The Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Exam 2025, conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC), is a highly sought-after gateway to prestigious Group A and B posts in the Haryana state government. To succeed in this competitive exam, aspirants must begin by understanding the eligibility criteria, including age limits, educational qualifications, number of attempts allowed, and the structure of the preliminary exam (Papers 1 & 2). This article provides a comprehensive overview of HCS Eligibility 2025, helping candidates prepare strategically and confidently.

HCS Eligibility 2025 Highlights

The Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Exam 2025, conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC), is a competitive examination for recruitment to prestigious Group A and B posts in the Haryana state government. The selection process comprises three key stages: Preliminary Examination (consisting of Paper 1 and Paper 2), the Main Examination, and a final Interview.

HCS Educational Qualification 2025

Candidates applying for the HCS 2025 exam must meet the following education-related criteria.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline (Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, etc.) from a recognized university is mandatory.
• Final-year students are eligible to apply provisionally but must produce proof of qualification during the interview/document verification stage.
• Diploma holders without a graduation degree are not eligible.

Also Read: HCS Syllabus

HCS Eligibility 2025 Age Limit 

As of January 1, 2025, candidates must be at least 18 years old to apply for HCS. The maximum age is 42 years for most posts and 27 years for DSP. Age relaxations apply for reserved categories, with SC/BC candidates eligible up to 47 years, PwD up to 52 years, and ex-servicemen granted relaxation based on service length.

General Age Criteria

General Age Criteria in the table below

Minimum and maximum age limits for various HCS posts as per the 2025 guidelines.

Category-Wise Age Relaxation

Here’s a concise description for the heading Category-Wise Age Relaxation to include below the table

Relaxation in the upper age limit for different categories as per HCS 2025 rules.

Also Read: HCS Age limit 

HCS Attempt Limit 2025 

For the year 2025, there is no restriction on the number of attempts a candidate can make for the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) examination. Applicants are allowed to appear for the exam multiple times, provided they continue to meet all eligibility criteria, including the prescribed age limit. As long as a candidate remains within the defined age bracket and satisfies all other necessary conditions outlined by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC), they are eligible to apply for the examination without any cap on the number of attempts.

Also Read: HCS Exam Date 

Documents Required For HCS Eligibility 2025 

Candidates applying for the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Examination 2025 must ensure they have the following documents ready before filling out the online application form. These documents are essential for verifying eligibility, reservation claims, and identity, and must be uploaded or submitted as per the instructions.

Bachelor’s Degree Certificate and Marksheet

• Candidates must possess a recognized Bachelor’s Degree from a university or institution approved by the government.
• Upload a clear scanned copy of the Bachelor’s Degree certificate as proof of educational qualification.
• Additionally, the Marksheet(s) of the degree should be uploaded, showing the candidate’s academic performance.
• These documents confirm that the candidate meets the minimum educational eligibility criteria for the HCS exam.

Caste Certificate (for SC/OBC/Other Reserved Categories)

• Candidates claiming reservation benefits under Scheduled Caste (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), or any other reserved category must upload a valid caste certificate.
• The caste certificate should be issued by a competent authority as per Haryana state government rules.
• The certificate must clearly mention the category to which the candidate belongs.
• This document is crucial for availing of any reservation or relaxation in eligibility criteria or fees.

Also Read: How to Prepare HPSC HCS Exam

Domicile Certificate (if claiming reservation)

• Candidates who are claiming reservation benefits as domicile candidates of Haryana must upload a valid Domicile Certificate.
• The domicile certificate confirms the candidate’s permanent residence in Haryana and is issued by the appropriate authority.
• It is mandatory for candidates seeking reservation based on domicile status to submit this document.
• Without a domicile certificate, reservation benefits under Haryana state quotas cannot be availed.

Date of Birth Proof (10th Certificate)

• Candidates must provide proof of their date of birth to verify age eligibility.
• The most commonly accepted document is the 10th Class Marksheet or Certificate, which contains the candidate’s date of birth.
• This document must be scanned clearly and uploaded.
• Other acceptable documents may include a birth certificate issued by a municipal authority, if specifically mentioned in the notification.

Also Read: HCS Exam Pattern 2025

Passport-size Photographs

• Candidates need to upload recent passport-size photographs as per the specifications provided in the official notification.
• Photographs should be clear, preferably with a white background.
• The photograph will be used for identity verification during the exam and further recruitment process.
• It is advisable to keep multiple copies of the photograph in the prescribed size and format (usually JPEG or JPG).

Government-issued ID Proof

• Candidates must upload a scanned copy of a valid government-issued photo identity proof.
• Accepted ID proofs include:
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Voter ID Card
  • PAN Card
  • Passport
  • Driving License
• This ID proof will be used to verify the candidate’s identity during the application process, exam admission, and further stages.
• Ensure the document is valid and clearly legible.

Also Read: HCS PYQs

HCS Eligibility 2025 Reservation and Domicile Requirements 

No Reservation for Non-Haryana Domicile Candidates:
If you are not a resident (domicile) of Haryana, you will be treated as a General (Unreserved) category candidate, regardless of whether you belong to SC, OBC, or EWS categories in your home state.

Eligibility for Reserved Category Benefits (SC/BC/PwD/EWS):
To avail reservation benefits or age relaxation under reserved categories, candidates must:

• Be a Haryana domicile
• Possess a valid caste or category certificate issued by the Haryana state authorities

HCS Eligibility 2025 – Key Points to Remember

• No Attempt Limit: Candidates can attempt the exam any number of times, but must meet the prescribed age criteria.
• Age Relaxation: Reserved category candidates (SC, BC, EWS, PwD, ex-servicemen) get age relaxation as per Haryana government rules.
• Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university is mandatory. Diploma holders without a degree are not eligible.
• DSP Physical Fitness: Candidates applying for the DSP post must also fulfill physical fitness and medical standards in addition to educational and age requirements.

Conclusion

The Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Exam 2025 is a prestigious opportunity for candidates aspiring to serve in key administrative roles within the Haryana government. Understanding the eligibility criteria is crucial to ensure your application is valid and to plan your preparation effectively. Candidates must have a recognized Bachelor’s Degree, meet the specified age limits with applicable category-based relaxations, and fulfill any additional physical requirements if applying for specialized posts like DSP. There is no restriction on the number of attempts, allowing aspirants flexibility in their preparation journey.

HCS Eligibility 2025 FAQs

What is the educational qualification required to appear for the HCS 2025 exam?

 To be eligible for the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) 2025 examination, a candidate must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream—this includes disciplines like Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Medicine, or Law—from a recognized university or institution.
Candidates who are in the final year of their graduation may also apply provisionally. However, they must submit proof of having passed the final exam before the HCS interview or document verification stage, failing which their candidature will be canceled.

What is the age limit for different posts under HCS 2025?

The age limit for HCS 2025 is calculated as of January 1, 2025. For most posts, the age range is 18 to 42 years, while for the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) post, it is 18 to 27 years. Category-wise age relaxations apply as per Haryana government norms—SC and BC (A & B) candidates get relaxation up to 47 years, and PwD candidates up to 52 years, depending on their category. Ex-servicemen and other reserved categories may also receive additional relaxations.

Is there a limit on the number of attempts for the HCS exam?

No, there is no restriction on the number of attempts for the HCS exam. Candidates can appear for the HCS examination multiple times, provides they fulfill the age limit and other eligibility criteria at the time of each attempt. This allows aspirants greater flexibility to prepare thoroughly and appear when they feel best prepared.

Are diploma holders eligible to apply for the HCS 2025 examination?

No. diploma holders without a valid graduation degree are not eligible to apply for the HCS exam. The minimum educational qualification is a Bachelor’s Degree. A diploma, even from a recognized institution, does not fulfill the eligibility criteria unless it is equivalent to a degree as recognized by UGC or the Haryana government (which is rare and case-specific).

Are there any physical standards required for DSP posts under HCS?

Yes, candidates applying for the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) post under HCS must fulfill specific physical standards. The minimum height requirement is 5 feet 7 inches (170.18 cm) for males and 5 feet 2 inches (157.50 cm) for females. For males, chest measurement must be at least 33 inches unexpanded and 34.5 inches expanded, with a minimum expansion of 1.5 inches.