Current Affairs

Every year Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission conducts Civil Services Exams across the state. And there are around 35-40 thousand applications for the HAS exam. Out of these, 60% appear in the preliminary test on average. However, 20 times of total vacancies are called for mains written test and 3 times are called for interviews. Here, you will find details about the HAS syllabus and the selection process.

Importantly, you should get familiar with (and keep in mind) the HAS exam pattern discussed here during your preparations. In addition, you will also find about where to get the right study material and the latest current affairs for HPAS.

HAS Syllabus and Exam Pattern

There are 3 stages of HAS exam:

• Preliminary Exam
• Mains Exam
• Viva-Voce

HAS Pattern for the Preliminary Examination

The prelims test has two papers of objective type (MCQs) on the following topics:

• Paper-I: General Studies (100 questions carrying a total weightage of 200 marks)
• Paper-II: Aptitude Test (100 questions carrying a total weightage of 200 marks)

There is a negative marking too, according to which, you will get a one-third negative mark for every wrong attempt.

Selection Process for HAS Mains: You need to get 33% marks in Paper-II for qualifying for the preliminary test. The qualified candidates are assigned merits based on the Paper-I score. Top performers (20 times the total vacancies) get approval to appear in the mains exam.

HAS Syllabus for the Preliminary Examination

HAS EXAM PAPER-I includes subjects like General Studies History, Geography, and HPAS

Current Affairs of National and International Importance. In addition, other subjects are Art & Culture, Socio-Economic Development of Himachal Pradesh, Environmental Issues relating to Bio-Diversity and Climate Change, Indian Politics and Governance, and General Science.

PAPER-II includes subjects like Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability, Decision Making and Problem Solving, and General Mental Ability. Other subjects are Interpersonal Skills, Basic Numeracy, Comprehension Based Questions, Data Sufficiency and Data Interpretation of Class 10th level.

The pattern of HPAS Mains Exam

The whole pattern of the HPAS mains exam has two parts: compulsory and optional subjects.

• The subjects English and Hindi are of qualifying nature and have a maximum scoring of 100 marks each.
• To qualify, you should score a minimum of 40% in the subject individually.
• The maximum marks for the general studies section are 200 and for essay writing are 100.

Micro-Level Syllabus Exam Pattern for HAS Summary of the pattern of HPAS (Mains) Examination
COMPULSORY PAPERS
Paper-I English	100 Marks
Paper-II Hindi	100 Marks
Paper-III Essay	100 Marks
Paper-IV General Studies I	200 Marks
Paper-V General Studies II	200 Marks
Paper-VI General Studies III	200 Marks
Optional Papers
Paper-VII	100 Marks
Paper-VIII	100 Marks
Interview/Personality Test	150 Marks

Visit the link for the best books for HAS exam.

HAS Syllabus for Mains Exam
General Studies Paper No. 1 (Marks: 200)

UNIT 1
SUBUNIT 1

Historical Perspective of Indian Cultural Heritage:

• Literature and Art forms from ancient times to 1947 (Major structural and rock-cut temple architecture, sculptural art, and major schools of paintings)
• Modern Indian history from the mid-18th century to 1980
• Freedom Struggle: its various stages and the role of eminent personalities from different parts of India

SUBUNIT 2

• Industrial Revolution and the emergence of Capitalism
• Fascist Ideology and its global implications
• World wars and boundary settlements after the First and the Second World Wars
• Concept of Decolonization, Nationalism, and Socialism, Globalization and concept of Modernity

SUB-UNIT 3

• Emergence and growth of early medieval states: Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba. The Hill States and their relations with the Mughals and the Sikhs
• Gorkha invasion- its nature and consequences, Treaty of Sugauli
• The Hill States under the Colonial power: Political and Administrative History. Grants, Sanads, and territorial aggression
• Social and Economic conditions under colonial period with special reference to social practices of Beth, Begar, and Reet
• Establishment of British Cantonments
• National Movement with special reference to Praja Mandal movements in Himachal Pradesh, 1848-1948
• Five Year Plans and vision for the developed Hill State
• Survey of artistic and cultural Heritage (Temples, Buddhist Monasteries and Paintings)

UNIT 2
SUBUNIT 1

• Introduction to Disasters: Concepts, definitions, disaster classifications including natural and man-made disasters
• Social and Environmental impacts of disasters
• Disaster profile of the country
• Approaches to Disaster Risk Reductions
• Disaster management models. Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders including community, Concept of first responders
• Interrelationship of disaster and development
• Disaster management in India including DM ACT 2005, National and state policies, Plans, and institutional mechanisms in the country

SUBUNIT 2

• Geographical Introduction to India, India as a unit of Geographical Study
• Aspects of the Physical Geography of India – Structure, and Relief, Climate, Soils, and Vegetation, Geomorphic set up (Mountain Ranges and Rivers and other Water Bodies)
• Human Aspects – Population distribution, Urban Population, Internal Migration, Language and Literacy, Villages and Towns in India
• Settlements, Industry, and Transport

SUBUNIT 3

• Geography of Himachal Pradesh: Relief, Drainage, Vegetation cover, and types
• Climate and climatic zones in Himachal Pradesh
• Geographical Regions of Himachal Pradesh (Shiwalik, Doons, and Low Valleys, Outer Valleys of Sub Himalaya, Mid Hill Tracts of High Himalaya, High hills and Valleys and Inner Zones)
• Human Aspects: Quantitative, Qualitative and Temporal characteristics of Population, Urbanisation pattern
• Policies: Forest, Industrial, and Tourism Policies, Growth of Industrial areas and types of Industries in Himachal, Employment generation and potential, Scope of future Industrialization, Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Profile of Himachal Pradesh

UNIT 3
SUB-UNIT 1

• Salient features of Indian Society, Unity in Diversity
• Social Institutions: Family, Marriage, Kinship, Religion and Social stratification in India
• Women empowerment and social justice: Policies for women Empowerment in India, Laws for protection of women, women security and safety initiatives in India
• Child Rights and Right to Education
• Rights of differently-abled persons and quality of life for them

SUBUNIT 2

• Core Values in public service/governance
• The philosophical basis of public service/governance and Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability
• Objectivity and Transparency, information sharing and right to information, codes of conduct, work culture, challenges of corruption and political pressures
• Gandhian Thought: Truth and Non-violence, Satyagraha, Ends, and Means, Religion and Politics

SUBUNIT 3

• Society and Culture in Himachal Pradesh: Culture, customs, fairs and festivals, and religious beliefs and practices, recreation and amusement
• Tribes of Himachal Pradesh: their historical, social, cultural, economic, and legal aspects
• Family, marriage, kinship, and caste system in Himachal Pradesh

General Studies Paper No. 2 (Marks: 200)

UNIT 1
SUBUNIT 1

• Constitution of India: Historical underpinning, evolution, salient features
• Significant provisions including Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Duties
• Amending process and important Constitutional Amendments and theory of basic structure

SUBUNIT 2

• Parliament and state legislatures, Structure, Organization and functioning of the Union and State Executive and the Judiciary
• Functions and responsibilities of Union and states, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local level, and challenges therein
• Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act
• Appointments to various constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various constitutional bodies in India

SUBUNIT 3

• Reorganization and politics of statehood
• Development of political parties, major Political parties and their support base and performance in the Assembly and Parliamentary elections in Himachal Pradesh
• Politics of sub-regionalism and pressure groups in the state
• Structure, organization, and functioning of Statutory, Regulatory, and various Quasi-Judicial bodies in Himachal Pradesh

UNIT 2
SUBUNIT 1

• Institutional framework, Policies, and Interventions for development in various sectors in India
• Governance, Good governance, Citizen Charters, effective public service delivery, transparency, accountability, and ethics in governance in India
• District Administration: The changing role of Deputy Commissioner
• Local self-government in urban and rural areas in India

SUBUNIT 2

• Role of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)
• Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Civil Society in Governance in India
• Bodies constituted, Policies, Programmes & Schemes for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes
• Women, Minorities, Backward Classes, Differently abled persons, and children in India
• Issues relating to the quality of life: livelihood, poverty, hunger, disease, and social inclusiveness

SUBUNIT 3

• Governance in Himachal Pradesh
• The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Guarantee Act 2011
• Right to Information Act 2005 and rules made thereunder by the Himachal Pradesh Govt
• Administrative reforms for effective public service delivery in Himachal Pradesh
• Implementation of 73rd & 74th Constitutional amendments in Himachal Pradesh
• Issues and Challenges. Programs and policies for the welfare of differently-abled persons, women, and children in Himachal Pradesh

UNIT 3
SUBUNIT 1

• Bilateral, Regional & Global groupings and agreements involving India and affecting India’s interests
• India’s look east policy
• India’s relations with the U.S.A., Russia, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Maldives, and Middle East Countries

SUBUNIT 2

• Effects of the policies of developed and developing countries on India’s interest, Indian Diaspora
• Important international Institutions, agencies, and fora, their structure and mandate

SUBUNIT 3

• Cybercrime and drug menace – the mechanism to detect and control it in Himachal Pradesh
• Enactments made by the Himachal Pradesh Government to protect and promote the interests of agrarian society
• Various policies framed by the Government of Himachal Pradesh for the socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the state
• Tribal welfare administration, Tribal sub-plan, and Single-line administration in Himachal Pradesh

General Studies Paper No. 3 (Marks: 200)

UNIT 1
SUB-UNIT 1

• Characteristics of Indian Economy
• Demographic Profile, Demographic Dividend, and Population Policy
• Sectoral Composition with respect to contribution to GDP and Employment
• Poverty and Inequality, Unemployment, Inflation in India
• Industrial Growth in India
• Regulatory framework for money and banking
• RBI, Commercial banks & Regional Rural Banks
• Monetary policy, Foreign exchange, Balance of Payment Scenario
• Foreign Trade: Policy, Composition & Direction, Impact of Liberalization/Privatization & Globalization

SUBUNIT 2

• Economic Planning in India
• Five Year Plans: strategies and outcomes, Public/Private/Joint Sectors
• Fiscal Policy, Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act 2003, Debt and Investment in India: Current Status, Growth and Development experience including Natural Resource Management
• Sustainable development and Inclusive growth
• Measurement of economic development: PQLI, Millennium Development Goals, HDI/GDI/GEMv
• Latest/Current Development Schemes/Initiatives/Institutional Changes (e.g. Swach Bharat Mission, Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, MGNREGS, NITI Ayog, etc)
• International Financial & Economic Organizations: IMF, WTO, IBRD, IDA, UNCTAD, OECD, BRICS

SUBUNIT 3

• The economy of Himachal Pradesh
• Demographic profile & Human resource, Sectoral distribution of GSDP
• Diversification in Agriculture and allied activities, Land tenure, and size of land holdings
• Industrialization in the state. Skilled/Unskilled labor
• Revenue generation with special reference to hydro potential, tourism, flora, and fauna
• Cottage and Small-Scale Industries.
• Tax base, Pros, and Cons of Special Category status. Appraisal of education, Health, Physical and Financial Infrastructure Development

UNIT 2
SUBUNIT 1

• Applications of space technology in natural resources, development, and communications
• Important missions and programs of the Department of Space and Indian Space Research Organization
• Historical evolution of the Indian Space program. Lunar, interplanetary, and Earth Observation Missions
• Remote Sensing and Communication satellites. Applications of Remote sensing and GIS for natural resources monitoring and applications benefiting the common man

SUBUNIT 2

• Developments in energy sectors such as Hydropower, non-conventional sources of energy, and nuclear energy including policies, programs, and research base in the country
• Concepts of non-conventional, renewable, clean, and environmentally friendly energy sources. Role of energy in sustainable development

SUBUNIT 3

• Modern and emerging technologies and initiatives in the state of Himachal Pradesh Including biotechnology policy, research, vision, scope, and applications for developing horticulture, medicinal and aromatic plants resources of the state
• IT policy of Himachal Pradesh and its role in governance, the concept of HIMSWAN, state plans of e-governance, the concept of Lok Mitra Kendra and AGISAC
• State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Endangered and threatened species of Himachal Pradesh. Factors responsible for Biodiversity decline in Himachal Pradesh
• Relevance and role of Intellectual Property Rights, Geographical Indications and Traditional wisdom and knowledge in the sustainable development of the state

UNIT 3
SUB-UNIT 1

• Issues, concerns, policies, programs, conventions, treaties, and missions aimed at environment protection, and dealing with the problem of climate change
• State of environment reports. Environment protection and pollution control Act and rules
• Environment Impact Assessment
• National Action plans on Climate Change
• Himalayan ecology, biosphere reserve, Science and economics of climate change
• Social and ethical issues in the use of Biotechnology

SUBUNIT 2

• Latest developments in science and technology for harnessing agriculture, horticulture, medicinal and herbal resources in the country
• National mission for sustainable agriculture, the mission for integrated development of horticulture
• Concept of organic farming, seed certification, rainwater harvesting, techniques of irrigation and soil conservations, and soil health cards

SUBUNIT 3

• Tourism policy, potential, and initiative in Himachal Pradesh
• Types of tourism: religious, adventure, heritage, Important tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh
• Social, Economic and Cultural implications of Tourism
• Concept of Eco-Tourism and green tourism and their role in the sustainable development of the state
• Environmental concerns of the tourism industry, both positive and negative effects including climate change with reference to Himachal Pradesh