• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills, including communication skills
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, order of magnitude, etc.-Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X-level)

Note – CSAT is meant as a qualifying paper, with the marks gained not contributing to the final ranking. However, in order to be eligible for subsequent consideration, candidates must receive at least 33% in this paper. For the candidate’s information, the HPSC HCS Paper-II curriculum is listed below.

The nature and standard questions in these papers will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate‘s general awareness of a variety of subject which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services.

Part-I

(a) History of Modern India and Indian Culture
The History of Modern India, will cover history of the country from about the middle of the nineteenth century and would also include questions on important personalities who shaped the freedom movement and social reforms. The part relating to Indian Culture‘ will cover all aspects of Indian culture from the ancient to modern times.

(b) Geography of India
In this part, questions will on the physical, economic and social geography of India.

(c) Indian Polity
This part will include questions on the Constitution of India, Political system and related matters.

Current National issues and topics of social relevance.
This part is intended to test the candidate‘s awareness of current national issues and topics of social relevance in the present-day India, such as the following : Demography and Human Resources and related issues. Behavioural and social issues and social welfare problems, such as child labour, gender equality, adult literacy, rehabilitation of the handicapped and other deprived segments of the society, drug abuse, public health etc. Law enforcement issues, human rights, corruption in public life, communal harmony etc. Internal Security and related issues. Environmental issues, ecological preservation, conservation of natural resources and national heritage. The role of national institutions, their relevance and need for change.

Part-II

(a) India and the World
This part is intended to test candidate‘s awareness of India‘s relationship with the world in various
spheres, such as the following:-
Foreign Affairs External Security and related matters. Nuclear Policy. Indian abroad.

(b) Indian Economy
In this part, questions will be on the planning and economic development in India, economic and trade
issues foreign trade, the role and functions of I.M.F. world Bank, W.T.O. etc.

(c) International Affairs and Institutions.
This part will include question on important events in world affairs and on international institutions.

(d) Developments in the field of science and technology, communications and space. In this part, questions will test the candidate‘s awareness of the developments in the field of science and technology, communications and space and also basic ideas computers.

(e) Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrams
This part will include exercises to test the candidate‘s ability to draw common sense conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical from and to point out deficiencies, limitations or inconsistencies therein.

• One optional subject has to be chosen by the candidate from the list given in notification.
• The detailed syllabus of optional subject is given in the notification.
• List of 23 Optional Subjects for Main Examination are:
• • • Agriculture
    • Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
    • Botany
    • Chemistry
    • Civil Engineering
    • Commerce and Accountancy
    • Economics
    • Electrical Engineering
    • English Literature
    • Geography
    • Hindi Literature (in Devanagari Script)
    • Indian History
    • Law
    • Mathematics
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Physics
    • Political Science and International Relations
    • Psychology
    • Public Administration
    • Punjabi Literature
    • Sociology
    • Sanskrit Literature
    • Zoology