Introduction to HPPSC HPAS Combined Competitive Exam 2025
The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) has officially announced the commencement of the Himachal Pradesh Administrative Services (HPAS) Combined Competitive Examination for the year 2025. This prestigious recruitment drive aims to fill 30 vacancies across various Class-I Gazetted posts in different government departments of Himachal Pradesh. Aspiring candidates seeking a rewarding career in the state’s administrative services can submit their Online Recruitment Applications (ORA) until the closing date of 10th May 2025.
Organization Details: HPPSC Recruitment
- Hiring Organization: Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC)
- Examination Name: HP Administrative Services Combined Competitive Examination-2025
- Total Number of Posts: 30 (Note: This number may increase or decrease )
- Job Location: Himachal Pradesh
- Post Nature: Class-I Gazetted Posts
HPAS Vacancy Breakdown 2025
The HPPSC aims to fill a total of 30 posts through this examination. The category-wise distribution is as follows:
| Sr. No. | Department | Post Name & Pay Scale | Vacancies |
| 1 | Personnel Dept. | HP Administrative Services (Pay Band Level 18: Rs. 56100-177500) | Total: 02 {UR=01, SC of HP (EX-SERVICEMEN)=01} |
| 2 | Rural Development | Block Development Officer (BDO) (Pay Band Level 17: Rs. 53600-170100) | Total: 09 {UR=03, SC of HP=01, OBC of HP=01, UR-Wards of Ex-Servicemen (Backlog)=03, UR (PwD) Hearing Impaired (Backlog)=01} |
| 3 | Revenue | Tehsildar (Pay Band Level 13: Rs. 46,000-1,46,500) | Total: 09 {UR=04, SC of HP=02 (incl. 01 Backlog), OBC of HP=01 (Backlog), UR-Wards of Ex-Servicemen=01, UR-Ward of Freedom Fighter (WFF) (Backlog)=01} |
| 4 | State Taxes & Excise | Assistant Commissioner (Pay Band Level 13: Rs. 46100-146500) | Total: 10 {UR=05, SC of HP=01, OBC of HP=01, EWS=01, UR-Ex-Servicemen of HP=01, UR-Ward of Freedom Fighter (WFF)=01} |
| Total | 30 Posts |
Eligibility Criteria for HPPSC HPAS Exam 2025
Candidates must carefully check the eligibility criteria before applying:
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen of India.
- Educational Qualification:
- Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent from a recognized University.
- Candidates who have appeared for their qualifying Bachelor’s degree exam but are awaiting results can apply provisionally.
- Candidates intending to appear for the qualifying exam can also apply, provided the exam is completed before the commencement of the HPAS exam. Proof of passing must be submitted within two months of the exam commencement.
- MBBS final year students who haven’t completed their internship can apply provisionally but must produce proof of completion (including internship) at the time of the Personality Test.
- Age Limit (as of 01-01-2025):
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 35 years
- Age Relaxation:
- Upper age limit is relaxable by 5 years for bonafide SC/ST/OBC/Persons with Disabilities and Children/Grand Children of Freedom Fighters of Himachal Pradesh.
- Relaxation for Ex-servicemen of H.P. is applicable as per specific rules.
- Age relaxation for H.P. Government servants: Up to 45 years for HPAS and other posts (Tehsildar, BDO); Up to 42 years for HP Police Service and District Controller posts.
- Desirable Qualification: Knowledge of customs, manners, and dialects of Himachal Pradesh and suitability for appointment in the state’s specific conditions.
Important Dates for HPPSC HPAS Combined Competitive Exam 2025
Mark your calendars with these crucial dates:
- Notification Date: 13th April 2025
- Online Application Start Date: 13th April 2025
- Closing Date for Application Submission: 10th May 2025 (11:59 PM)
- Closing Date for Fee Payment: 10th May 2025 (11:59 PM)
- Preliminary Exam Date: To be notified later by HPPSC
- Mains Exam Date: To be notified later by HPPSC
Salary and Benefits for Various Posts Notified in HPPSC HPAS
The posts offered through the HPAS Combined Competitive Examination come with attractive pay scales and the benefits associated with Class-I Gazetted government positions in Himachal Pradesh.
- HP Administrative Services: Pay Band Level 18 (Rs. 56100-177500)
- Block Development Officer (BDO): Pay Band Level 17 (Rs. 53600-170100)
- Tehsildar: Pay Band Level 13 (Rs. 46,000-1,46,500)
- Assistant Commissioner (State Taxes & Excise): Pay Band Level 13 (Rs. 46100-146500)
Besides the basic pay, selected candidates are entitled to various allowances (like Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Travel Allowance) and perks as per Himachal Pradesh Government rules.
Selection Process: HPAS Exam 2025
The HPAS Combined Competitive Examination follows a three-stage selection process:
- Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type/Screening Test)
- Consists of two papers: General Studies (Paper-I, 200 Marks) and Aptitude Test (Paper-II, 200 Marks).
- Both papers have 100 multiple-choice questions each.
- Duration: 2 hours for each paper.
- Paper-II (Aptitude Test) is qualifying in nature (minimum 33% marks required). Its marks are not counted for the merit list for Mains.
- Marks in Paper-I (General Studies) determine qualification for the Mains exam.
- This stage is only for screening; marks are not counted for the final merit list.
- Negative marking (one-third of the marks assigned to the question) applies for incorrect answers.
- Appearing in both papers is mandatory.
- Stage 2: Mains Examination (Written/Descriptive)
- Consists of compulsory papers and one optional subject chosen by the candidate.
- Compulsory Papers: English (100 Marks), Hindi (100 Marks), Essay (100 Marks), General Studies-I (200 Marks), General Studies-II (200 Marks), General Studies-III (200 Marks).
- Optional Subject: Two papers (Paper-I: 100 Marks, Paper-II: 100 Marks) based on the chosen subject.
- Minimum qualifying marks: 40% in English and Hindi papers, and 45% aggregate in all other papers (excluding English and Hindi). Marks from English and Hindi papers are not counted for ranking.
- Candidates need to qualify the Preliminary exam to appear for Mains.
- Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)
- Candidates qualifying the Mains written examination (approximately three times the number of vacancies) will be called for the Personality Test/Interview.
- The interview board assesses the candidate’s suitability for a career in public services.
- Final ranking is determined based on the marks obtained in the Mains Examination (written part) and the Personality Test.
How to Apply Online for HPAS 2025
Eligible candidates must apply online through the HPPSC’s official website. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official HPPSC website
- Click on the “Apply Online” link on the homepage.
- Navigate to “One Time Registration (OTR) for Examinations”.
- If you are a new user, click “New Registration” and create your profile. Existing users can log in with their credentials.
- Once logged in, find the Advertisement for HPAS Combined Competitive Examination-2025 on your dashboard and click ‘Apply’.
- Fill in the required details accurately.
- Upload scanned copies of necessary documents: Matriculation Certificate (age proof), Bachelor’s Degree/Marksheets, Category Certificate (if applicable), Bonafide Himachali Certificate (for reserved categories), EWS/BPL certificate (if applicable), Ex-Servicemen documents (if applicable), photograph, and signature. Ensure documents are legible.
- Choose your optional subject for the Mains exam carefully, as it cannot be changed later.
- Pay the application fee online using debit/credit card, UPI, or other digital modes.
- Review the application form thoroughly before final submission.
- Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
Application Fees for HPPSC HPAS Combined Competitive Exam 2025
The category-wise application fee is as follows:
| Category | Fee |
| General, General PWD, EWS (not BPL), Wards of Freedom Fighters, Wards of General Ex-Servicemen, General Ex-Servicemen (released on own request before tenure) – Male Candidates | ₹600/- |
| Candidates of Other States (including reserved categories) | ₹600/- |
| SC/ST/OBC of HP, Wards of SC/ST/OBC Freedom Fighters, Wards of SC/ST/OBC Ex-Servicemen, EWS covered under UR-BPL of HP, SC/ST/OBC Ex-Servicemen (released on own request) – Male | ₹150/- |
| Ex-Servicemen of HP (released after normal tenure), Blind and Visually Impaired Male Candidates of HP | No Fee |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | No Fee |
Official Notification & Apply Link for HPPSC HPAS Exam 2025
Stay updated and access the necessary resources through the official links:
- Download Official Notification PDF: Download Now
- Online Application Link: Apply Now
- Official HPPSC Website: Visit Now
For Latest Updates, Join:
Candidates are advised to read the official notification carefully before applying and visit the HPPSC website regularly for updates.