[Strategy] Exam Pattern of HPPSC: Himachal Pradesh Administrative Services ( HAS/HPAS ) Main Written Examination

Stage 2 : Main Written Examination 

COMPULSORY SUBJECTS


ENGLISH

Candidates will be required to answer questions designed to test their understanding of English and workman like use of words. Some of the questions will be devised to test also their reasoning power,
their capacity to perceive implications and theirability to distinguish between the important and the less important. Passages will usually be set for summary of precis. Credit will be given for concise and effective expression.  

HINDI IN DEVNAGARI SCRIPT

(1) Translation of an English passage into Hindi
(2) Explanation of Hindi passage in Prose and Poetry in the same language
(3) Composition (idiom, corrections, etc.).
 

ESSAY WRITING 

Candidates will be required to write an essay in English or Hindi language on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

1. COMPULSORY PAPERS

Paper No.	Subject	Maximum Marks
I	English	100
II	Hindi	100
III	Essay	100
IV	General Studies - I	200
V	General Studies - II	200
VI	General Studies - III	200

2. OPTIONAL SUBJECT (ONE)

Paper No.	Subject	Maximum Marks
VII	Paper I	100
VIII	Paper II	100

3. INTERVIEW / PERSONALITY TEST - 150 Marks 

Note:— *In Hindi & English minimum 40 % are compulsory to score although Marks of Hindi & English will not be considered for the Merit. 

Total Marks for Merit = Essay + GS 1 + GS 2 + GS 3 + Optional + Interview

i.e. 100 + 200 + 200 + 200 + 200 + 150 = 1050 Marks

7.  The Optional Subjects for the main examination shall be as under:— ( Choose only one)

HPAS Mains Optional Subjects

How to Prepare for HPAS: (Also at the end of this post)

• [HPAS/HAS ] Syllabus, Pattern, Strategy, Books,Previous Papers of HPAS/HAS Exam 2016
• [HPAS  Studyplan] Studyplan & Books For HPAS/HAS  

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Download Official Notification of Syllabus : Here

Detailed HPAS Syllabus is Here :

COMPULSORY PAPERS

PAPER–I: ENGLISH (100 MARKS)

Objectives:

This paper is designed to test candidate’s knowledge/aptitude in the following:—

1. Comprehension of English Language

2. Correct grammatical expression

3.  Clarity and precision in expression 

Areas of Testing:

Candidates will be tested in the following areas:

 1.  English Grammar -     (20 Marks)

 2.  Usage and vocabulary  -    (20 Marks)

 3.  English Composition  Letter / Application    / Report / Note writing  -    (20 Marks)

4. Comprehension of unseen passages  -     (20 Marks)

5.  Precis Writing  -     (20 Marks)

Evaluation / Marking:

Credit will be given for the following:-

 1.  Writing of précis, comprehension, composition and usage according to requirements  of format.

 2.  Coherence and sequence in expression.

 3.  Correctness of grammatical structures.

 4.  Originality of thought and expression.

PAPER-II: HINDI IN DEVNAGRI SCRIPT (100 MARKS)

(i)  Translation of an English passage into Hindi.

(ii)  Translation of Hindi passage into English.

(iii)  Explanation of Hindi passage in Prose and Poetry in the same language.

(iv) Composition (Idioms, corrections etc.)

PAPER-III: ESSAY (100 MARKS)

Objective:

This paper is designed to test candidate’s (i) knowledge / awareness of a variety of  subjects and (ii) their ability to compose a sustained piece of writing in the form of an essay.

Contents:

 A fair choice of topics covering (i) current affairs (ii) socio- political issues (iii) socioeconomic issues (iv) aspects of culture and history and (v) reflective topics will be given to test

the candidates’ understanding of these issues and their flair for expressing themselves in the

English or in Hindi language. The candidates are  required to attempt 2 Essays, choosing one each

from Section A and  B in about 900 words each.

Areas of Testing:

 This paper would test the following:

 1. Ability to compose a well-argued piece of writing

 2. Ability to express coherently and sequentially

 3. Awareness of the subject chosen

Evaluation / Marking:

Credit will be given for the following:

 1.  Observing established rules and format for essay writing

 2.  Grammatical correctness of expression

 3.  Originality of thought and expression

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER - I

Marks: 200

UNIT—I

Sub-Unit 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 mid-18^th century to 1980.
• Freedom Struggle: its various stages and the role of eminent personalities from  different parts of India.

Sub-Unit 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.
• Hill States and their relations with the Mughals and the Sikhs.
• Gorkha invasion- its nature and consequences, Treaty of Segauli.
• 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,  Budhist  Monasteries  and Paintings).

UNIT – II

Sub-Unit 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 mechanism in the country.

Sub-Unit 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.

Sub-Unit 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,Urbanization 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 – III

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.

Sub-Unit 2

• Core Values in public service/governance:
• 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.

Sub-Unit 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 - II

Marks: 200

UNIT-I

Sub-Unit 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.

Sub-Unit 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.

Sub-Unit 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-II

Sub-Unit 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: Changing role of Deputy Commissioner.
• Local self government in urban and rural areas in India.

Sub-Unit 2

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

Sub-Unit 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.  Programmes  and  policies  for  the  welfare  of  differently abled persons, women and children in Himachal Pradesh.

UNIT-III

Sub-Unit 1

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

Sub-Unit 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.

Sub-Unit 3

• Cyber crime and drug menace – mechanism to detect and control it in Himachal Pradesh.
• Enactments made by Himachal Pradesh Government to protect and promote the interests of agrarian society.
• Various policies framed by the Government of Himachal Pradesh for the socioeconomic 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 - III

Marks: 200
UNIT I

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.

Sub-Unit 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/GEM.
• 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.

Sub-Unit 3

• 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 labour.
• 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 II

Sub-Unit 1

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

Sub-Unit 2

• Developments in energy sectors such as Hydro power, non conventional sources of energy and nuclear energy including policies, programmes and research base in the country.
• Concepts of non conventional, renewable, clean and environment friendly energy sources. Role of energy in sustainable development.

Sub-Unit 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, concept of HIMSWAN, state plans of e-governance, concept of Lok Mitra Kendra and AGISAC.
• State Biodiversity strategy and Action Plan. Endangered and threatened species of Himachal Pradesh. Factors responsible for Bio diversity decline in Himachal Pradesh.
• Relevance and role of Intellectual Property Rights, Geographical Indications and Traditional wisdom and knowledge in sustainable development of the state.

UNIT III

Sub-Unit 1

• Issues ,concerns, policies, programmes, 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 use of Biotechnology.

Sub-Unit 2

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

Sub-Unit 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  sustainable development of the state.
• Environmental  concerns  of  tourism  industry,  both  positive  and  negative  effects including climate change with reference to Himachal Pradesh.

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INTERVIEW / PERSONALITY TEST (150 MARKS)

 The candidate will be interviewed by the Commission who will have before them a  record of his/her career. He / She will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for the services or service for which he / she has applied to the Commission. 

 The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of candidate. In broad terms, this is really  an assessment of not only his / her intellectual qualities but also social traits and his / her interest in current affairs including the knowledge of customs, manners and dialects of Himachal Pradesh. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, care and logical exposition, balance of judgements, variety and depth of interest, ability  for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral  integrity”.

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HPAS Prelims GS & AptitudeTest :

-> Aptitude Test is Qualifying only now. Only required 33 %. Merit will be made on the basis of General Studies Paper. 

This preliminary examination will consist of two objective type papers (multiple choice questions) and carry a maximum of 400 marks in the subjects of General Studies and Aptitude Test. This examination is meant to serve as a screening test only; the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified  for admission to the Main Examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit. The number of candidates to be admitted to the Main Examination will be about 20 times the total approximate number of vacancies to be filled in the year through this examination. Only those candidates who have been declared by the Commission to have qualified the Preliminary Examination will be eligible for admission to the Main Examination corresponding to the said Preliminary Examination provided they are otherwise  eligible  for  admission to the Main Examination:

Provided that Aptitude Test (Paper-II) of the Preliminary Examination will be a  qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33% and, therefore, marks obtained in this paper shall not be counted for determining the merit of the candidates to be drawn exclusively on the basis of marks obtained in General Studies (Paper-I) of the Preliminary Examination for their admission to the Main Examination.


Note:— There will be negative marking for incorrect answers (as detailed below) for all  questions:

(i) There will be four alternatives for the answers to every question. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the  candidate, one third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question  will be deducted as penalty.

(ii) If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happen to be  correct and there will be same penalty as above for that question.

(iii) If a question is left blank i.e. no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no  penalty for that question”.

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Also Read Some Important Posts:

• Recommended Books for Himchal General Studies/ Himachal GK
• Recommended Books for HPAS/HAS Exam

• Recommended Books for HPPSC NT/CDPO-TWO Prelims Exam
• Recommended Books for HPPSC NT/CDPO-TWO Mains Exam
• Recommended Books for IBPS PO/SO/CLK/RRB, RBI, LIC AO/ADO etc 
• Recommended Books for SBI PO/CLK 
• Recommended Books for SSC - CGL
• Recommended Books for Himachal Pradesh Subordinate Allied Services/Posts Exam, 2015 : Excise & Taxation Inspector, Food Inspector, Election Kanungo and Extension Officer in Industries

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Studyplan and Books for HPAS Prelims General Studies Paper - 1

For English Medium People :

GS Prelims Syllabus and Topics	Books/Study material
Ancient History	·         A History of Ancient and Early Medieval / Here  (Choose 1 of these) ·         India's Ancient Past New / Here (its also Called Old NCERT) (Must have book) ·         The Wonder That Was India  (Ancient History)/ Here  ·         NCERT New
Medieval History	·         History Of Medieval India / Here (its also Called Old NCERT) ·        NCERT New
Modern History	·         From Plassey to Partition : A History of Modern India  / Here  OR ·         History of Modern India - Bipin Chandra /Here (it is also Called Old NCERT) OR  ·         History of Modern India - Spectrum / Here (Very Brief one) (Must have book)
Culture	·         Indian Art & Culture - Nitin Singhania / Here  OR (Must have book) ·         Facets of Indian Culture – Spectrum / Here ·         NCERT 11th & 12th ·         NIOS/IGNOU Study material on Indian Culture and Heritage
Indian Freedom Struggle	·         India's Struggle for Independence - Bipin Chandra / Here (Must have book)
Geography	·         Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong. / Here ( Physical Geography) Important Book ·         India: A Comprehensive Geography - D.R.Khullar / Here / Geography of India – Majid Husain / Here /  (Indian Geography) (Choose one) (Must have book) ·         World Geogarphy - Majid Hussain / Here  (World Geography) ·         The Orient BlackSwan School Atlas / Here / Oxford School Atlas by Oxford University Press / Here (Choose one Atlas) (Must have book) ·         NCERT class 6th to 10th  social science/ or ICSE Board Books 7th to 10th ·         NCERT Geography class 11th, 12th ( Very Important and Needed) ·         NOS Study material on Geography [ if Available]
Indian Polity	·         Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth / Here (Must have book) ·         Introduction to the Constitution of India – DD Basu / Here ·         NCERT/NIOS of Class 6th-10th Social Science ·         NCERT/NIOS of Class 11th-12th Political Science
Economic & Social Development	·         Indian Economy - Ramesh Singh / Here (Must have book) ·         The Indian Economy - Sanjiv Verma / Here ·         Economic Survey  (Economy) Very Important ·         Yojna & Kurukshetra ·         NIOS/IGNOU Study material for Economy [If available] ·         NCERT 10th 11th, 12th Economics ·
Environment & Biodiversity	·         Environment - Shankar IAS / Here (Choose any 1 of these) (Must have book) ·         Environment for Civil Services -  D R Khullar , J A C S Rao / Here ·         Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure - Rajagopalan / Here ·         Ecology And Environment - P.D Sharma / Here (Environment) Excellent Book ·         Environment & Ecology - Biodiversity, Climate Change and Disaster Management - Majid Hussain /Here (Environment) ·         Tata MacGrawHill General Studies Manual : English / Hindi (Must have book) ·         IGNOU/NIOS Books Related Environment (if Available) ·         Internet
General Science	·         Science and Technology for UPSC by Tata Macgraw Hill / Here  ·         Tata MacGrawHill General Studies Manual : English / Hindi (Must have book) ·         Developments in Science And Technology - Spectrum ·         Science & Technology - Ashok Singh /   Here  ·         NCERT/NIOS of Class 9th, 10th, 12th Science ·         For Latest technology related News read Magazines/Newspaper, Internet
Current Affairs	·         India Yearbook 2016 / Here (English) / Bharat 2016 / Here (Current Affairs) ·         Newspapers : The Hindu, The Indian Express, Frontline
Misc.	·         Tata MacGrawHill General Studies Manual : English / Hindi

For Hindi Medium People :

GS Prelims Syllabus and Topics	Books/Study material
Pracheen Bharat (Ancient History)	·         Pracheen Bharat Ka Itihas evam Sanskriti - P. L. Gulam / Here  Excellent Book  ·         Prarmbhaik Bharat Ka Parichay - Ram Sharan Sharma / Here ·         Pracheen Bharat Ka Itihas - Shailendra Senger / Here ·         Pracheen Bharat Ka Itihas - V.D. Mahajan / Here ·         NCERT class 6 to 10 Social Science ·         NCERT class 11, 12 on History ·         NIOS/IGNOU Study material on Indian Culture and Heritage.
MadhyaKalin Bharat (Medieval History)	·          Madhyakaleen Bharat - Rajniti, Samaj Aur Sanskriti by Satish Chandra / Here (its also called Old NCERT)  ·         NCERT New
Aadhunik Bharat (Modern history)	·          Palassi Se Vibhajan Tak : Adhunik Bharat Ka Itihas / Here ·          Aadhunik Bharat ka itihas - Bipin Chandra / Here (Also called Old NCERT) (Must have book) ·        NCERT New
Bhartiya Rashtriya Andolan (Indian   Freedom struggle)	·          Bharat ka rastiya andolan- Bipin Chander / Here (Must have book)
Bhartiya Sanskriti (Indian Culture)	·         Bhartiya Kala evan Sanskriti ·         Bhartiya Sanskriti Spectrum / Here ·         Bharatiya Kala,Sanskriti Evam Virasat: Civil Sewa Pariksha Hetu (Must have book) ·         NCERT New /Old ·         IGNOU and NIOS Notes ·         Internet
Bhugol (Geography)	·         Bhugol by D.R. Khullar / Here  Excellent Book  ·         Bhautik Bhugol by Majid Husain / Here ·         Bharat ka Bhugol by Majid Hussain / Here  ·         Tata MacGraw Hill Samanya Adhayan (Hindi) / Here ·         The Orient BlackSwan School Atlas / Here / Oxford School Atlas by Oxford University Press / Here (Choose one Atlas) (Must have book) ·         NCERT class 6th to 10th  social science/ or ICSE Board Books 7th to 10th ·         NCERT Geography class 11th, 12th ( Very Important and Needed) ·         NOS Study material on Geography [ if Available]
Rajvyavastha (Polity)	·         Bharat Ki Rajvyavastha by M. Laxmikanth / Here (Must have book) ·         Bharat Ka Samvidhan by D D Basu / Here ·         NCERT/NIOS of Class 6th-10th 11th 12th Social Science
Arthavayavsta (Economy)	·         Bhartiya Arthavayavsta by Ramesh Singh / Here (Must have book) ·         NCERT Class 10th, 11th, 12th ·         NIOS/IGNOU Study material for Economy [If available]
Paryavaran Evam Paristhitiki (Environment & Biodiversity )	·         Paryavaran Evam Paristhitiki: Civil Sewa Pariksha Hetu Majid Hussain / Here  ·         Paryavaran Adhyayan[Textbook of Environmental Studies in HINDI]
Vigyan Evan Takneek (Science & Tech)	·         VIgyan Evam Prodiyogiki Ka VIkas by Sheelwant Singh / Here ·       Tata MacGraw Hill Samanya Adhayan (Hindi) / Here  this will Cover Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences and Computer part. ·         NCERT/NIOS of Class 9th, 10th Science, 12th Biology ·         For Latest technology related News read Magazines/Newspaper [The Hindu Sunday Edition]
Current Affairs	·         India Yearbook 2016 / Here (English) / Bharat 2016 / Here (Current Affairs) ·         Newspapers : The Hindu, The Indian Express, Frontline , Jansatta.
Anay Vishay (Misc. Topics)	·         Tata MacGraw Hill Samanya Adhayan (Hindi) / Here (Must have book)

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Studyplan and Books for New HPAS Mains Pattern :


HPAS General Studies Paper – I

GS Paper – I (Topics)	Books/Study material
Indian Culture	·          Indian Art & Culture - Nitin Singhania / Here  OR ·         Facets of Indian Culture – Spectrum / Here ·         NCERT 11th & 12th
Modern History	·        From Plassey to Partition : A History of Modern India  / Here  OR ·         History of Modern India - Bipin Chandra / Here (it is also Called Old NCERT) OR ·          History of Modern India - Spectrum / Here (Very Brief one)
Indian Freedom Struggle	·         India's Struggle for Independence - Bipin Chandra / Here
World History	·         World History - Arjun Dev (Old NCERT) / Here OR ·         World History – Norman Lowe / Here OR ·         World History – Norman Lowe / Here (Brief Edition)
Ancient, Medieval, Modern and Political History of Himachal Pradesh	·         The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra ·         History, Economy & Culture of Himachal – Mian Govardhan Singh
Disaster Management	·         IGNOU Notes, Internet, Current Affairs, Newspaper, Internet
Geography of India	·         India: A Comprehensive Geography - D.R.Khullar / Here ·         NCERT Geography class 11th, 12th  ·         Geography of India – Majid Husain / Here  ·         The Orient BlackSwan School Atlas / Here / Oxford School Atlas by Oxford University Press / Here (Choose one Atlas) ·         NCERT class 6th to 10th  social science/ or ICSE Board Books 7th to 10th
Geography of Himachal Pradesh, Human Aspects, Growth and Industrialization etc	·         The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra ·         History, Economy & Culture of Himachal – Mian Govardhan Singh ·         Perspectives on a Growth-Oriented Hill Economy: Himachal Pradesh - L. R. Sharma / Here  AND ·         Himachal Pradesh Development Report: Published Under Arrangement with Planning Commission (State Development Report Series) by Planning Commission
Indian Society, Women Empowerment, Child Rights, RTE, Rights of differently-abled persons etc	·         Social Problems In India – Ram Ahuja / Here ·         NCERT 11th & 12th Sociology, ·         Internet, Current ·         IGNOU
Ethics, Integrity and Gandhian Thoughts	·         Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude - M Karthikeyan / Here OR ·         Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude – S. Rao & Roy chowdhury / Here OR ·         Lexicon For Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude / Here (Choose any 2 of these) ·         IGNOU Notes
Society and Culture of Himachal Pradesh, Tribes of Himachal, Customs and manners of Himachal etc	·         The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra ·         Society and Culture in Himachal Pradesh -  Laxman S Thakur ·         History, Economy & Culture of Himachal – Mian Govardhan Singh

HPAS General Studies Paper – II

GS Paper – II (Topics)	Books/Study material
Indian Constitution, Parliament  and  state  legislatures, Union  and  states etc	·         Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth / Here OR ·        Introduction to the Constitution of India – DD Basu / Here
Features of the Representation of People's Act	·         Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth / Here OR ·        Introduction to the Constitution of India – DD Basu / Here
Polity of Himachal Pradesh : Reorganization and politics of statehood, pressure groups, Structure, organization  and  functioning  of  Statutory,  Regulatory  and  various bodies etc	·         The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra ·         History, Economy & Culture of Himachal – Mian Govardhan Singh
Institutional framework, Policies and Interventions,	·          Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth / Here OR ·         Introduction to the Constitution of India – DD Basu / Here ·         Internet
Governance, Good governance, Citizen Charters, effective public service delivery, transparency, accountability ect	·        Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth / Here OR ·        Introduction to the Constitution of India – DD Basu / Here ·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, ·         Internet
Local self government in urban and rural areas	·         Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth / Here ·         Introduction to the Constitution of India – DD Basu / Here ·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, ·         Internet
(NGOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Civil Society in Governance	·         Internet
Bodies  constituted,  Policies, Programmes  &  Schemes  for  welfare  of  SC, ST, Women, Minorities, Backward classes, Differently abled persons, and children	·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, ·          Internet
Issues:  livelihood,  poverty,  hunger, disease  and  social inclusiveness.	·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, ·          Internet
Governance in Himachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh Public Service Guarantee Act 2011, Right  to  Information  Act  2005, Administrative reforms, Implementation of 73rd & 74th Constitutional amendments in HP,  Programmes  and  policies	·         The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra ·         History, Economy & Culture of Himachal – Mian Govardhan Singh ·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, ·         Internet
International Relations and Diplomacy	·         Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking India's Foreign Policy - Rajeev Sikri / Here ·         Pax Indica: India and the World of the 21st Century - Shashi Tharoor / Here ·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, Internet
Cyber crime and drug menace in Himachal,  Socioeconomic Policies by HP Govt for SC, ST,  Protection and promotion of agrarian society, Tribal welfare administration	·         The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra ·         Current, Newspapers, Internet

HPAS General Studies Paper – III

GS Paper – III (Topics)	Books/Study material
Indian Economy	·         NCERT 11th & 12th Economics ·         Indian Economy - Ramesh Singh / Here  Or ·         The Indian Economy - Sanjiv Verma  / Here
Economic Planning in India, Five Year Plans, Fiscal Policy, Sustainable development and Inclusive growth, Measurement  of  economic  development	·         NCERT 11th & 12th Economics ·         Indian Economy - Ramesh Singh / Here ·         The Indian Economy - Sanjiv Verma  / Here
Latest/Current  Development Schemes/Initiatives/Institutional  Changes	·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, Internet
International  Financial  & Economic  Organizations	·         NCERT 11th & 12th Economics ·         Indian Economy - Ramesh Singh / Here ·         The Indian Economy - Sanjiv Verma  / Here ·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, Internet
Economy of Himachal Pradesh: Demographic profile & Human resource, Sectoral distribution of GSDP,	·       The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra AND ·         Perspectives on a Growth-Oriented Hill Economy: Himachal Pradesh - L. R. Sharma / Here AND ·         Himachal Pradesh Development Report: Published Under Arrangement with Planning  Commission (State Development Report Series) by Planning Commission
Diversification  in  Agriculture  and allied  activities in HP,  Land  tenure  and size  of  land holdings.	·         The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra AND ·         Environment, Agriculture And Community In Himachal Pradesh - Richa AND ·        Perspectives on a Growth-Oriented Hill Economy: Himachal Pradesh - L. R. Sharma / Here
Industrialization in the state, Skilled/Unskilled labour, Cottage and Small Scale Industries, Tax base, Pros and Cons of Special Category status in HP	·         The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra AND ·        Perspectives on a Growth-Oriented Hill Economy: Himachal Pradesh - L. R. Sharma / Here AND ·         Environment, Agriculture And Community In Himachal Pradesh - Richa
Revenue generation with special reference to hydro potential, tourism, flora and fauna in HP	·         The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra AND ·         Perspectives on a Growth-Oriented Hill Economy: Himachal Pradesh - L. R. Sharma / Here AND ·         Infrastructure and Economic Development in Himachal Pradesh – AK Tiwari / Here
Appraisal  of  education,  Health, Physical  and  Financial  Infrastructure Development in HP	·       The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra ·         Infrastructure and Economic Development in Himachal Pradesh – AK Tiwari / Here
Science & Technology : natural resources, development and communications, missions and programmes of Department of Space and ISRO, Historical evolution of Indian Space programme, Remote Sensing and Communication satellites etc	·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, Internet ·         Developments in Science And Technology - Spectrum ·         Science & Technology - Ashok Singh /   Here
Developments in energy sectors : Hydro power, non conventional sources of energy and nuclear energy including policies, programmes and research base in the country, Concepts of non conventional, renewable, clean and environment friendly energy sources. Role of energy in   sustainable development.	·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, Internet
Science & Technology in HP : emerging technologies and initiatives, policy, research, vision, scope and applications for developing horticulture, medicinal and aromatic plants resources of the state, IT policy of HP and its role in governance,  HIMSWAN, state plans of e-governance, concept of Lok Mitra Kendra and AGISAC etc	·        The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra ·         Current, Newspaper – Giriraj, ·         Official Websites etc
State Biodiversity strategy and Action Plan. Endangered and threatened species of Himachal Pradesh. Factors responsible for Bio diversity decline in Himachal Pradesh, Relevance and role of Intellectual Property Rights, Geographical Indications and Traditional wisdom and knowledge in sustainable development of the state	·         The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra AND ·         Folk Traditions and Ecology in Himachal Pradesh - Usha Bande / Here AND ·         Environment, Agriculture And Community In Himachal Pradesh - Richa
Environment & Biodiversity : Issues ,concerns, policies, programmes, conventions, treaties and missions aimed at environment protection, and dealing with the problem of climate change,	·          Environment - Shankar IAS / Here (chose any one) ·         Environment for Civil Services -  D R Khullar , J A C S Rao / Here ·         Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure - Rajagopalan / Here ·         Ecology And Environment - P.D Sharma / Here ·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, Internet
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 use of Biotechnology	·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, Internet
Agriculture : Latest developments in science and technology for harnessing agriculture, horticulture, medicinal and herbal resources in the country, National mission for sustainable agriculture, mission for integrated development of horticulture, Concept of organic farming, seed certification, rain water harvesting , techniques of irrigation and soil conservations and soil health cards etc	·         Current Affairs, Newspaper, Internet ·          India: A Comprehensive Geography - D.R.Khullar / Here ·         NCERT 11th & 12th
Tourism policy, potential and initiative in Himachal Pradesh, Types  of  tourism:  religious,  adventure, heritage,  Important  tourist  destinations, Social, Economic and Cultural implications of Tourism	·        The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra AND ·         Potential of Tourism: A study of Himachal Pradesh - Pankaj Bhalla AND ·         Tourism in Himachal Pradesh - Jreat Manoj
Concept  of  Eco -Tourism  and  green  tourism  and  their  role  in  sustainable development, Environmental  concerns  of tourism  industry,  both  positive  and  negative  effects including climate change with reference to Himachal Pradesh	·         The Wonderland Himachal – Jagmohan Balokhra AND ·         Folk Traditions and Ecology in Himachal Pradesh - Usha Bande / Here AND ·         Environment, Agriculture And Community In Himachal Pradesh - Richa