The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) conducted the Subject Knowledge Test (Descriptive) for the Assistant District Attorney (ADA) recruitment on 9 August 2026, marking the second major stage of this high-demand selection process. This exam followed the objective-type Screening Test held earlier on 5 July 2026, for which the answer key has already been released. With the Subject Knowledge Test now over, candidates are actively searching for the HPSC ADA answer key, exam review, expected cut-off, and the roadmap to the final result.
This article brings together everything you need after appearing for the HPSC ADA exam — a review of the 9 August Subject Knowledge Test, the earlier screening test answer key and objection process, expected cut-off trends, and what comes next in the selection timeline.
HPSC ADA Recruitment 2026: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) |
| Post | Assistant District Attorney (ADA), Group-B |
| Total Vacancies | 255 |
| Screening Test Date | 5 July 2026 |
| Screening Test Answer Key Released | 8 July 2026 |
| Subject Knowledge Test (Descriptive) | 9 August 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Official Website | hpsc.gov.in |
HPSC ADA Subject Knowledge Test Review: 9 August 2026
Unlike the screening test, the Subject Knowledge Test conducted on 9 August 2026 was a descriptive paper, designed to assess candidates’ in-depth legal knowledge and written articulation skills rather than objective recall. Since descriptive exams do not have a conventional multiple-choice-based answer key, HPSC typically does not release a subject-wise official key for this stage. Instead, evaluation is carried out internally by subject-matter examiners based on a structured marking scheme.
Based on early candidate feedback gathered after the exam, here is a general review of how the paper was received:
Paper Pattern and Difficulty
The Subject Knowledge Test primarily covered core legal subjects relevant to prosecution work, including the Indian Penal Code (now Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), Criminal Procedure Code (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita), the Indian Evidence Act (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam), and Constitutional Law. Candidates generally described the paper as moderately challenging, with a strong emphasis on analytical and case-based questions rather than direct definitional recall.
Time Management
Being a descriptive paper, most candidates reported time pressure while attempting to cover all sections within the allotted duration, particularly the longer answer-type questions requiring detailed legal reasoning and case law references.
Overall Candidate Sentiment
Feedback trends suggest a mixed response — candidates with strong command over recent legal amendments and practical application of provisions found the paper more manageable compared to those who relied primarily on rote preparation.
Since this was a subjective evaluation-based exam, candidates are advised to wait for the official result rather than relying on unofficial scoring estimates circulating online.
HPSC ADA Screening Test Answer Key: Quick Recap
“Before the Subject Knowledge Test, HPSC had conducted the objective-type Screening Test on 5 July 2026, strictly based on the revised pattern of 50% Law and 50% General Studies (pursuant to the Hon’ble High Court order for Advert. No. 18/2025). The provisional answer key was subsequently released on 8 July 2026. Here is a quick recap of that process for candidates tracking the full recruitment cycle:”
- Visit the official website — hpsc.gov.in.
- Log in to the candidate portal using your registered credentials.
- Navigate to the “HPSC ADA Answer Key 2026” section.
- Select your question paper set (Set A, B, C, or D) to view the correct answer key.
- Compare your marked responses with the official key to estimate your probable score.
- Candidates who identified discrepancies could raise objections per objection/question along with valid supporting documents within the specified window, as per the standard HPSC objection submission guidelines.”
“The screening test, carrying a total of 100 marks (50 marks for Law subjects and 50 marks for General Studies/Aptitude), followed a negative marking scheme of 0.25 marks per incorrect answer. Only candidates who cleared this qualifying stage were shortlisted for the Subject Knowledge Test held on 9 August 2026.”
HPSC ADA Expected Cut-off 2026
The cut-off for HPSC ADA depends on multiple factors — overall difficulty of both stages, category-wise reservation, and the total number of vacancies against the candidate pool.”Since the Screening Test is strictly qualifying in nature (requiring a minimum score of 25% to proceed), the marks determining final selection depend on the Subject Knowledge Test and Interview stages. Candidates must secure a minimum of 35% marks in the Subject Knowledge Test to qualify for the Personal Interview.”*
| Category | Expected Cut-off Trend |
|---|---|
| General | Moderately high, given strong competition for 255 posts |
| SC/BC/EWS | Relatively lower, as per standard reservation norms |
| PwD | Further relaxed as per government guidelines |
“The Screening Test is strictly qualifying in nature (with a minimum qualifying mark of 25%) used only to shortlist candidates for the Subject Knowledge Test. The final selection is based solely on the combined performance in the Subject Knowledge Test (87.5% weightage) and the Personal Interview / Viva-Voce (12.5% weightage).”
What Happens Next in the HPSC ADA Selection Process?
After the Subject Knowledge Test evaluation is completed, HPSC will proceed with the remaining stages of the selection process:
Result Declaration
The Subject Knowledge Test result is expected to be announced on the official HPSC website in the coming weeks, following the evaluation of descriptive answer sheets by the examination panel.
Document Verification
Candidates shortlisted after the Subject Knowledge Test will be called for document verification, where original certificates, category proofs, and educational qualifications will be checked.
Personal Interview
“Candidates who clear the Subject Knowledge Test and Document Verification will appear for the Personal Interview / Viva-Voce, which carries 12.5% weightage in the final merit calculation.”As per the standard HPSC recruitment pattern for legal posts, a Personal Interview typically follows document verification, contributing to the final merit list alongside written exam scores.
Final Merit List
The final selection for the 255 Assistant District Attorney posts will be based on a combined evaluation of the Subject Knowledge Test and Interview performance, as per the weightage prescribed in the official recruitment notification.
Tips While Waiting for the HPSC ADA Result
- Regularly check hpsc.gov.in and the candidate login portal for updates, as HPSC does not send individual result notifications via SMS or email.
- Keep all original documents and certificates organised in advance for the document verification stage.
- Begin preliminary interview preparation, focusing on current legal amendments, landmark judgments, and prosecution-related case studies.
- Avoid relying on unofficial cut-off marks or leaked answer keys circulating on social media platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When was the HPSC ADA Subject Knowledge Test conducted? The HPSC ADA Subject Knowledge Test (Descriptive) was conducted on 9 August 2026.
Q2. Is there an official answer key for the HPSC ADA Subject Knowledge Test? No, since it is a descriptive exam, HPSC does not release a conventional answer key; evaluation is done internally by subject examiners.
Q3. When was the HPSC ADA Screening Test answer key released? The provisional answer key for the Screening Test (held on 5 July 2026) was released on 8 July 2026.
Q4. How many vacancies are there for HPSC ADA recruitment 2026? A total of 255 Assistant District Attorney posts are available under this recruitment drive.
Q5. What is the next stage after the Subject Knowledge Test? Candidates who clear the Subject Knowledge Test will proceed to document verification and a Personal Interview before the final merit list is prepared.