a strong conceptual base for the newly added World History and Physical Geography topics with our concise summaries. [NCERT Notes]
The HCS Mains Syllabus 2026 is comprehensive and demanding. With the introduction of four distinct General Studies papers, the HPSC demands a specialist’s knowledge in General Studies and a generalist’s perspective on society. The key to success in this new pattern lies in balancing the static portions (History, Polity) with dynamic sections like Technology, Disaster Management, and Ethics.
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Related Resources |
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HCS Exam Pattern |
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HCS Previous Year Papers |
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HCS Exam Strategy |
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Haryana State GK |
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Monthly CA Consolidations |
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