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HPPSC HP Administrative Service (HPAS) Prelims
Himachal PSC HPAS Prelims — Paper 1 (GS) + Paper 2 (CSAT). 200 MCQs each, 2 hours each.
Sourced
Source: official exam authority notification · refreshed weekly. How this works →
Free HPAS preparation on Shishya
Take expert-curated mocks, practise previous year papers, and Ask Shishya when you're stuck — verified by students who cleared the same path. All free, no credit card. Sign in with Google to begin.
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10 questions across the syllabus to see where you stand.
Verified against the official notification. Source ↗ · last reconciled 2026-05.
Historical cutoffs are a guide, not a prediction. Use them to set a realistic target, not to predict next year's exact number.
| Year | Category | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | General | ~125 – 135 |
We are sourcing PYQs from the official notification PDFs. Coming soon.
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HPAS — Quick Practice
FULL20 questions · 240 min
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What can I get from HPAS?
Mock-score → expected rank → likely outcome. Use the mocks below to find your current band, then plan how many marks you need to climb.
Exceptional — Top rankers
90–100% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
| 2023 |
| OBC |
| ~118 – 128 |
| 2023 | SC | ~105 – 115 |
| 2023 | ST | ~95 – 108 |
Source: official ↗ · verified 2026-05.
Approximate starting gross at an X-class (metro) posting. Actual pay depends on post, city, year of joining and prevailing DA.
Source: official ↗ · verified 2026-05.
Top tier — HAS contender
80–90% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
High scorer — Mains advantage
70–80% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Competitive Prelims score
60–70% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Prelims clearing zone
50–60% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Borderline qualifying range
35–50% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Below qualifying threshold
0–35% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
AI-curated from historic cut-off patterns. Always verify with the latest official notification before making decisions.
Candidates are monitoring the official HPPSC portal for the 2026 Combined Competitive Examination notification. Based on the annual cycle, the notification is typically released in April-May, with applications expected to open in the coming weeks.
Source →Aspirants can complete their OTR registration on the official HPPSC website ahead of the upcoming notification. The portal allows candidates to pre-register their credentials for multiple HPPSC examinations throughout the year.
Source →The Commission released interview results for the 2025 HPAS cycle after personality tests held from December 22-30, 2025. Candidates who qualified the Mains examination appeared before the Commission panel for the 150-mark assessment.
Source →HPPSC announced the final merit list for HPAS 2025 on December 30, 2025, following interviews conducted from December 22-30. The cycle recruited candidates for posts including HPAS, Tehsildar, BDO, and Assistant Commissioner roles across the state.
Source →Expected notification release
7 days awayWed, 3 Jun, 2026
HPPSC typically releases HPAS notification in April-May; monitor official website
Anticipated application window opening
14 days awayWed, 10 Jun, 2026
Based on 2025 cycle pattern (April 13-May 10); subject to official notification
Expected last date to apply
42 days awayWed, 8 Jul, 2026
Approximately 4 weeks after application opening; exact dates in official notification
📌Preliminary exam (tentative)
90 days awayTue, 25 Aug, 2026
Typically held in late June/early July; 400 marks objective test at centres across HP
Prelims result announcement
120 days awayThu, 24 Sept, 2026
Shortlisted candidates notified for Mains; qualifying exam only
📌Mains examination period
180 days awayMon, 23 Nov, 2026
8 descriptive papers over 6-7 days; usually September-October at Shimla
Click any topic to read study notes
Ancient India
Indus Valley, Vedic age, Mauryas, Guptas, Buddhism and Jainism.
Medieval India
Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Bhakti and Sufi movements, Vijayanagar.
Modern India and freedom struggle
1857, INC, Gandhian movements, partition and independence.
Ancient Himachal — Janapadas
Audumbaras, Trigarta, Kuluta, Kulindas; references in Mahabharata and Puranas.
Katoch dynasty of Kangra
One of oldest surviving Rajput dynasties; Kangra fort; Maharaja Sansar Chand II — golden age (1775-1823).
Bushahr state
Erstwhile princely state of Kinnaur-Shimla region; only HP ruler hostile to British in 1857; capital Sarahan/Rampur.
Bilaspur (Kahlur) state
Founded by Bir Chand; merged with India 1948; later submerged by Bhakra dam reservoir.
Chamba and Mandi states
Chamba — founded by Sahil Varman c. 920 CE; Bhuri Singh Museum; Mandi 'Kashi of the Hills'.
Suket, Kullu and Sirmaur
Suket and Kullu Pal dynasties; Sirmaur of Nahan; Raja Shamsher Prakash.
Gorkha invasion (1803-15)
Gorkhas under Amar Singh Thapa; defeat by British in Anglo-Gorkha war; Treaty of Sugauli 1816.
Anglo-Sikh wars and British rule
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's annexation of Kangra 1809; British takeover after First Anglo-Sikh war 1846.
Praja Mandal and freedom movement
Dhami firing 1939, Pajhota agitation 1942; Yashwant Singh Parmar; Suket satyagraha 1948.
Formation and statehood of HP
Part C state 1948 from 30 hill states; reorganisation 1966 (Punjab hill areas); full statehood 25 January 1971 — 18th state.
World geography
Continents, oceans, climatic zones, world physical features.
Indian geography
Himalayas, peninsular plateau, rivers, monsoon, agriculture.
Location and physiography of HP
Western Himalayas; bordered by China (Tibet); 12 districts; three altitudinal zones — Shivalik, Inner, Greater Himalayas.
Rivers of Himachal Pradesh
Five perennial — Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna; tributaries Spiti, Parbati, Tons, Pabbar.
Climate and rainfall
Sub-tropical to alpine; Dharamshala among wettest; Spiti-Lahaul cold desert in rain shadow.
National parks and wildlife
Great Himalayan NP (UNESCO), Pin Valley NP, Inderkilla, Khirganga, Simbalbara; snow leopard, Western Tragopan (state bird).
Glaciers and lakes
Bara Shigri, Beas Kund, Chandra; lakes — Chandratal, Suraj Tal, Renuka, Khajjiar, Manimahesh.
Tribes of Himachal Pradesh
Gaddi, Gujjar, Kinnaura, Lahaula, Pangwala, Bhot, Swangla — distribution in tribal districts.
Indian Constitution
Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSPs, basic structure, amendments.
Indian polity and governance
Union, state and local government; panchayati raj; constitutional bodies.
HP Legislative Assembly
68-seat unicameral assembly; CM, Council of Ministers; HP HC at Shimla.
Special provisions and panchayati raj
HP Land Reforms and Tenancy Act; Section 118 restricting non-Himachali land purchase; PRI structure.
Indian economy
GDP, banking, RBI, GST, Union Budget, NITI Aayog.
Economic and social development
Sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics.
HP economy overview
Hydropower, tourism, horticulture (apple), pharma cluster of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh.
Hydroelectric power
27,000 MW potential; Bhakra-Nangal, Pong, Nathpa Jhakri (1500 MW), Karcham Wangtoo, Parbati, Koldam.
Tourism and hill stations
Shimla (summer capital of British India), Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Kullu, Khajjiar, Spiti.
Horticulture — apple state
Apple bowl of India (Shimla, Kinnaur, Kullu); Y.S. Parmar — Father of Green Revolution in HP apples; cherry, plum, kiwi.
HP state schemes
Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashraya Yojana, HIMCARE, Mukhya Mantri Swavalamban Yojana, Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi.
Environment and ecology
Ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation, environmental laws.
Climate change
UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, IPCC, India's NDCs and Net Zero by 2070.
Himalayan ecology and glacier melt
Glacier retreat in Lahaul-Spiti; cloudbursts and flash floods; HP State Disaster Management Authority.
Physics in everyday life
Force, motion, electricity, light, sound.
Chemistry basics
Periodic table, acids/bases, polymers, fertilizers.
Biology and human body
Cells, organ systems, nutrition, diseases.
Science and technology
ISRO, AI, biotechnology, IT — recent advances.
Folk dances of Himachal Pradesh
Nati (Sirmauri Nati — Guinness record 2016), Chham (Lahaul), Kayang (Kinnaur), Dangi (Chamba), Losar Shona Chuksam.
Fairs and festivals
Kullu Dussehra (international), Minjar (Chamba), Lavi (Rampur), Shivratri (Mandi), Phulaich (Kinnaur), Halda.
Temples and monasteries
Hidimba Devi (Manali), Jwalamukhi, Chamunda Devi, Naina Devi, Baijnath; Tabo, Key, Dhankar monasteries.
Crafts and shawls
Kullu and Kinnauri shawls (GI), Chamba rumal (GI), Kangra miniature painting, Pashmina, woollens.
HP current affairs
State schemes, budget, sports, awards, recent appointments and policies.
National current affairs
Government schemes, awards, sports, appointments — last 12-18 months.
Reading comprehension
Passage-based questions on inference, vocabulary, main idea.
Interpersonal and communication skills
Effective communication and group behaviour.
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Statement-conclusion, syllogism, deductive reasoning.
Decision-making and problem-solving
Ethical and managerial decision-making situations.
General mental ability
Series, analogy, coding-decoding, blood relations, directions.
Mains result & interview schedule
270 days awaySun, 21 Feb, 2027
Qualified candidates called for personality test at HPPSC Shimla
Final result declaration
320 days awayMon, 12 Apr, 2027
Merit list based on Mains (900 marks) + Interview (150 marks); appointment letters by departments
Basic numeracy
Numbers and orders of magnitude — Class X level.