Haryana Civil Services Exam Pattern Updated for 2026

Key Updates on Haryana Civil Services Examination

Haryana: Candidates gearing up for the Haryana Civil Services Examination (HCS 2026) should note a significant update. The state government has revised the exam structure. The preliminary exam will now be worth 400 marks and will consist of two papers. Additionally, there are notable changes to the main examination format. Aspirants must adapt their study strategies to align with this new structure.

Revised Structure of the HCS Examination

The Haryana Department of Information, Public Relations, Languages, and Culture has shared via social media that the syllabus for the HCS examination has been modified. The preliminary exam will now consist of two objective-type papers totaling 400 marks.

The main examination will encompass a total of 600 marks, divided into four General Studies papers and several descriptive papers. Each paper will last for 3 hours and will be worth 100 marks. Candidates are advised to prepare according to this updated format to enhance their chances of success.

Previous Structure of the HCS Examination

Under the former structure, the preliminary examination included two papers: General Studies and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), totaling 200 marks. The main examination comprised four papers, with English and Hindi each valued at 100 marks, while General Studies and an Optional Subject were worth 200 marks each, culminating in a total of 600 marks.

With the new changes, the preliminary exam is now set at 400 marks, and the main exam will feature 6 papers, introducing two additional subjects.

Overview of the Selection Process

The selection will occur in three phases: the preliminary exam, the main exam, and the interview. Only candidates who pass the preliminary exam will be eligible for the main exam, and those who succeed in the main exam will be invited for the interview.