What’s the difference between IAS and HCS and their respective examination?

The major difference between the IAS and the HCS examination is centred around the basic recruitment criteria, service conditions and salary and remuneration packages both enjoy. One of the major difference is the mode of selection. While the selection of the IAS officers is carried out through the CSE examination by the UPSC, the HCS officers are selected through the state civil services examination HPSC.

The second important difference between the two lies in the authority exercising the original jurisdiction.While The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) by the Central Government is responsible with respect to recruitment and service related matter of public servants whereas in the latter case the State Administrative Tribunal is responsible (SAT) for the matters related to recruitment and service matter of state government employees.

The third most important point is the mode of recruitment. While the President holds the responsibility of appointing the IAS officers, the HCS officers, on the other hand, are recruited by the Governor of the state and thus they are under the total control of the state government.
The fourth important point is in regards to the salary that IAS officers and HCS officers receive. The salaries and pensions of the IAS officers are met by the cadre state and they enjoy a uniform pay scale across the country irrespective of the state they are serving. The salary of the HCS counterpart, on the other hand, is totally in the hands of the state government.