Gurugram, Jan. 9 -- The Haryana government has notified a revised syllabus for the Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) and Allied Services examinations, replacing the framework in place since 2007. Issued through an extraordinary gazette notification by chief secretary Anurag Rastogi under Rule 11(1) of the Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) Rules, 2008, the new syllabus supersedes the February 9, 2021 notification and will apply from the examination cycle after January 7, 2026. The revision aims to align the exam with contemporary administrative, social, and economic challenges. The preliminary examination will consist of two papers. "The General Studies paper will cover subjects such as general science, current national and international events, Indian history and the freedom movement, geography, polity, economy, mental ability, and Haryana-specific topics, including its economy, society, culture and language. The CSAT paper will test comprehension, communication skills, logical reasoning, decision-making, basic numeracy and data interpretation at the Class X level," the order stated. For the main written examination, English and Hindi papers will assess comprehension, essay writing, and grammar. Four General Studies papers will cover Indian and world history, society, geography, the Constitution, governance, international relations, economic development, agriculture, infrastructure, science and technology, internal security, and environmental issues. A dedicated paper on ethics, integrity, and aptitude will focus on moral values, probity in governance, and ethical decision-making through case studies, with Haryana-specific issues emphasized across papers. Compared to the 2007 framework, the revised syllabus aligns more closely with the UPSC pattern by trimming outdated topics, reducing rote learning, and merging overlapping areas like governance and internal security. Officials clarified that the reform is limited to syllabus content; the marking scheme, number of papers, and qualifying criteria remain unchanged. The notification does not announce any changes to the marking scheme, number of papers, marks distribution or qualifying criteria, with officials clarifying that the reform is limited to syllabus content while the existing evaluation framework remains unchanged. It clarifies that the revised syllabus will govern future examinations, marking one of the most significant updates in nearly two decades. Aspirants welcomed the update. "The revised syllabus feels more structured and contemporary. Since it is closer to the UPSC pattern, it reduces confusion and allows us to prepare in a more focused way," said Ankit Sharma, a second-time aspirant. Muskan Dhankhar, a third-time aspirant from Gurugram, added, "The removal of outdated topics and greater emphasis on governance, ethics and current issues is a welcome change. It tests understanding rather than rote learning."...