[HPAS New Pattern] HPPSC asks Suggestions for Amended New Pattern and Syllabus of HPAS/HAS Mains from January 2017

HPPSC have put a Draft Micro Level Syllabus and Exam Pattern for HPAS mains Exams and they have asked your Suggestions within 45 days, So kindly give suitable suggestions
regarding mains syllabus as soon as possible, this is a request to all the HPAS aspirants.

You can give them Suggestion :

 Email Id: suggestions.hppsc@gmail.com

After Suggestion they will take any decision and will finalize the Pattern and Syllabus. So I request you all to carefully Suggest your Suggestions in a clear manner.

Then the final form of Syllabus will come out.

You can View the Drafted Mains Syllabus on 30 January at this link... Here

NOTE : HPAS 2015 that is to be held in May 2016 probably will be according to old Syllabus and Pattern with 2 optional subjects. 




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Draft Micro Level Syllabus Exam Pattern for HAS

Summary of the pattern of HPAS (Main) Examination





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My Take on This Drafted Syllabus and My Suggestions Will be :

This is what I have analysed and going to share with you :

1. First thing that comes to my mind after going through this amended syllabus is its HOTCH POTCH Syllabus. Because they have mixed up the Sections too badly. Like they have Put some  Ethics topics with History,Geography and Society and Disaster management. Also included HIMACHAL History, Geography, Society parts in GS Paper 1. So GS paper 1 have become lengthier than other two.

2. Pattern is Good, HPPSC have added 2 New GS papers and merged and added topics in new GS papers. Good thing is that they have reduced Number of Optional to only 1 and Weight age of Optional also Reduced to 200 marks only and this reduce is Huge if we compare with old pattern (Old Pattern optional marks were 600). So reducing weight age is very good. I would  Suggest to remove Optional completely because this work against Similar Playing Field Principle. What is Similar Playing Field Principle ? When two different subjects are chosen by two different people we can't provide a procedure that determines the result on the similar scale. We can't normalize or scale marks of two different subjects. Some Papers may be difficult than others and while marking by Examiner can vary subject to subject.

For example Lets take a hypothesis that Someone may Say that Geography Papers were easier this year than Political Science or Others. So for that support of your argument you can say that More Geography Candidates were selected that Political Science Candidates or Other subjects.

So what reasons can be responsible for these things :

Possible reasons :
1. Geography Papers were easier that Political Science or Others.

2. Geography Papers marking was softer than Political Science or Others.

3. Geography Papers Syllabus is less than Political Science or Other subjects. 
4. They Say that Some Methods called  NORMALIZATION / SCALING etc are implement in Optional Marking Scheme. But I say this is a MYTH. Two different subjects can't be normalized at all. There is no method to compare difficulty, Marking methods etc.

5. There may be subjects that are chosen by very less Candidates and can have some benefit over others where maximum choose popular ones.

6. Although there is complete choice to choose optionals but some complain that their Subjects like Engineering/Sciences are not in Syllabus so they have to study humanities/Science while other have liberty of having their College or University Subjects. This argument is very valid for those ones if we look through their point of view.

7. These 200 Marks can make or break the game So this Optional Subject thing Violates the Principle of Similar Playing Field Principle. 
8. Removing Optional will help in better preparation of GS for both HPAS as well as UPSC too. UPSC also thinking of removing optional and increasing more weight age of GS and Ethics Topics. So its almost sure that optional in UPSC will go soon. 

Verdict : Remove Optional Paper Completely So that it becomes Similar Playing field for all.  

What to replace With Optional if Removed Completely :

Replace Optional and Add GS 4 Paper of Himachal GK, Himachal GK is already Scattered in all the GS Papers so make a Separate GS Paper 4 for Himachal GK. Apart from this some more topics can be added to GS 1 , GS 2, GS 3 papers.


3. Himachal GK weight age is increased which I think is a very Good Decision, But this Syllabus is hotchpotch, Himachal GK topics are scattered in all the three GS papers. I am going to suggest that Create a separate GS Paper for Himachal GK i.e. GS Paper 4 of Himachal GK. That will include History, Geography, Society & Culture, Politics, Environment & Biodiversity, Economic & Social Development, Tourism and Misc topics. Otherwise whole Himachal GK syllabus is scattered all over. That makes this syllabus hotchpotch and disorganized. It will become a headache for all to study with other Units of History, Geography of India & World.

Make Paper GS 1, GS 2, GS 3 of 150 Marks Each and Add GS 4 of Himachal GK 150 Marks. (150 marks In case if Optional is Not removed otherwise  each GS Paper of 200 Marks)
Total GS will be of 600 marks and in this drafted Pattern they have also assigned 600 marks. So this is clear that Himachal GK will be of around 150 Marks.

That means We will have :

if Optional not Removed :

GS Paper 1 : 150 marks 
GS Paper 2 : 150 marks 
GS Paper 3 : 150 marks 
GS Paper 4 : 150 marks ( if Separate Himachal GK Paper created)


or If Optional Removed : 
GS Paper 1 : 200 marks 
GS Paper 2 : 200 marks 
GS Paper 3 : 200 marks 
GS Paper 4 : 200 marks ( if Separate Himachal GK Paper created)

Conclusion : Create a separate GS Paper for Himachal GK i.e. GS Paper 4 of Himachal GK.


4. Syllabus of GS Paper 1 seems more than other two GS papers, So move Ethics Part of the GS Paper 1 to either GS Paper 2 or GS Paper 3, that will create more balance among these Papers.

5. If GS 4 for Himachal GK is created then Whole syllabus will become organised and all the GS Papers will become balanced and lucid.

6. Keep Hindi, English Qualifying only.

7. Reduce the Weight age of INTERVIEW to 100 Marks from 150 Marks. That means Percentage weight age of Interview will be 10 % out of  Total 1000 marks if reduced.

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HPPSC Proposal :

GS Paper 1 : 200 marks 
GS Paper 2 : 200 marks 
GS Paper 3 : 200 marks

Essay : 100 Marks

Optionals : 200 Marks

Interview : 150 ( 15 % too much weight age for Interview)

Total = 1050

Hindi, English Qualifying only.

My Suggestion : Interview : 100 Marks (10 % Quite Enough to judge Some one in 30 Minutes)
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My Suggested Pattern :
GS Paper 1 : 200 marks 
GS Paper 2 : 200 marks 
GS Paper 3 : 200 marks 
GS Paper 4 : 200 marks ( Create Separate Himachal GK Paper)

Essay : 100 Marks

Optional : Remove Optional Completely 

Interview : 100 Marks ( 10 % Quite Enough to judge Some one in 30 Minutes )

Total = 1000

Hindi, English Qualifying only.

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I am briefing My Suggestions that I will send to Commission  : 

1. Remove Optional Paper Completely So that it becomes Similar Playing field for all.

2. Create a separate GS Paper for Himachal GK i.e. GS Paper 4 of Himachal GK. That will include History, Geography, Society & Culture, Politics, Environment & Biodiversity, Economic & Social Development, Tourism and all other Misc topics.

3. What to replace With Optional if Removed Completely : Replace Optional and Add GS 4 Paper of Himachal GK because Himachal GK is already Scattered in all the GS Papers so make a Separate GS Paper 4 for Himachal GK. Apart from this some more topics can be added to GS 1 , GS 2, GS 3 papers. Make All GS Papers : GS 1. GS 2, GS 3, GS 4 (Himachal GK) of 200 Each. Replace Optional  Paper Marks 200 with Separate Himachal GK Paper of 200 marks.

4.  If GS 4 for Himachal GK is created then Whole syllabus will become organised and all the GS Papers will become balanced and lucid.

5. Syllabus of GS Paper 1 seems more than other two GS papers, So move Ethics Part of the GS Paper 1 to either GS Paper 2 or GS Paper 3, that will create more balance among these Papers.

6. Keep Hindi, English Qualifying only.

7. Reduce the Weight age of INTERVIEW to 100 Marks from 150 Marks. 10% weight age is Quite Enough.

8. Show cut off marks of Prelims, Mains and Interviews after final result on Website without asking through RTI.

9. If optional Not removed have a Proper Scaling mechanism of marking. But it will be better if optional removed Quickly.

10. Don't ask Psychology Questions in Prelims, otherwise define the syllabus. 

So Guys What do you say ? If you agree with My points then do Send these or your own Suggestions to HPPSC within 45 days i.e. Up to Mid March around 15th March 2016. If you Strongly agree with my suggestions then you can Simply Copy and send these to the commission. I have given balanced and organised inputs, now when we have a chance to make system more transparent and systematic We all must send our suggestions to commission. Think about my points and do Send these suggestions to commission at this E mail id provided by HPPSC: 

" If you expect some change then first you go for it yourself"

Raise you Voice !

Email Id: suggestions.hppsc@gmail.com

Do comment or give your views in comment below.

Also Share this post so that everybody can give their Suggestions too. 

Thnak You !

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Detailed Drafted Syllabus is Here : 

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER NO. 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,

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 – 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 NO 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 NO. 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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