HPSC HCS Exam Pattern 2026, Check Prelims and Mains Pattern
What's New in HPSC?
- January 13, 2026: HPSC has revised the HCS exam pattern, increasing Prelims to 400 marks and introducing four General Studies papers in the Mains exam for upcoming cycles. Check Details
HPSC HCS 2026 exam pattern consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains and the Personality Test. The Prelims exam serves as a screening stage and includes two objective-type papers of 200 marks each. Candidates who qualify the Prelims are shortlisted for the Mains exam, which comprises 4 descriptive papers, including 3 compulsory subjects and an optional paper. Candidates must choose one optional subject for HPSC HCS Mains. Those who clear the Mains are eligible for the Personality Test, which evaluates their overall personality, analytical ability, communication skills, etc.
HPSC HCS Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
HPSC HCS Prelims exam consists of 2 objective papers. The detailed HPSC HCS 2026 prelims exam pattern is given in the table below:
| Particulars | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | General Studies | Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) | - |
| Total Marks | 100 | 100 | 200 |
| Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours | 4 hours |
HPSC HCS Mains Exam Pattern 2026
HPSC HCS Mains exam consists of 4 descriptive papers, in which one is an optional subject. Candidates can check the table below for a detailed HPSC HCS 2026 mains exam pattern:
| Paper | Subjects | Total Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | English | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper 2 | Hindi | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper 3 | General Studies | 200 | 3 hours |
| Paper 4 | Optional Subject, Part 1 | 200 | 3 hours |
| Total | 600 |
HPSC HCS Interview 2026
HPSC HCS Interview round is conducted for candidates who successfully clear the Mains exam. The Personality Test carries a total of 75 marks and is designed to evaluate the candidate’s overall personality, communication skills, clarity of thought, decision-making ability, and suitability for administrative roles.
HPSC HCS Interview marks are added to the Mains score to prepare the final merit list. Candidates who qualify the Personality Test are then required to undergo the document verification process, which is the final stage before appointment.
HPSC HCS Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
Ques: Are HPSC HCS Prelims marks included in the final merit list?
Ans: No, HPSC HCS prelims marks is not included in the final merit list. The final merit list includes the marks scored in the mains and the interview round.
Ques: Can candidates choose any language subject as an optional paper for HPSC HCS mains?
Ans: Yes, candidates can choose a language as an optional subject. They can choose between English literature and Hindi literature.
Ques: Do HPSC HCS prelims have essay questions?
Ans: No, HPSC HCS Prelims do not have essay questions. All the papers in prelims round are objective in nature.
Ques: Is there a negative marking in HPSC HCS Prelims Exam?
Ans: Yes, there is negative marking in HPSC HCS Preliminary Exam. 0.25 marks assigned to a question are deducted for each incorrect answer.
Ques: Is optional subject mandatory for candidates?
Ans: Yes, the optional subject is mandatory for all candidates appearing in HPSC HCS Mains exam. This paper carries 200 marks and is considered for the final merit calculation.
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