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.

Under Component C of the PM-KUSUM scheme, what is the primary operational mechanism adopted in Rajasthan to solarize agricultural pumping?

B: Feeder-level solarization of dedicated 11 kV agricultural feeders

A: Installing standalone diesel generator backup

B: Feeder-level solarization of dedicated 11 kV agricultural feeders

C: Providing free batteries to each individual farmer

D: Importing coal-based power from coastal plants

How does feeder-level solarization directly alleviate the human hardship of rural farming households during northern winters in Rajasthan?

A: By shifting irrigation power supply from freezing night hours to sunny daytime hours

B: By heating the canal water automatically

C: By eliminating the requirement for weeding crops

D: By providing free synthetic fertilizers

For rural households lacking individual pucca rooftop structures, what innovative model was announced in the budget to extend solar benefits?

B: Community solar plants for low-income and cluster households

A: Mandatory concrete rooftop construction grants

B: Community solar plants for low-income and cluster households

C: Free kerosene distribution systems

D: Underground nuclear batteries

What is the primary economic incentive that discourages farmers from wasting water under a solarized grid-tied pump system?

B: Ability to sell unconsumed solar electricity back to the DISCOM at a feed-in tariff

A: Heavy criminal penalties for pump operations

B: Ability to sell unconsumed solar electricity back to the DISCOM at a feed-in tariff

C: Mandatory confiscation of agricultural lands

D: Banning of all crop cultivation during rabi seasons

In the Water-Energy-Agriculture nexus, what has historically been the consequence of flat unmetered power tariffs on DISCOM balance sheets in Rajasthan?

B: Severe financial distress and reliance on massive state subsidy transfers

A: Huge cash surpluses for distribution companies

B: Severe financial distress and reliance on massive state subsidy transfers

C: Complete elimination of all transmission losses

D: Discontinuation of all rural power lines

What is the typical distance threshold of barren land from a 33/11 kV substation required for setting up a PM-KUSUM Component A solar plant?

D: Distance is completely unrestricted

Which agency in Rajasthan functions as the state nodal agency for the implementation of PM-KUSUM Component A and solar energy policies?

A: Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL)

B: Rajasthan State Road Development Corporation (RSRDC)

D: Rajasthan Khadi and Village Industries Board

What major environmental benefit accrues from replacing agricultural diesel pumps with solar pumps under PM-KUSUM Component B?

A: Zero local diesel soot emissions and significant reduction in agricultural greenhouse gases

B: Increase in local humidity causing artificial rainfall

C: Elimination of weeds around wellheads

D: Cooling of deep subterranean aquifers

Under the centralized feeder separation scheme in Rajasthan, how are agricultural power lines separated from rural domestic supply?

A: By providing dedicated separate 11 kV agricultural feeders alongside rural domestic feeders

B: By sharing a single common wire on alternate hours

C: By shutting down rural villages during crop harvest

D: By supplying power only on weekends

Which central flagship rooftop solar scheme is being converged with Rajasthan's domestic solarization targets?

A: PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

Module 6 • Agro-Solar & PM-KUSUMOctober 202615 min read

Energy Transition in Agriculture: Solar Feeders, Community Solar & Water-Energy Nexus

Target Exam: RPSC RAS / RTS Combined Competitive Examination•Official Sources: Rajasthan State Gazettes, Budget & Official ReleasesRajasthan State Gazettes, Budget & Official Releases

Energy Transition in Agriculture: Solar Feeders, Community Solar & Water-Energy Nexus

The nexus between water, energy, and agriculture is nowhere more acute than in Rajasthan. For decades, highly subsidized or unmetered agricultural power led to indiscriminate groundwater extraction. To break this unsustainable cycle without penalizing farmers, Rajasthan is deploying decentralized solar feeders, community micro-solar plants, and PM-KUSUM installations as structural economic solutions.

1. Budgetary Roadmap: Solar Push in Agriculture

As announced in the Rajasthan Budget 2025–26 and 2026–27:

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Agricultural Power Connections: Targeted 50,000 new agricultural electricity connections powered primarily via solarized feeders.

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Domestic Solarization: Provision of 5 lakh domestic solar rooftop/community connections and assistance linked to the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

•

Community Solar Plants: Establishment of shared community solar micro-grids dedicated to low-income and BPL rural clusters lacking individual roof capacity.

•

150 Free Units Structure: Targeted domestic electricity provisions integrated with decentralized solar credits to incentivize energy conservation.

2. PM-KUSUM Architecture in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is India's national pioneer and top performer in the implementation of the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) scheme:

Component A (Decentralized Solar Plants on Barren Land):

•

Farmers, cooperatives, and panchayats set up 500 kW to 2 MW grid-connected solar power plants on barren/un-cultivable agricultural land.

•

Generates predictable, drought-proof rental and power sale income for arid farming households.

Component B (Standalone Solar Agriculture Pumps):

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Replacement of polluting, expensive diesel pumps with subsidized standalone solar water pumps (3 HP, 5 HP, 7.5 HP) in non-electrified off-grid zones.

Component C (Solarisation of Grid-Connected Agricultural Pumps):

•

Feeder-Level Solarization: Rajasthan's flagship strategy. Instead of installing solar panels on individual pump sets across scattered farms, dedicated 11 kV agricultural feeders are solarized at 33/11 kV substations.

•

Delivers reliable daytime solar electricity to farmers, eliminating the hazard of night-time irrigation in winter and avoiding grid overload.

3. Resolving the Water-Energy-Agriculture Nexus (Core Mains Framework)

The Classic Vicious Cycle:

\text{Subsidized Power} \longrightarrow \text{Round-the-Clock Pumping} \longrightarrow \text{Aquifer Depletion} \longrightarrow \text{Deep Tubewells} \longrightarrow \text{Higher Subsidy Outlay} \longrightarrow \text{DISCOM Debt}

The Solar-Feedered Virtuous Cycle:

Daytime Controlled Power: Farmers receive reliable 8 hours of daylight power, naturally preventing midnight water wastage.

Surplus Power Sale: Farmers can sell unconsumed daytime solar energy back to DISCOMs, incentivizing conservation rather than excessive pumping.

Micro-Irrigation Convergence: Mandatory pairing with drip and sprinkler subsidies cuts farm water demand by 40–60%.

Key Examination Takeaways:

Rajasthan Budget targeted 50,000 new solar-powered agricultural electricity connections and community solar plants for low-income families.
Under PM-KUSUM Component C, feeder-level solarization at 33/11 kV substations delivers assured daytime irrigation power to farmers.
PM-KUSUM Component A enables farmers to earn assured rental income by generating solar power on uncultivable barren lands.
Resolving the Water-Energy-Agriculture nexus hinges on replacing unmetered flat power with solar feeder separation and mandatory drip/sprinkler linkages.

Energy Transition in Agriculture: Solar Feeders, Community Solar & Water-Energy Nexus

Energy Transition in Agriculture: Solar Feeders, Community Solar & Water-Energy Nexus

1. Budgetary Roadmap: Solar Push in Agriculture

2. PM-KUSUM Architecture in Rajasthan

3. Resolving the Water-Energy-Agriculture Nexus (Core Mains Framework)

The Classic Vicious Cycle:

The Solar-Feedered Virtuous Cycle:

Rajasthan Special 15-Question Practice Set