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Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC)

RAS / RPSC State Services

राजस्थान प्रशासनिक सेवा (आरएएस / आरपीएससी)

Prepare for the Rajasthan Public Service Commission Combined Competitive Exam with authentic previous year question sets, daily PIB current affairs tests, full-length timed mock simulations, and real-time All-India rank tracking.

Preliminary Examination Pattern & Marking Scheme

Exam Paper

General Knowledge & General Science

Questions & Marks

150 Questions / 200 Marks

Duration

180 Minutes

Negative Marking

1/3rd penalty (-0.44 marks per wrong answer)

Eligibility: Graduate degree. Age 21 to 40 years. • Official portal: https://rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in

Syllabus & Core Subject Modules

History, Art, Culture, Literature & Heritage of Rajasthan

राजस्थान का इतिहास, कला, संस्कृति, साहित्य, परंपरा एवं विरासत

Historical landmarks, forts, palaces, miniature paintings, folk music, dances, fairs, and festivals.

Indian History (Ancient, Medieval & Modern)

भारतीय इतिहास (प्राचीन, मध्यकालीन एवं आधुनिक भारत)

Salient features and major landmarks of Ancient and Medieval India, 19th & 20th century Indian renaissance.

Geography of World and India

विश्व एवं भारत का भूगोल

Major physical features, environmental issues, wildlife, biodiversity hotspots, and industrial regions.

Geography of Rajasthan

राजस्थान का भूगोल

Aravalli mountain ranges, Thar desert, drainage systems, lakes, climate, minerals, and irrigation projects.

Indian Constitution, Political System & Governance

भारतीय संविधान, राजनीतिक व्यवस्था एवं शासन

Constitutional development, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Union Executive, Parliament, and Judiciary.

Administrative & Political System of Rajasthan

राजस्थान की राजनीतिक एवं प्रशासनिक व्यवस्था

Governor, Chief Minister, State Assembly, Rajasthan High Court, RPSC, State Human Rights Commission, and Lokayukta.

Economic Concepts & Economy of Rajasthan

आर्थिक अवधारणाएं, भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था तथा राजस्थान की अर्थव्यवस्था

Macroeconomics, budget, fiscal policy, agriculture, industries, infrastructure, and Rajasthan welfare schemes.

Science & Technology

विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी

Nanotechnology, biotechnology, space technology, defense technology, communication, and environmental science.

Reasoning & Mental Ability

तार्किक विवेचन एवं मानसिक योग्यता

Logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, coding-decoding, number series, percentage, ratio, and data analysis.

Current Affairs (Rajasthan, National & International)

समसामयिक घटनाएं (राजस्थान विशेषांक, राष्ट्रीय एवं अंतर्राष्ट्रीय)

Major current events and personalities of Rajasthan, national policies, sports, and international awards.

Recommended Reference Works18 Books

Standard Reference Literature & PYQs for RAS / RPSC State Services

Topic-wise standard reference materials aligned with RAS / RPSC State Services preliminary curriculum.

Curated by Top Educators
State PSC Gold StandardSamayik Ghatna Chakra
Ghatna Chakra Samanya Adhyayan Purvavlokan (Complete 8-Book Set)

The undisputed Bible for State PSCs. 30+ years of MCQs from UPPSC, BPSC, MPPSC, and RPSC arranged topic-wise with exhaustive notes.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
NCERT FoundationNCERT Official
Complete NCERT Class 6-12 General Studies Set

The non-negotiable conceptual foundation for UPSC and State PCS. Covers Old & New NCERTs for History, Geography, Polity, and Economics.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
हिंदी माध्यमNCERT Official
एनसीईआरटी कक्षा 6 से 12 सम्पूर्ण सेट (हिंदी माध्यम)

इतिहास, भूगोल, राजनीति विज्ञान, अर्थशास्त्र और सामान्य विज्ञान के लिए कक्षा 6 से 12 तक हिंदी माध्यम एनसीईआरटी का आधिकारिक संकलन।

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Physical GeographyNCERT Official
NCERT Geography Class 11 & 12 (4 Books Set)

Includes Fundamentals of Physical Geography (Class 11) — the single most tested book for geomorphology, climate, and ocean currents in Prelims.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Highest Yield PolityM. Laxmikanth
Indian Polity

The universally indispensable standard reference work for Indian Constitution, Governance, and Fundamental Rights.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Core Modern HistoryRajiv Ahir (Spectrum)
A Brief History of Modern India

Crisp, point-wise coverage of the 1857 Revolt, Socio-Religious Reforms, Congress Sessions, and Freedom Movement (1757–1947).

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Ancient & MedievalR.S. Sharma & Satish Chandra (Oxford)
Ancient & Medieval India Combo (R.S. Sharma & Satish Chandra)

Covers Indus Valley, Vedic Age, Mauryas, Guptas, Delhi Sultanate, and Mughals with rigorous historiography.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Conceptual MacroeconomicsVivek Singh
Indian Economy

Simplifies macroeconomics, RBI monetary policy tools, fiscal deficit, balance of payments, and banking reforms with visual flowcharts.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
UPSC 20-Q EnvironmentPMFIAS
Environment & Ecology for Civil Services

Extensively covers Wildlife Protection Act, Ramsar sites, National Parks, Climate Treaties (COP/UNFCCC), and IUCN Red List species.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Map-Based GeographyOrient BlackSwan
Orient BlackSwan School Atlas

High-resolution political and physical maps covering Indian river systems, mountain passes, mineral basins, and world strategic straits.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
State PSC 30-Q ScienceLucent Publications
Lucent General Science (English & Hindi)

Essential factual coverage for Biology (human physiology, diseases, vitamins), Physics, and Chemistry essential for 30 Science questions in BPSC & State PSCs.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
CSAT 33% QualifierArihant Experts
Cracking the CSAT Paper-2

Covers Number Systems, Combinatorics, Data Interpretation, and Analytical Reading Comprehension passages for 33% qualification.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Mains Answer WritingCivil Services Quality Paper (100-300 GSM)
UPSC / BPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice Sheets (Ruled with Margin)

Exact examination simulation paper with pre-printed left & right margins. Essential for structuring 150-word & 250-word Mains answers within boundary lines.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Mains Speed Pen KitTop Choice of Toppers
Fast-Drying Exam Pens (Uni-ball Eye / Pentel Energel / Reynolds)

Smudge-free, smooth ink flow pens engineered for writing 4,000 words in 3-hour Mains papers without finger fatigue.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Posture & Spine CareErgonomics Study Gear
Adjustable Ergonomic Wooden Book Stand for Heavy Textbooks

Holds 1,000+ page books like Laxmikanth and Spectrum upright. Prevents neck, shoulder, and cervical spine fatigue during 8-10 hour study days.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Distraction-Free TimerAspirant Mock Time Tracker
Silent Digital Desk Stopwatch & Countdown Timer

Simulates the exact 120-minute countdown clock for full-length GS Paper 1 and CSAT practice without touching distracting smartphones.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Top Digital Study TabletApple
Apple iPad (10th Generation, 10.9-inch Wi-Fi)

The gold standard digital study tablet for civil services. Ideal for annotating daily current affairs PDFs, reading newspapers, and practicing mock tests on TestMeNow.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon
Best Value with StylusSamsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (with in-box S-Pen Stylus)

Best-value Android tablet for aspirants. Includes free precision S-Pen stylus in the box for handwriting notes directly on PDF magazines and mock papers.

Standard ReferenceView on Amazon

Previous Years Official Cutoff Marks (Out of 200)

YearGeneral / UROBCEWSSCST
2026 (Safe Target)1061061069697
2024 (Official)100.69100.69100.6991.4994.25
2023 (Official)100.69100.69100.6991.4994.25
2021 (Official)84.7284.7284.7272.6976.85
2018 (Official)76.0676.0676.0668.0173.38
2016 (Official)62.7462.7462.7454.3459.18
Independent Educational Portal Notice:

TestMeNow is an independent test preparation and cognitive analytics platform. We are not affiliated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or in any way officially associated with Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC). All official examination names, patterns, and syllabus outlines are referenced strictly for educational guidance, mock test simulation, and candidate self-evaluation under fair use. For official gazettes, application forms, and notifications, please visit the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) official portal directly.

Frequently Asked Questions (RAS)

What is the expected cut-off for RPSC RAS Prelims 2026?

For RPSC RAS Prelims 2026 (out of 200 marks for 150 questions), the expected safe score target is 106+ for General, OBC, and EWS categories (due to parity under commission norms), 96+ for SC, and 97+ for ST candidates.

What was the RPSC RAS Prelims previous year cut off (2024, 2023, 2021, 2018, 2016)?

The official RPSC category-wise cutoffs were: 2023/2024 (General: 100.69, OBC: 100.69, EWS: 100.69, SC: 91.49, ST: 94.25); 2021 (General: 84.72, OBC: 84.72, EWS: 84.72, SC: 72.69, ST: 76.85); 2018 (General: 76.06, OBC: 76.06, SC: 68.01, ST: 73.38); and 2016 (General: 62.74, OBC: 62.74, SC: 54.34, ST: 59.18).

How can candidates practice free RPSC RAS mock tests and solved past papers on TestMeNow?

TestMeNow offers 100% free online access to full-length 150-question RAS Prelims mocks, Rajasthan Special GK drills, and authentic 2016–2024 solved official papers with 1/3rd negative marking simulation and verified bilingual explanations. No paid subscription or app installation is required.

What is the exact marking scheme and 5th option rule in RPSC RAS Prelims?

The exam carries 150 questions for 200 marks (each correct answer awards +1.333 marks). Incorrect answers incur a 1/3rd deduction (-0.444 marks). RPSC has mandated a 5th option (E) for unattempted questions; candidates who fail to darken any option for more than 10% of questions face disqualification.

What is the subject-wise question weightage in RPSC RAS Prelims?

Rajasthan GK (History, Art, Culture, Geography, Economy, Polity) constitutes 65–75 questions (nearly 45–50% of the paper). Indian History, Polity & Economy account for ~30 questions, General Science & Tech ~20 questions, Mental Ability & Reasoning ~20 questions, and Current Affairs ~20 questions.

What is the format of the RPSC RAS Prelims examination?

It consists of a single objective paper titled 'General Knowledge and General Science' carrying a maximum of 200 marks for 150 questions, with a duration of 3 hours.

What is the penalty for incorrect answers in the RAS Prelims?

RPSC implements a negative marking scheme where 1/3rd (0.33) of the marks allotted to a question are deducted for every wrong answer.

Is there a separate CSAT paper in the RAS Prelims?

Unlike UPSC, the RAS Prelims features only one composite paper that blends General Studies, Science, Mental Ability, and Reasoning.

What percentage of questions typically cover Rajasthan-specific topics?

Roughly 40% to 50% of the paper concentrates heavily on Rajasthan’s history, art, culture, literature, geography, economy, and polity.

What is the eligibility age range for the RAS exam?

Candidates must generally be between 21 and 40 years of age, subject to standardized category-wise age relaxations.

Are candidates from states other than Rajasthan eligible for reservations?

No. Out-of-state applicants are treated strictly as General/Open category candidates with no claim to state reservations.

What is the qualifying nature of the RAS Prelims?

Prelims is purely a screening test. Marks obtained in Prelims are not added when calculating the final merit score for interview selections.

How many candidates are typically shortlisted for the RAS Mains exam?

RPSC typically qualifies roughly 15 times the total declared vacancies across various categories, depending on commission guidelines.

Is graduation mandatory to appear for the RAS Prelims?

Yes, a bachelor's degree from a recognized university or equivalent qualification is compulsory.

Can final-year college students apply for the RAS exam?

Yes, final-year undergraduate students are eligible to apply, provided they produce proof of passing before the Mains cutoff dates.

How does TestMeNow help Rajasthan RAS aspirants in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Kota?

TestMeNow provides dedicated Rajasthan Special test series covering Rajasthan Art & Culture, Economic Review, State Budget, and official RPSC previous year papers with instant rank analytics.

Are the Rajasthan Current Affairs and GK tests on TestMeNow updated for the 2025/2026 exam cycle?

Yes, all Rajasthan static and monthly current affairs tests on TestMeNow reflect the latest administrative districts, government schemes, and economic data.

Can I solve RAS / RPSC Prelims mock tests and past papers on mobile without installing an app?

Yes. TestMeNow requires zero app downloads. Aspirants can attempt 150-question 3-hour RAS simulations, complete with Rajasthan GK and economic review questions, directly on any smartphone browser.

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