CGPSC 2026: Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Preparation

As of 8 June 2026, the CGPSC 2026 notification date, vacancy count, and post-wise split have not been confirmed here. Every date and number on this page is last-cycle-based or candidate-reported; verify on the official CGPSC portal at psc.cg.gov.in, which is the binding source. CGPSC State Service is the gateway to Chhattisgarh's administrative services, recruiting for Deputy Collector, Chhattisgarh Police Service, and other Group A and Group B posts.

This guide covers the three-stage selection structure, exam pattern, eligibility, Chhattisgarh-specific syllabus, sample questions, and a preparation plan.

CGPSC 2026 Status and Source Discipline

The Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission conducts State Service recruitment. The structure is stable; the exam date, post list, and vacancy count appear in the official notification on psc.cg.gov.in.

CGPSC Exam Pattern (Last-Cycle Basis)

Preliminary Examination

Main Examination

Total approximate scoring marks: around 1,200 on a last-cycle basis. Confirm the current scheme on psc.cg.gov.in.

Interview

Candidates clearing the Mains cutoff are called for an interview. Marks combined with Mains decide final rank. Confirm the current interview marks on the official CGPSC portal.

Eligibility Table (Verify in the 2026 Notice)

Chhattisgarh has a high proportion of Scheduled Tribe population (approximately 30 percent of the state's population as per census data). ST reservation in CGPSC is substantial; confirm current percentages in the official notification.

Syllabus: Topic-by-Topic Breakdown

Chhattisgarh History, Culture, and Heritage

Ancient Chhattisgarh:

• Kalchuri dynasty: the dominant ancient ruling dynasty of Chhattisgarh (roughly 5th to 12th century CE); their capital at Tuman and later Ratanpur (Bilaspur district); Ratanpur as a major medieval Hindu pilgrimage centre (Mahamaya Temple)
• Nagvanshi dynasty: ruling dynasty of Bastar region; long continuous rule from medieval through colonial period; connected to tribal governance traditions of southern Chhattisgarh
• Sirpur archaeological site: a Buddhist and Hindu heritage site from the 5th to 8th century CE; Lakshmana Temple (one of the earliest brick temples of India); annual Sirpur Mahotsav cultural festival
• Dantewada temple and Bastar regional religious tradition

Medieval and Colonial Chhattisgarh:

• Marathas in Chhattisgarh: Bhonsle dynasty of Nagpur exercising control over Chhattisgarh in the 18th century; Raipur under Maratha administration; British takeover from Marathas in 1818
• Tribal revolts against British rule:
  • Halba revolt (1774 to 1779): one of the earliest tribal revolts in Chhattisgarh, in Bastar region
  • Bhonsle revolt and Paralkot revolt (1824 to 1825): against British land revenue and zamindari
  • Gond revolt (1856 to 1857): linked to the 1857 rebellion; Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah of Garha-Mandla (Gond kingdom in Chhattisgarh-Madhya Pradesh region) were executed by being blown from a cannon by British forces
  • Bastar revolt (1910) under Gundadhur: Bhumkal uprising against British forest and administrative policies in Bastar

Chhattisgarh Formation:

• Chhattisgarh became India's 26th state on 1 November 2000, carved out of Madhya Pradesh
• Raipur as state capital; new capital Nava Raipur (Atal Nagar) developed subsequently

Tribal Culture of Chhattisgarh:

• Major tribes: Gond (largest tribe), Baiga (Primitive Tribal Group; found in Kabirdham and Bilaspur districts; known for Biga and Dewar folk dances), Maria and Muria (Bastar region; famous for Ghotul institution and ceremonial culture)
• Bastar Dussehra: the world's longest running tribal festival (approximately 75 days, from Hareli to Muharram period); not about Rama-Ravana; it is a festival of the tutelary deity Maa Danteshwari of Bastar; one of India's most distinctive regional cultural traditions
• Gondi language: the language of the Gond tribe; considered for Eighth Schedule inclusion; used in parts of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra
• Halbi and Chhattisgarhi languages: Chhattisgarhi (a Hindi dialect/language) as the dominant regional language of the state

Chhattisgarh Art:

• Bastar tribal craft: iron craft (Dhokra metal casting using lost wax method is famous in Bastar - brass and bell metal figurines); Bastar woodcraft; Kondagaon as a tribal craft centre
• Gond art: vivid nature-themed folk paintings; internationally recognised through artists such as Jangarh Singh Shyam (who popularised Gond art globally)
• Bell metal craft of Bastar: GI-tagged; traditional Dhokra technique

Geography of Chhattisgarh

• Physical features: Chhattisgarh Plain (Mahanadi basin; rice bowl of Chhattisgarh); Bastar Plateau (southern Chhattisgarh; dense forests); Hasdeo-Arand area (northern coalfields)
• Rivers: Mahanadi (originates in Raipur district; Chhattisgarh is the upper catchment; Mahanadi water dispute with Odisha over upstream dams), Sheonath, Indravati (flows through Bastar; Chitrakoot Falls - among India's widest waterfalls, called India's Niagara), Hasdeo, Rihand
• Forests: Chhattisgarh has approximately 44 percent forest cover (among the highest in peninsular India); Indravati Tiger Reserve (Bijapur; Project Tiger), Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve; sal (Shorea robusta) forests dominant
• Mineral resources: iron ore (Bailadila mines in Dantewada; among India's largest and highest-quality iron ore deposits; exported from Visakhapatnam port), coal (Korba coalfield; SECL collieries), limestone, bauxite, tin ore (Chhattisgarh produces most of India's domestically mined tin ore)
• Districts: Raipur (capital), Bilaspur, Durg-Bhilai, Korba (power city), Jagdalpur (Bastar headquarters), Rajnandgaon, Surguja

Economy with Chhattisgarh Context

• Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP): established 1959 with Soviet technical assistance; one of SAIL's largest integrated steel plants; located in Durg district
• NTPC Korba super thermal power station: one of India's largest thermal power plants by installed capacity; coal from Korba coalfield
• Mining economy: Bailadila iron ore export (through dedicated rail link to Visakhapatnam port), coal mining in Korba-Raigarh belt
• Agriculture: Chhattisgarh as the "rice bowl" of central India; high paddy procurement under MSP; PACS (Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies) strength; chief crop in Mahanadi plain
• Chhattisgarh government schemes: Narva Garva Ghurva Bari (for rural development and self-sufficiency), Godhan Nyay Yojana (state government purchasing cow dung from farmers for vermicompost, a unique scheme), Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana (farm input subsidy)

Stage-Wise Selection Process

1. Preliminary Exam: Objective, shortlisting for Mains.
2. Main Exam: Descriptive papers totalling approximately 1,200 scoring marks.
3. Interview: Marks combined with Mains for final rank.
4. Document Verification: Graduation, age proof, domicile, caste certificate, and post-specific documents.
5. Medical Examination: For Chhattisgarh Police Service and other physical posts.

Preparation Strategy

Phase 1: Chhattisgarh-Specific Content (Months 1 and 2)

Bastar Dussehra's length and its distinction from the conventional Dussehra are a CGPSC favourite question. Equally standard: Sirpur's archaeological significance and Lakshmana Temple's brick architecture.

Mineral matching: Bailadila = iron ore, Korba = coal, Kondagaon = Dhokra craft. Learn the Chitrakoot Falls description (India's widest waterfall) and its river (Indravati).

The Godhan Nyay Yojana is a unique state scheme that appears repeatedly in CGPSC current affairs: the state government buying cow dung, converting it to vermicompost, selling back to farmers.

Phase 2: Indian GS and Optional Subject (Months 3 and 4)

Standard Indian polity, economy, geography at Mains depth. Choose optional by Month 3.

Phase 3: Mains Writing and Mock Tests (Months 4 and 6)

Write with Chhattisgarh anchors. An answer on tribal rights should reference PESA Act and Chhattisgarh's implementation record. An answer on natural resources should integrate Bailadila and Mahanadi water sharing.

Sample Questions with Answers

Q1. Chitrakoot Falls is located on which river? Indravati river, in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. It is considered one of India's widest waterfalls.

Q2. Which state government scheme in Chhattisgarh involves the government purchasing cow dung from farmers? Godhan Nyay Yojana. Under this scheme, the Chhattisgarh government purchases cow dung from farmers and converts it into vermicompost (organic fertiliser), which is then sold. The scheme aims to make cattle economically valuable for small farmers and promote organic farming.

Q3. Bhilai Steel Plant was established in collaboration with which country? The Soviet Union (USSR). The Bhilai Steel Plant was set up in 1959 as part of Indo-Soviet industrial cooperation, one of the major public sector steel projects of Nehru's Five-Year Plan era.

Internal Links

For neighbouring state PSC guides, see the MPSC Rajyaseva 2026 guide, the JPSC 2026 guide, and the MPPSC 2026 guide on PapersAdda. For the 2026 government exams calendar, see the calendar hub on PapersAdda.