The Haryana Civil Services (HCS) exam, conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC), is one of the most prestigious state-level competitive exams. Understanding the HCS Syllabus 2025 is critical for effective preparation. This article covers the HPSC HCS Syllabus, including Prelims, CSAT, and Mains stages, and provides a direct link to download the HCS syllabus PDF. 

HCS Syllabus 2025 Overview 

The Haryana Civil Services (HCS) 2025 exam is conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) through a three-stage process: Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test. The exam is held offline in both English and Hindi mediums. The Preliminary Exam is objective in nature and includes negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer, while the Mains Exam is descriptive and includes both compulsory and optional subjects. 

What is the HCS Syllabus?

The HCS Syllabus refers to the detailed outline of subjects and topics prescribed by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) for the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Examination. It includes the syllabus for Prelims, CSAT, and Mains, helping candidates plan and strategize their preparation effectively.

Understanding the HPSC HCS Syllabus 2025 is the first step toward clearing this prestigious exam and securing a post in the Haryana Civil Services.

HCS Syllabus 2025 PDF Link 

To facilitate easy preparation, HPSC has provided the official HCS syllabus PDF on its website.

HCS Prelims Syllabus 2025

The HPSC HCS Prelims Syllabus Examination 2025 is the first stage of the Haryana Civil Services selection process. It acts as a screening test and consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test). While both papers carry 100 marks each and are of 2 hours duration, only the marks obtained in Paper I (General Studies) are considered for merit ranking. Paper II is qualifying in nature.

HPSC HCS Prelims  Number of Papers

Paper I General Studies (100 Marks)

This is the merit-based paper that determines qualification for the Mains exam. It covers a broad spectrum of general awareness and Haryana-specific topics.

Topics Covered:

• General Science
• Current Events of National and International Importance
• History of India and the Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography
• Indian Polity, Culture, and Economy
• General Mental Ability
• Haryana-specific: Economy, Society, Culture, Institutions, and Language

Paper II CSAT (100 Marks – Qualifying)

Candidates must score a minimum of 33% in this paper to be considered qualified for the next stage. However, the marks obtained in CSAT will not be included in the merit list.

Topics Covered:

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
• Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
• General Mental Ability
• Basic Numeracy (Class X level)
• Data Interpretation (Charts, Graphs, Tables – Class X level)

HCS Mains Syllabus 2025

Candidates who qualify in the Prelims exam move on to the HPSC HCS Mains Syllabus Examination, which is descriptive in nature. The Mains exam is designed to test a candidate’s in-depth understanding, analytical ability, and written communication skills. It consists of four papers.

Paper I English and English Essay

This paper evaluates a candidate’s proficiency in the English language, including comprehension and essay-writing skills. It assesses the ability to express ideas clearly and logically.

Syllabus:

• Precis Writing
• Comprehension of given passages
• Usage and Vocabulary
• General Grammar and Composition
• Essay Writing: Candidates must write an essay on one of the given topics, presenting clear, concise, and structured arguments.

Paper II Hindi and Hindi Essay (in Devanagari Script)

This paper tests the candidate’s understanding of the Hindi language and their ability to write essays and translate texts.

Syllabus:

• Translation of an English passage into Hindi
• Letter or Precis Writing
• Explanation of a Hindi prose/poetry passage
• Idioms, correction, and composition
• Essay Writing: Based on given topics, testing clarity and expression in Hindi

Paper III General Studies

This paper is divided into two parts — each designed to evaluate a candidate’s general awareness of socio-political, cultural, economic, and global issues.

Part I Indian and Haryana Affairs

• History of Modern India and Indian Culture: Important movements and personalities in India’s freedom struggle; major social reformers and cultural aspects.
• Geography of India: Physical, economic, and social geography of India.
• Indian Polity and Constitution: Constitution of India, political structure, and governance.
• Current National Issues and Social Relevance: Topics like gender equality, drug abuse, human rights, corruption, law enforcement, ecological and environmental concerns, internal security, and institutional reforms.

Part II Global & Scientific Perspective

• India and the World: Foreign affairs, external security, India’s nuclear policy, and NRIs.
• Indian Economy and Foreign Trade: Economic planning, development policies, IMF, World Bank, WTO, etc.
• International Affairs and Institutions: Major global events, international organizations, treaties.
• Science, Technology, Communication, and Space: Developments in S&T and related sectors.
• Statistical Analysis: Interpretation of graphs, charts, and tables; logical deductions from statistical data.

Paper IV Optional Subject (One Subject Chosen by the Candidate)

Candidates must choose one optional subject from a list of 29 subjects provided by the commission. The syllabus will align with the degree-level curriculum of that subject.

Popular Optional Subjects Include

• Public Administration
• Geography
• History
• Sociology
• Political Science
• Law
• Psychology
• Economics
• Agriculture..

HCS Optional Subjects List

In the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) examination, there are a total of 29 optional subjects offered for the Mains examination. Candidates are required to choose one optional subject from this list based on their interest, background, and preparation strategy. These subjects are typically aligned with those offered in the UPSC Civil Services Examination and include disciplines such as History, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, and more. 

There are 29 optional subjects, including

• Agriculture
• Anthropology
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Commerce and Accountancy
• Economics
• Geography
• History
• Law
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Science
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Sociology
• Zoology
• Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
• Botany
• Civil Engineering
• Geology
• Home Science
• Management
• Public Health
• Sociology
• Statistics

Conclusion

The HPSC HCS Syllabus 2025 is a crucial roadmap for aspirants aiming to join the Haryana Civil Services. With a well-structured selection process comprising Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test, understanding the detailed syllabus for each stage—especially the General Studies, CSAT, language papers, and optional subjects—is key to effective preparation. Aspirants are advised to thoroughly review the syllabus, strategize their study plan accordingly, and practice regularly with previous year papers. Downloading and referring to the official HCS syllabus PDF will further ensure that your preparation remains focused and aligned with the latest exam pattern. Stay consistent, stay updated, and success in HCS 2025 can be within your reach.

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HCS Syllabus 2025 FAQs