# HPPSC HP Administrative Service (HPAS) Prelims (HPAS) — Shishya exam context

> Machine-readable context for HPPSC HP Administrative Service (HPAS) Prelims, maintained by Shishya (https://shishya.in) — India's end-to-end free government exam preparation platform. All facts below are free to cite; link back to https://shishya.in/exams/HP_HPAS. Human page: https://shishya.in/exams/HP_HPAS

## Exam pattern
- Category: STATE_LEVEL · state: HP
- Questions: 200 · Total marks: 400 · Marks per question: 2
- Duration: 240 minutes
- Negative marking: none
- Languages offered: EN, HI

## Eligibility & vacancies
- Age: 21–35 years (before category relaxation: OBC +3, SC/ST +5)
- Education: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university
- Approximate annual vacancies: 32
- Note: Age calculated as on 1st January of exam year; Prelims is screening only, final merit based on Mains + Interview
- Official portal: https://hppsc.hp.gov.in (Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC))

## Key dates
- 2026-07-26 — Expected HPAS 2026 notification release
- 2026-07-29 — Last Date to Apply Online (tentative)
- 2026-08-02 — Likely application window opens
- 2026-08-05 — Tentative last date to apply online
- 2026-08-14 — Last date to apply online (tentative)
- 2026-08-15 — Prelims Admit Card Release (tentative)
- 2026-08-18 — HPAS 2026 official notification expected
- 2026-08-18 — Preliminary admit card release window

## Syllabus outline
### General Studies (Paper I) (weight 1)
National current affairs · Indian economy · Economic and social development · Climate change · Environment and ecology · Indian geography · World geography · Ancient India · Medieval India · Modern India and freedom struggle · Indian Constitution · Indian polity and governance · Biology and human body · Chemistry basics · Physics in everyday life · Science and technology · HP current affairs · Crafts and shawls · Folk dances of Himachal Pradesh · Fairs and festivals · Temples and monasteries · HP economy overview · Horticulture — apple state · Hydroelectric power · HP state schemes · Tourism and hill stations · Himalayan ecology and glacier melt · Climate and rainfall · Glaciers and lakes · Location and physiography of HP · National parks and wildlife · Rivers of Himachal Pradesh · Tribes of Himachal Pradesh · Ancient Himachal — Janapadas · Anglo-Sikh wars and British rule · Bilaspur (Kahlur) state · Bushahr state · Chamba and Mandi states · Gorkha invasion (1803-15) · Katoch dynasty of Kangra · Praja Mandal and freedom movement · Formation and statehood of HP · Suket, Kullu and Sirmaur · HP Legislative Assembly · Special provisions and panchayati raj

### Aptitude Test (Paper II) (weight 1)
Reading comprehension · Data interpretation · Decision-making and problem-solving · Interpersonal and communication skills · Logical reasoning and analytical ability · General mental ability · Basic numeracy

## Expected cutoffs (category-wise)
| Category | Expected Cutoff (Indicative) |
|----------|------------------------------|
| General | 210-235 marks (52.5-58.75%) |
| EWS | 200-225 marks (50-56.25%) |
| OBC | 195-220 marks (48.75-55%) |
| SC | 175-200 marks (43.75-50%) |
| ST | 165-190 marks (41.25-47.5%) |
| PwD | 155-180 marks (38.75-45%) |

**Guidance:**

- **Category differential**: General cutoffs typically exceed OBC by 10-15 marks (2.5-4%), while SC/ST categories see 30-50 marks relaxation below General. EWS cutoffs trend 5-10 marks below General.

- **Year-on-year shifts**: Cutoffs fluctuate based on paper difficulty, vacancy positions, and candidate performance distribution. Easy papers push General cutoffs toward 230-235 range; moderate-to-tough papers settle around 210-220 marks. Reservation categories follow proportional movement.

- **Qualification threshold**: Securing 50-55% (200-220 marks) places General/EWS candidates in competitive Mains territory, while OBC candidates at 48-52% and SC/ST at 42-48% achieve comfortable qualification positions.

Full cutoff page: https://shishya.in/exams/HP_HPAS/cutoff

## Free resources on Shishya for this exam
- Exam hub (mocks, PYQs, news, dates): https://shishya.in/exams/HP_HPAS
- Full syllabus + free study notes: https://shishya.in/exams/HP_HPAS/syllabus
- Category-wise expected cutoffs: https://shishya.in/exams/HP_HPAS/cutoff
- Memory tricks & mnemonics: https://shishya.in/exams/HP_HPAS/tricks
- How to crack it (strategy guide): https://shishya.in/exams/HP_HPAS/guide
- Free day-by-day study plan (personal coach): https://shishya.in/coach
- Free AI tutor (22 Indian languages, no login): https://shishya.in/chat

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