The HAS exam is conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Mains Examination, and Interview/Personality Test.
Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Total: 400 Marks)
Two objective-type papers, 2 hours each, with 1/3rd negative marking per wrong answer. Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying – minimum 33% required.
| Feature | Paper I (GS) | Paper II (CSAT) |
| Questions | 100 | 100 |
| Marks | 200 | 200 |
| Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd | 1/3rd |
Paper I: General Studies Syllabus
- History of India and the Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography – physical, social, and economic geography
- Indian polity and governance: Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, and rights issues
- Economic and social development: sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, and social sector initiatives
- Environmental ecology, biodiversity, and climate change
- General Science
- Current affairs of national and international importance
- History, geography, politics, art, culture, and socio-economic development of Himachal Pradesh
Paper II: CSAT Syllabus (Qualifying)
Comprehension, interpersonal and communication skills, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy (Class X level), data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables Class X level), and English language comprehension (Class X level).
Stage II: Mains Examination (Total: 1100 Marks)
Eight subjective papers — two qualifying language papers and six merit papers including two optional subject papers.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | English (Qualifying) | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper II | Hindi (Qualifying) | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper III | Essay | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper IV | General Studies – I | 200 | 3 hours |
| Paper V | General Studies – II | 200 | 3 hours |
| Paper VI | General Studies – III | 200 | 3 hours |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject – I | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper VIII | Optional Subject – II | 100 | 3 hours |
Papers I and II are qualifying; their scores do not count toward the merit list.
Paper I: English (Qualifying – 100 Marks)
- Grammar – 20 marks
- Usage and vocabulary – 20 marks
- Composition: letter, application, report, or note writing – 20 marks
- Comprehension of unseen passages – 20 marks
- Précis writing – 20 marks
Paper II: Hindi (Qualifying – 100 Marks)
- Translation of an English passage into Hindi
- Translation of a Hindi passage into English
- Explanation of Hindi prose and poetry passages in Hindi
- Composition: idioms, corrections, etc.
Paper III: Essay (100 Marks)
Topics are drawn from across disciplines including current affairs, socio-political issues, socio-economic matters, and reflective themes. Candidates write 2 essays (~900 words each), one each from Section A and Section B, in English or Hindi.
Paper IV: General Studies – I (200 Marks)
Unit I
Sub-Unit 1 – Indian History & Culture
- Indian cultural heritage: literature, art forms, and architecture from ancient times to 1947 (including temple architecture, sculpture, and schools of painting)
- Modern Indian history from the mid-18th century to 1980
- Freedom struggle: stages and contributions of key personalities from across India
Sub-Unit 2 – World History
- Industrial Revolution and rise of capitalism
- Fascist ideology and its global consequences
- World Wars and post-war boundary settlements
- Decolonisation, nationalism, socialism, globalisation, and the concept of modernity
Sub-Unit 3 – Himachal Pradesh History (all HP-specific)
- Rise of early medieval states: Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba
- Hill states and their relations with the Mughals and Sikhs
- Gorkha invasion: nature, consequences, and Treaty of Segauli
- Hill states under colonial rule: political and administrative history; grants, Sanads, and territorial issues
- Social and economic conditions under colonialism; social practices of Beth, Begar, and Reet
- British cantonment establishment in the hills
- National movement with special reference to Praja Mandal movements in HP (1848-1948)
- Five-Year Plans and their vision for hill state development
- Artistic and cultural heritage: temples, Buddhist monasteries, and paintings
Unit II
Sub-Unit 1 – Disaster Management
- Concepts, classifications (natural and man-made), and social and environmental impacts of disasters
- India’s disaster profile; disaster risk reduction approaches and management models
- Role of communities and first responders; link between disaster and development
- Disaster Management Act 2005; national and state-level policies, plans, and institutions
Sub-Unit 2 – Indian Geography
- India as a geographical unit: physical structure, climate, soils, vegetation, mountain ranges, rivers, and water bodies
- Human geography: population distribution, urban population, internal migration, language, literacy, villages, towns, settlements, industries, and transport
Sub-Unit 3 – Geography of Himachal Pradesh (all HP-specific)
- Physical features: relief, drainage, vegetation types, climate, and climatic zones
- Geographical regions: Shiwalik, Doons, Sub-Himalayan valleys, Mid-Hill Tracts, High Himalaya, and Inner Zones
- Human aspects: population characteristics and urbanisation patterns
- State policies on forests, industries, and tourism; employment generation; hazard vulnerability and risk profile of HP
Unit III
Sub-Unit 1 – Indian Society
- Key features of Indian society, unity in diversity
- Social institutions: family, marriage, kinship, religion, and social stratification
- Women’s empowerment: policies, laws for women’s protection, and safety initiatives
- Child rights, Right to Education, and rights of differently-abled persons
Sub-Unit 2 – Governance & Ethics
- Core values in public service; philosophical foundations of governance — integrity, professionalism, and accountability
- Transparency, RTI, codes of conduct, work culture, and challenges of corruption and political pressures
- Gandhian thought: truth, non-violence, Satyagraha, and the relationship between religion and politics
Sub-Unit 3 – Himachal Pradesh Society & Culture (all HP-specific)
- Culture, customs, fairs, festivals, religious beliefs, and recreation in HP
- Tribes of HP: historical, social, cultural, economic, and legal aspects
- Family, marriage, kinship, and caste system in HP
Paper V: General Studies – II (200 Marks)
Unit I
Sub-Unit 1 – Indian Constitution
- Historical background, evolution, and core features of the Constitution
- Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Duties
- Constitutional amendment process and theory of basic structure
Sub-Unit 2 – Welfare & Social Justice
- Policies, programmes, and bodies for welfare of SCs, STs, women, minorities, backward classes, differently-abled persons, and children
- Quality of life issues: livelihood, poverty, hunger, disease, and social inclusion
Sub-Unit 3 – HP Governance (all HP-specific)
- HP Public Service Guarantee Act 2011; RTI Act 2005 and HP government rules thereunder
- Administrative reforms for public service delivery in HP
- Implementation of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in HP – issues and challenges
- Welfare programmes for differently-abled persons, women, and children in HP
Unit III
Sub-Unit 1 – International Relations
- India’s bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements
- India’s Look East Policy
- India’s relations with USA, Russia, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Maldives, and Middle East countries
Sub-Unit 2 – Global Affairs
- Impact of developed and developing countries’ policies on India’s interests; Indian diaspora
- Key international institutions, agencies, and forums – their structure and mandate
Sub-Unit 3 – HP-Specific Issues (all HP-specific)
- Cybercrime and drug menace: detection and control mechanisms in HP
- HP government legislation to protect and promote agrarian society interests
- Policies for socio-economic development of SCs and STs in HP
- Tribal welfare administration, Tribal Sub-Plan, and single-line administration in HP
Paper VI: General Studies – III (200 Marks)
Unit I
Sub-Unit 1 – Indian Economy
- Demographic profile, demographic dividend, and population policy
- Sectoral composition of GDP and employment; poverty, inequality, unemployment, and inflation
- Industrial growth, banking regulatory framework (RBI, commercial banks, regional rural banks)
- Monetary policy, foreign exchange, balance of payments
- Foreign trade: policy, composition, direction, and impact of liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation
Sub-Unit 2 – Economic Planning & Development
- Economic planning in India: Five-Year Plans, strategies, and outcomes; public, private, and joint sectors
- Fiscal policy, FRBM Act 2003, debt and investment; sustainable development and inclusive growth
- Development measurement: PQLI, HDI, GDI, GEM; key government schemes (Swachh Bharat, Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, MGNREGS, NITI Aayog, etc.)
- Key international financial organisations: IMF, WTO, IBRD, IDA, UNCTAD, OECD, BRICS
Sub-Unit 3 – Economy of Himachal Pradesh (all HP-specific)
- Demographic profile, human resources, and sectoral GSDP distribution
- Agricultural diversification, land tenure, and land holdings
- Industrialisation, skilled and unskilled labour
- Revenue generation from hydro power, tourism, and natural resources
- Cottage and small-scale industries; Special Category Status pros and cons
- Education, health, and infrastructure development appraisal
Unit II
Sub-Unit 1 – Space Technology
- Applications of space technology in natural resources, development, and communications
- ISRO’s missions and programmes; India’s space programme history
- Lunar, interplanetary, and Earth observation missions
- Remote sensing, communication satellites, and GIS applications
Sub-Unit 2 – Energy
- Hydro power, non-conventional energy, nuclear energy – policies, programmes, and research
- Concepts of clean, renewable, and environment-friendly energy sources
- Role of energy in sustainable development
Sub-Unit 3 – Technology & Biodiversity in HP (all HP-specific)
- Emerging technologies in HP: biotechnology policy for horticulture, medicinal and aromatic plants
- IT policy of HP: HIMSWAN, LokMitra Kendra, and AGISAC for e-governance
- State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan; endangered species in HP
- Factors causing biodiversity decline in HP
- Intellectual Property Rights, Geographical Indications, and traditional knowledge in sustainable development
Unit III
Sub-Unit 1 – Environment
- Environmental protection policies, conventions, treaties, and climate change programmes
- State of environment reports; Environment Protection Act and pollution control rules
- Environmental Impact Assessment; National Action Plans on Climate Change
- Himalayan ecology, biosphere reserves; economics and social dimensions of climate change
- Ethical issues in use of biotechnology
Sub-Unit 2 – Agriculture & Technology
- Science and technology advances for agriculture, horticulture, and herbal resources
- National missions for sustainable agriculture and integrated horticulture development
- Organic farming, seed certification, rainwater harvesting, irrigation techniques, and soil health cards
Sub-Unit 3 – Tourism in HP (all HP-specific)
- Tourism policy, potential, and state initiatives
- Types of tourism: religious, adventure, heritage; key tourist destinations in HP
- Social, economic, and cultural implications of tourism
- Eco-tourism and green tourism for sustainable development
- Environmental impacts of tourism, including climate change effects specific to HP
Papers VII & VIII: Optional Subject (100 Marks Each)
Candidates choose one optional subject from: Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce & Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Geography, Geology, Hindi Literature, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, and Zoology.
Stage III: Interview / Personality Test (150 Marks)
The final stage evaluates overall personality, communication skills, problem-solving ability, and general awareness – including familiarity with HP’s customs, manners, and dialects. Key qualities assessed include mental alertness, logical thinking, depth of interest, leadership ability, social cohesion, and intellectual and moral integrity. Interview marks are added to Mains marks for the final merit ranking.