HPPSC (PAPER-1) Secretary HELD ON 16 FEBRUARY 2025 SOLVED PAPER

Exam Discussion for Secretary Post in Himachal Pradesh

Overview of the Exam

• The exam conducted on February 16, 2025, was for the Secretary post at the Himachal Pradesh State Agriculture Marketing Board. This was organized by the Public Service Commission.

• A PDF containing both the question paper and answer key will be provided for practice purposes. Students are encouraged to search for it online.

Questions and Answers Discussion

Question 1: Statements about Himachal Pradesh

• The first question discussed statements regarding Himachal Pradesh, specifically about Baspa Valley being known as Bias Valley; this statement is incorrect.

• It was clarified that Anni River is a tributary of Giri River, making that statement correct. Thus, option D is the right answer for this question.

Question 2: Matching Peaks with Districts

• Participants were asked to match various peaks with their respective districts; Shrikhand Peak is located in Kullu while Sigrid Peak relates to Shingla in Lahaul-Spiti district.

• Pishu Peak was incorrectly attributed to Chamba when it actually belongs to Kinnaur district, leading to confusion among participants regarding its location.

Question 3: Types of Marriage Practices

• The discussion included identifying types of marriage prevalent among specific communities; love marriage was highlighted as a common type among certain tribes.

Educational Data Insights

School Statistics in Himachal Pradesh

• Data from December 2023 indicated there were approximately:

• 10,370 primary schools

• 1,850 middle schools

• 960 high schools

• 1,984 senior secondary schools

• 148 degree colleges in Himachal Pradesh up until December 2023. This data aids students preparing for upcoming exams by providing context on educational infrastructure.

Female Literacy Rates by District

• The highest female literacy rates were discussed:

• Lahaul-Spiti: 66.1%

• Chamba: 61.7%

• Kullu: 70.9%

• Kinnaur has the highest overall female literacy rate among these districts at this time period (option B).

Current Affairs and Government Initiatives

Marriage Grants for Disabled Individuals

• Inquiries into financial assistance available for disabled individuals marrying partners with disabilities revealed a grant amount of ₹50,000 if one partner has over a 75% disability rating as per current government policies outlined in recent discussions from Giriraj Patrika publications.

Revenue Expenditure Projections

• For fiscal year 2024–25, an increase of 2% in revenue expenditure compared to revised estimates from previous years was noted during discussions on budget allocations within state governance frameworks.

Cultural Events and Recognition

Cham Dance Festival Timing

• The Cham dance performed at Tabo Monastery occurs annually in October; this cultural event showcases traditional practices unique to the region.

Legislative Developments

• A constitutional amendment (106th) ensuring one-third reservation for women in legislative assemblies was highlighted as significant progress towards gender equality within political representation.

This structured summary provides insights into key topics covered during the exam discussion related to various aspects of education, culture, and governance relevant to candidates preparing for public service roles within Himachal Pradesh.