The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) conducts the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Examination to recruit officers for various state government posts. To ace this competitive exam, candidates must understand the updated HPSC HCS Prelims Syllabus 2025 thoroughly. The preliminary exam is the first and most crucial step toward selection.
This article provides complete details of the HCS Prelims Syllabus 2025, including Paper 1 and Paper 2 topics, exam highlights, and frequently asked questions (FAQs). The downloadable syllabus PDF link is also available for ease of preparation.
HCS Prelims 2025 Exam
The HPSC HCS Prelims 2025 includes two objective-type papers: Paper I (General Studies) and Paper II (CSAT), each worth 100 marks. Paper 1 evaluates knowledge in subjects like current affairs, history, polity, and Haryana-specific topics, while Paper II tests aptitude and is qualifying with a 33% minimum requirement. Only Paper I marks are considered for the HCS Mains Exam;
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) |
| Exam Name | Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Prelims 2025 |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Question Type | Objective (MCQs) |
| Number of Papers | 2 – General Studies & CSAT |
| Total Marks | 200 (100 each paper) |
| Duration | 2 Hours per Paper |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks for each wrong answer |
| Qualifying Paper | Paper 2 (CSAT) – Minimum 33% required |
| Language of Paper | Bilingual – Hindi & English |
| Selection Basis | Marks of Paper 1 only (CSAT qualifying only) |
HCS Prelims 2025 Exam Pattern Paper 1 General Studies
This paper tests a candidate’s awareness of general knowledge, current affairs, and Haryana-specific topics. The total marks for Paper 1 are 100, and the duration of the exam is 2 hours.
| Subject/Topic | Approx. Marks |
| General Science | 10–12 marks |
| Current Events (National & International) | 12–15 marks |
| History of India & Indian National Movement | 10–12 marks |
| Indian and World Geography | 10–12 marks |
| Indian Polity & Indian Economy (including Constitution, Economy,culture) | 12–15 marks |
| General Mental Ability | 8–10 marks |
| Haryana-specific Topics (Economy, People, Institutions, Language & Culture) | 15–18 marks |
HCS Prelims 2025 Exam Pattern Paper 2 CSAT
The HCS Preliminary Exam Paper 2, commonly referred to as the CSAT, is a qualifying paper designed to assess the candidate’s aptitude, comprehension skills, and analytical abilities. The paper carries 100 marks and consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions.
| Subject/Topic | Approx. Marks |
| Reading Comprehension | 20–25 marks |
| Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability | 20–25 marks |
| Decision-making & Problem-solving | 10–15 marks |
| Interpersonal & Communication Skills | 10–12 marks |
| General Mental Ability | 10–12 marks |
| Basic Numeracy & Data Interpretation (Class X Level) | 15–20 marks |
HCS Prelims Marking Scheme
The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) follows a specific marking scheme for the HCS (Haryana Civil Services) Preliminary Examination. Candidates are awarded +1 mark for every correct answer. However, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks (i.e., one-fourth of the mark) for every incorrect answer.
| Response Type | Marks Awarded |
| Correct Answer | +1 mark |
| Incorrect Answer | -0.25 mark (¼ negative) |
| Unanswered Question | 0 mark (No penalty) |
HCS Prelims Syllabus 2025
The syllabus for both papers is designed to evaluate the candidate’s general awareness, aptitude, and understanding of current events, governance, and logical reasoning.
HCS Prelims 2025 Paper 1 General Studies
This paper includes the following major topics:
- General Science: Basic concepts in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Current Events: Important national and international developments.
- History of India & Indian National Movement
- Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world.
- Indian Polity & Economy: Indian Constitution, political system, economic policies.
- General Mental Ability: Logical reasoning, analytical skills.
- Haryana-Specific Topics:
- Haryana’s economy and population
- Language, culture, and social institutions of Haryana
HCS Prelims 2025 Paper 2 CSAT
The CSAT is designed to test aptitude and reasoning abilities. Topics include:
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability
- Decision Making & Problem Solving
- General Mental Ability
- Basic Numeracy (Class X level): Numbers, relationships, orders of magnitude
- Data Interpretation (Class X level): Graphs, tables, data sufficiency
Best HCS Prelims Recommended Books
Here is the List of Best HCS Prelims Recommended Books for GS Paper 1 and CSAT Paper;
| Subject | Recommended Book |
| General Studies | Lucent’s General Knowledge, NCERT Books |
| Current Affairs | Monthly Magazines, Haryana Current Affairs Annual by UPSC Akhada |
| Polity | Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity |
| Geography | NCERT + Certificate Physical Geography (G.C. Leong) |
| CSAT | TMH CSAT Manual / RS Aggarwal (Reasoning & Maths) |
| Haryana GK | Arihant Haryana GK or Lucent Haryana GK |
HCS Prelims PYQ
Solving previous year papers helps in understanding the pattern, difficulty level, and types of questions asked. Candidates can download HCS PYQs PDF from the official HPSC website or trusted exam portals.
HCS Prelims 2023 PYQ Paper PDFs
| Paper | Subject | Download Link |
| Paper 1 | General Studies | Download PDF |
| Paper 2 | CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) | Download PDF |
Also Read: HCS Prelims PYQ Book solved
Conclusion
The HCS Prelims 2025 Syllabus requires focused preparation with a balanced strategy for General Studies and CSAT. Remember, while Paper 2 is only qualifying, you must score at least 33% in it to have your Paper 1 evaluated for merit. A clear understanding of the syllabus and smart preparation with the right books and previous year papers will boost your chances of clearing the Prelims.
HCS Prelims 2025 FAQs
Can I appear for the Mains exam without qualifying the CSAT paper?
No, candidates must score at least 33% in the CSAT (Paper II) to have their Paper I evaluated for Mains eligibility.
Is the HCS Prelims exam conducted in both Hindi and English languages?
Yes, the question paper is bilingual—available in both Hindi and English (except for language-specific questions).
How can I download the HPSC HCS Prelims Syllabus 2025 PDF?
You can download the official syllabus PDF from the HPSC official website or from trusted educational portals providing exam resources.
Are NCERT books enough for HCS Prelims preparation?
NCERTs are excellent for building a strong foundation, but candidates should also refer to standard books like Laxmikanth for Polity and G.C. Leong for Geography along with current affairs material for a complete preparation strategy.
