Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) HP Administrative Combined Competitive Examination (HPAS) Syllabus
The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) HP Administrative Combined Competitive Examination (HPAS) is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test/Interview. Below is the comprehensive syllabus for each stage:
Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers:
Paper I: General Studies
- History, Geography, Political, Art & Culture, and Socio-Economic Development of Himachal Pradesh.
- Current Events of National and International Importance.
- History of India and Indian National Movement.
- Indian and World Geography: Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
- Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change: General issues on environmental ecology, biodiversity, and climate change that do not require subject specialization.
- General Science.
Paper II: Aptitude Test (CSAT)
- Comprehension.
- Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills.
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability.
- Decision Making and Problem Solving.
- General Mental Ability.
- Basic Numeracy: Numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc. (Class X level).
- Data Interpretation: Charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. (Class X level).
- English Language Comprehension Skills.
Main Examination
The Main Examination consists of the following papers:
Paper I: English
- Essay Writing.
- Usage and Vocabulary.
- Comprehension.
- Precis Writing.
Paper II: Hindi
- Translation of an English passage into Hindi.
- Explanation of Hindi passage in Prose and Poetry in the same language.
- Composition (Idioms, Corrections, etc.).
Paper III: Essay
- Essay writing on multiple topics, including subjects of national and international importance, as well as Himachal Pradesh-specific topics.
Paper IV: General Studies I
History of India:
- Ancient, Medieval, Modern, and Indian National Movement.
Geography of India and the World:
- Physical, Social, Economic Geography.
Society:
- Indian Society and Social Justice, Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India, Role of Women, and Women’s Organization.
Paper V: General Studies II
Indian Polity and Governance:
- Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- International Relations.
Social Justice:
- Issues related to Poverty, Inclusion, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
Paper VI: General Studies III
Technology:
- Science and Technology developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Economic Development:
- Indian Economy and various sectors.
- Biodiversity and Environment.
- Security and Disaster Management.
Paper VII & VIII: Optional Subject
Candidates must choose one optional subject from a list provided by HPPSC. The syllabus will vary based on the selected subject.
Personality Test/Interview
The interview assesses the candidate’s overall personality, including mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, and depth of interest. It also evaluates the candidate’s intellectual and moral integrity, along with knowledge of current events, particularly about Himachal Pradesh.