HPPSC Syllabus 2026 has been structured into three stages, namely Prelims, Mains, and the interview. The Prelims syllabus comprises two papers, General Studies and Aptitude Test. The Mains syllabus has been categorised into six papers, which include two language papers, English & Hindi, one essay, and three General Studies papers. It also has two optional papers, for which candidates can choose any two from a list of 31 optional subjects made available by Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC).
HPPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026
HPPSC Prelims syllabus has two objective-type papers. Each of these papers has 100 questions to be completed in 2 hours each. Prelims is mainly a screening test. The topics of both papers of HPPSC prelims exam are given below:
| Subjects |
Topics |
| 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.
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialization.
- General Science.
|
| Aptitude Test |
- 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. & Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.) (Class X level).
- English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level)
|
HPPSC Mains Syllabus 2026
HPPSC Mains syllabus is divided into 8 descriptive papers. Among them, two language papers are qualifying in nature. So, the merit marks from the Mains exam are 900. The topics of the Mains papers are given below:
- English:
| Subject |
Topic |
| English |
- Grammar
- Usage and Vocabulary
- Composition: Letter, Application, Report, or Note Writing
- Comprehension of Unseen Passages
- Precis Writing
|
- Hindi:
| Subject |
Topic |
| Hindi |
- Translation of the English passage into Hindi
- Translation of Hindi passage into English
- Explanation of Hindi passage in prose and poetry in the same language
- Composition (Idioms, corrections, etc.)
|
- Essay:
| Subject |
Topic |
| Essay |
- Current Affairs
- Socio-Political Issues
- Socio-Economic Issues
- Aspects of Culture and History
- Reflective Topics
|
- General Studies 1:
GS 1 has three sections, and each of these sections has three parts to segregate the GS 1 syllabus. The topic-wise syllabus of GS 1 is given below:
| Section |
Part |
Topics |
| Section 1 |
Part 1 |
- Historical Perspective of Indian Cultural Heritage
- Literature and Art forms from ancient times to 1947 (Major structural and rock-cut temple architecture, sculptural art, and major schools of painting)
- Modern Indian history from the mid-18th century to 1980
- Freedom Struggle: Its various stages and the role of eminent personalities from different parts of India
|
| Part 2 |
- Industrial Revolution and the emergence of Capitalism
- Fascist Ideology and its global implications
- World Wars and boundary settlements after the First and Second World Wars
- Concept of Decolonization, Nationalism and Socialism, Globalization, and the concept of Modernity
|
| Part 3 |
- Emergence and growth of early medieval states: Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba; relations of Hill States with the Mughals and the Sikhs
- Gorkha invasion – its nature and consequences, Treaty of Sagauli
- The Hill States under Colonial power: Political and Administrative History, Grants, Sanads, and territorial aggression
- Social and Economic conditions under the colonial period with special reference to social practices of Beth, Begar, and Reet
- Establishment of British Cantonments
- National Movement with special reference to Praja Mandal movements in Himachal Pradesh (1848–1948)
- Five-Year Plans and vision for a developed Hill State
- Survey of artistic and cultural heritage (Temples, Buddhist Monasteries, and Paintings)
|
| Section 2 |
Part 1 |
- Introduction to Disasters: Concepts, definitions, and classifications (natural and man-made)
- Social and environmental impacts of disasters
- Disaster profile of India
- Approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction
- Disaster management models and roles/responsibilities of stakeholders, including the community and first responders
- Interrelationship between disaster and developmentDisaster management in India: Disaster Management Act 2005, national and state policies, plans, and institutional mechanisms
|
| Part 2 |
- Geographical Introduction to India and India as a unit of geographical study
- Physical Geography: Structure and relief, climate, soils, and vegetation
- Geomorphic setup: Mountain ranges, rivers, and other water bodies
- Human Aspects: Population distribution, urban population, internal migration
- Language, literacy, villages, and towns in India
- Settlements, industry, and transport
|
| Part 3 |
- Geography of Himachal Pradesh: Relief, drainage, vegetation cover, and types
- Climate and climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh
- Geographical regions: Shiwalik, Doons, Outer Valleys, Mid Hill Tracts, High Hills, and Inner Zones
- Human Aspects: Population characteristics, urbanisation pattern
- Policies: Forest, Industrial, and Tourism Policies of Himachal Pradesh
- Industrial growth, employment generation, and the scope of future industrialization
- Hazard vulnerability and risk profile of Himachal Pradesh
|
| Section 3 |
Part 1 |
- Salient features of Indian society and the concept of unity in diversity
- Social institutions: Family, marriage, kinship, religion, and social stratification in India
- Women's empowerment and social justice: Government policies and legal protections for women
- Women’s security and safety initiatives in India
- Child Rights and Right to Education
- Rights and quality of life for differently-abled persons
|
| Part 2 |
- Core values in public service and governance
- Philosophical basis of governance: Integrity, professionalism, and accountability
- Objectivity, transparency, information sharing, and Right to Information (RTI)
- Codes of conduct, work culture, corruption challenges, and political pressures
- Gandhian Thought: Truth, Non-violence, Satyagraha, Ends and Means, Religion and Politics
|
| Part 3 |
- Society and culture in Himachal Pradesh: Customs, fairs, festivals, and religious beliefs
- Recreational practices and amusement in Himachal Pradesh
- Tribes of Himachal Pradesh: Historical, social, cultural, economic, and legal aspects
- Family, marriage, kinship, and the caste system in Himachal Pradesh
|
- General Studies 2:
GS 2 has three sections, and these three sections have three parts. The topics of these parts are given below:
| Section |
Parts |
Topics |
| Section 1 |
Part 1 |
- Constitution of India: Historical underpinning, evolution, salient features
- Significant provisions, including Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and Fundamental Duties
- Amending process and important Constitutional Amendments
- Theory of basic structure
|
| Part 2 |
- Parliament and State Legislatures: Structure, organization, and functioning of the Union and State Executive and the Judiciary
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and States; issues and challenges in the federal structure
- Devolution of powers and finances up to the local level and challenges therein
- Salient features of the Representation of the People’s Act
- Appointments to various constitutional posts
- Powers, functions, and responsibilities of various constitutional bodies in India
|
| Part 3 |
- Reorganization and politics of statehood
- Development of political parties; major political parties and their support base in Himachal Pradesh
- Performance of political parties in Assembly and Parliamentary elections in Himachal Pradesh
- Politics of sub-regionalism and pressure groups in the State
- Structure, organization, and functioning of statutory, regulatory, and quasi-judicial bodies in Himachal Pradesh
|
| Section 2 |
Part 1 |
- Institutional framework, policies, and interventions for development in various sectors in India
- Governance and good governance; Citizen Charters and effective public service delivery
- Transparency, accountability, and ethics in governance in India
- District Administration: Changing Role of the Deputy Commissioner
- Local self-government in urban and rural areas in India
|
| Part 2 |
- Role of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Civil Society in Governance in India
- Bodies constituted, policies, programmes, and schemes for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Women, Minorities, Backward Classes, Differently-abled persons, and children in India
- Issues relating to quality of life: Livelihood, poverty, hunger, disease, and social inclusiveness
|
| Part 3 |
- Governance in Himachal Pradesh
- The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Guarantee Act, 2011
- Right to Information Act, 2005, and related state rules
- Administrative reforms for effective public service delivery in Himachal Pradesh
- Implementation of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in Himachal Pradesh
- Issues and challenges in governance
- Programmes and policies for the welfare of differently-abled persons, women, and children in Himachal Pradesh
|
| Section 3 |
Part 1 |
- Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and affecting its interests
- India’s Look East Policy
- India’s relations with the United States, Russia, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Maldives, and Middle East countries
|
| Part 2 |
- Effects of policies of developed and developing countries on India’s interests
- Indian Diaspora and its contribution
- Important international institutions, agencies, and fora – their structure and mandate
|
| Part 3 |
- Cyber crime and drug menace – mechanisms to detect and control them in Himachal Pradesh
- Enactments made by the Himachal Pradesh Government to protect and promote the interests of the agrarian society
- Policies framed by the Himachal Pradesh Government for the socioeconomic development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Tribal Welfare Administration, Tribal Sub-Plan, and Single Line Administration in Himachal Pradesh
|
- General Studies 3:
GS 3 syllabus has three sections, and each of these three sections has three parts. The topics of these parts are given below:
| Section |
Parts |
Topisc |
| Section 1 |
Part 1 |
- Characteristics of the Indian Economy
- Demographic profile, demographic dividend, and population policy
- Sectoral composition with respect to contribution to GDP and employment
- Poverty and inequality, unemployment, and inflation in India
- Industrial growth in India
- Regulatory framework for money and banking: Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Commercial Banks, and Regional Rural Banks
- Monetary policy, foreign exchange, and balance of payment scenario
- Foreign trade: Policy, composition, and direction
- Impact of liberalization, privatization, and globalization
|
| Part 2 |
- Economic planning in India
- Five-Year Plans: Strategies and outcomes; Public, Private, and Joint Sectors
- Fiscal policy, Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM), 2003
- Debt and investment in India: Current status, growth, and development experience, including natural resource management
- Sustainable development and inclusive growth
- Measurement of economic development: PQLI, MDGs, HDI, GDI, GEM
- Latest development schemes, initiatives, and institutional changes (e.g. Swachh Bharat Mission, Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, MGNREGS, NITI Aayog, etc.)
- International financial and economic organizations: IMF, WTO, IBRD, IDA, UNCTAD, OECD, BRICS
|
| Part 3 |
- Economy of Himachal Pradesh
- Demographic profile and human resources
- Sectoral distribution of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP)
- Diversification in agriculture and allied activities, land tenure, and the size of landholdings
- Industrialization in the state
- Skilled and unskilled labour
- Revenue generation with reference to hydro potential, tourism, flora, and fauna
- Cottage and small-scale industries
- Tax base, pros and cons of Special Category Status
- Appraisal of education, health, physical, and financial infrastructure development
|
| Section 2 |
Part 1 |
- Applications of space technology in natural resources, development, and communications
- Important missions and programmes of the Department of Space and ISRO
- Historical evolution of the Indian Space Programme
- Lunar, interplanetary, and Earth observation missions
- Remote sensing and communication satellites
- Applications of Remote Sensing and GIS for natural resource monitoring and public benefit
|
| Part 2 |
- Developments in the energy sector: Hydropower, non-conventional, and nuclear energy
- Policies, programmes, and research-based in India’s energy sector
- Concepts of non-conventional, renewable, clean, and environmentally friendly energy sources
- Role of energy in sustainable development
|
| Part 3 |
- Modern and emerging technologies and initiatives in Himachal Pradesh
- Biotechnology policy, research, vision, and scope for horticulture, medicinal, and aromatic plants
- IT policy of Himachal Pradesh and its role in governance
- Himachal State Wide Area Network (HIMSWAN), e-governance, Lok Mitra Kendra, and Aryabhatta Geo-Informatics Space Application Centre (AGISAC)
- State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
- Endangered and threatened species of Himachal Pradesh
- Factors responsible for biodiversity decline in Himachal Pradesh
- Relevance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Geographical Indications (GI), and traditional knowledge in sustainable development
|
| Section 3 |
Part 1 |
- Issues, concerns, policies, programmes, conventions, treaties, and missions aimed at environmental protection and climate change
- State of Environment Reports
- Environment Protection and Pollution Control Acts and Rules
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- National Action Plans on Climate Change
- Himalayan ecology, biosphere reserves, and the science and economics of climate change
- Social and ethical issues in the use of biotechnology
|
| Part 2 |
- Latest developments in science and technology for harnessing agriculture, horticulture, and medicinal/herbal resources in India
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture
- Concept of organic farming, seed certification, and rainwater harvesting
- Techniques of irrigation, soil conservation, and soil health cards
|
| Part 3 |
- Tourism policy, potential, and initiatives in Himachal Pradesh
- Types of tourism: Religious, adventure, and heritage
- Important tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh
- Social, economic, and cultural implications of tourism
- Concept of eco-tourism and green tourism, and their role in sustainable development
- Environmental concerns of the tourism industry — positive and negative impacts, including climate change, with reference to Himachal Pradesh
|
- Optional Papers 1 & 2:
HPPSC has given 31 optional subjects, from which candidates need to choose 2 optional subjects. Each of these optional subjects carries 100 marks. The 31 subjects of the optional subjects are agriculture, animal husbandry & veterinary service, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce & Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Forestry, Geography, Geology, Hindi Literature, Horticulture, Indian History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sanskrit, Sociology, Statistics, Urdu, Zoology.
Download HPPSC Optional Subjects Syllabus
HPPSC Subject-wise Weightage
HPPSC has different subject-wise weightage for Prelims, Mains, and Interview. This subject-wise breakage is given below:
- Prelims:
| Paper |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
| General Studies |
100 |
200 |
| Aptitude Test |
100 |
200 |
- Mains:
| Compulsory Paper |
| Paper No. |
Subject |
Max. Marks |
| Paper 1 |
English |
100 (Qualifying only) |
| Paper 2 |
Hindi |
100 (Qualifying only) |
| Paper 3 |
Essay |
100 |
| Paper 4 |
General Studies 1 |
200 |
| Paper 5 |
General Studies 2 |
200 |
| Paper 6 |
General Studies 3 |
200 |
| Optional Paper |
| Paper No. |
Subject |
Max. Marks |
| Paper 7 |
Optional Paper 1 |
100 |
| Paper 8 |
Optional Paper 2 |
100 |
| Total |
- |
900 |
HPPSC Syllabus 2026 provides a comprehensive framework for candidates preparing for Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPSC) exams. The syllabus is structured across Prelims, Mains, and Interview and emphasizes on both objective knowledge and analytical abilities. Prelims focus on screening through General Studies and Aptitude, while Mains test in-depth understanding across languages, essay writing, General Studies, and optional subjects.
HPPSC Syllabus FAQs
Ques: Are Prelims marks considered in the final merit list of HPPSC?
Ans: No. Prelims marks are only for screening. Only marks obtained in the Mains exam and the Interview contribute to the final merit list for HPPSC selection.
Ques: What is the weightage of the Interview in the final selection of HPPSC?
Ans: The Interview, or Personality Test, carries 150 marks. It evaluates communication skills, leadership, decision-making, and overall suitability, forming an important component of the final selection process.
Ques: Is there negative marking in the Prelims of HPPSC?
Ans: Yes. For every incorrect answer in Prelims, one-third of the assigned marks is deducted. This discourages guessing and ensures candidates answer questions carefully.
Ques: Can candidates from other states apply for HPPSC?
Ans: Yes. Candidates from other states may apply for HPPSC exams as long as they meet eligibility requirements, including age, education, and domicile criteria wherever applicable.
Ques: Does HPPSC syllabus focus on state-specific knowledge?
Ans: Yes. HPPSC syllabus emphasizes Himachal Pradesh’s history, culture, geography, economy, and governance, along with national and international issues, to assess candidates’ regional awareness and administrative aptitude.
Ques: Are optional subjects linked to specific career roles in HPPSc?
Ans: While optional subjects are academic, choosing one aligned with a candidate’s career interest or expertise can provide an advantage in interviews and practical understanding of governance-related issues.
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