The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) has officially released the HPSC HCS and Allied Services Notification 2026, signaling the start of the state’s most prestigious recruitment drive. With a confirmed 102 vacancies, including 24 posts for HCS (Executive Branch) and 8 for DSP, this year’s cycle brings a historic shift in the selection process. In a move to align with the UPSC standards, the commission has overhauled the Mains Exam Pattern, expanding it from 4 papers to 6 compulsory papers, effectively removing optional subjects for a more level playing field.
The online application window activates on 6th February 2026 and will remain open until 26th February 2026. For thousands of aspirants, this is not just another exam but a gateway to becoming a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), or Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO). However, the “UPSC-style” syllabus change means your old preparation strategy needs an urgent update. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the new pattern, physical standards for DSP, and the direct link to the official notification PDF.
Quick Highlights HPSC HCS 2026
| Feature | Details |
| Authority | Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) |
| Exam Name | HCS (Ex. Br.) & Other Allied Services 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 102 (Ex. Br: 24, DSP: 8, ETO: 27, AETO: 22) |
| Application Mode | Online (hpsc.gov.in) |
| Selection Process | Prelims (Objective) ➔ Mains (Descriptive – 6 Papers) ➔ Interview |
| Exam Date (Prelims) | 26th April 2026 |
| Official Website | www.hpsc.gov.in |
Important Dates & Full Schedule 2026
The commission has released a tight schedule this year. With Prelims scheduled for late April, candidates have roughly 80 days to prepare.
- Notification Release Date: 30th January 2026
- Online Application Starts: 06th February 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 26th February 2026 (05:00 PM)
- Fee Payment Deadline: 26th February 2026
- HCS Prelims Exam Date: 26th April 2026
- HCS Mains Exam Date: 27th – 29th June 2026
- Personality Test (Interview): August/September 2026
Expert Note: Unlike other exams, HPSC closes the application window strictly at 5:00 PM (not midnight) on the last date. Do not wait for 26th Feb; complete your forms by 20th Feb to avoid server timeouts.
Haryana CET Group C Posts 2026 Notification PDF
Eligibility Criteria The Technical Deep-Dive
Before applying, ensure you meet the specific age and physical criteria, especially if you are targeting the DSP post.
1. Educational Qualification
- General: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, Science, Commerce, or any technical stream from a recognized university as of the closing date (26.02.2026).
- Final Year Students: Eligible only if they can produce the final marksheet/degree before the Mains/Interview stage (check specific clause in PDF).
2. Age Limit (As on 01.01.2026)
The age calculation is critical.
- For DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police): 18 to 27 Years.
- For Other Posts (HCS, ETO, AETO, etc.): 18 to 42 Years.
Age Relaxation Table:
| Category (Haryana Domicile Only) | Relaxation | Max Age (Others) |
| SC / ST / BC-A / BC-B | 5 Years | 47 Years |
| PwD (General) | 5 Years | 47 Years |
| PwD (SC/ST/BC) | 10 Years | 52 Years |
| Unmarried Female | 5 Years | 47 Years |
3. Physical Standards (For DSP Post Only)
- Male: Height: 5’7″ (170.18 cm) | Chest: 33″ (83.82 cm) with 1.5″ expansion.
- Female: Height: 5’2″ (157.50 cm) | Chest: N/A.
- Note: Candidates selected for DSP who fail this test will NOT be allotted any other service later. Choose preferences wisely.
Vacancy Details & Salary Structure
The 102 vacancies are distributed across high-profile administrative roles. The salary is governed by the 7th Pay Commission norms of the Haryana Government.
| Post Name | Class | Vacancies | Pay Scale |
| HCS (Executive Branch) | Group-A | 24 | Level-10 (₹56,100+) |
| DSP (Deputy Supdt. of Police) | Group-A | 08 | Level-10 (₹56,100+) |
| ETO (Excise & Taxation Officer) | Group-B | 27 | Level-9 (₹53,100+) |
| DFSC (Dist. Food & Supplies Controller) | Group-B | 02 | Level-9 |
| AETO (Asst. Excise & Taxation Officer) | Group-B | 22 | Level-7 (₹44,900+) |
| Tehsildar (‘A’ Class) | Group-B | 03 | Level-9 |
Additional Allowances: HRA, DA, Medical, and Official Vehicle (for specific posts) make the gross salary for HCS/DSP posts approx ₹85,000 – ₹95,000 per month.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus: The “Helpful” Guide
This is the most crucial section due to the 2026 Pattern Change.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Screening)
- Paper-I: General Studies (100 Marks) – History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, and Haryana GK. (Counts for Merit).
- Paper-II: CSAT (100 Marks) – Reasoning, Math, Comprehension. (Qualifying – 33% Marks Required).
- Negative Marking: 0.25 Marks for every wrong answer.
- Selection Ratio: 12 times the number of vacancies are shortlisted for Mains.
Stage 2: Main Written Examination (New Pattern)
HPSC has abolished Optional Subjects. The new pattern has 6 Compulsory Papers.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| Paper-I | English (Including Essay) | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-II | Hindi (Including Essay) | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-III | General Studies – I | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-IV | General Studies – II | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-V | General Studies – III | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-VI | General Studies – IV (Ethics) | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Total | 600 |
- Expert Insight: The inclusion of Ethics (GS-IV) and the removal of optionals aligns HCS directly with the UPSC Mains. Candidates preparing for UPSC will find this highly advantageous.
How to Apply Online (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the Portal: Go to hpsc.gov.in and click on “Advertisements”.
- Register: Click on “Apply Online for HCS (Ex. Br.) & Allied Services 2026”.
- PPP ID: Haryana residents must link their Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) ID for fetching domicile data.
- Fill Details: Enter personal info, educational qualifications, and service preferences.
- Upload Documents:
- Photo & Signature.
- Domicile Certificate (for reservation).
- Degree Certificate.
- Pay Fee:
- General Male / Other State Male: ₹1000.
- Female (All Categories) / SC / BC / ESM: ₹250.
- Print Application: Save the PDF for the Interview stage.
Pro-Tip: While uploading the photo, ensure it is recent and has a light background. HPSC often rejects forms with blurred signatures.
Direct Links Section
| Resource | Direct Link |
| Download Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online (Link Active 06 Feb) | Click Here |
| New Exam Pattern & Syllabus PDF | Click Here |
| HCS Previous Year Papers | Click Here |
Detailed Strategy & Expert Insights
“How to crack HCS 2026 with the New Pattern?”
- Haryana GK is the Kingmaker: In Prelims Paper-I, approximately 15-20 questions come from Haryana’s History, Culture, and Economy. Ignoring this is fatal.
- CSAT Trap: Every year, 30% of serious GS candidates fail because of CSAT. Ensure you are scoring at least 40-50 marks in mocks to be safe above the 33% cutoff.
- Mains Answer Writing: With 6 papers, writing speed is key. Start practicing Ethics case studies and essay writing immediately after Prelims.
- Cut-Off Trend: The 2024 Prelims cutoff for General was approx 68-70 Marks. Target 75+ in GS Paper-I to be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Has the optional subject been removed from HCS 2026?
Ans: Yes, the HCS Mains 2026 will have 6 General Studies/Language papers. There are no optional subjects.
Q2: Can final year students apply?
Ans: Yes, provided they can produce their final degree mark sheet before the Mains exam/Interview date mentioned in the notification.
Q3: What is the age limit for DSP posts?
Ans: For DSP, the age limit is strictly 18 to 27 years. For other posts, it is up to 42 years.
Q4: Is there negative marking in Prelims?
Ans: Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer in both GS and CSAT papers.
Q5: Can other state candidates apply?
Ans: Yes, candidates from outside Haryana can apply but will be treated as General Category (no reservation benefits).