The pattern of HPAS Prelims :
In order to prepare for the HPAS Exam, the first and foremost requirement is that the candidate should go through the Syllabus and the Previous Years Questions. Going through the Previous Years Questions helps the candidates dual purpose. Firstly it helps the candidates to become familiar with the pattern of the exam and secondly, it helps him to understand the weak areas and consequently, he can put more effort into its preparation. There are some important chapters and topics that should be emphasized.
1.History
a)Prehistoric India, Historic India, Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic India, Mahajanapadas, Mauryan Period, Gupta Period etc
b)The Classical Age, Pala Empire, Rashtrakuta Empire, Islam in India, Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire, Guru Nanak, Mughals, Arrival of Europeans etc
c)Visual Arts (Paintings, Architecture, Sculpture), Performing Arts (Music, Dance, Drama etc), Religions (Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism), Society etc.
d)1st War of Independence, Formation of Indian National Congress, Moderates and Extremists, Muslim League, Gandhian Phase, Non-Co-operation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Quit India Movement, Cripps Mission, Cabinet Mission, Mount Batten Plan, Partition of India Indian Constitution etc.

2 Indian Polity + International Relations
Constitution, History, Preamble of the Constitution, Union &Territory, Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties, President, Vice-president, Prime Minister, Parliament, Supreme Court, Governor, Chief Minister, State Legislature, High Court, Subordinate Courts, Federal System, Centre-State Relations, Inter-State Relations, Scheduled and Tribal Areas, Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Governments, Emergency Provisions, Special Status of J& K, Election Commission, UPSC, Finance Commission, CAG of India, AG&SG of India, Subjects of Union, State and Concurrent Lists, Precedence Oaths, Definitions under the Constitution, Constitutional Amendments etc

3. Geography: Geography is divided into 3 sections
a)Physical Geography
Physical Indian Geography is Physio-graphic divisions, Drainage, Climate, Vegetation, Natural Resources etc. Topics related to environment like Wild-life, Soil, Flora etc should be given stress too. Economic and Social Geography related aspects of Indian Geography should be studied in parallel to Physical Geography.

b)Environmental Geography
Environmental geography also referred to as Integrated Geography deals with the spatial aspects of interactions between Societies and the Environment. In other words, Environmental Geography is how we affect our Environment and the System.
c)Human Geography:
Human geography or anthropogeography involves the study of individuals, communities, economies and interactions with the environment by studying the various aspects of Social Interaction, Spatial Interdependencies and the way they influence the Environment.

3.Economy
Focus on topics like Indian Economy topics like issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment, Government Budgeting, cropping patterns, Public Distribution System, Technology missions, Food processing, Land reforms, Liberalization, Infrastructure and Investment models.

4. Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology
5.Questions on Computers, Current Inventions, technology
6.Ecology and Ecosystems, Important Terms such as Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Niche, Food chain, Food web etc.
7. Climate Degradation: Give extra importance to topics such as Global warming, Ozone hole depletion, acid rain etc.