State PSC & State Govt · Rajasthan · Updated October 2026
RPSC RAS ExamEligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Salary, Cut-Off, PYQs and Free Mock Test
Conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission, the RAS/RTS Combined Competitive Exam recruits officers to the Rajasthan Administrative Service, Rajasthan Police Service, Rajasthan Accounts Service, and subordinate state services. It evaluates candidates through a single-paper objective Prelims, four compulsory descriptive Mains papers (with no optional subject), and a Personality Test.
- Type
- Recruitment
- Level
- State · Rajasthan
- Conducting body
- RPSC
Start for free with RPSC RAS syllabus study notes, solved previous year papers, real-pattern mock tests and AI Tutor support.
RPSC RAS exam overview and highlights
About RPSC RAS
The Rajasthan State and Subordinate Services Combined Competitive Examination—popularly known as RPSC RAS / RTS—is the premier civil services examination of Rajasthan, conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission from Ajmer (Ghooghara Ghati). It recruits officers into 21+ State Services (including the Rajasthan Administrative Service [RAS], Rajasthan Police Service [RPS], Rajasthan Accounts Service, Commercial Taxes Service, and Cooperative Service) and 20+ Allied Subordinate Services (including Tehsildar Service, Excise Subordinate Service, and Food & Civil Supplies Subordinate Service). RPSC RAS is famous for its unique four-paper descriptive Main Examination (800 marks) with NO optional subjects and NO separate Essay paper: GS Papers I, II, and III uniquely blend core subjects with concise 20-mark administrative modules (Accounting & Auditing, Administrative Ethics, Public Administration, Sports & Yoga, Behavior, and Law), while Paper IV is a high-scoring 200-mark General Hindi and General English paper, followed by a 100-mark Personality Test.
The examination process for RPSC RAS comprises 3 stages: Preliminary Examination (Screening Test), followed by Main Examination (Written Descriptive - 800 Marks), followed by Personality and Viva-Voce Examination. The official syllabus tests candidates across 6 core areas — History, Art, Culture, Literature and Heritage of Rajasthan (Prelims & Mains GS I), Geography, Geology and Economy of Rajasthan (Prelims & Mains GS I & II), Sociology, Management, Accounting & Auditing (Mains GS I Unit III - 60 Marks), Administrative Ethics & General Science and Technology (Mains GS II Units I & II), Polity, Public Administration, Sports & Yoga, Behavior and Law (Mains GS III), General Hindi & General English (Mains Paper IV - 200 Marks) — focusing on conceptual clarity, speed, and accuracy. Prelims is a single 200-mark OMR screening paper that shortlists candidates in a 1:15 ratio for Mains. Final merit is determined strictly by the sum of all 4 compulsory Mains papers (200 marks each = 800 marks) and the Personality & Viva-Voce Examination (100 marks), totaling 900 marks.
Key subjects
- History, Art, Culture, Literature and Heritage of Rajasthan (Prelims & Mains GS I)
- Geography, Geology and Economy of Rajasthan (Prelims & Mains GS I & II)
- Sociology, Management, Accounting & Auditing (Mains GS I Unit III - 60 Marks)
- Administrative Ethics & General Science and Technology (Mains GS II Units I & II)
- Polity, Public Administration, Sports & Yoga, Behavior and Law (Mains GS III)
- General Hindi & General English (Mains Paper IV - 200 Marks)
What clearing RPSC RAS leads to
- Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS - Sub-Divisional Officer / SDM / Assistant Collector)
- Rajasthan Police Service (RPS - Deputy Superintendent of Police / CO)
- Rajasthan Accounts Service (Treasury Officer / Accounts Officer)
- Rajasthan Commercial Taxes Service (Assistant Commissioner, State GST)
- Rajasthan Co-operative Service (Assistant Registrar) & Rajasthan Excise Service (District Excise Officer)
- Rajasthan Tehsildar Service (RTS - Naib Tehsildar / Tehsildar)
Quick facts
- Conducting body
- Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC)
- Frequency
- Periodic (typically every 1 to 1.5 years)
- Exam mode
- Offline (OMR sheet) for Prelims; Offline descriptive pen-and-paper (printed space-bound answer-cum-question booklets) for Mains
- Languages
- Hindi and English
- Stages & papers
- 3 stages (6 papers total)
- Negative marking
- One-third (1/3) mark deducted per wrong answer or unbubbled 5th option in Prelims; none in Mains
- Official website
- rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in
RPSC RAS — Key Highlights & Official Particulars
Complete snapshot of RPSC RAS conducting authority, frequency, mode, stages, negative marking and official portal.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | RPSC RAS |
| Conducting Body | Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) |
| Exam Category | State PSC & State Govt |
| Exam Level | State level (Rajasthan) |
| Exam Type & Purpose | Recruitment (Direct Recruitment & Cadre Selection) |
| Exam Frequency | Periodic (typically every 1 to 1.5 years) |
| Usual Notification & Exam Window | Notification between June and September; Prelims in October or February; Mains 4 to 5 months after Prelims; Interviews within 3 months of Mains result |
| Mode of Application | Online via the Rajasthan Single Sign-On (SSO) portal (sso.rajasthan.gov.in / rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in) through One Time Registration (OTR) |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (OMR sheet) for Prelims; Offline descriptive pen-and-paper (printed space-bound answer-cum-question booklets) for Mains |
| Medium / Exam Languages | Hindi and English |
| Selection Stages | 3 Stages (6 Papers Total): Preliminary Examination (Screening Test) → Main Examination (Written Descriptive - 800 Marks) → Personality and Viva-Voce Examination |
| Negative Marking | One-third (1/3) mark deducted per wrong answer or unbubbled 5th option in Prelims; none in Mains |
| Selection / Merit Process | Prelims is a single 200-mark OMR screening paper that shortlists candidates in a 1:15 ratio for Mains. Final merit is determined strictly by the sum of all 4 compulsory Mains papers (200 marks each = 800 marks) and the Personality & Viva-Voce Examination (100 marks), totaling 900 marks. |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university; final-year undergraduate students may apply provisionally subject to acquiring the degree before the Main Examination begins. |
| Age Limit | 21 to 40 years as on January 1 of the year following the notification (25 to 45 years for Non-Gazetted State Government employees quota), with 5 years upper age relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, MBC, EWS Male, and General Women of Rajasthan, and 10 years for SC/ST/OBC/MBC/EWS Women of Rajasthan. |
| Pay Scale / Salary Structure | Pay Matrix Level 14 (Grade Pay INR 5,400) for RAS, RPS (DSP), Rajasthan Accounts Service, and Commercial Taxes Service; Level 12 (Grade Pay INR 4,800) for Cooperative, Jail, Employment, and Food Services; Level 11 (Grade Pay INR 4,200) for Rajasthan Tehsildar Service (RTS) |
| Merit Panel Validity | Valid for the notified recruitment cycle and reserve list period |
| Competition Scale | Around 6 to 7 lakh applicants competing for 700 to 1,000 State and Subordinate Service vacancies per cycle |
| Official Website | rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in |
Summary for orientation only, last reviewed October 2026. Check eligibility, dates and pattern in the official notification.
RPSC RAS exam schedule, vacancy, fee and online application process
Standard annual cycle and application workflow for RPSC RAS. Confirm exact notification and closing dates on the official RPSC website.
| Examination Event | Typical Calendar Window | Cycle / Mode |
|---|---|---|
| RPSC RAS Official Notification & Information Bulletin | Notification between June and September; Prelims in October or February; Mains 4 to 5 months after Prelims; Interviews within 3 months of Mains result | Periodic (typically every 1 to 1.5 years) |
| Online Registration & Application Fee Window | Typically remains open for 21 to 30 days from the date of notification release | Online Portal |
| Application Form Correction / Edit Window | 2 to 5 days immediately following the close of the online registration window | As Notified |
| Exam City Intimation & Admit Card Release | City slip 10–15 days prior; Hall Ticket / E-Admit Card 4 to 10 days before the exam date | Via Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) |
| RPSC RAS — Preliminary Examination (Screening Test) | Notification between June and September; Prelims in October or February; Mains 4 to 5 months after Prelims; Interviews within 3 months of Mains result | Offline (OMR sheet) for Prelims; Offline descriptive pen-and-paper (printed space-bound answer-cum-question booklets) for Mains |
| RPSC RAS — Main Examination (Written Descriptive - 800 Marks) | Typically 6 to 12 weeks after declaration of Stage 1 results | Shortlisted Candidates |
| Provisional Answer Key & Objection Representation Window | Within 3 to 10 days after completion of the objective examination shifts | Online Challenge |
| Final Answer Key, Normalized Result & Merit List / Scorecard | Typically 3 to 6 weeks after conclusion of the examination stage | Merit List PDF / Login |
- Vacancies & Competition
- Around 6 to 7 lakh applicants competing for 700 to 1,000 State and Subordinate Service vacancies per cycle. Exact post-wise, department-wise, and category-wise (UR, EWS, OBC, SC, ST, ESM, PwBD) vacancies are notified in the official RPSC RAS recruitment advertisement published by Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC).
- Application Fee & Payment Norms
- Standard Banking & Insurance application fee slabs apply: typically ₹750 to ₹850 (inclusive of GST) for General/OBC/EWS candidates, and ₹125 to ₹175 (intimation charges only) for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen candidates via online payment.
How to apply online for RPSC RAS
One-Time Registration (OTR) & Portal Login
Visit rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in and complete your candidate registration using a valid email ID, active mobile number, and Aadhaar / government photo ID details. Online via the Rajasthan Single Sign-On (SSO) portal (sso.rajasthan.gov.in / rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in) through One Time Registration (OTR).
Fill Academic, Personal & Exam Centre Preferences
Log in to open the RPSC RAS application form. Enter your qualifying degree/board details, category/reservation status, medium of examination (Hindi and English), and choose 3 to 4 preferred test cities.
Upload Photograph, Signature & Category Certificates
Upload a recent passport-size photograph (in prescribed KB dimensions and light background), scanned running-hand signature, and valid SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwBD/Domicile certificates where applicable.
Online Application Fee Payment & Confirmation Page
Pay the category-wise examination fee via UPI, Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or e-Challan before the closing deadline, then download and preserve the final RPSC RAS Confirmation Page / Application PDF for admit card and verification stages.
RPSC RAS eligibility criteria and age relaxation
Candidates applying for RPSC RAS must fulfil the academic qualification, age limit, nationality and category reservation rules notified by RPSC.
Educational qualification
Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university; final-year undergraduate students may apply provisionally subject to acquiring the degree before the Main Examination begins.
Age limit & relaxations
21 to 40 years as on January 1 of the year following the notification (25 to 45 years for Non-Gazetted State Government employees quota), with 5 years upper age relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, MBC, EWS Male, and General Women of Rajasthan, and 10 years for SC/ST/OBC/MBC/EWS Women of Rajasthan.
Number of attempts
No limit on the number of attempts within the prescribed age limit.
Nationality & domicile
Indian citizen.
Other conditions & standards
Working knowledge of Hindi written in Devanagari script and knowledge of Rajasthani culture and dialects (Marwari, Mewari, Dhundhari, Hadoti, Mewati, Vagdi) are essential.
RPSC RAS — Category-Wise Upper Age Relaxation & Reservation Norms
| Category | Age Relaxation / Rule | Key Conditions & Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) (Rajasthan Domicile) | +5 Years above prescribed upper age limit | Requires valid Rajasthan permanent domicile and caste certificate issued by the competent revenue authority. |
| Other Backward Classes — Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) (Rajasthan Domicile) | +3 Years above prescribed upper age limit | Candidate must fall outside the Creamy Layer as on the crucial closing date of the online application. |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD — UR / OBC / SC-ST) | +10 Years (UR) / +13 Years (OBC) / +15 Years (SC/ST) | Subject to post suitability and 40%+ benchmark disability certificate under the RPwD Act, 2016. |
| Ex-Servicemen (ESM) & Commissioned Officers (ECO / SSCO) | +3 to 5 Years after deducting military service rendered from actual age | Must produce discharge book / NOC from the competent defence authority at document verification. |
| State Government Employees / Women / Departmental Candidates (Rajasthan) | Up to +5 Years as per state service recruitment rules | Applicable to regular Rajasthan state government servants and horizontal reservation categories notified in the advertisement. |
RPSC RAS selection process and exam pattern
Negative Marking & Evaluation Rule: One-third (1/3) mark deducted per wrong answer or unbubbled 5th option in Prelims; none in Mains. Selection & Merit Weightage: Prelims is a single 200-mark OMR screening paper that shortlists candidates in a 1:15 ratio for Mains. Final merit is determined strictly by the sum of all 4 compulsory Mains papers (200 marks each = 800 marks) and the Personality & Viva-Voce Examination (100 marks), totaling 900 marks.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Screening Test)
Offline (OMR sheet with 5 options A, B, C, D, E) • 1 Paper (Single Preliminary Paper: General Knowledge and General Science (Rajasthan History, Culture, Geography, Economy & Polity, Indian GS, Science & Tech, Current Affairs, and 20 questions on Reasoning & Mental Ability)) • 150 Questions • 200 Total Marks • Duration: 3 hours • A single 3-hour objective OMR paper of 150 questions carrying 200 marks (1.33 marks per question) with 1/3 negative marking and a mandatory 5th option ('E') for unattempted questions.
A single 3-hour objective OMR paper of 150 questions carrying 200 marks (1.33 marks per question) with 1/3 negative marking and a mandatory 5th option ('E') for unattempted questions. Roughly 55 to 65 questions come directly from Rajasthan History, Art, Culture, Geography, Polity, and Economy.
Paper / Section Questions Marks Duration Single Preliminary Paper: General Knowledge and General Science (Rajasthan History, Culture, Geography, Economy & Polity, Indian GS, Science & Tech, Current Affairs, and 20 questions on Reasoning & Mental Ability)Qualifying screening paper; 1/3 negative marking; Option E must be bubbled if skipping a question 150 200 3 hours Stage 2: Main Examination (Written Descriptive - 800 Marks)
Descriptive, pen and paper (fixed-space answer booklets) • 4 Papers (Paper I: General Studies I (Unit I: History of Rajasthan, India & World [75 marks]; Unit II: Indian & Rajasthan Economy [65 marks]; Unit III: Sociology [20 marks], Management [20 marks], and Accounting & Auditing [20 marks]), Paper II: General Studies II (Unit I: Administrative Ethics [65 marks]; Unit II: General Science & Technology [70 marks]; Unit III: Earth Science / Geography & Geology of World, India & Rajasthan [65 marks]), Paper III: General Studies III (Unit I: Indian Political System, World Politics & Current Affairs [75 marks]; Unit II: Concepts, Issues & Dynamics of Public Administration and Management [65 marks]; Unit III: Sports & Yoga [20 marks], Behavior / Psychology [20 marks], and Law [20 marks]) + 1 more) • Questions: 15-word (2 marks), 50-word (5 marks) & 100-word (10 marks) compulsory questions • 800 Total Marks • Duration: 3 hours • A four-paper descriptive examination of 200 marks each (800 marks total) with NO optional subjects.
A four-paper descriptive examination of 200 marks each (800 marks total) with NO optional subjects. Papers I, II, and III use a strict 15-word (2 marks), 50-word (5 marks), and 100-word (10 marks) format, while Paper IV tests General Hindi (120 marks) and General English (80 marks).
Paper / Section Questions Marks Duration Paper I: General Studies I (Unit I: History of Rajasthan, India & World [75 marks]; Unit II: Indian & Rajasthan Economy [65 marks]; Unit III: Sociology [20 marks], Management [20 marks], and Accounting & Auditing [20 marks])Counted for final merit 15-word (2 marks), 50-word (5 marks) & 100-word (10 marks) compulsory questions 200 3 hours Paper II: General Studies II (Unit I: Administrative Ethics [65 marks]; Unit II: General Science & Technology [70 marks]; Unit III: Earth Science / Geography & Geology of World, India & Rajasthan [65 marks])Counted for final merit 15-word (2 marks), 50-word (5 marks) & 100-word (10 marks) compulsory questions 200 3 hours Paper III: General Studies III (Unit I: Indian Political System, World Politics & Current Affairs [75 marks]; Unit II: Concepts, Issues & Dynamics of Public Administration and Management [65 marks]; Unit III: Sports & Yoga [20 marks], Behavior / Psychology [20 marks], and Law [20 marks])Counted for final merit 15-word (2 marks), 50-word (5 marks) & 100-word (10 marks) compulsory questions 200 3 hours Paper IV: General Hindi and General English (Part A: General Hindi - 120 marks; Part B: General English - 80 marks)Counted for final merit; highest-scoring rank-decider paper in RAS Mains Grammar, Comprehension, Précis, Official Drafting, Translation & Essay 200 3 hours Stage 3: Personality and Viva-Voce Examination
In-person interview • 1 Paper (Personality and Viva-Voce Test) • 100 Total Marks • Candidates shortlisted in a 1:2 to 1:3 ratio from the Main Examination face the RPSC Board in Ajmer for a 100-mark Interview assessing character, personality, physique, and deep knowledge of Rajasthani culture.
Candidates shortlisted in a 1:2 to 1:3 ratio from the Main Examination face the RPSC Board in Ajmer for a 100-mark Interview assessing character, personality, physique, and deep knowledge of Rajasthani culture.
Paper / Section Questions Marks Duration Personality and Viva-Voce TestAdded to 800 Mains marks for a grand total of 900 marks Varies 100 Varies Stage 4: Document Verification, Medical Fitness & Final Cadre/Post Allotment
In-person verification by Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) • Original academic, age, category & domicile certificates • Medical fitness examination & final merit allocation
Candidates shortlisted in the final merit list undergo thorough verification of original educational, age, category and domicile certificates followed by a prescribed medical fitness examination before appointment letters and cadre/department allotments are issued.
RPSC RAS subject-wise syllabus and study material
SmartRank organizes chapter-wise study notes for every subject below in 12 languages, with an AI Tutor on hand for doubts. Start exploring for free, and unlock the complete syllabus with Learn or SmartRank Pass.
History, Art, Culture, Literature and Heritage of Rajasthan (Prelims & Mains GS I) — Part I (Pre-historic and proto-historic sites of)
- Pre-historic and proto-historic sites of Rajasthan: Kalibangan, Ahar, Ganeshwar, Bairath, Balathal, and Bagor
- Major Rajput dynasties and rulers of Mewar, Marwar, Amer/Jaipur, Bikaner, Kota-Bundi, Chauhan of Shakambhari/Ranthambore/Jalore, and Bhati/Jat states
- 1857 Revolt in Rajasthan (Auwa, Kota, Nasirabad), Peasant Movements (Bijolia, Begun, Sikar, Barad), and Tribal Movements (Govind Giri's Bhagat Movement & Mangarh Dham, Motilal Tejawat's Eki Movement)
History, Art, Culture, Literature and Heritage of Rajasthan (Prelims & Mains GS I) — Part II (Praja Mandal Movements across princely)
- Praja Mandal Movements across princely states and the Seven-Stage Integration of Rajasthan (1948-1956)
- Forts & UNESCO Hill Forts of Rajasthan, temples, havelis, paintings (Mewar, Marwar/Kishangarh Bani Thani, Hadoti, Dhundhar schools), folk deities (Panch Pirs), Lok Sant (Jambhoji, Jasnathji, Dadu Dayal, Meera Bai, Mavji), folk dances, instruments, ornaments, and Rajasthani dialects/literature
Geography, Geology and Economy of Rajasthan (Prelims & Mains GS I & II)
- Physiographic divisions of Rajasthan: Western Sandy Plains (Thar Desert), Aravalli Range, Eastern Plains (Chambal, Banas, Mahi basins), and South-Eastern Hadoti Plateau; UNESCO Geoparks & Geo-heritage sites (Ramgarh Crater, Stromatolite parks)
- Climate, soil conservation, Indira Gandhi Canal (IGNP), Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP / PKC link), lakes, and wildlife (Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra, Ramgarh Vishdhari, Dholpur-Karauli, Keoladeo, Desert National Park)
- Metallic and non-metallic mineral monopoly of Rajasthan (lead-zinc, wollastonite, gypsum, marble, sandstone, lignite, Barmer-Sanchore petroleum basin, and potash/uranium reserves)
- Rajasthan Economic Review: GSDP, agriculture, livestock census, solar/wind renewable energy parks (Bhadla), tourism circuits, RIICO/BIP industrial policies, and flagship welfare schemes
Sociology, Management, Accounting & Auditing (Mains GS I Unit III - 60 Marks)
- Sociology (20 marks): Sociological thought in India, Sanskritization, Westernization, Secularization, Tribal communities of Rajasthan (Bhil, Mina, Garasia, Damor, Sahariya, Kathodi), and social problems (dowry, child marriage, addiction)
- Management (20 marks): modern concept of marketing, wealth maximization, sources of finance, leadership styles, group behavior, motivation theories (Maslow, Herzberg), entrepreneurship, and supply chain management
- Accounting & Auditing (20 marks): double-entry bookkeeping, financial statement analysis (ratio, fund flow, cash flow), working capital, zero-base & performance budgeting, social/performance/efficiency audit
Administrative Ethics & General Science and Technology (Mains GS II Units I & II)
- Administrative Ethics (65 marks): dimensions of ethics, Bhagavad Gita's Nishkama Karma, Gandhian Ethics, Kantian deontology, utilitarianism, emotional intelligence, moral dilemmas, and case studies
- Science & Technology (70 marks): Chemistry (states of matter, pH, polymers, soaps/detergents), Physics (gravitation, optics, heat, sound, nuclear fission/fusion), Biology (human systems, immunity, biotechnology, CRISPR), Space (ISRO), Defense (missiles), ICT, Nanotechnology, and traditional science/water harvesting in Rajasthan
Polity, Public Administration, Sports & Yoga, Behavior and Law (Mains GS III) — Part I (Indian Constitution, World Politics, Current)
- Indian Constitution, World Politics, Current Affairs, and Rajasthan State Polity (Governor, CM, State Assembly, High Court, RPSC, State Election Commission, Lokayukta, State Information Commission, and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan since Nagaur 1959)
- Public Administration (65 marks): evolution, classical & human relations theories, administrative culture, District Collector & Tehsildar roles, Lokpal, Rajasthan Guaranteed Delivery of Public Services Act 2011, and Rajasthan Right to Hearing Act 2012
- Sports & Yoga (20 marks): National & Rajasthan Sports Policies, SAI, Rajasthan State Sports Council, Maharana Pratap & Guru Vashishtha Awards, Ashtanga Yoga, and first aid/rehabilitation
Polity, Public Administration, Sports & Yoga, Behavior and Law (Mains GS III) — Part II (Behavior / Psychology)
- Behavior / Psychology (20 marks): Intelligence (IQ, EQ, SQ, CQ), Personality traits & assessment, Learning & Motivation, and Stress Management
- Law (20 marks): concepts of Ownership & Possession, Personality, Liability, Rights & Duties; RTI Act 2005, IT Act 2000, Intellectual Property Rights, Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Harassment at Workplace (POSH) Act, POCSO Act, Maintenance of Parents/Senior Citizens Act, and Rajasthan Tenancy Act 1955 & Rajasthan Land Revenue Act 1956
General Hindi & General English (Mains Paper IV - 200 Marks)
- General Hindi (120 marks): Grammar (Sandhi, Upasarg, Pratyay, Paryayvachi, Vilom, Samshrut Bhinnarthak, Vakyansh ke liye ek shabd, Shabd/Vakya Shuddhi, Muhavare, Lokoktiyan, Technical terminology - 50 marks) + Comprehension, Précis, Pallavan, Official Letter/Tender/Circular/Notification, Translation, and Hindi Essay (70 marks)
- General English (80 marks): Grammar & Usage (20 marks), Comprehension, Translation & Précis Writing (30 marks), and Composition, Letter/Report Writing & Paragraph Elaboration (30 marks)
RPSC RAS salary, pay scale, job profile & career growth
Pay Matrix Level 14 (Grade Pay INR 5,400) for RAS, RPS (DSP), Rajasthan Accounts Service, and Commercial Taxes Service; Level 12 (Grade Pay INR 4,800) for Cooperative, Jail, Employment, and Food Services; Level 11 (Grade Pay INR 4,200) for Rajasthan Tehsildar Service (RTS). Appointments under Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) carry structured pay progression, statutory allowances, and time-bound departmental promotions.
Pay Scale & Grade Structure
Pay Matrix Level 14 (Grade Pay INR 5,400) for RAS, RPS (DSP), Rajasthan Accounts Service, and Commercial Taxes Service; Level 12 (Grade Pay INR 4,800) for Cooperative, Jail, Employment, and Food Services; Level 11 (Grade Pay INR 4,200) for Rajasthan Tehsildar Service (RTS).
Appointing / Cadre Authority
Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) (Rajasthan State Government Service)
Allowances & Perks
Dearness Allowance (DA), HRA (by city classification), Medical Allowance, TA, and Rajasthan NPS / Pension benefits.
Probation & Training
Initial probation period (typically 1 to 2 years) with induction/foundation training before cadre confirmation.
Allowances, Perks & Service Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA) revised bi-annually in line with Consumer Price Index (AICPI)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) or official government quarters / leased accommodation
- Transport Allowance (TA), Leave Travel Concession (LTC), and Children Education Allowance
- Comprehensive medical care (CGHS / ECHS / State Health Scheme) for employee and dependents
- National Pension System (NPS) employer contribution, gratuity, and paid maternity/paternity/study leave
Promotion Hierarchy & Career Progression
- Entry-Level Cadre Appointment (Post allotment & induction training under Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC))
- Senior / Higher Grade Scale via Time-Bound Financial Upgradation (MACP / Dynamic ACP)
- Sectional / Supervisory / Inspector / Assistant Executive Cadre via Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) or LDCE
- Middle Management / Gazetted / Divisional Officer Scale
- Senior Administrative / Directorate / Executive Leadership Cadre
RPSC RAS cut-off trends, score normalization and safe target score
Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) releases stage-wise and category-wise RPSC RAS cut-off marks at each stage (Prelims/Tier-I shortlisting, Mains/Tier-II evaluation, and Final Merit List). Candidates must clear both minimum qualifying standards and overall/sectional merit cut-offs to advance.
RPSC RAS — Qualifying Standards & Safe Target Benchmarks
| Category | Qualifying Floor / Standard | Recommended Safe Target |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved (UR) | 30% to 40% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 72% to 82% of Total Marks (95+ Percentile in Mock Tests) |
| General — Economically Weaker Section (GEN-EWS) | 25% to 35% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 68% to 78% of Total Marks |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 25% to 35% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 68% to 78% of Total Marks |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) / PwBD | 20% to 30% Minimum Qualifying Floor | 58% to 70% of Total Marks |
Score Normalization & Marking Impact
Because RPSC RAS is evaluated on a uniform single-session paper scale under one-third (1/3) mark deducted per wrong answer or unbubbled 5th option in Prelims; none in Mains, raw score accuracy directly determines your rank on the official merit list.
Factors Determining RPSC RAS Cut-Off
- Total number of notified vacancies / available seats across Rajasthan cadres and institutions
- Total number of registered vs actual appearing candidates in the RPSC RAS cycle
- Relative difficulty level of the question paper (and shift-wise variation in multi-shift CBT exams)
- Category-wise vertical (UR, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST) and horizontal (PwBD, ESM, Women) reservation ratios
- Previous year cut-off trajectory and candidate score distribution at the top percentiles
RPSC RAS admit card, answer key and result guide
City slip 10–15 days prior • Admit Card 4–10 days before exam
RPSC RAS Exam City Intimation & Admit Card
Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) releases the advance Exam City Intimation Slip followed by the official RPSC RAS Hall Ticket / e-Admit Card on rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in. No hard copy is sent by post; candidates must log in with their Registration Number and Date of Birth / Password to download it.
- Clear A4 printout of the RPSC RAS e-Admit Card with visible barcode and photograph
- Original valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or PAN Card)
- 2 recent passport-size photographs matching the image uploaded in the online application
- PwBD / Scribe certificate and undertaking (if availing compensatory time or scribe facility)
Within 3–10 days after the examination
RPSC RAS Provisional Answer Key & Objection Window
After conclusion of the objective test, Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) uploads the candidate response sheet and Provisional Answer Key on rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in. Candidates can calculate their raw score and submit online representations against any ambiguous question or key discrepancy within the stipulated 48–72 hour window.
- Download your recorded Response Sheet PDF and match Question IDs with the Master Answer Key
- Calculate raw score using the official positive and negative marking formula
- Attach standard textbook / NCERT / official gazette proof if challenging any provisional key
- Review the Final Answer Key published after subject-expert scrutiny of all representations
3–6 weeks after stage completion
RPSC RAS Result, Scorecard & Merit List / Counselling
Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) declares the RPSC RAS result as a stage-wise Merit List PDF (with roll numbers and category cut-offs) and individual Normalized Scorecards on rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in. Shortlisted candidates proceed to the next stage, Document Verification, or Centralised Counselling.
- Download and save your official RPSC RAS Scorecard / Rank Letter PDF immediately upon release
- Verify category-wise and sectional cut-off marks in the official result write-up notice
- Keep original matriculation, degree, caste/EWS, and domicile certificates ready for verification
- Track reserve list / multi-round seat allotment updates on the official website
RPSC RAS mock tests
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RPSC RAS Full Mock Test 1
Preliminary Examination (Screening Test) · 150 questions · 3 hours
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RPSC RAS Full Mock Test 2
Preliminary Examination (Screening Test) · 150 questions · 3 hours
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RPSC RAS Full Mock Test 3
Preliminary Examination (Screening Test) · 150 questions · 3 hours
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RPSC RAS Full Mock Test 4
Preliminary Examination (Screening Test) · 150 questions · 3 hours
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RPSC RAS Full Mock Test 5
Preliminary Examination (Screening Test) · 150 questions · 3 hours
RPSC RAS previous year papers
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Recent RPSC RAS question papers
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Complete 10-year RPSC RAS paper archive
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Predicted questions for RPSC RAS
High-probability questions and topics for your next exam
How to prepare for RPSC RAS
- Treat Mains Paper IV (General Hindi 120 marks + General English 80 marks = 200 marks) as your #1 priority from Day 1; top rankers in RAS consistently score 125 to 145 out of 200 in Paper IV, whereas GS papers average 85 to 105.
- Master the six 20-mark 'small subjects' in GS I and GS III (Sociology, Management, Accounting & Auditing, Sports & Yoga, Behavior, and Law = 120 marks total)—their syllabi are short and direct, yielding nearly 70-80% marks with concise 15-word and 50-word definitions.
- Study the Rajasthan Economic Review, Rajasthan RBSE Class 9-12 'Rajasthan Adhyayan' books, and Rajasthan Tenancy Act 1955 & Land Revenue Act 1956 thoroughly.
- In Prelims, remember the mandatory 5th option ('E') rule: you get 10 extra minutes at the end of the 3-hour paper to ensure every unattempted question has Option E darkened; leaving more than 10% of questions completely blank leads to disqualification.
- Practice writing ultra-dense 15-word (2 marks) and 50-word (5 marks) answers inside RPSC's fixed space-lined booklets—avoid introductory filler sentences and hit keywords immediately.
- Read the official RPSC RAS notification carefully for the exact pattern, eligibility and selection stages.
RPSC RAS FAQs
Why is Paper IV (Hindi and English) considered the most important paper in RPSC RAS Mains?
Unlike UPSC where languages are qualifying, in RPSC RAS Mains, Paper IV (120 marks Hindi + 80 marks English = 200 marks) is fully counted in the 800-mark written total, and its objective grammar and drafting sections allow candidates to score 130+ marks.
What are the six 20-mark subjects in RPSC RAS Mains?
GS Paper I Unit III contains Sociology (20), Management (20), and Accounting & Auditing (20), while GS Paper III Unit III contains Sports & Yoga (20), Behavior/Psychology (20), and Law including Rajasthan Land Acts (20), totaling 120 high-scoring marks.
What is the 5th option (Option E) rule in RPSC RAS Prelims?
Every question on the RPSC OMR sheet has 5 circles (A, B, C, D, E). If you do not wish to answer a question, you must darken circle 'E'. Leaving a circle completely blank attracts a 1/3 mark deduction, and leaving more than 10% of questions blank disqualifies the candidate.
Are there any Optional Subjects or separate Essay papers in RPSC RAS Mains?
No, RPSC abolished optional subjects in RAS Mains, and there is no separate 250-mark Essay paper (only a 20-mark Hindi essay and 10-mark English paragraph inside Paper IV).
How much of the RPSC RAS Prelims paper comes from Rajasthan GK?
Roughly 55 to 65 out of the 150 questions in RAS Prelims (about 40% of the paper) are asked directly from Rajasthan's history, art, culture, geography, economy, polity, and state current affairs.
What is the selection process and exam pattern for RPSC RAS?
RPSC RAS is conducted by Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) across 3 stages: Preliminary Examination (Screening Test) → Main Examination (Written Descriptive - 800 Marks) → Personality and Viva-Voce Examination. Prelims is a single 200-mark OMR screening paper that shortlists candidates in a 1:15 ratio for Mains. Final merit is determined strictly by the sum of all 4 compulsory Mains papers (200 marks each = 800 marks) and the Personality & Viva-Voce Examination (100 marks), totaling 900 marks.
What is the age limit and educational qualification for RPSC RAS?
Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university; final-year undergraduate students may apply provisionally subject to acquiring the degree before the Main Examination begins. Age Limit: 21 to 40 years as on January 1 of the year following the notification (25 to 45 years for Non-Gazetted State Government employees quota), with 5 years upper age relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, MBC, EWS Male, and General Women of Rajasthan, and 10 years for SC/ST/OBC/MBC/EWS Women of Rajasthan.
Is there negative marking in the RPSC RAS exam?
Yes — One-third (1/3) mark deducted per wrong answer or unbubbled 5th option in Prelims; none in Mains. Candidates should use a two-pass attempt strategy during mock tests to keep accuracy above 85% and minimise negative marking deductions.
What is the salary and job profile after clearing RPSC RAS?
Pay Matrix Level 14 (Grade Pay INR 5,400) for RAS, RPS (DSP), Rajasthan Accounts Service, and Commercial Taxes Service; Level 12 (Grade Pay INR 4,800) for Cooperative, Jail, Employment, and Food Services; Level 11 (Grade Pay INR 4,200) for Rajasthan Tehsildar Service (RTS).
When is the RPSC RAS notification released and how can I apply online?
RPSC RAS is held periodic (typically every 1 to 1.5 years) (Notification between June and September; Prelims in October or February; Mains 4 to 5 months after Prelims; Interviews within 3 months of Mains result). Online via the Rajasthan Single Sign-On (SSO) portal (sso.rajasthan.gov.in / rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in) through One Time Registration (OTR).
How can I prepare for RPSC RAS on SmartRank?
Select RPSC RAS as your target exam on SmartRank to get chapter-by-chapter study material built around its syllabus covering History, Art, Culture, Literature and Heritage of Rajasthan (Prelims & Mains GS I), Geography, Geology and Economy of Rajasthan (Prelims & Mains GS I & II), Sociology, Management, Accounting & Auditing (Mains GS I Unit III - 60 Marks), Administrative Ethics & General Science and Technology (Mains GS II Units I & II), solved previous year question papers, topic and full-length mock tests in the exact RPSC RAS pattern, a timed exam simulator, subject-wise analytics, an adaptive daily study plan and an AI Tutor.