Stay updated on the HPPSC HPAS Recruitment 2026, including 22 total vacancies, comprehensive eligibility requirements, the multi-stage selection process, updated exam patterns, and the official Preliminary Examination date.
The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) has officially published Advertisement No. 59/8-2026 for 22 prestigious posts under the H.P. Administrative Service Combined Competitive Examination-2026. Following the application window, which closed on 22 September 2026, the commission has announced that the HPPSC HPAS Preliminary Examination 2026 is tentatively set for 13 December 2026, to be held in two sessions. Find all essential details regarding vacancies, candidate eligibility, examination structure, and the latest schedule updates below.
Official HPPSC HPAS Prelims Exam Date 2026 Released
The HPPSC HPAS Preliminary Examination 2026 is tentatively scheduled for 13 December 2026. As per the official press note released on 24 September 2026, the examination will be conducted in two shifts: the first session from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and the second session from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
HPPSC HPAS Recruitment 2026 Notification: Official PDF Download
The official HPAS Notification 2026 (Advt No. 59/8-2026) is available on the official HPPSC website, hppsc.hp.gov.in. This document serves as the primary resource for eligibility guidelines, the rigorous selection process, syllabus breakdown, salary structures, and vacancy details. For your convenience, we have provided a direct link to access the official notification PDF below.
Download HPPSC HPAS 2026 Official Notification PDF
HPPSC HPAS Recruitment 2026: Exam Overview
Prospective candidates should review the following summary table to understand the core requirements and timelines for the HPPSC HPAS 2026 recruitment cycle.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) |
| Examination | H.P. Administrative Service Combined Competitive Examination-2026 |
| Advertisement No. | 59/8-2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 22 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start | 26 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 22 September 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 13 December 2026 (Tentative) |
| Exam Sessions | 10:00 AM–12:00 Noon and 2:00 PM–4:00 PM |
| Examination Fee | ₹600 |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, Personality Test |
HPPSC HPAS Vacancy Distribution 2026
A total of 22 vacancies have been authorized across five specialized administrative roles. Please refer to the official notification for the detailed post-wise vacancy breakdown.
| Department | Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel-IV | H.P. Administrative Service | 4 |
| Rural Development | Block Development Officer | 10 |
| Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs | District Controller | 1 |
| Treasuries, Accounts & Lotteries | District Treasury Officer | 1 |
| Revenue-A | Tehsildar | 6 |
| Total | 22 |
Eligibility Criteria for HPAS 2026
To be eligible for the HPPSC HPAS Recruitment 2026, applicants must strictly adhere to the educational and age-limit requirements mandated by the commission.
Academic Qualifications
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Must be a citizen of India |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised university |
| Final-Year Candidates | Candidates awaiting their qualifying examination results may apply provisionally, subject to the prescribed conditions |
| MBBS Candidates | Candidates who have passed the final professional MBBS or equivalent medical examination but have not completed their internship may also be considered provisionally, subject to the applicable conditions |
| Proof of Qualification | Candidates must fulfil the prescribed qualification requirements within the timeline specified by the Commission |
Age Limit Guidelines
- Min Age – 21 years
- Max Age – 35 years
The upper age limit is subject to a 5-year relaxation for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, PwD, and Freedom Fighter categories, provided they meet specific state conditions. Age relaxation policies for government employees vary by post designation.
Age Relaxation and Special Exceptions
| Category | Age Relaxation / Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General Candidates | Up to 35 years |
| SC / ST / OBC of Himachal Pradesh | 5 years relaxation |
| PwD of Himachal Pradesh | 5 years relaxation |
| WFF (War Freedom Fighters) of Himachal Pradesh | 5 years relaxation |
| HP Government Employees – HPAS & Other Posts | Up to 45 years |
| HP Government Employees – District Controller | Up to 42 years |
| Ex-Servicemen of Himachal Pradesh | As per applicable Himachal Pradesh Government rules |
Application Fee Structure
The HPPSC HPAS Recruitment 2026 application fee is set at ₹600 for all applicants. This fee is non-refundable and must be submitted via authorized online payment gateways. Applications failing to include the fee or utilizing unauthorized payment methods will be summarily rejected.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | ₹600 |
| Payment Mode | Online |
| Payment Methods | Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI & Other Prescribed Digital Modes |
HPPSC HPAS 2026 Application Portal
The online application window for the 2026 recruitment cycle remained active from 26 August to 22 September 2026 and is currently closed. Candidates who successfully submitted their applications should regularly monitor the official commission portal for further examination updates and admit card release notifications.
HPPSC HPAS 2026 Online Portal (Closed)
How to Apply for HPPSC HPAS 2026
Applicants were required to follow the official online portal guidelines to register and submit their applications before the deadline.
- Visit the official HPPSC website at https://www.hppsc.hp.gov.in/hppsc.
- Click on “Apply Online” and navigate to “One Time Registration (OTR) for Examinations” to create or log into your profile.
- Select the live advertisement for HPAS Combined Competitive Examination-2026.
- Upload all requisite scanned documents (Matriculation certificate for age proof, graduation degree/mark sheets, category certificates, and a live photograph).
- Complete the submission by paying the examination fee online before September 22, 2026 (11:59 P.M.).
Essential Documentation for HPAS Application
Candidates were mandated to have all necessary academic and identity proofs digitized and ready prior to filling out the online application form.
- Matriculation certificate as proof of age
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Marksheets of all years or consolidated marksheet
- Valid category certificate, wherever applicable
- Bonafide Himachali Certificate for eligible reserved-category candidates
- Valid EWS/BPL certificate, wherever applicable
- Ex-Servicemen Discharge Certificate/Service Book, wherever applicable
- Other supporting documents required for specific category claims
HPPSC HPAS Selection Process Explained
The competitive selection procedure consists of three distinct, mandatory stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Personality Test
Success at each consecutive stage is required for candidates to progress to the next level of the recruitment process.
HPPSC HPAS Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
The assessment framework is comprised of three sequential layers: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Written Examination, and the Personality Test (Interview).
Preliminary Examination Structure
The Prelims stage consists of two objective-type papers, each carrying 200 marks, designed to test general knowledge and aptitude.
- Paper-I (General Studies): 100 questions, 200 marks. Decides the merit list for Main Exam qualification.
- Paper-II (Aptitude Test): 100 questions, 200 marks. Qualifying in nature (minimum 33% required).
- Negative Marking: 1/3 of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every incorrect answer,.
- Duration: 2 hours for each paper.
Main Examination Framework
The Main examination encompasses several compulsory subjects combined with one optional subject selected from 31 academic categories, including Law, History, Geography, and Public Administration.
| Paper | Subject | Type | Max Marks | Duration | Qualifying / Merit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | English | Compulsory | 100 | 3 Hours | Qualifying (Min 40%) |
| Paper-II | Hindi | Compulsory | 100 | 3 Hours | Qualifying (Min 40%) |
| Paper-III | Essay | Compulsory | 100 | 3 Hours | Counted for Merit |
| Paper-IV | General Studies-I | Compulsory | 200 | 3 Hours | Counted for Merit |
| Paper-V | General Studies-II | Compulsory | 200 | 3 Hours | Counted for Merit |
| Paper-VI | General Studies-III | Compulsory | 200 | 3 Hours | Counted for Merit |
| Paper-VII | Optional Subject (Paper-I) | Optional | 100 | 3 Hours | Counted for Merit |
| Paper-VIII | Optional Subject (Paper-II) | Optional | 100 | 3 Hours | Counted for Merit |
Note: Candidates are required to secure at least 45% aggregate in the non-qualifying papers to remain eligible for the interview phase.
Personality Test (Interview)
Those who qualify in the Main examination advance to the interview stage, which assesses critical thinking, social awareness, and deep knowledge of Himachal Pradesh state affairs. The final merit list is compiled based on the combined performance in the Mains and the Personality Test.
HPPSC HPAS 2026 Examination Centres
The Commission has designated specific cities and examination stations across the state to host the HPAS 2026 exam.
- Bilaspur
- Chamba
- Hamirpur
- Kangra
- Dharamshala
- Palampur
- Kullu
- Mandi
- Shimla
- Nahan
- Solan
- Una
- Sundernagar
- Rampur Bushahr
Essential Candidate Instructions
All applicants should remain vigilant regarding exam day protocols and document verification requirements.
- Check the eligibility criteria before submitting the form.
- Complete the OTR registration process carefully.
- Enter all personal and educational details correctly.
- Upload documents in the required format.
- Complete the fee payment before the deadline.
- Keep a copy of the submitted application form.
- Follow the official HPPSC website for updates regarding the exam schedule, admit card and other stages of recruitment.
HPPSC HPAS 2026: Salary and Pay Scale
Compensation for HPPSC HPAS roles is structured according to the post-specific pay level defined in the official recruitment documentation.
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| H.P. Administrative Services (HPAS) | Level-18 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Block Development Officer (BDO) | Level-17 | ₹53,600 – ₹1,70,100 |
| District Controller / District Treasury Officer | Level-16 | ₹48,700 – ₹1,54,300 |
| Tehsildar | Level-13 | ₹46,000 – ₹1,46,500 |