The Haryana government has officially revised the Haryana Civil services (HCS) examination pattern for 2026 and beyond, bringing major changes to both the Preliminary (Prelims) and Main (Mains) stages of the exam. These adjustments are aimed at better assessing candidates’ knowledge and skills and aligning the state exam more closely with broader civil service standards
🧠 Key Highlights of the New Exam Pattern
📍 1. Prelims Exam Expanded to 400 Marks
· The Preliminary examination has been expanded from 200 to 400 marks.
· It will now consist of two objective‑type papers:
✔ General Studies
✔ Civil services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
· Each paper carries 100 marks, and the number of questions is increased to cover a broader range of topics including reasoning, current affairs, polity, economy, Haryana‑specific topics, and analytical ability
This change means more comprehensive assessment in the Prelims, giving candidates more scope to demonstrate depth of knowledge and analytical skills.
📚 2. Mains Exam Now Has 6 Papers
Earlier, the HCS Mains consisted of four papers (including english, hindi, General Studies, and an optional subject). The revised pattern now includes six descriptive papers, totalling 600 marks:
1. English (with Essay) — 100 marks
2. Hindi (with Essay) — 100 marks
3. General Studies‑I — 100 marks
4. General Studies‑II — 100 marks
5. General Studies‑III — 100 marks
6. General Studies‑IV — 100 marks
Each main exam paper will have a duration of three hours and all six papers are now compulsory (removing the optional subject previously part of the exam
➡ The two new papers added in the mains are among the four General Studies papers, which expand coverage of topics such as governance, ethics, economy, science and technology, security, environment, and Haryana‑specific issues.
📋 Why the Pattern Was Changed
Officials say the revision has been made to strengthen the selection process, broaden the assessment scope, and align the HCS exam more closely with evolving administrative requirements and modern civil service standards. The pattern now reflects a mix of language skills and deep subject knowledge across general and specific areas.
The changes were officially notified through an extraordinary gazette notification and take effect for all HCS exam cycles notified after january 7, 2026
🧑🎓 What Candidates Should Do Next
✔ Study the revised syllabus: Since the exam now includes six mains papers with broader study areas, aspirants should update their preparation plans accordingly.
✔ Focus on General Studies: With four GS papers now compulsory, consistent study in ethics, governance, economy, security, environment, and Haryana‑specific topics is essential.
✔ Language preparation: english and hindi essay writing and comprehension are now part of the mains, so candidates should practice compositions and precise expression.
✔ Check official notifications: Updates to detailed syllabus and official exam schedule will be released by the Haryana Public service Commission (HPSC) on its official website — candidates should monitor these closely
🗂️ Summary of Changes
Exam Stage
Old Pattern
New Pattern (2026)
Prelims Marks
200
400
Prelims Papers
GS + CSAT
GS + CSAT
Mains Papers
4 (incl. optional)
6 (English, hindi + 4 GS)
Total Mains Marks
600
600
Optional Subject
Yes
No (Replaced with GS papers)
This is one of the most significant updates to the haryana Civil services exam pattern in recent years, and candidates preparing for the HCS 2026 cycle or beyond should adapt their strategy to these new requirements.
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