HIMACHAL PRADESH

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

.
Advertisement Number : 29/11-2023 ,Closing Date for Application : 21/12/2023 11:59PM and Closing Date for Fee : 21/12/2023
11:59PM
Dated : 24/11/2023

Online Recruitment Applications (ORA*) are invited from desirous and eligible candidates for
recruitment to 03 post(s) of Drug Inspector, Class-II (Gazetted) (on contract basis) in the Department of
Health Safety & Regulation, Government of Himachal Pradesh.

A. IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS:-

1. The candidates must read instructions carefully, which are available on website of the Commission before
applying for the post(s) concerned.
2. The candidates must ensure their eligibility in respect of category, experience, age and essential
qualification(s) etc. as mentioned in the advertisement by uploading copies of certificates of Essential
Qualification, Matriculation Certificate as age proof, Category Certificate alongwith Bonafide certificate of
H.P. and Experience Certificate (where required) to avoid rejection of their candidature after the closing date.
3. The candidates should possess requisite essential qualification(s) prescribed for the post(s) for which he/she
wants to apply as mentioned in Eligibility Criteria of this advertisement.
4. The benefit of reservation for various post(s) will be admissible only to the candidates, who are bonafide
residents of Himachal Pradesh in respect of categories, viz. Scheduled Caste (S.C.), Scheduled Tribe (S.T.),
Other Backward Classes (O.B.C.), Economically Weaker Section (E.W.S.), Ex. Servicemen, Ward of Ex.
Servicemen, Ward of Freedom Fighter (W.F.F.) and Persons with benchmark Disabilities (Loco motor
Disabled / Visually Impaired / Hearing Impaired) etc.
5. The reserved category candidates belonging to other States will be treated as General Category Candidates
and the benefit of reservation and fee concession will not be admissible to such candidates.
6. No in- service (regular service) candidate will be interviewed unless he/she produces NOC (No Objection
Certificate) from concerned employer.
7. Examination Fee once paid will not be refunded.
8. The candidates must mention their e-mail & mobile No. correctly in their Online Recruitment Application for
receiving alerts and messages relating to Examination.
9. The candidates should also give their Aadhar No. (optional) in the appropriate field of the ORA.
10. Disputes, if any, shall be subject to Court jurisdiction at Shimla.
11. The candidates are required to upload the requisite documents on the OTRS portal.

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B. List of documents to be uploaded on the OTRS portal by the candidate:-

1. Matriculation certificate for age proof.

2. Degree certificates along with Marks Sheets of all years / Consolidated mark sheet in support of Educational
Qualifications.
3. Experience certificate(s) wherever required.
4. Valid category certificate(s) in support of their eligibility, if any, viz., S.C., S.T., O.B.C., E.W.S., Ex-
Servicemen along with discharge book, Ward of Ex. Servicemen, WFF and Persons with benchmark
disabilities etc. All these certificates along with undertaking wherever required, should be on Performa
prescribed by the Government of H.P. from time to time. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other
Backward Classes Certificates should be in accordance with the instructions of the Govt. issued vide letter
No. PER (AP)-C-F(10)-4/2010 dated 5th August, 2019).
5. Bonafide Himachali Certificate in case of reserved category candidates.
6. Valid EWS/BPL Certificate (Candidates applying under EWS's category will have to submit either "Income &
Asset Certificate‟ or valid BPL Certificate countersigned by B.D.O. along with non-SC/ST/OBC certificate
issued by the competent authority on the format prescribed by H.P. Government vide letter No. PER (AP)-C-
B(12)- 1/2019 dated 11th June, 2019.
7. Ex. Servicemen Discharge Certificate/Service Book. (The candidates belonging to Ex-Servicemen of
Himachal Pradesh will have to furnish Discharge Certificate/ Service Book and full detail in respect of their
P.P.O. No., Rank etc. and NOC with date of retirement from the Defence Services to claim the benefit of
reservation for the category of Ex-Serviceman of Himachal Pradesh. The Short Service Commissioned
Officers (SSCOs) released on or after 13-02-2020 shall have to upload proof of having received gratuity).

Post Details
Sno. Name of dept Name of post No. of posts Category Wise No. Of Posts Pay scale
HEALTH SAFETY UNRESERVED(EX-SERVICEMEN OF HP
DRUG Rs.10300-34800+
1 AND 3 (AFTER COMPLETION FULL TENURE OR
INSPECTOR (GP 4200)
REGULATION ON MEDICAL GROUND)) =3 (BACKLOG)

C. ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS:-

1. The date of determining the eligibility of all candidates in terms of essential qualification(s), experience etc.,
if any, shall be reckoned as on the closing date for submission of Online Recruitment Applications through
ORA portal.
2. The reserved category candidates falling under vertical reservation i.e. S.C. / S.T. /O.B.C./E.W.S. who are
appointed on their own merit and not owing to reservation will not be adjusted against reserved points and
they will be adjusted against unreserved points. The S.C. / S.T. candidate appointed on their own merit (by
direct recruitment or promotion) and adjusted against unreserved points will retain their status of S.C. / S.T.
and will be eligible to get benefit of reservation in future / further promotions, if any. However, only such S.C.
/ S.T. / O.B.C. /E.W.S. candidates falling under vertical reservation who are selected on the same standard
as applied to general candidates shall not be adjusted against reserved vacancies. In other words, when a
relaxed standard is applied at any stage of selection process in selecting S.C. / S.T. / O.B.C. / E.W.S.
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 candidates, for example in the age-limit, experience, qualification, permitted number of chances in written
examination (screening test / written examination), extended zone of consideration larger than what is
provided for general category candidates etc., the S.C. / S.T. /O.B.C. / E.W.S. candidates are to be counted
against reserved vacancies. Such candidates would be deemed as unavailable for consideration against
unreserved vacancies in accordance with the instructions of the Government (in the Department of
Personnel) issued vide letter No. PER (AP)- C-F (1)-2/2001 dated 12th November, 2014. The candidates
belonging to reserved categories falling under horizontal reservation i.e. Ex- servicemen / Wards of Ex-
servicemen, Children / Grand Children of Freedom Fighters (W.F.F.), Persons with Disabilities and
Distinguished Sportspersons who acquire merit / marks on at par with the purely general candidates shall not
be selected / appointed against general / unreserved posts and will be adjusted against the post reserved for
respective category falling under horizontal reservation. However, it does not debar or preclude a candidate
falling under vertical / horizontal reservation from applying and competing for any unreserved post subject to
his / her eligibility and clearing the written test / personality test successfully without any relaxation.
3. For recruitment to the post(s) to be filled up on the basis of experience, it will be necessary for the candidates
to have the required experience for determining his/ her eligibility after acquiring the requisite essential
educational qualification(s) or as per the notified provision(s) of the Recruitment & Promotion Rules, as the
case may be.
4. The decision of the Commission regarding eligibility etc. of a candidate for admission to Personality Test or
selection will be final and no correspondence / personal enquiries will be entertained.
5. Onus of proving that a candidate has acquired requisite degree/ essential qualification by the stipulated date,
shall be on the candidate and in the absence of proof to the contrary, the date as mentioned on the face of
certificate/ degree or the date of issue of certificate/degree shall be taken as date of acquiring essential
educational qualification. No extra opportunity shall be provided to the candidates to produce appropriate
certificates at the time of personality test(s).
6. In respect of equivalent clause in Essential Qualifications, if a candidate is claiming a particular qualification
as equivalent qualification as per the requirement of advertisement, then the candidate is required to produce
order/ letter in this regard, indicating the Authority (with number and date) under which it has been so treated
otherwise the candidature/Online Application is liable to be rejected.

NOTE-: All candidates, whether already in Government Service, Government owned industrial undertakings or
other similar organizations or in private employment should apply to the Commission through Online Web portal.
Persons already in Government service, whether in a permanent or temporary capacity or as work charged
employees other than casual or daily rated employees or those serving under Public Enterprises are however,
required to inform their Head of Office/Department that they have applied for the Examination. They are also
required to submit an undertaking on prescribed proforma that they have informed in writing their Head
o f Office/Department that they have applied for the Examination. The candidates should note that in case a
communication is received from their employer by the Commission withholding permission to the candidates
applying for/ appearing in the examination, their application/ candidature will liable to be cancelled.

D. AGE- Between 18 to 45 years.

Provided that the upper age limit is relaxable by five years for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes/
Scheduled Tribes/ Other Backward Classes / Persons with disabilities and Children/Grand Children of Freedom
Fighters of Himachal Pradesh as declared by the Govt. from time to time. The age relaxation for these categories
shall be admissible only if there is a post reserved for these categories.

Age of a candidate shall be reckoned as on 01-01-2023.

NOTE I: Candidates should note that only the date of birth as recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary
Examination Certificate or an equivalent certificate as on the date of submission of applications will be accepted
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by the Commission and no subsequent request for its change will be considered or granted.

NOTE II: Candidates should also note that once a date of birth has been claimed by them and entered in the
records of the Commission for the purpose of admission to an examination, no change will be allowed
subsequently (or at any other examination of the Commission) on any grounds whatsoever.

NOTE III: The candidate should exercise due care while entering their date of birth in respective column of the
application Form. If on verification at any subsequent stage, any variation is found in their date of birth from the
one entered in their Matriculation or equivalent examination certificate, disciplinary action will be taken against
them by the Commission under the Rules.

CLARIFICATION:
Five years relaxation in upper age limit is admissible only to the bonafide S.C. of H.P. / S.T. of H.P. / O.B.C. of
H.P./W.F.F. of H.P./Persons with disabilities of Himachal Pradesh. For H.P. Govt. employees and Ex-Servicemen
of H.P.; age relaxation is as per Government’s instructions issued from time to time and as mentioned in detail
under title Age Limits. The age relaxation for bonafide S.C. of H.P. / S.T. of H.P. / O.B.C. of H.P. /W.F.F. of H.P./
Persons with disabilities of Himachal Pradesh/ Ex. Servicemen of H.P. is available only if there is a post reserved
for these categories.

Essential Qualification(s)
Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Chemistry or a post-Graduate Degree in Chemistry with pharmaceutics as
essential subject of an University established in India by the Law or its equivalent qualification recognized and notified by the Central
Government for such purpose or the Associateship Diploma of the Institution of Chemists (India) obtained by passing the
Examination with “Analysis of Drugs and pharmaceuticals” as one of the subject.
or
Bachelor’s Degree in Science or Graduate in Medicine of an University recognized for this purpose by the appointing authority and
has had at least one year’s postgraduate training in a laboratory under (i) a Government Analyst appointed under the Act, or (ii) a
Chemical Examiner, or (iii) the head of an institution specifically approved for the purpose by the appointing authority; Provided that
only those Inspectors:- (i) who have not less than 18 months experience in the manufacture of at least one of the substances
specified in Schedule-C; OR (ii) who have not less than 18 months’ experience in testing of at least one of the substances specified
in Schedule–C in a laboratory approved for this purpose, by the Licensing Authority; OR (iii) who have gained experience of not less
than three years in the inspection of firm manufacturing any of the substances specified in Schedule-C appended to these rules
during the tenure of their service as Drug Inspectors shall be authorized to inspect the manufacture of the substances mentioned in
Schedule-C.
Desirable Qualification

Knowledge of customs, manners and dialects of Himachal Pradesh and suitability for appointment in the peculiar conditions
prevailing in the Pradesh.
E. HOW TO APPLY:-
Detailed instructions for filling up Online Recruitment Application (ORA) are available on the website of the
Commission i.e. “http://www.hppsc.hp.gov.in/hppsc”.
1. Desirous / eligible candidates must have to apply online through official website of the Commission i.e.
http://www.hppsc.hp.gov.in/hppsc. Applications received through any other mode would not be accepted and
will be rejected straightway.
2. The desirous and eligible candidate may visit the official website of the Commission
(http://www.hppsc.hp.gov.in/hppsc) and click on the link “Apply Online” on the Home Page. On the opened
page the candidate will click on the link “One Time Registration (OTR) for Examinations” and on the opened
page will register and create his / her profile by clicking on “New Registration” if not registered already. After
registration or if already registered the candidate will have to log into his / her account in OTR page, Once
logged in, the list of live advertisements will be displayed to the candidate on the dashboard. Candidate will
apply for a particular post through this portal only. The application of the candidate will be submitted only
after uploading of requisite documents as per advertisement. Before submission of application, the candidate
will have to give an undertaking/ declaration that:-“It is certified that I have checked the preview of all the
requisite uploaded documents and I am satisfied that documents are legible, readable and true. That I shall
not object to rejection of my candidature based on the sole reasons of uploaded documents being non-
readable/ poor quality of scanning.”
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 3. No further opportunity will be given to the candidates for submission of any documents after the submission
of online recruitment application.
4. An application submitted in online mode shall be deemed to have been successfully submitted only after
payment of fee has been acknowledged and the fee is credited to the account of the Commission.
5. Online Recruitment Application (ORA) once submitted shall not be allowed any change except change of
category as per procedure laid down in Rule 5(iv) of H.P. PSC (Procedure and Transaction of Business)
Rules, 2023.
6. Application without scanned latest photograph or signature shall be rejected straightaway.

F. EXAMINATION FEES:-
The detail of fees is as under:-
Sr. No. Category Fees
1. Male candidates of General, General Physically Disabled (orthopedically disabled, Deaf & 400
Dumb and Hearing Impaired), Economic Weaker Section (EWS) (not included in BPL
category), Wards of Freedom Fighter categories (WFF) and General – Ex-Servicemen of
Himachal Pradesh who are relieved from the Defence Services on their own request
before completion of their normal tenure of service under the Government of India.
2. All Male candidates of Other States (including reserved category(s) candidates of other 400
states).
3. Male candidates of SC, ST, OBC and EWS covered under UR – BPL categories of 100
HimachalPradesh and Ex-Servicemen candidates of Himachal Pradesh belonging to SC,
ST and OBC categories who are relieved from the Defence Services on their own request
before completion of their normal tenure of service under the Government of India.
4. T he Ex-Servicemen male candidates of Himachal Pradesh who are relieved from the No Fee
Defence Services after completion of their normal tenure of service under the Government
o f India and the Blind and Visually Impaired male candidates of Himachal Pradesh are
exempted from paying the examination fee.
NOTE-I:-
Female candidates shall be exempted from the examination fee in accordance with the instructions of the
Government of Himachal Pradesh.
Note-II:-
The Candidates who belong to any of the reserved category and there is no post reserved for such category but
the candidates claiming fee concession available to them shall have to upload the category certificate in support of
their claim.
NOTE-III:- While filling in his/her Application Form, the candidate should carefully decide about his/her choice for
the Centre for the examination.

G. MODE OF PAYMENT:-
The desirous & eligible candidates shall pay the examination fee fixed category-wise online by Debit Card/Credit
Card/UPI/ any other online digital mode, as the case may be, on or before the prescribed closing date for
submission of Online Recruitment Applications OTR portal. While making payment the candidate(s) shall pay
specified amount only after accepting the "Terms and Conditions to apply online". Fee once paid shall neither be
refunded under any circumstance nor can it be held in reserve for any other examination or selection.
NOTE 1 Candidates should note that payment of fee can be made only through the modes prescribed above.
Payment of fee through any other mode is neither valid nor acceptable. Applications submitted without the
prescribed fee/ mode shall be summarily rejected.

.
Examination Stations/Cities
SHIMLA

Note-1: The centre(s) of holding the examination(s) are liable to be changed at the discretion of the Commission.
However, every effort will be made to allot the examination centre(s) of their choice to the candidates. But, the
Commission may, at its discretion, allot a different centre to a candidate when circumstances so warrant.

Note-2: In case of CBT (Computer Based Test) examination centre(s) shall be allotted to the candidates at the
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discretion of the Commission i.e on the basis of availability of Computer Test Lab, anywhere in the State of H.P.

H. ADMISSION/ REJECTION:-

1. Incomplete Online Recruitment Applications (ORA) submitted without requisite examination fee/fictitious fee,
scanned photograph & scanned signatures of prescribed size, will be rejected straightway.
2. After scrutinizing the online recruitment applications category - wise / post-wise properly, the candidates
fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria shall be admitted and the candidates not fulfilling the prescribed
eligibility criteria shall be rejected provisionally with the approval of the Secretary.
3. The list of provisionally rejected candidate(s) shall be uploaded on the official website of the Commission as
well as individually against their USER ID. Besides, SMS alert / e-mail shall also be sent to such candidates.
The provisionally rejected candidate(s) will be allowed the time of 10 (ten) days including Sunday and
holidays to submit their representations, along with requisite documents, either through e – mail or in person
only. The same shall then be scrutinized by the concerned branch and all record concerning scrutiny will be
put up before the Commission for approval and the decision of the Commission in this regard shall be final.
The decision of the Commission as to the eligibility or otherwise of a candidates for admission to Personality
Test or selection will be final and no correspondence / personal enquiries will be entertained.

Note I :-
Original certificates will have to be produced at the time of personality Test. If their claim is found to be incorrect;
besides rejection they may render themselves liable to disciplinary action by the Commission.

Note -II:-
Where Roll Nos. and Application Nos. in both the Columns and Test Booklet series have been written wrongly on
OMR Answer sheets and also encoded incorrectly by the candidates, the OMR Answer Sheets of such candidates
shall not be evaluated and shall be rejected straightway. After the declaration of the result, following message
shall appear against the user ID of such candidates:-

“You have written and encoded your Roll No., Application No. and Test booklet series wrongly on the OMR
Answer Sheet. Hence your OMR Answer Sheet was not checked.”
I. E-CALL LETTERS :-

No Call Letters will be sent by post and provisionally admitted candidates shall have to download their respective
e-Call Letters along with instructions for the concerned examination from the official website of the Commission.
Therefore, the candidates are advised to remember their User ID(s) and password(s) earlier created by the
candidates in OTR in order to login for downloading their respective e-Call Letters. The provisionally admitted
candidates will have to paste a passport size photograph duly self attested / attested by a Gazetted Officer on the
space provided on the downloaded e-Call Letters , failing which he/she will not be allowed to appear in the
Preliminary Examination, in any condition/ circumstances, whatsoever.

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J SELECTION PROCESS:-

Stage Stage Name

1 SCREENING / PRELIMINARY EXAM
2 PERSONALITY TEST

Scheme of Examination-
Selection to the Posts/ Services where no selection procedure has been prescribed in the respective notified
Recruitment and Promotion Rules will be done as per selection procedure mentioned below:

(i) Where there are only few posts for filling up and ratio between the number of eligible candidates and the posts
advertised is below thirteen, then all of them shall directly be called for Personality Test except posts of
Assistant Professor (College Cadre) where all the recruitment shall be made as per method prescribed in (ii)
below.

(ii) In all other cases the selection will be done by the Commission by subjecting the applicants to two types of
written papers/ tests to be conducted on the same day in two sessions, followed by a Personality Test in the
following manner:

(a) Paper-1
A computer Based Test (CBT) or Offline Screening Test of one hour duration having 100 marks consisting of
objective type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) with negative marking for incorrect/ wrong answers as follows:-
I General knowledge of Himachal Pradesh = 30 Marks
II General knowledge of National and International Affairs= 30 Marks
III Knowledge of Hindi language = 20 Marks
IV Knowledge of English language = 20 Marks

(b) Paper-II
A descriptive Subject Aptitude Test (SAT) of three hours duration having 120 marks as per the syllabus to be
decided by the Commission from time to time.

Provided that test shall be conducted in a single slot with same question paper and in different slots with different
sets of question papers depending upon the total number of candidates who have to take the test and the number
of computer terminals available to the commission at the particular date for Computer Based Screening Test. Also
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both the Papers will be conducted on the same day in morning and evening sessions at any place in Himachal
Pradesh as per decision of the Commission.

Based on the merit of Paper-I, the answer sheets of Paper-II of the candidates, 20 times of the total number of the
vacancies to be filled up, shall be evaluated. No candidate securing zero or negative marks in Paper-I shall form
part of the merit list.

(iii) Both in the Computer Based Test (CBT) and offline Test (objective type) each question will be followed by
four (A, B, C & D ) answer options. There shall be negative marking in all the objective type screening tests /
examinations (CBT or Offline Test). The candidate will have to click or encircle / blacken with blue / black ball pen
on the circle adjacent to the option he / she thinks is correct in the computer or in OMR answer sheet as the case
may be. No answer will be left blank. In case the candidate does not want to answer a question to avoid negative
marking he/she shall have to encircle / blacken the option "E". If any answer is left blank and none of the option is
clicked / encircled then it will also result in negative marking. The answer key of CBT (objective type) shall be
uploaded online on the 'MY EXAMINATION MY ONLINE REVIEW' in the User IDs of all appeared candidates while
that of offline test, shall be uploaded on the website of the Commission immediately after the conduct of test and
depositing of the answer sheets in the Commission, for inviting objection(s) from the appeared candidates. A time
period of 05 (five) days excluding the day of publishing of answer key shall be given to them to submit their
objection(s) with supporting documents/ references. A non-refundable fee of ₹100/- per objected question subject
to maximum of ₹500/- will be charged from the candidates. The objections have to be filed in online mode only
through the HPPSC website by uploading the supporting documents. No other mode shall be entertained and
no objection shall be entertained/ considered without depositing the requisite fees.

(iv) The received objection(s) , if any, will be got verified from the Subject Expert/ Paper Setter. Based on the
opinion/ decision of the Subject Expert/ Paper Setter to the objection(s) raised by the candidates, the revised
answer key shall be prepared and finalized. In respect of the scrapped question(s) no credit to appeared
candidates shall be given and passing marks will accordingly be proportionally reduced. The final answer key
alongwith question paper shall be uploaded on the website of the Commission after the declaration of the result.
No objection(s)/ representation(s) shall be entertained against the final answer key.

(v) In case of SAT, if there is any discrepancy in the question paper due to typographical/ printing error or question
being out of syllabus and the same is noticed by the Commission after the conduct of examination or pointed out
by the candidates within 05 (five) days of examination, the same shall be got verified from the Subject Expert/
Paper Setter. Based on the opinion of the Subject Expert/ Paper Setter to the objection(s) final decision shall be
taken.

(vi) In case of bilingual papers, if there is any difference in English and Hindi version of the question and answer
option, the English version shall be treated as correct and final.

Note -There shall be negative marking in all the objective type screening tests/ examinations (Computer Based
Test or Offline Test) including those conducted under the notified rules where there is no specific mention about it
in the rules as detailed below:-

(a) For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one fourth (0.25) of the marks
assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.

(b).If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given
answers happens to be correct and there will be same penalty as above for that question also i.e. one fourth
(0.25) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.
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(c).If a question is left blank i.e. no circle is clicked or encircled/ blackened by the candidate, there will be same
penalty as above for that question also i.e. one fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question will be
deducted as penalty.

(d).Where there are two correct answers instead of one correct answer out of four options (A,B,C,D) of a question,
all those candidates, who will click or encircle/blacken any one of these two correct answers will be awarded
marks allotted to that question.

(vii) Minimum pass marks in the Subject Aptitude Test (SAT) to qualify for the Personality Test shall be 35% for
the candidates of General category and 30 % for the candidates of reserved categories. Those securing less than
the prescribed marks will be disqualified and will not be considered for the remaining selection process.

(viii) After finalization of answer key the candidate responses of CBT of each candidate in case of Computer
Based Test will be evaluated and in case of offline Test the OMR answer sheets of the candidates shall be
scanned in the OMR Scanner and evaluated by using the final answer key and prepare a list of candidates whose
Paper-II shall be evaluated to prepare category-wise zone of consideration on the basis of performance of the
candidates in Paper-II as per following:

No. of Posts advertised Ratio for category wise zone of consideration for scrutiny of documents by the branch
concerned
1 to 10 1:6+3
11 and above 1:5

(ix) The details will then be provided by the Secrecy Cell to the Branch responsible for making direct recruitment in
order to check their eligibility on the basis of documents uploaded by them on the OTR portal at the time of filling
up of ORA. The concerned branch shall examine each application and determine the eligibility or otherwise of the
applicants in accordance with the rules applicable and the terms and conditions of the advertisement inviting the
application. The result of the scrutiny in the tabulated format shall be prepared for each application individually
and signed by all the concerned.

(x) In case the number of candidate(s) to be declared qualified for Personality test/document verification fall(s)
below the prescribed ratio then to meet this shortfall an additional zone of consideration (category wise) as per
requirement shall be prepared and provided by the Secrecy Cell from the qualified candidates to the concerned
branch.

(xi) The application forms alongwith the scrutiny sheet(s) shall be put up to the Secretary or the Controller of
Examination, as the case may be, for perusal and determination of eligibility.

(xii) After scrutinizing the online recruitment applications category-wise/ post-wise properly, the candidates fulfilling
the prescribed eligibility criteria shall be admitted and the candidates not fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria
shall be rejected provisionally with the approval of the Secretary.

(xiii).The list of rejected candidates shall also be uploaded on the official website of the Commission as well as
individually against their USER ID by the Computer Cell. SMS alert/e-mail shall also be sent to such candidates.
The provisionally rejected candidates(s) will be allowed the time of 10 (ten) days including Sunday and holidays to
submit their representations, along with requisite documents, either through e-mail or in person only. The same
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shall then be scrutinized by the concerned branch and all record concerning scrutiny will be put up before the
Commission for approval and the decision of the Commission in this regard shall be final. No objection(s)/
representation(s) shall be entertained against the final rejection.

(xiv) After decision of the Commission on such representations, the list of finally rejected candidates shall be
uploaded on the official website of the Commission as well as individually against their USER ID by the Computer
Cell. No separate correspondence shall be made with any candidate by any official of the Commission unless he/
she is specially permitted to do so. Examination fee will not be refunded to the candidate whose applications stand
rejected by the Commission for any reason(s).

(xv) The original documents of the candidates admitted provisionally to appear in the Personality Test/document
verification shall be checked/ scrutinized on the day of Personality Test/document verification.

(xvi) Written test shall be followed by a Personality Test. The Personality Test shall be of 30 marks and be held
only in the Commission's office at Shimla. Minimum pass marks in Personality Test shall be 40% i.e. 12 marks for
the candidates of general category and 30% i.e. 09 marks for the candidates of reserved categories.

(xvi) Normally four eligible candidates for a single post and three eligible candidates for every subsequent post
will be declared qualified appearing in the Personality Test on the basis of Computer Based Test/ Offline Test
(objective or descriptive). If the number of qualified candidates in particular category is fewer, then all of them will
be called for Personality Test. In case there is a tie between or amongst the candidates on account of having
obtained equal minimum cut off marks in the test all such candidates shall be called for the Personality Test.

Marks obtained by the candidates in the SAT (120 marks) plus marks in the Personality Test (30 marks) would
determine their final ranking/selection.

Provided that in exceptional case(s) the method of selection to the advertised post(s) shall be decided by the
Commission as it may deem fit.

K. General Instructions :

(i) The marks obtained by the candidates in the objective type examinations/ Screening Test(Paper-I) (MCQ) and
Paper- II (Subjective Aptitude Test) and declared successful upto Personality Test will be displayed on the official
website of the Commission after declaration of final result and within 07 days from the date of sending
recommendation(s) of the finally selected candidates to the concerned requisitioning department(s).

(ii) For more information of candidates, HPPSC (PROCEDURE & TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS AN
PROCEDURE FOR THE CONDUCT OF EXAMINATIONS & PERSONALITY TESTS ETC) RULES, 2023 is
available on Commission’s website.

(iii) The eligibility of candidate(s) called for the Personality Test will be determined on the basis of original
documents produced on the day of Personality Test and the Commission will not be responsible if the candidature
of any candidate is rejected at that stage or at the time of verification by the Appointing Authority. As such,
admission to the Screening Test/ Examination/ Personality Test shall be purely provisional.

(iv)Summoning of the candidate(s) for Personality Test; conveys no assurance whatsoever that they will be
selected or recommended. Appointment orders to the selected candidate(s) will be issued by the appropriate
Appointing Authority.
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(v) If any person with benchmark disability requires scribe/ reader, having disability of 40% or more, he / she has
to request for the same in writing to the Commission along with copy of disability certificate issued by the
competent authority at least seven days prior to the screening test (Computer Based Test/ Offline Test) for the
concerned post. Such applications will be entertained on merit and as per rules.

(vi). Re-checking/ re-evaluation, for the written examination(s)/ Screening Tests (Computer Based Test/ Offline
Test) will not be allowed in any case.

(vii) Disputes, if any, shall be subject to Court jurisdiction at Shimla.

L. Syllabus-
The Computer Based Screening Test (objective-type) or Offline Screening Test (Objective Type) and SAT will
be conducted in case where the number of eligible candidates for recruitment to the post(s) advertised by the
Commission is inordinately large and syllabus for Screening test will be notified separately for the information of
the candidates.

M. CATEGORY CLAIMS :-
1. The category of the candidate claimed in the profile before he / she applies for the post shall be treated as final.
In case the candidate has inadvertently filled his category wrongly in the ORA or his / her category undergoes a
change before the prescribed closing date for submission of online recruitment application through OTR portal
then such candidate shall have to get his / her application modified by requesting the Commission to that effect in
writing. In such a situation, the candidate shall have to deposit the difference amount of the application fees as is
applicable for the category claimed by him / her. However, in cases where candidate finds out at any later stage
that he / she has wrongly filled his category in the ORA or there is change of category which is beyond the control
of the candidate at any stage during the recruitment process; provided he / she has not availed any relaxed
standards in terms of age, experience, qualification etc., he / she will inform about it in writing to the Commission
within 15 days after the conduct of screening test / preliminary examination failing which no such type of requests
shall be entertained by the Commission. In such cases, if he / she has paid the examination fees as per the norms
of reserved category then he / she will have to deposit the requisite fees. Decision of Commission on his / her
request to change the category shall be final.

2. S.C. of Himachal Pradesh / S.T. of Himachal Pradesh / O.B.C. of Himachal Pradesh/ E.W.S. of Himachal
Pradesh/ W.F.F. of Himachal Pradesh / Ex-Servicemen of Himachal Pradesh and Physically Disabled of Himachal
Pradesh candidates must possess such certificates(s) in support of their claims made in the online recruitment
applications while applying for the concerned post(s). If any B.P.L. candidate applies for the post reserved for
EWS category he/she shall have to submit a valid B.P.L. certificate countersigned by the Block Development
Officer and also a non-SC/ST/OBC certificate issued by the competent authority. The benefit of reservation will be
admissible on parental basis only. All the candidates belonging to reserved categories are also required to go
through the relevant instructions of the Government of Himachal Pradesh issued from time to time in order to
ensure that they are eligible under a particular category.

3. The statutory certificates like Bonafide Himachali, SC, ST, WFF and legal heir issued on parentage basis on
the prescribed format are of permanent nature and are acceptable to the Commission. However, the certificates
of O.B.C. on parentage basis on the prescribed format and E.W.S. also on the prescribed format issued by the
competent authority to be valid not only for the relevant term of the financial year but also covering the prescribed
closing date(s) for submission of online recruitment application through OTRS and application form for the
main(written) examination, if any. The latest certificate issued by the competent authority alongwith self
undertaking stating that his / her status has not been changed and he / she is not excluded from the category of
O.B.C. or E.W.S. or B.P.L. will have to be submitted by the candidate to the Commission as and when asked by
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the Commission as well as on the day of main examination and Personality Test / document verification.
4. EX-SERVICEMEN OF HIMACHAL PRADESH:
(i) The candidates belonging to Ex-Servicemen of Himachal Pradesh will have to furnish Discharge Certificate/
Service Book and full detail in respect of their P.P.O. No., Rank and NOC with date of retirement from the Defence
Services to claim the benefit of reservation for the category of ExServiceman of Himachal Pradesh. The Short
Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) released on or after 13-02-2020 shall have to upload proof of having
received gratuity.
(ii) The persons serving in the Armed Forces of the Union, who on retirement from service, would come under the
category of “Ex-Serviceman” may be permitted to apply for re-employment one year before the completion of the
specified terms of engagement and avail themselves of all concessions available to ex-serviceman but shall not be
permitted to leave the uniform until they complete the specified terms of engagement in the Armed Forces of the
Union. The period of one year shall be counted from the notified last date of receipt of applications for the post(s)
advertised. Such candidate(s) should also upload NOC with date of retirement from the Defence Services to claim
the benefit of reservation under the category of Ex-Serviceman of Himachal Pradesh.

5. WARDS of EX-SERVICEMEN of H.P., i.e. DEPENDENT SONS, DAUGHTERS and WIVES of E

SERVICEMEN of H.P.:
(i) Dependent sons, daughters &wives of Ex-Servicemen of Himachal Pradesh (Wards of Ex-Servicemen of
Himachal Pradesh) may apply against the posts specifically reserved for Wards of Ex-Servicemen category (i.e.
Dependent sons, daughters and wives)and not against the posts reserved for ExServicemen of H.P. in order to
avoid rejection of their candidature at any later stage for the concerned posts.
(ii) Candidates belonging to Wards of Ex-Servicemen category will have to submit a Dependent Certificate issued
by the competent authority and a latest affidavit duly attested by the authority authorized under the Indian Oath Act
to the effect that no person in the family has been rehabilitated through employment against the posts reserved for
Ex-Servicemen with the H.P. Govt./ Corporation/ Board/ Autonomous Body of H.P. as well as Centraland other
State/ Union Territory Government or P.S.U./ Autonomous Body / Banks etc. under the control of the said Central
or other State / Union Territory Government.
(iii) The daughters of Ex-Servicemen will also have to submit an undertaking to the effect that she is un-married
and dependent upon her father in support of her category claim on the day of Personality Test.
(iv) Married daughters will be admitted provisionally against the posts reserved for Ward of Ex. Serviceman on
production of provisional Ward of Ex.-Servicemen certificate issued by the competent authority as per instructions
of the Govt. (Department of Personnel) Himachal Pradesh letter No. PER (AP)-C-B(12)-1/2013 dated 18th March,
2020.
6. W.F.F. OF H.P. (WARDS OF FREEDOMFIGHTERS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH):
(i) For the posts reserved for Wards of Freedom Fighters of Himachal Pradesh (WFF of H.P.), sons/ grandsons/
daughters/ grand daughters of Freedom Fighters of Himachal Pradesh, who have been appointed on regular basis
shall not be entitled for the benefits of reservation provided to the Wards of Freedom fighters in Government
services, against the identical posts in the same scale. The employed children/ grand children of Freedom
Fighters will be deemed to have been excluded from the definition of Ward of Freedom Fighter for the purpose to
this extent.
(ii) The children/ grand children of Freedom fighters of Himachal Pradesh, who have been appointed in Govt. /
Semi Govt. or Private Sector etc. services against the post(s) reserved for the Wards of Freedom Fighters on
regular basis will remain entitled to compete for higher rank/ grade posts/ services on the basis of reservation
earmarked to the Wards of Freedom Fighters of Himachal Pradesh.
(iii) The un-married daughters/ grand daughters will have to submit an affidavit being spinster (un-married) in
support of their claim(s) issued by the authority authorized under the Indian Oath Act. Otherwise such candidates
will be rejected straightway.
(iv) Married daughters and Married granddaughters will be admitted provisionally against the posts reserved for
WFF on production of provisional WFF certificate issued by the competent authority as per instructions of the
Govt. (Department of Personnel) Himachal Pradesh letter No. PER(AP)-C-E(3)-1/2020 dated 17th March, 2020.
7. E.W.S. OF H.P. (ECONOMICALLY WEAKERSECTIONS OF H.P.):
(i) The benefit of reservation under the EWS category (other than SCs / STs / OBCs) in posts under the
Government of Himachal Pradesh can be availed against the posts reserved for EWS category on production of
an Income and Asset Certificate issued by the competent authority in the State of Government of Himachal
Pradesh in the prescribed format.
(ii) The reservation to the category of EWS and (document to be submitted in support of claim), will be as per
instructions issued by the Government of H.P. (in the Department of personnel) vide letter No. PER(AP)-C-B(12)-
1/2019 dated 11th June, 2019.
(iii) If a BPL candidate applies for the post reserved for EWS category he / she shall have to submit a valid BPL
certificate issued by competent authorities and countersigned by the Block Development Officer and also a non-
SC / ST / OBC certificate issued by the competent authority in the prescribed format. The candidate should

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posses valid EWS certificate at all stages of examination/ recruitment process.
(iv) In case Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates is not available for selection, the vacancies will be
treated automatically as de-reserved and will be filled up from a non EWS candidate of unreserved category.

N. OTHER CONDITIONS-II:
1. Incomplete, defectively filled up, old, unsigned and zerox application forms will not be entertained and no
subsequent correspondence will be admitted.
2. The SC / ST / OBC / WFF / Physically Handicapped and Ex-servicemen candidates of other states than H.P.
should write / encode their category code as 01, because they will be treated as unreserved candidates and upper
age relaxation is not applicable to them.
3. The candidates belonging to disabled categories are advised to claim their respective category only if the
percentage of disability is 40% or more than this.
4. No individual letters will be sent to the candidates regarding rejection of their applications. The details of
rejection will be uploaded only on official website of the Commission.
5. The applicant shall upload his/her latest photograph in the space provided in the application form. In case,
photograph uploaded on the application of Preliminary examination is found different / varying to that of pasted on
the Identity Card for appearing in the Main examination, the candidature of such candidates shall stand cancelled.
6. Generally Wards of Ex-serviceman erroneously apply against the post of Ex. Servicemen and choosing the
code of Ex-Servicemen of H.P. in the relevant Column of he Online Recruitment Application (ORA) resulting
rejection of their candidature. Therefore, they shall write and choose the code of category(s) to which actually
they belong and not select the code of Ex. Servicemen.
7. The Ex-servicemen candidates of H.P. must go through the relevant Rules and instructions of the reservation
notified / issued by the H.P. Govt. from time to time in order to ensure their eligibility for admission to the aforesaid
examination.
8. Reserved categories candidates are also required to go through the relevant instructions in order to ensure that
they are eligible under the particular category(s).
9. The candidates applying for the examination should ensure that they fulfill all the eligibility conditions for
admission to the Examination. Their admission at all the stages of examination for which they are admitted by the
Commission for Screening Test and Personality Test will be purely provisional, subject to their satisfying the
prescribed eligibility conditions.
10. If on verification at any time before or after the written examination or Personality test, it is found that they do
not fulfill any of the eligibility conditions; their candidature for the examination will be cancelled by the Commission.
11. Candidates are informed that as per Government of H.P. (in the Department of Personnel) notification
No.Per(AP-B) B (15)-3/2022 dated 22-03-2023, the examinations conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Public
Service Commission will come under the purview of Himachal Pradesh Prevention of Malpractice Act, 1984.
12. A candidate at any stage of examination /selection which shall include final selection and sending
recommendation(s) thereof or during the course of examination or any selection process conducted or being
conducted may in addition to rendering himself / herself liable to criminal prosecution under relevant laws (in the
case of candidate already in service under Government, to disciplinary action and criminal prosecution under the
appropriate rules and relevant laws) may be debarred from appearing in any written examination / Personality Test
for a period not exceeding 15 years, or his candidature may be cancelled at the discretion of the Commission
w.e.f. the date as may be decided by the Commission, if he or she is found to be guilty of the following:
(i) obtaining / seeking support for his / her candidature whether in the Examination or Evaluation or Physical Test
or Interview/ Personality Test by any means; or
(ii) impersonating; or
(iii) procuring impersonation by any person; or
(iv) submitting false/ fabricated documents or documents which have been tampered with; or
(v) making statements which are incorrect or false or flouts any Instructions Guidelines, terms and condition, given
in advertisements or instructions communicated in any manner or suppressing therein material information at any
stage of selection; or
(vi) resorting to the following means in connection with his / her candidature for the examination, namely:
(a) obtaining copy of question paper through improper means;
(b) finding out the particulars of the persons connected with secret work relating to the Examination; Evaluation,
Physical Test and Interview /Personality Test,
(c) Influencing the Examiners; or
(vii) using or attempting to use unfair means in the Examination hall; or
(viii) writing obscene matter or drawing obscene sketches in the scripts; or
(ix) harassing, threatening or causing physical injury to the staff engaged in the conduct of Examination;
Evaluation, Physical Test or Interview / Personality Test; or
(x) violating any of the instructions given to the candidates in their admission card or other directives including oral
instructions given by the centre supervisor /superintendent or other staff engaged in the conduct of

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Examination; Evaluation, Physical Test or Interview/ Personality Test; or
(xi) misbehaving in the examination hall including tearing of the scripts, provoking fellow examinees to boycott
Examination, Evaluation, Physical Test or Interview/ Personality Test, creating a disorderly scene and the like; or
(xii) being in possession of or using mobile phone, pager, scanner or any electronic equipment or device or any
other equipment capable of being used as a communication device during the examination / personality test;
evaluation or physical Test; or
(xiii) being debarred earlier on the above mentioned grounds by the Union Public Service Commission or any
State Public Service Commission or any other government department / recruiting agency including this
Commission.
(xiv) attempting to commit or, as the case may be, abetting the Commission of all or any of the acts specified in the
foregoing clauses; Provided that no penalty under this Rule shall be imposed except after:-

(a) giving the candidate an opportunity of making such representation in writing as he/she may wish to make in
that behalf; and
(b) taking into consideration the representation, if any, submitted by the candidate within the period allowed to
him/ her.
Provided further that the order of debarring or cancellation of candidature shall be passed only after the
Commission has considered the matter and approved the proposed punishment of debarring the candidate or
cancellation of his / her candidature.
13. The decision of the Commission as to the eligibility or otherwise of a candidate for admission to the
Screening/Main Examination will be final and no correspondence/ personal inquiry will be entertained there after.
14. The eligibility conditions of the candidates called for Personality Test will also be determined on the day of
Personality Test on the basis of their original documents and rejection, if any, at that stage.
15. The allocation of examination centres for Screening Test as for as possible, will be made according to the
option exercised by the candidates in the online application form. However, the Commission reserves the right to
allot any centre of examination to candidates irrespective of the option exercised, when circumstances so warrant.
No candidate will be allowed to change the centre of examination once claimed in the online application.
Thecentre for the Screening Test will, however, be at Shimla, Mandi and Dharamshala only, provided there are at
least 200 candidates opting for these centres, otherwise it will be conducted at Shimla only.
16. If any candidate appears in the Screening Test on the centre other than the allotted centre, his / her
candidature will be rejected straightway and no correspondence will be entertained in the matter.
17. Re-checking / Re-evaluation for Screening Test shall not be allowed in any case.
18. The number of vacancies to be filled in on the basis of this Screening Test may increase or decrease.
19. Disputes, if any shall be subject to court jurisdiction at Shimla.
20. For any clarification candidates may go through HPPSC (PROCEDURE & TRANSACTION OF BUSINES
RULES, 2023 which are available on Commission’s website.
21. The eligibility of candidate(s)called for the Personality Test will be determined on the basis of original
documents produced on the day of Personality Test and the Commission will not be responsible if the candidature
of any candidate is rejected at that stage or at the time of verification by the Appointing Authority. As such,
admission to the Screening Test / Personality Test shall be purely provisional.
22. Summoning of the candidate(s) for Personality Test; conveys no assurance whatsoever that they will be
selected or recommended. Appointment orders to the selected candidate(s) will be issued by the appropriate
Appointing Authority.
23. If any person with disability requires scribe/ reader, having disability of 40% or more, he / she has to request
for the same in writing to the Commission alongwith copy of disability certificate issued by the competent authority
at least seven days prior to the Screening Test for the concerned post. Such applications will be entertained on
merit and as per rules.
24. Contract/Casual/adhoc/ daily rated/ work charged employees do not need to produce NOC from the
concerned employer.
25. In Government service (regular service) candidates may apply to the Commission along with requisite
examination fees with information to their Head of Departments / Employer for issuing NOC. Any candidates, who
are in regular Government Service or Government owned Industrial service, will not be interviewed unless he/she
produces NOC from the concerned employer.
26. It may be ensured by the candidates before submitting the applications that furnishing of false information and
documents or suppression of any factual information in the application form would entail disqualification. If the fact
that false information / document(s) has been furnished or that there has been suppression of any factual
information in the application; comes to the notice at any time during the service of a person, his service would be
liable to be terminated.
O. CHECK LIST:
VERIFY THE FOLLOWING BEFORE UPLOADING THE ONLINE APPLICATION OR DOCUMENT
CERTIFICATES:

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i. That no column is wrongly filled or kept blank as the information furnished therein would be used to determine
the eligibility of candidates to be called for Screening Test and Personality Test.
ii. No representation /correspondence will be entertained against final rejection of candidature.
iii. That the following documents/certificates re uploaded in support of claims made/ information given in the Online
Application:
1. Matriculation certificate for age proof.
2. Degree certificates along with Marks Sheets of all years / Consolidated mark sheet in support of Educational
Qualifications.
3. Experience certificate(s) wherever required.
4. Valid category certificate(s) in support of their eligibility, if any, viz., S.C., S.T., O.B.C., E.W.S., Ex-
Servicemen along with discharge book, Ward of Ex. Servicemen, WFF and Persons with benchmark
disabilities etc. All these certificates along with undertaking wherever required, should be on Performa
prescribed by the Government of H.P. from time to time. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other
Backward Classes Certificates should be in accordance with the instructions of the Govt. issued vide letter
No. PER (AP)-C-F(10)-4/2010 dated 5th August, 2019).
5. Bonafide Himachali Certificate in case of reserved category candidates.
6. Valid EWS/BPL Certificate (Candidates applying under EWS's category will have to submit either "Income &
Asset Certificate‟ or valid BPL Certificate countersigned by B.D.O. along with non-SC/ST/OBC certificate
issued by the competent authority on the format prescribed by H.P. Government vide letter No. PER (AP)-C-
B(12)- 1/2019 dated 11th June, 2019.
7. Ex. Servicemen Discharge Certificate/Service Book. (The candidates belonging to Ex-Servicemen of
Himachal Pradesh will have to furnish Discharge Certificate/ Service Book and full detail in respect of their
P.P.O. No., Rank etc. and NOC with date of retirement from the Defence Services to claim the benefit of
reservation for the category of Ex-Serviceman of Himachal Pradesh. The Short Service Commissioned
Officers (SSCOs) released on or after 13-02-2020 shall have to upload proof of having received gratuity).

P. DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO THE EXAMINATION(s):-

1. No candidate will be eligible for admission to the examination:-
(i) If he/ she has been dismissed from any previous Govt./ Semi Govt. service;
(ii) If he/ she has been convicted of any offence involving moral turpitude or has been permanently debarred
/disqualified from appearing in any examination or selection;
(iii) If he / she is found either directly or indirectly influencing the selection process in any manner; or
(iv) If he / she is an un-discharged insolvent.
Q. FACILITATION COUNTER FOR GUIDANCE OF CANDIDATES:-
In case of any guidance/ information / clarification regarding Online Recruitment Applications (ORA), candidates
can contact H.P.P.S.C. Reception Counter in person or on Toll Free No.1800-180- 8004 or Ph. No. 0177-
2629738 on any working day between 10:00 A.M. to 05:00 P.M. Queries related to online applications can also be
mailed by the candidates on e-mail ID “ [email protected]”. No candidate will interact directly with the staff
in the Recruitment Sections.
R. IMPORTANT NOTE:
Candidates are advised to visit the Commission’s website from time to time for updates in their own interest.
ABBREVIATIONS:
HP: Himachal Pradesh, PSC: Public Service Commission, UR: Unreserved, SC: Scheduled Castes of H.P., ST:
Scheduled Tribes of H.P., OBC: Other Backward Classes of H.P., BPL: Below Poverty line of H.P. EWS:
Economically Weaker Section of H.P., as declared by the Govt. of H.P. from time to time, Ex-SM: Ex-Servicemen
of H.P., WFF: Wards of Freedom Fighters of H.P., Wards of Ex-SM: Dependent sons, daughters and wives of Ex-
SM of H.P., PWDs: Persons with disabilities of H.P., VI: Visually impaired, HI: Hearing Impaired, OTRS: One Time
Registration System, NOC: No Objection Certificate and EQ: Essential qualification(s).

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 Sd/-
(Devinder Kumar Rattan), IAS
Secretary
H.P. Public Service Commission
Tel. No. : 0177-2624313

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