Check HPSC HCS Question Paper 2026 Answers of GS (General Studies), Explanation & Prelims Analysis: Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) successfully conducted the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) & Other Allied Services Preliminary Examination 2026 on April 26, 2026. Candidates who appeared for the exam are now searching for the official HPSC HCS Exam Question Paper 2026 solution explaned and analysis to assess their performance.
HPSC HCS 2026 Exam Overview
The preliminary examination was held in two shifts to accommodate both the General Studies (GS) and CSAT papers. Below is the summary of the examination structure:
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | HCS (Ex. Br.) & Other Allied Services 2026 |
| Exam Date | April 26, 2026 |
| Paper I | General Studies (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM) |
| Paper II | CSAT (03:00 PM - 05:00 PM) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR Based) |
HPSC HCS 2026 Question's Solution Q1-10 of GS with Explanations
Here are the first 10 questions from General Studies (GS) paper with their answers and explanations.
1. Consider the following pairs:
- Sri Bhramaramda Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple : Andhra Pradesh
- Shri Kamakshi Devi Temple : Goa
- Sun Temple : Odisha How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- Answer: (C) All three pairs
- Explanation: The Sri Bhramaramda Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is located in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh; the Shri Kamakshi Devi Temple is a famous temple in Shiroda, Goa; and the Sun Temple (Konark) is located in Odisha. All matches are correct.
2. Consider the following table:
- Mohiniyattam : Chera patronage
- Thullal : Introduced by Nambiar (1738)
- Kutiyattam : Chakkiar Community How many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
- Answer: (C) All three
- Explanation: Mohiniyattam is historically linked to Chera patronage (9th-12th century CE). Thullal was introduced by Kunchan Nambiar in 1738. Kutiyattam is traditionally performed by the Chakkiar community.
3. Consider the following table:
- Madai : Chhattisgarh
- Doongri : Himachal Pradesh
- Gugga Naumi : Haryana In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
- Answer: (C) All three
- Explanation: Madai is a festival in Chhattisgarh celebrated in December. Doongri (Hadimba Devi) festival occurs in Himachal Pradesh in May. Gugga Naumi is a significant religious festival celebrated in Haryana in August/September.
4. Consider the following pairs:
- Extended Fund Facility (EFF) : For structural balance of payments problems
- Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) : Quick and concessional lending for high-income countries
- Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) : Short-term liquidity line How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- Answer: (A) Only one
- Explanation: The EFF is correctly matched with structural balance of payments problems. However, the RCF is for low-income countries, not high-income countries, and the RSF is not a short-term liquidity line, making only the first pair correct.
5. Consider the following table:
- Human Development Index : Mahbub Ul Haq
- Physical Quality of Life Index : Morris David Morris
- Multi Dimensional Poverty Index : Suresh Tendulkar In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
- Answer: (B) Only two
- Explanation: HDI was pioneered by Mahbub Ul Haq. PQLI was developed by Morris David Morris. The MPI is typically associated with the UNDP/OPHI, not Suresh Tendulkar (who is associated with poverty line estimation in India), meaning only the first two rows are matched correctly.
6. Consider the following table:
- Lapies : Depositional : Groundwater
- Seif : Depositional : Wind
- Horn : Erosional : Glacier In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
- Answer: (B) Only two
- Explanation: Lapies are erosional landforms created by groundwater, not depositional. Seif dunes are depositional landforms created by wind. Horns are erosional landforms created by glacial action. Thus, rows 2 and 3 are correct.
7. Consider the following statements:
- When rivers originate from a hill and flow in all directions, the drainage pattern is known as 'trellis' pattern.
- The drainage pattern resembling the branches of a tree is known as the 'centripetal' drainage pattern.
- When the rivers discharge their waters from all directions in a lake or depression, the pattern is known as the 'dendritic pattern'. How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Answer: (D) None
- Explanation: None are correct due to mismatched definitions. When rivers flow in all directions from a hill, it is a Radial pattern. When it resembles tree branches, it is a Dendritic pattern. When rivers discharge into a lake from all directions, it is a Centripetal pattern.
8. Consider the following statements:
- Nilgiri Biosphere reserve has the largest population of Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed macaque.
- Sea cow, an endangered species, are found in the Gulf of Mannar.
- About 80% of the flowering plants reported from the Western Ghats occur in the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve. How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Answer: (C) All three
- Explanation: All three statements are factually correct regarding the biodiversity and geographical significance of these specific Indian biosphere reserves.
9. Consider the following statements:
- Mizoram, also known as the 'Molassis basin', is made of soft unconsolidated deposits.
- 'Bugyals' are summer grasslands in the higher reaches of the Great Himalayan ranges.
- Loktak lake is located in Mizoram. How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Answer: (B) Only two
- Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. However, Loktak Lake is located in the state of Manipur, not Mizoram, making statement 3 incorrect.
10. Assertion A: The south-western districts of Haryana receive significantly less monsoon rainfall compared to the north-eastern districts.
Reason R: The Aravalli range in the south-west acts as a massive orographic barrier, blocking the moisture-laden winds of the Bay of Bengal branch.
- Answer: (C) A is true but R is false
- Explanation: While Assertion A is factually true, Reason R is false. The Aravallis run parallel to the Arabian Sea monsoon winds and do not effectively block the Bay of Bengal winds, which provide moisture to the region via different atmospheric mechanisms.
HPSC HCS Question paper 2026 Solution of Q 11-20
Here are questions 11 through 20 from GS paper, along with their answers and explanations.
11. With reference to the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 and its subsequent amendments, how many of the following criteria are mandatory for a candidate contesting for the post of a Sarpanch?
- The candidate must possess a functional toilet in their residential premises.
- A male candidate from the General Category must have passed the Matriculation (10^{th}) examination.
- The candidate must not have any arrears owed to any Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS).
- The candidate must be a minimum of 25 years of age.
- Answer: (C) Only three
- Explanation: Criteria 1, 2, and 3 are mandatory requirements under the act. Criterion 4 is incorrect because the minimum age for a Sarpanch in Haryana is 21 years, not 25.
12. Consider the following statements regarding the imposition of President's Rule (Article 356) in Haryana:
- President's Rule has been imposed in Haryana exactly three times since its formation.
- The first instance of President's Rule in Haryana occurred in 1967 following the fall of the Rao Birender Singh-led Samyukta Vidhayak Dal government.
- Answer: (A) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true
- Explanation: President's Rule was imposed in Haryana in 1967, 1977, and 1991 (three times). The first instance was indeed in 1967 after the fall of the Rao Birender Singh government.
13. Assertion A: The Jo Co Shah Commission, established in 1966, unanimously recommended the inclusion of Chandigarh and Kharar tehsil into the newly formed state of Haryana. Reason R: The 1961 linguistic census indicated a decisive Hindi-speaking majority in both Chandigarh and the Kharar tehsil.
- Answer: (A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- Explanation: The Shah Commission's recommendations were based on the census data of 1961, which highlighted the linguistic composition of these areas.
14. Consider the following pairs:
- Pathmar: Horse Postal System
- Uluq: Foot Postal System
- Dawa: Messengers
- Answer: (D) None of the pairs
- Explanation: Historically, Ibn Battuta described Uluq as the horse-post and Dawa as the foot-post. The provided pairings in the question are mismatched with standard historical terminology.
15. Consider the following pairs:
- Bernier: Describes the efficiency of the postal system.
- Ibn Battuta: Always compares India with the superiority of Europe.
- Abul Fazal: Considers land revenue as a "remuneration of kingship."
- Answer: (C) All the three pairs
- Explanation: These are accurate descriptions of the observations made by these travelers and historians regarding India's administration and economy during the Mughal and Delhi Sultanate periods.
16. Consider the following pairs:
- Siyar-ul-Auliya: Tazkiras, meaning recollection of the biographies of Sufi saints.
- Maktubat-e-Imam Rabbani: Maktubat, meaning collection of written letters.
- Fawaid-al-Fu'ad: Mulfuzat, meaning conversations of Sufi saints.
- Answer: (C) All the three pairs
- Explanation: These correctly define the genres of Sufi literature mentioned in the pairs.
17. Consider the following pairs:
- Nicolo de' Conti: Italian
- Duarte Barbosa: Portuguese
- Afanasy Nikitin: Italian
- Answer: (B) Only two pairs
- Explanation: Nicolo de' Conti was Italian and Duarte Barbosa was Portuguese. However, Afanasy Nikitin was Russian, not Italian.
18. Consider the following pairs:
- Hiriya: Canal
- Kamalapuram: Platform
- Amara Nayak: Military Commander
- Answer: (B) Only two pairs
- Explanation: Hiriya is a known canal and Amara Nayaks were military commanders in the Vijayanagar Empire. Kamalapuram is typically associated with a water tank (reservoir) rather than a platform.
19. Consider the following pairs:
- Nalayiradivya-prabandham: Compilation of Shaiva hymns in Tamil language
- Andal: Vishnu's beloved
- Tavaram: The poems of Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar
- Answer: (B) Only two pairs
- Explanation: Nalayiradivya-prabandham is a collection of Vaishnava (not Shaiva) hymns. Andal is famously devoted to Vishnu, and the Tavaram refers to the works of the three major Shaiva saints mentioned.
20. Consider the following pairs:
- Horizontal velocity-time graph: Zero acceleration
- A linear velocity-time graph with non-zero slope: Uniform motion
- Curved distance-time graph: Non-uniform motion
- Answer: (B) Only two pairs
- Explanation:
- A horizontal velocity-time graph indicates the velocity is constant, meaning acceleration is zero (Correct).
- A linear velocity-time graph with a non-zero slope represents constant acceleration, not uniform motion (Incorrect).
- A curved distance-time graph indicates changing speed, which is non-uniform motion (Correct).
HPSC HCS Question paper 2026 GS Solution of Q 21-30
Here are questions 21 through 30 from GS paper, along with their answers and explanations.
21. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: If a copper and a nichrome wire of same length and same area of cross section carry the same current for same time at room temperature then both will produce the same amount of heat.
Statement II: If current in a conductor is doubled and time is halved then the heat produced becomes double.
- Answer: (D) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
- Explanation: According to Joule's Law of Heating (H = I^2Rt), heat depends on resistance (R). Since copper and nichrome have different resistivities (\rho), their resistance will differ even with the same dimensions, so they produce different amounts of heat (Statement I is false). For Statement II, doubling the current (2I) increases heat by a factor of 4 (2^2), and halving the time (t/2) reduces it by half, resulting in a net increase of 2 (4 \times 1/2 = 2), making the statement true.
22. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: For mixing concentrated nitric acid and water, water must always be added slowly to concentrated acid.
Statement II: For dilution, solvent is required to be added to the concentrated solution.
- Answer: (B) Both Statement I and Statement II are false
- Explanation: Diluting concentrated acid is highly exothermic and dangerous. One must always add the concentrated acid slowly to the water (solvent), never the other way around, to prevent splashing and boiling. Both statements describe the incorrect and unsafe procedure.
23. Consider the following information:
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24. Consider the following pairs:
25. Consider the following statements regarding United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):
26. Consider the following statements:
27. Consider the following statements:
28. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Project Cheetah aims to reintroduce cheetahs into India after their extinction. Statement II: The project is implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
29. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: The Pacific Ring of Fire is associated with high seismic and volcanic activity. Statement II: It is located along the Indian Ocean coastline of India.
30. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: The highest temperature on oceanic surface is recorded at equator. Statement II: The maximum temperature of the oceans is recorded on their surface.
HPSC HCS Question paper 2026 Solution of Q 31-40Here are questions 31 through 40 from GS paper, along with their answers and explanations. 31. Consider the following information (Place/Minerals/Energy/States):
32. Consider the following information (Type of Farming/Characteristics/Regions):
33. Consider the following statements:
34. Consider the following pairs of traditional Haryanvi ornaments and the body part they are worn on:
35. Which of the following statements uniquely identifies the 'Loor' dance of Haryana?
36. Match List I (Eminent Literary Figures of Haryana) with List II (Their Renowned Work) and select the correct code:
37. Given below are two statements: Statement I: Pampadevi, the goddess of the Vijayanagara Empire, performed penance to marry Vishnu. Statement II: This marriage ceremony of Pampadevi is organised with great pomp every year in Virupaksha Temple.
38. Consider the following pairs:
39. Consider the following statements regarding the creation of a Legislative Council:
40. Consider the following statements:
HPSC HCS Question paper 2026 GS Solution of Q 41-50Here are questions 41 through 50 from the paper, along with their answers and explanations. 41. Consider the following pairs:
42. Consider the following pairs (Organism/Lifecycle stages):
43. Given below are two statements: Statement I: Rabi crops includes paddy, soyabean, pigeon pea, maize and cotton while crops like wheat, gram, peas are kharif crops. Statement II: Vegetables and fruits provide vitamins and minerals in addition to small amounts of proteins and fats.
44. Which of the following is/are correct?
45. Consider the following pairs:
46. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: ISRO launched the XPoSat mission in January 2025 to study cosmic X-ray sources. Statement II: XPoSat is India's first dedicated mission to study X-ray polarization.
47. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Sangken is a Buddhist festival in Arunachal Pradesh that marks the community's New Year. Statement II: Mopin is an agricultural festival associates with the Garo tribe and aims to drive away evil spirits and ensure prosperity.
48. Consider the following statements:
49. Consider the following statements:
50. Consider the following statements:
HPSC HCS Question paper 2026 Solution of Q 51-60Here are questions 51 through 60 from GS paper, along with their answers and explanations. 51. Consider the following statements:
52. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: The Excise & Taxation Department Haryana administers VAT on sale of goods except 4 non GST goods. Statement II: The excise collection on liqueur is one of the major sources of revenue for the state government in Haryana.
53. Consider the following pairs:
54. Consider the following statements:
Answer: (A) Only one Explanation: Only Statement 3 is correct. The Kuroshio is a warm ocean current, and it flows from the tropics toward the north, not the south pole. 55. Consider the following information (Origin River/State):
56. Given below are two statements: Statement I: Akbar and his elite first saw tobacco in 1604 AD. Statement II: Abul Fazl in his Ain-i-Akbari described the cultivation and use of tobacco in North India in detail.
57. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: During British colonialism, the Santhals were settled at the foothills of the Rajmahal... made to cultivate it. Statement II: Landlords, moneylenders, and the colonial government would reclaim the cleared land of the Santhals by imposing heavy taxes and high interest rates... led to the Santhal rebellion.
58. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Before the railway age, the town of Mirzapur was a collection center for cotton coming from the Deccan. Statement II: Cotton production in Bombay almost came to an end due to the American Civil War.
59. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: The British land revenue system, known as the Summary Settlement, was implemented in Awadh in 1856. Statement II: The Summary Settlement increased income of the middleman taluqdars granting him new land.
60. Consider the following statements:
HPSC HCS Question paper 2026 GS Solution of Q 61-70
61. Consider the following statements:
62. Consider the following pairs:
63. Consider the following statements:
64. Consider the following information (Program/Initiative/Feature):
65. Consider the following information (Convention/Feature):
66. Consider the following information (Agreement/Convention):
67. Which of the following is/are correct?
68. Which of the following is/are correct?
69. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Per-capita income is not sufficient to measure the development. Statement II: Per-capita income is defined as total population divided by total income.
70. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Disguised Unemployment is a structural phenomenon in Indian Agriculture. Statement II: Marginal Productivity of additional labour Units is zero (MP_{L}=0) in Indian Agriculture due to disguised unemployment.
HPSC HCS Question paper 2026 GS Solution of Q 71-8071. Which of the following is/are correct?
72. Which of the following is/are correct?
73. Consider the following statements:
74. Consider the following pairs:
75. Consider the following statements:
76. Consider the following pairs:
77. Given below are two statements: Statement I: Long staple (American) cotton in north-western parts of India is called 'narma'. Statement II: Tur, an important pulse is also known as yellow gram.
78. Arrange the following historical events concerning Haryana region in the correct chronological order (earliest to latest): I. The Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon... II. The establishment of George Thomas's independent kingdom at Hansi. III. The annexation of the Kaithal state by the British... IV. The Battle of Karnal...
79. In the context of the 'Parivar Pehchan Patra' (PPP) scheme of Haryana...
80. How many of the following GI (Geographical Indication) tags are officially associated exclusively or jointly with the state of Haryana?
HPSC HCS Question paper 2026 GS Solution of Q 81-90
81. Match List I (Major Power/Industrial Projects) with List II (Location/District) and select the correct code:
82. Arrange the following traditional folk fairs of Haryana in the chronological order of the Hindu calendar months (from Chaitra onwards):
83. Given below are two statements: Statement I: All metals evolve hydrogen gas upon reaction with hydrochloric acid. Statement II: Hydrogen carbonates of all metals, except sodium, react with acids to give a corresponding salt, carbon dioxide and water.
84. Consider the following information (Colloid/Type):
85. Given below are two statements: Statement I: Denatured alcohol contains small quantity of methanol, a poisonous substance. Statement II: Methanol is poisonous because it gets oxidized to methanoic acid in liver, coagulates the protoplasm.
86. Consider the following statements:
87. Consider the following pairs of current sectoral composition of Indian Economy Economic Survey 2025-26:
88. Consider the following table (Certification Marks/Product):
89. Consider the following table (District/Economic Hub):
90. Which of the following is/are correct?
HPSC HCS Question paper 2026 GS Solution of Q 91-10091. Which of the following is/are correct?
92. Which of the following is/are correct?
93. Match List I (Freedom Fighters/Reformers of Haryana) with List II (Associated Journals/Contributions) and select the correct code:
94. Assertion A: The Revolt of 1857 in the Haryana region lacked a centralized leadership, leading to fragmented tribal and localized peasant uprisings rather than a unified military campaign. Reason R: The strategic assassination of Nawab Abdur Rahman Khan of Jhajjar before the outbreak of the mutiny decapitated the central command of the Haryana rebels.
95. How many of the following statements regarding the drainage system of Haryana are correct?
96. Which of the following best describes the 'Bagar' tract of Haryana?
97. Consider the following statements with regard to joint sitting of the two Houses of the Parliament: President of India can call a joint sitting of Parliament:
98. Consider the following pairs regarding landmark Public Interest Litigation Cases in India:
99. Given below are two statements: Statement I: The term 'judicial review' is explicitly mentioned in the Constitution of India. Statement II: The Supreme Court can review laws on the ground that they violate the federal distribution of powers between the Centre and the States.
100. Consider the following statements:
Thats it. These are the 100 MCQ Questions asked in HPSC HCS 2026 Preliminary exam GS Paper held on 26 April 2026. Having this General Studies question paper is essential for future preparation and self-evaluation. Analyzing these papers is the best way to understand the evolving pattern of the Haryana Civil Services examination. |
How to Analyze HPSC HCS 2026 Question Paper
- Identify Priority Topics: Check which subjects (History, Geography, Polity, or Haryana GK) carried the most weightage this year.
- Difficulty Level: Assess whether the paper was Easy, Moderate, or Tough compared to previous years.
- CSAT Strategy: Since CSAT is qualifying in nature, ensure you have secured the mandatory 33% marks.
HCS Prelims 2026 Answer Key & Solution
The commission will release the official answer key on the HPSC website (hpsc.gov.in) shortly. In the interim, various coaching institutes provide provisional keys. Comparing your responses against these keys will give you an estimated score.
Note: We recommend that candidates wait for the official HPSC answer key before finalizing their expected marks, as there is often a difference between provisional keys and the final commission release.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When was the HPSC HCS 2026 Prelims held?
The HPSC HCS Prelims 2026 exam was held on 26 April 2026.
2. Is the CSAT paper mandatory for merit?
No, the CSAT paper is qualifying in nature (minimum 33% required). The merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in General Studies (Paper I).
3. How can I download the HPSC HCS 2026 Question Paper?
You can download the PDF from the official HPSC website under the "Downloads" or "Exam" section once the commission officially releases the sets.