HCS Full Form—Haryana Civil Services—its history, functions, and role in recruiting for SDM, DSP, ETO, BDPO, and other state services. Learn about HPSC, its exam stages, eligibility, and how it administers Haryana’s civil services selection process for aspirants.
theIAShub | 04 Nov, 2025 | 4822 | 0 |
HCS stands for Haryana Civil Services, which is the state civil service cadre of Haryana. It is a Group-A administrative service encompassing posts like Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Excise & Taxation Officer, BDPO, and others (see Allied Services below). The HCS examination is conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) – the constitutional recruiting agency of Haryana. (HPSC stands for Haryana Public Service Commission, the state body authorized to hold competitive exams and interview candidates for state services.)
Haryana Public Service Commission is created under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution. It is a constitutional body and cam in existence post creation of state of Haryana on 1st April 1966. It traces its origin to Government of India Act 1935 and later State Reorganisation Act 1957. It conducts Competitive Examination for Group A and Group B Services under the State of Haryana. It also advises Governor on promotional and disciplinary matters of officers under State of Haryana.
HPSC is constituted as constitutional body under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution for Haryana. Article 315 mandates that each state have its own Public Service Commission. In practice, the Government of India Act of 1935 (carried forward post-Independence) authorized state PSCs. HPSC functions under rules framed by the Government of Haryana, and its establishment was specifically provided by the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 when Haryana was carved out of Punjab. Thus, HPSC’s legal basis rests on both the Constitution and state legislation.
The Haryana Public Service Commission is headquartered at Bays 1–10, Block–B, Sector 4, Panchkula – 134112, Haryana. This office houses the Commission’s Chairman and Members, and it is the venue for key HPSC activities. (Official communications, candidate correspondence, and recruitment processes are handled from this Panchkula office.) The HPSC’s official website is hpsc.gov.in, and enquiries can be directed via its published contact channels.
HPSC’s functions mirror those of state PSCs under Article 320 of the Constitution. Its primary duties are to recruit and select candidates for various Haryana state services and departmental posts. This includes:
|
HCS Functions |
Description |
| Conducting Examinations and Interviews | HPSC conducts competitive exams such as the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) exam and various departmental tests. It manages all stages — Prelims, Mains, and Interviews — to select qualified candidates. |
| Advising Government | The Commission advises the Government of Haryana on civil service matters, including recruitment, promotions, appointments, disciplinary actions, and personnel policies. |
| Holding Departmental Exams | HPSC organizes departmental examinations for promotions and transfers within different state government departments. |
| Upholding Service Rules | It ensures proper implementation of recruitment rules, reservation policies, and eligibility criteria, maintaining fairness and transparency in state civil services. |
These roles make HPSC the key recruitment and advisory body for Haryana’s bureaucracy.
HPSC consists of 6 members, one Chairperson and up to five Members appointed by the Governor of Haryana. As of 2025, the Commission is headed by Sh. Alok Verma, IFS (Retd.). He became Chairman on 23 October 2020. The other Members (appointed for fixed terms) include:
Each member can serve for a term of up to six years or until age 62, whichever is earlier.
The HCS (Haryana Civil Services) Exam and the UPSC IAS (Union Public Service Commission – Indian Administrative Service) Exam are similar in structure but also differ in many aspects.
|
Basis of Difference |
HCS Exam |
UPSC IAS Exam |
| Full Form | Haryana Civil Services | Union Public Service Commission – Indian Administrative Service |
| Conducting Authority | Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Jurisdiction / Scope | State-level (for Haryana) | National-level (All India) |
| Services Covered | Haryana Civil Services (Executive Branch) and Allied Services (e.g., DSP, ETO, BDPO) | All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS) and Central Civil Services (Group A & B) |
| Administrative Role | Officers serve under the Haryana State Government | Officers serve under the Central Government and can be deputed to states or central ministries |
| Exam Structure | Three stages – Prelims, Mains, Interview | Three stages – Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Syllabus Coverage | Includes general subjects with focus on Haryana’s history, geography, economy, and polity | Covers broader national and international issues, Indian polity, economy, and current affairs |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate (State-level competition) | High (National-level competition) |
| Posting Locations | Within Haryana only | Across India, including state and central postings |
| Recruitment Type | State Civil Services | All India and Central Civil Services |
| Exam Conduct Frequency | Conducted by HPSC as per state calendar | Conducted annually by UPSC |
| Age Limit (General Category) | 18–42 years (DSP post 18–27 years) | 21–32 years |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline |
| Purpose | To select officers for Haryana’s state administration | To select officers for central and all-India administrative posts |
| Focus Area | State governance and local administration | National governance and policy-making |
The HCS Examination is held in three stages: HCS Preliminary (Screening) Exam, Mains Written Exam, and Interview (Personality Test). The stages and their purpose are as follows:
|
Stage of Examination |
Details | Marks / Duration |
Remarks |
| Preliminary Exam (Screening Stage) | Two objective-type papers: Paper I – General Studies
Paper II – Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) |
Each paper: 100 marks, 2 hours each | Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying (minimum 33% required).
Only Paper I marks count for shortlisting to Mains. Marks not counted in final merit. |
| Main Written Exam | Four descriptive papers:
English – 100 marks Hindi (in Devanagari script) – 100 marks General Studies – 200 marks One Optional Subject – 200 marks |
Total: 600 marks, each paper 3 hours | Must secure 33% in English and Hindi each, and 45% aggregate in all written papers.
Optional subjects include literature, engineering, sciences, and humanities. |
| Interview (Personality Test) | Personal interview for candidates who qualify the Mains. Tests personality, communication skills, and suitability for public service. | 75 marks | Marks from this stage are added to Mains for final merit determination. |
As of now, the HPSC has not yet released the notification or calendar for the HCS (Executive Branch) exam for 2025–2026. In the HPSC Exam Schedule 2025, the status for HCS (Executive Branch & Allied) is shown as “Not Released”. Therefore, candidates should monitor the HPSC website for updates. As soon as the HCS Exam Dates are announced, these will be updated here.
To appear for the HCS exam (Executive Branch), candidates must meet the following requirements:
|
HCS Eligibility Criteria |
Details |
| HCS Age Limit | Generally 18 to 42 years on the specified date. For certain posts like DSP, the limit is 18 to 27 years. Age relaxations apply as per government rules. |
| HCS Educational Qualification | A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Candidates in the final year may apply but must produce proof of graduation before the interview. |
| HCS Nationality | Must be a citizen of India. Subjects of Nepal/Bhutan and Tibetan refugees (as per rules) are also eligible. |
| HCS Domicile | Must be a permanent resident of Haryana and possess a valid domicile certificate. |
| HCS Physical Standards | Required for posts like Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and other similar positions; includes height and fitness benchmarks. |
| HCS Number of Attempts | No limit on the number of attempts, provided the candidate meets the age and other eligibility criteria. |
Meeting these criteria is essential to be considered eligible; HPSC verifies documents after each stage. The Commission’s decisions on eligibility are final.
The HCS (Executive) exam recruits officers like SDM, DSP, ETO, BDPO, etc. The HCS (Judicial) exam recruits Civil Judges. The HPSC AE exam (State Engineering Services) recruits Assistant Engineers in PWD, ULBs, etc. (HPSC also conducts other departmental exams, but the above are the major recruitments akin to the HCS exam.)
|
HPSC Exam |
HPSC Eligibility |
| Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Exam (Executive Branch & Allied Services) |
Age: 18–42 years (DSP post: 18–27 years) Qualification: Bachelor’s degree (any stream) Nationality: Indian citizens (plus subjects of Nepal/Bhutan under specific provisions) Haryana Domicile: Yes (must be state resident). Physical standards apply for DSP. |
| Haryana Civil Services (Judicial Branch) Exam (Judicial Services) |
Age: 21–42 years Qualification: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from a recognized university Nationality: Indian (as above). |
| Haryana Engineering Services (HPSC AE Exam) (Assistant Engineers – Civil, Electrical, Mechanical) |
Age: 18–42 years Qualification: B.E./B.Tech in relevant Engineering branch Nationality: Indian citizens. Must meet language proficiency (Hindi) and other conditions. |
The Haryana Civil Services (HCS) Examination ensures meritorious candidates man the most important Group A and Group B services. It is conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) and ensures a transparent, merit-based selection of capable officers who go on to serve in key administrative, law enforcement, and development roles across the state. Since its establishment in 1966, HPSC has upheld the principles of fairness and constitutional integrity in recruitment, much like the UPSC at the national level. For aspirants aiming to contribute directly to Haryana’s governance and development, the HCS exam remains a gateway to a rewarding public service career marked by responsibility, leadership, and impact.
The HPSC conducts competitive examinations like the HCS exam, advises the Haryana government on recruitment and promotions, holds departmental exams, and ensures fair implementation of service and reservation rules across state departments.
The HCS Exam consists of three stages: Preliminary Exam: Objective papers on General Studies and CSAT. Main Exam: Descriptive papers in English, Hindi, General Studies, and one Optional Subject. Interview: A 75-mark personality test for final selection.
Candidates must be 18–42 years old (18–27 for DSP posts), possess a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, and be domiciled in Haryana. Physical standards apply for certain posts. There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts.
The HCS exam is a state-level exam for administrative posts in Haryana, while the UPSC IAS exam is a national-level exam for All India Services. Both have a similar structure, but differ in jurisdiction, syllabus focus, and service allocation.
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