HPRCA Assistant Staff Nurse Syllabus 2026 covers nursing fundamentals, anatomy, medical-surgical nursing, general knowledge, and aptitude topics for the 312 vacancies notified by Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog (HPRCA). The exam is conducted as a 120-mark Computer-Based Test with 120 questions to be completed in 90 minutes. This syllabus is based on the official notification released by HPRCA on 23 July 2026 for Post Code 26044. For the most current details, visit https://hprca.hp.gov.in.
The selection process comprises two stages: a Computer-Based Test (CBT) followed by Document Verification. The written test determines the final merit; document verification is qualifying in nature and carries no separate marks.
Understanding the HPRCA Assistant Staff Nurse Exam
The HPRCA Assistant Staff Nurse exam evaluates candidates on their nursing knowledge at the GNM/B.Sc Nursing level alongside general aptitude in reasoning, English, Hindi, and current affairs. This assessment determines eligibility for Assistant Staff Nurse positions in the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, Himachal Pradesh. The exam combines technical nursing content with general knowledge topics, reflecting the dual responsibility of nursing roles in clinical settings and community health programs.
Exam Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Organisation | Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog (HPRCA), Hamirpur |
| Post Name | Assistant Staff Nurse (Allopathy) |
| Post Code | 26044 |
| Total Vacancies | 312 posts |
| Total Questions | 120 (Objective / MCQ) |
| Total Marks | 120 |
| Exam Duration | 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes) |
| Exam Mode | Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Application Window | 30 July 2026 to 29 August 2026 |
| Official Website | hprca.hp.gov.in |
Selection Process
The HPRCA Assistant Staff Nurse recruitment follows a two-stage selection process:
- Stage 1 – Computer-Based Test (CBT): A 120-mark objective-type test covering nursing subjects at GNM/B.Sc Nursing level, General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Everyday Science, Logical Reasoning, Social Science, and General English & Hindi of Matric standard. 120 questions must be completed in 90 minutes.
- Stage 2 – Document Verification (DV): Candidates who qualify the written test are called for verification of original educational certificates, category certificates, Himachali bona fide proof, and HPNRC registration. This stage is qualifying in nature and does not carry separate marks.
Final merit is prepared solely based on marks scored in the written test.
Exam Pattern – Computer-Based Test
| Subject Area | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Subjects (GNM/B.Sc Nursing level) | 85 (approx.) | 85 |
| General Knowledge, Current Affairs & Everyday Science | 20 (approx.) | 20 |
| Logical Reasoning | 8 (approx.) | 8 |
| Social Science | 4 (approx.) | 4 |
| General English & General Hindi (Matric standard) | 3 (approx.) | 3 |
Test Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes)
Marking: 1 mark is awarded per correct answer. Negative marking for wrong answers has not been confirmed in the current notification; candidates should verify the exact marking clause against the official Advertisement PDF.
Note: The question and mark distribution above reflects the approximate split observed in the earlier Assistant Staff Nurse cycle (Post Code 25026) conducted in May 2026. This is indicative guidance based on that cycle; candidates must cross-check against the current official notification once fully released.
Detailed Syllabus – Nursing Subjects
The notification specifies that nursing content covers topics “up to the level of the prescribed essential qualification” (GNM or B.Sc Nursing). The following areas form the standard GNM/B.Sc Nursing curriculum from which questions are typically drawn:
Fundamentals of Nursing
- Definition and scope of nursing
- History and development of nursing
- Professional ethics and nursing code of conduct
- Nursing process and care planning
- Communication and interpersonal relationships
- Patient and family education
Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to human anatomy and physiology
- Cell and tissue structure and function
- Skeletal system, muscular system, and joints
- Cardiovascular system (heart, blood vessels, circulation)
- Respiratory system and gas exchange
- Digestive system and metabolism
- Nervous system and sense organs
- Endocrine system and hormonal regulation
- Urinary system and fluid balance
- Reproductive system
- Immune and lymphatic systems
Microbiology
- Classification and characteristics of microorganisms
- Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
- Sterilisation methods (physical and chemical)
- Disinfectants and antiseptics
- Culture media and techniques
- Staining procedures and microscopy
- Epidemiology and infection control
Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Principles of medical-surgical nursing
- Nursing care of patients with medical conditions (cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine disorders)
- Nursing care of patients with surgical conditions
- Wound care, dressing, and management
- Post-operative care and complications
- Management of acute and chronic illness
- Pain management
- Patient comfort and positioning
Community Health Nursing
- Concepts and principles of community health nursing
- Community assessment and health programs
- Maternal and child health services
- Disease prevention and health promotion
- Communicable and non-communicable disease control
- Health education and counselling
- Home care and community-based nursing
Obstetrical and Gynaecological Nursing (Midwifery)
- Anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system
- Normal pregnancy, labour, and delivery
- Antenatal care and monitoring
- Intrapartum care and complications
- Postnatal care and lactation
- Neonatal care and early infant feeding
- Common gynaecological conditions and nursing care
- Family planning and contraception
Paediatric Nursing (Child Health Nursing)
- Growth and development of children
- Nutrition and feeding in childhood
- Common paediatric diseases and nursing care (fever, cough, diarrhoea, malnutrition)
- Immunisation and vaccination schedules
- Care of sick children and hospitalised children
- Child health programs and screening
- Congenital anomalies and nursing management
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
- Concepts of mental health and mental illness
- Common mental health disorders (depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
- Therapeutic communication and nurse-patient relationship
- Psychosocial interventions and coping mechanisms
- Crisis intervention and suicide prevention
- Rehabilitation and community mental health
Pharmacology
- General pharmacology principles
- Drug classification and action
- Common drugs used in nursing practice (antibiotics, analgesics, cardiovascular drugs, GI drugs)
- Drug administration and routes
- Side effects, contraindications, and interactions
- Patient education on medication
Nutrition and Dietetics
- Principles of nutrition
- Nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water)
- Recommended dietary allowance (RDA)
- Nutrition in different life stages (infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, old age)
- Diet planning and therapeutic diets
- Nutrition-related disorders and management
First Aid and Emergency Nursing
- Principles of first aid
- Life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Wound management and bleeding control
- Burns and scalds management
- Poisoning and envenomation
- Fractures, sprains, and dislocations
- Shock and emergency conditions
- Disaster management and mass casualty care
General Knowledge, Current Affairs & Everyday Science
General Knowledge of Himachal Pradesh
- History, geography, and cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh
- Government and administration of the state
- Important government schemes and welfare programs
- State symbols, festivals, and tourism
- Industrial and economic development
National and International Current Affairs
- Major national events and news
- International relations and global events
- Government policies and announcements
- Awards and recognitions
- Sports and cultural events
Everyday Science
- Basic principles of physics (force, motion, energy, heat, light, sound)
- Basic principles of chemistry (elements, compounds, reactions, solutions)
- Basic principles of biology (cells, organisms, reproduction, heredity)
- Environmental science and conservation
- Human body systems and health
Logical Reasoning
- Analogies and classification
- Series completion (number and letter series)
- Coding and decoding
- Logical deduction and inference
- Verbal and non-verbal reasoning
- Basic numerical ability and calculations
Social Science
- History (Indian and world history up to Matric level)
- Civics and constitutional government
- Geography (physical and political geography, maps)
- Economics (basic economic concepts and principles)
General English & General Hindi (Matric Standard)
- Grammar and sentence construction
- Vocabulary and word usage
- Reading comprehension and passage analysis
- Spelling and error correction
- Basic translation (English to Hindi and Hindi to English)
- Sentence rearrangement and editing
- Phrases and idioms
High-Weightage Areas
| Subject/Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Subjects | 85 | 85 |
| General Knowledge, Current Affairs & Everyday Science | 20 | 20 |
| Logical Reasoning | 8 | 8 |
| Social Science | 4 | 4 |
| General English & General Hindi | 3 | 3 |
Nursing subjects account for 85 marks out of 120 – representing 71% of the total – making this the dominant section of the exam. Candidates must prioritise comprehensive nursing knowledge across all nine nursing disciplines listed in the detailed syllabus. The remaining 35 marks distributed across General Knowledge, Reasoning, Social Science, and English indicate that general aptitude carries significant but secondary weight. All sections must meet any applicable cutoff; this is not an exam where candidates can ignore non-nursing topics.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | Visit Website |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the HPRCA Assistant Staff Nurse Syllabus 2026 and which subjects are included?
Ans. The HPRCA Assistant Staff Nurse Syllabus 2026 covers 120 marks worth of nursing subjects (85 marks), general knowledge and current affairs (20 marks), logical reasoning (8 marks), social science (4 marks), and English & Hindi (3 marks). Nursing content spans nine key areas: Fundamentals, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Community Health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology, Nutrition, and First Aid.
Q2. How many questions are in the HPRCA Assistant Staff Nurse exam and what is the time limit?
Ans. There are 120 objective-type (MCQ) questions carrying 1 mark each, to be completed in 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes). This means approximately 45 seconds per question on average, so speed and accuracy are both essential.
Q3. Is negative marking applied in the HPRCA Assistant Staff Nurse 2026 exam?
Ans. Negative marking has not been confirmed in the current notification for Post Code 26044. The earlier Assistant Staff Nurse cycle (Post Code 25026) applied 0.25 mark deduction per wrong answer, but this has not been explicitly stated for the current 2026 cycle. Candidates should verify the exact marking clause against the official Advertisement PDF once fully released.
Q4. What are the most important topics to focus on in nursing subjects?
Ans. Microbiology (sterilization, disinfection, culture media), Anatomy & Physiology, and Medical-Surgical Nursing appear with notably high frequency in HPRCA nursing exams. However, since nursing subjects carry 85 marks total across nine disciplines, all areas require thorough revision. Start with topics you find most challenging and dedicate extra time to sterilization and infection-control concepts.
Q5. Are there any state-specific topics in the HPRCA Assistant Staff Nurse syllabus?
Ans. Yes. Himachal Pradesh GK is part of the General Knowledge section and covers the state’s history, geography, culture, government schemes, and administration. Standard national GK materials do not adequately cover HP-specific content, so allocate separate study time to this area. Refer to state government websites and HP tourism/administrative resources.
Q6. How should I prepare if my nursing qualification is from outside Himachal Pradesh?
Ans. The nursing subjects tested align with the standard GNM/B.Sc Nursing curriculum, so your existing qualification covers the technical content regardless of where you studied. Focus on revising your own course notes and standard nursing textbooks. The main additional effort required is covering Himachal Pradesh GK, general current affairs, and reasoning topics – these can be prepared through general competitive exam guides and state-specific study materials.
Q7. What books or resources should I use for HPRCA Assistant Staff Nurse preparation?
Ans. For nursing subjects, rely on your GNM or B.Sc Nursing textbooks (standard authors like Brunner & Suddarth, Potter & Perry, or IGNOU course materials). For General Knowledge, use competitive exam guides covering Matric-level GK, current affairs magazines, and HP government websites. For reasoning and English, standard SSC or state exam preparation books are suitable. Practice previous year papers from the May 2026 Assistant Staff Nurse exam to understand question patterns.
Q8. When is the HPRCA Assistant Staff Nurse exam expected to be held?
Ans. The application window is 30 July 2026 to 29 August 2026. The exam date has not been announced in the official notification reviewed; HPRCA typically conducts the exam 3-6 months after the application deadline. Check the official website regularly or subscribe to our free job alert service for updates on exam scheduling.
Your Next Step
Download the official notification PDF directly from the HPRCA website at https://hprca.hp.gov.in and cross-check the complete exam pattern and syllabus before you start preparation. Nursing subjects carry the highest weightage at 85 marks, so allocate the bulk of your study effort to revising anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and medical-surgical nursing from your GNM/B.Sc curriculum. Subscribe to our free job alert service to receive updates on the exact exam date, answer key release, and result announcements as soon as they are published.
