RPSC RAS/RTS 2026 –
RTS Full Form, Exam Date & Complete Guide
The Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS/RTS) is conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) to appoint Group A & B officers for 23+ state services including SDM, Tehsildar, DSP, and BDO. RTS full form: Rajasthan Tehsildar Service (राजस्थान तहसीलदार सेवा); RAS = Rajasthan Administrative Service (राजस्थान प्रशासनिक सेवा). Graduate degree required. Age 21–40 years (as on 1 Jan 2027). 3-stage selection: Prelims → Mains → Interview. RAS/RPS officers start at Level 14 (₹56,100 basic), with promotion to the IAS cadre possible.
What is RPSC RAS/RTS 2026?
The Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) and Rajasthan Tehsildar Service (RTS) exam — commonly called RAS/RTS — is conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) to recruit officers for the state's administrative machinery. It is Rajasthan's equivalent of the UPSC Civil Services exam and is considered one of the most prestigious state-level examinations in India.
Through this one exam, candidates are appointed as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Block Development Officer (BDO), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Tehsildar (through the Rajasthan Tehsildar Service, RTS) and officers in many other Rajasthan State and Subordinate services. The exam covers a single combined Prelims, followed by Mains and Interview, with the final allocation of service/post based on merit and preference.
RAS officers serve Rajasthan's approximately 8.5 crore population across the state's districts. High-performing RAS officers are eligible for induction into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre after several years of exemplary service — making RAS a long-term career with national impact potential.
📅 RPSC RAS 2026 Important Dates
📢 Exam date revised: RAS 2026 Prelims is now on 6 December 2026 (earlier 29 November) as per RPSC's press note of 2 July 2026; Mains on 1–2 May 2027. Applications closed on 3 July 2026 (607 vacancies). Admit card date: TBN. Official site: rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| RPSC RAS 2023 Notification Released | June 2023 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2023 Online Application Last Date | July 2023 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2023 Prelims Exam (Conducted) | 1 October 2023 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2023 Mains Exam | 20–21 July 2024 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2023 Interview (Completed) | April 2025 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2023 Final Result Declared | 5 February 2026 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2024 Notification Released | September 2024 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2024 Prelims Exam (Conducted) | 2 February 2025 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2024 Mains Exam (Conducted) | 17–18 June 2025 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2024 Interview (Completed) | Dec 2025 – Apr 2026 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2024 Final Result Declared | 18 April 2026 | ✅ Done |
| 🆕 RPSC RAS 2026 – Official Notification Out! | 27 May 2026 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2026 – Online Application Opens | 4 June 2026 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2026 – Application Window Closed | 3 July 2026 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2026 – Prelims Date Revised (RPSC press note, 2 July 2026) | 29 Nov → 6 Dec 2026 | ✅ Done |
| RPSC RAS 2026 – Prelims Admit Card | TBN | ⚠️ TBN |
| RPSC RAS 2026 – Preliminary Examination | 6 December 2026 (Sunday) | 🔵 Upcoming |
| RPSC RAS 2026 – Main Examination | 1–2 May 2027 | 🔵 Upcoming |
| RPSC RAS 2026 – Interview & Final Result | TBN | ⚠️ TBN |
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
💼 Vacancies History
| Cycle | Vacancies | Prelims | Mains |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAS 2018 | 980 | Aug 2018 | Jun–Jul 2021 |
| RAS 2021 | 988 | Oct 2021 | Jul 2023 |
| RAS 2023 | 905 | Oct 2023 | Jul 2024 |
| RAS 2024 | 1,096 | Feb 2025 | Jun 2025 |
| RAS 2026 (current) | 607 (192 State + 415 Subordinate) | 6 Dec 2026 | 1–2 May 2027 |
📝 Exam Pattern
Stage 1 — Preliminary Examination
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge & General Science | 150 | 200 | 3 Hours |
Stage 2 — Main Examination (Descriptive)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies I (History, Art, Culture, Geography, Natural Resources) | 200 | 3 Hrs |
| Paper II | General Studies II (Polity, Administration, Economy, Science & Technology) | 200 | 3 Hrs |
| Paper III | General Studies III (Rajasthan Economy, History, Culture, Polity) | 200 | 3 Hrs |
| Paper IV | General Hindi & General English | 200 | 3 Hrs |
| Interview | Personality Test / Viva Voce | 100 | — |
| Total | 900 | — | |
📚 Detailed Syllabus
Click any subject to expand the full topic list.
🏛️ History, Art & Culture (Prelims + Mains Paper I)
- Indian History — Ancient, Medieval, Modern (Freedom Movement focus)
- Rajasthan History: Major dynasties (Mewar, Marwar, Dhundhar, Jaipur)
- Post-independence India: Key events, Indian Constitution framing
- Rajasthan Art & Architecture: Forts, Palaces, Miniature Painting, Haveli tradition
- Rajasthan Fairs & Festivals: Pushkar, Teej, Gangaur, Jaisalmer Desert Festival
- Folk Music, Dance: Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Bhavai, Katputli, Maand music
- Rajasthani Literature: Prithviraj Raso, Veli Krisan Rukamani Ri, famous poets
🌍 Geography & Natural Resources (Prelims + Mains Paper I)
- Physical geography of India: Climate zones, soil types, river systems
- Rajasthan Geography: Desert, Aravalli Range, Eastern Plains, Hadoti Plateau
- Rajasthan Rivers: Chambal, Banas, Luni, Ghaggar, Banas, Mahi
- Natural resources of Rajasthan: Minerals (marble, granite, zinc, copper, silver)
- Wildlife sanctuaries & National Parks: Ranthambore, Sariska, Keoladeo, Desert NP
- Rajasthan Water Projects: Indira Gandhi Canal, Bisalpur, Ramgarh, Jawahar Sagar
- Climate, Agriculture: Bajra, Jowar, Mustard, Cotton; agro-climatic zones
🏛️ Indian & Rajasthan Polity & Administration (Mains Paper II)
- Indian Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSPs, Fundamental Duties
- Parliament: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Joint Sessions, Money Bills
- Executive: President, PM, Union Cabinet, role & powers
- Judiciary: Supreme Court, High Courts, Judicial Review, PIL
- Rajasthan Polity: Governor, CM, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
- Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan: Three-tier structure, DUDA, gram sabha
- Administrative structures: Revenue administration, Collector's role, district governance
- Public Policy & e-Governance: Jan Aadhaar, Rajasthan Jan Soochna Portal, Bhamashah
💰 Economy & Development (Mains Paper II & III)
- Indian Economy: National Income, GDP, Fiscal policy, Monetary policy (RBI)
- Five Year Plans, NITI Aayog, SDGs, poverty estimates
- Rajasthan Economy: Agriculture, industry, tourism sectors
- Flagship schemes: PM Kisan, MNREGS, Rajasthan Mission on Livelihood
- Budget basics: Revenue, capital, Union & Rajasthan state budget
- Banking & Finance: Nationalised banks, RBI, cooperative banks, Jan Dhan
- Agricultural economics: MSP, crop insurance (PMFBY), water conservation schemes
- Rajasthan Industrial Policy, MSME development, RIICO, investments
🔬 Science & Technology + Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Paper II)
- Basic Physics, Chemistry, Biology — Class 10–12 level
- Space & Defence: ISRO missions, DRDO, recent defence acquisitions
- IT & e-Governance: Digital India, Aadhaar, cyber security basics
- Health: National Health Mission, COVID learnings, Ayushman Bharat
- Agriculture & Technology: Precision farming, drip irrigation, GM crops policy
- Environment & Climate: Paris Agreement, COP summits, Rajasthan Solar Policy
- Current Affairs: Last 18–24 months national + international + Rajasthan-specific
- Awards, appointments, important days, summits, books
✍️ General Hindi & General English (Mains Paper IV)
- Hindi: Comprehension passage, essay writing, précis, grammar — tatsam/tadbhav, sandhi, samas
- Hindi essay topics: Social issues, Rajasthan development, environment
- Hindi letter writing: Official and semi-official formats
- English: Comprehension passage, essay, précis, letter/application writing
- English Grammar: Tenses, active-passive, direct-indirect, vocabulary
- Translation: Hindi to English & English to Hindi paragraph
🏛️ Services & Posts Under RAS
| Service | Key Posts |
|---|---|
| Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) — State Service | Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), BDO, District Supply Officer · 57 posts in RAS 2026 |
| Rajasthan Tehsildar Service (RTS) — Subordinate Service | Tehsildar (revenue administration of a tehsil) · 2026 post count: see notification |
| Rajasthan Police Service (RPS) — State Service | Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) · 26 posts in RAS 2026 |
| Rajasthan Accounts Service — State Service | Accounts Officer · 36 posts in RAS 2026 |
| Rajasthan Commercial Tax Service — State Service | Commercial Tax Officer (no posts in the 2026 cycle) |
| Rajasthan Cooperative Subordinate Service | Cooperative department subordinate posts · 109 posts in RAS 2026 |
| Other State & Subordinate Services | Transport, Tourism, Prison, Insurance, Excise, Food & Civil Supplies, Labour Welfare and more — full list in the official notification |
📊 Previous Year Cut-offs
| Category | Prelims 2023 | Prelims 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| General (Male) | 100.69/200 | 71.59/200 |
| General (Female) | ~88/200 | ~60/200 |
| OBC (Male) | 100.69/200 | 71.59/200 |
| OBC (Female) | ~88/200 | ~60/200 |
| SC (Male) | ~85/200 | ~58/200 |
| ST (Male) | ~75/200 | ~50/200 |
| EWS | 100.69/200 | 71.59/200 |
💰 Salary & Career Growth
| Grade / Post | Pay Level · Entry Basic | Basic + DA (60%) | Net after 10% NPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAS officer — SDM (State Service) | Level 14 · ₹56,100 | ₹89,760 | ≈ ₹80,784 + HRA |
| RPS officer — DSP (State Service) | Level 14 · ₹56,100 | ₹89,760 | ≈ ₹80,784 + HRA |
| Tehsildar (Rajasthan Tehsildar Service — RTS) | Level 11 (old Grade Pay ₹4,200) | TBN | TBN |
| During 2-year probation (all services) | Fixed remuneration | — | ≈ ₹35,370 net/month |
📈 Career Progression Path
RAS Probationer (training at HCM RIPA)
Group A · First 2 years
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)
Group A · 0–5 yrs
Additional Collector / CEO Zila Parishad
Group A (Sr) · 8–12 yrs
District Collector (if promoted to IAS)
IAS Cadre · 15–20 yrs
Divisional Commissioner / Spl. Secretary
IAS Senior · 20+ yrs
Chief Secretary / ACS (State)
Apex Scale · 30+ yrs
🖥️ How to Apply for RPSC RAS 2026
- 1
Visit the Rajasthan SSO Portal at sso.rajasthan.gov.in and log in with your SSO ID. If you do not have an SSO ID, register using your Aadhaar card or Jan Aadhaar card. Complete your One Time Registration (OTR) if not done already.
- 2
(Applications for RAS 2026 closed on 3 July 2026 — these steps are for reference and the next cycle.) Navigate to the RPSC section and find the RAS advertisement (Advt. No. 02/Exam/RAS&RTS/RPSC/EP-I/2026–27). Download and read the official notification PDF carefully before applying.
- 3
Fill in the online application form with personal details, educational qualification, district preference, and category. Upload scanned photograph (JPG, 50–100 KB) and signature (JPG, 20–50 KB) as per specified dimensions.
- 4
Pay the application fee online: General/OBC (Creamy Layer)/Other States – ₹600; SC/ST/PwBD/OBC-EBC (Non-Creamy Layer of Rajasthan) – ₹400. Payment is via net banking, debit card, or UPI through the SSO portal.
- 5
Submit the application before the last date (for RAS 2026 it was 3 July 2026) and download the confirmation page. Keep a printout for future reference — you will need it for admit card download and document verification.
🗓️ 12-Month Study Plan
Start with Rajasthan-specific history — the dynasties of Mewar, Marwar, and Jaipur are asked directly in Prelims. Pair this with NCERT Class 6–12 Indian History. Make a list of all important Rajasthan fairs, dance forms, folk instruments, and folk deities. These small-detail questions are point-makers in Prelims.
Rajasthan Geography is extremely high-weight. Map every district, river, national park, and mineral deposit. For Polity, complete Laxmikanth (Indian Polity) once — it covers 70% of Polity questions. Focus on Rajasthan-specific administrative structures: Panchayati Raj, Revenue Administration, and the role of the Collector.
Rajasthan Economy questions focus on the state budget, flagship schemes, MSME, and tourism. For Science, Class 10–12 NCERT textbooks are sufficient. Current Affairs: read Rajasthan Patrika or Dainik Bhaskar summaries + one national newspaper. Cover last 18 months comprehensively for both India and Rajasthan-specific events.
Paper IV (Hindi & English) is scoring if practised. Write one essay and one précis weekly in both languages. Improve vocabulary and grammar through daily exercises. Start taking full Prelims mock tests — 1 per week with detailed review. Identify weak areas and revise.
Mains answers for RAS must be structured: introduction, body with subheadings, conclusion. Practise answer writing for all four papers. For Paper III (Rajasthan focus), create a subject-wise note on every major topic. Take sectional mains tests and join an offline/online answer-writing group if possible.
Revise all subjects using your short notes. Take 3–4 full Prelims mocks per week in the final month. For Interview: prepare a detailed DAF (Detailed Application Form) knowledge — interview panels always ask about your home district, Rajasthan current affairs, and Rajasthan culture. Practise mock interviews.
📖 Best Books for RPSC RAS 2026
| Book | Author | Subject | Find Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan General Knowledge | Lucent / Lakshya Publications | Rajasthan GK (Prelims) | Find on Amazon |
| Indian Polity | M. Laxmikanth | Polity | Find on Amazon |
| Indian Economy | Ramesh Singh | Economy | Find on Amazon |
| Certificate Physical & Human Geography | G.C. Leong | Geography | Find on Amazon |
| NCERT History (Class 6–12) | NCERT | History | — |
| Rajasthan History, Art & Culture | Dr. Hari Singh / Rajveer Singh | Rajasthan Culture | — |
| General Science (Class 9–12) | NCERT | Science & Technology | — |
| Rajasthan Sar Sangreh (Hindi) | Suresh Sharma / SL Nair | Rajasthan Complete GK | — |
| English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin (S. Chand 2026–27 Edition) | English (Paper IV) | Find on Amazon |
| Previous Year Papers RAS Prelims & Mains | Arihant / Kiran Publications | Practice Papers | — |
| Rajasthan GK Abhikathan-Karan (कथन-कारण) Prashn Sangrah 2026 | Gauri Publication (Paperback) | Rajasthan GK MCQs (1000+) | Find on Amazon |
| Rajasthan Adhyan Saar Sangrah Prashan Bank (वस्तुनिष्ठ प्रश्न व्याख्या सहित) | Gauri Publication | Rajasthan GK Question Bank | Find on Amazon |
| Errorless 12 Year-wise RPSC RAS Prelims Solved Papers (2000–25) | Disha Publications (3rd Edition) | Previous Year Papers + 5 Practice Sets | Find on Amazon |
| Rajasthan GK Abhikathan-Karan (कथन-कारण) 2026 – RPSC & RSMSSB New Pattern | Gauri Publication | Rajasthan History, Art, Culture, Geography, Polity | Find on Amazon |
Links marked (paid link) are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This costs you nothing extra, and books are chosen on merit only — no publisher pays us to recommend a title.
🌐 Free Preparation Resources
RPSC Official Website
Official notifications, admit cards, results, and syllabus PDFs from the Rajasthan PSC.
Rajasthan Govt Recruitment Portal
Single window for all Rajasthan govt jobs including RAS notifications via SSO login.
Unacademy RAS Preparation
Free RAS-specific live sessions, previous year analysis, and Rajasthan GK by top educators.
Study91 (Nitin Sir) – Rajasthan GK
Extremely popular Hindi-medium channel for Rajasthan GK, History and Culture topics.
Rajasthan GK by Khan Sir
Simplified Rajasthan current affairs and GK in engaging Hindi — great for prelims quick revision.
DRISHTI IAS (Rajasthan Focus)
Free RAS study material, current affairs, and exam strategy by a trusted UPSC-RAS brand.
Rajasthan Patrika e-Paper
Read the Rajasthan Patrika daily for state current affairs — essential for both Prelims and Mains.
RPSC Previous Year Papers (Free PDFs)
Download official RPSC RAS previous year question papers and answer keys directly from the commission website — best for authentic practice.
💡 Expert Tips for RPSC RAS
Rajasthan GK forms 40–50% of RAS Prelims. Geography (districts, rivers, minerals, wildlife), Culture (dance, festivals, folk deities), and Rajasthan History are standalone scoring sections. Allocate at least one-third of your preparation time here — no UPSC aspirant can skip it.
RAS Mains has 4 papers worth 800 marks + 100 marks Interview = 900 total. A single Mains paper can make or break your result. Structure every Mains answer with a crisp introduction, bullet-point body, and a one-line conclusion. RPSC examiners reward organised, readable answers.
Paper IV (Hindi + English) is the most neglected and most scoring paper. Most candidates underestimate it. Practise one essay in Hindi and one passage in English every week from Month 1. Many candidates miss the merit list by 5–10 marks — this paper is where those marks are recovered.
RAS Prelims is negative-marking based (1/3rd deduction). Do not attempt questions you are unsure about. Aim for 120–130 solid attempts out of 150, with 85–90% accuracy. Blind guessing costs more than it gains in RPSC.
Rajasthan Current Affairs (last 18–24 months) is essential — state government schemes, appointments, sports achievements, budget highlights. Read Rajasthan Patrika daily and keep a running note on Rajasthan-specific developments. It directly contributes 15–20 questions in Prelims.
The Interview (100 marks) has changed many final rankings. Know your DAF thoroughly. Boards frequently ask about your home district's geography, history, economy, and current problems. Prepare for situational administrative questions: "What will you do as SDM if…?" Practise with a mentor or in groups.
RAS cycle is long — Prelims to final result can take 2–3 years. Stay mentally prepared for the wait and use that time to prepare simultaneously for UPSC Prelims, which shares 60% syllabus. Dual preparation maximises your ROI on study time.
Revise Rajasthan GK at least 4–5 times before Prelims. Facts like river lengths, mineral locations, folk dances, and dynasty years need repetition to stick. Make a compact Rajasthan GK booklet of 40–50 pages for final week revision.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the RPSC RAS exam pattern?
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📅 Last Updated: 5 October 2026
Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from official RPSC notifications, press releases, and trusted educational sources for general guidance. While we strive for accuracy, exam dates, vacancy counts, eligibility criteria, and other details may change as per official circulars from the Rajasthan Public Service Commission. Always verify the latest information from the official RPSC website (rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in) before making any application decisions. Salary figures use the Rajasthan pay matrix and Rajasthan DA at 60% (from 1 January 2026); HRA is extra and depends on the posting city. Dates or numbers not yet confirmed are shown as TBN. TaiyarHo.in is not affiliated with RPSC or any government body.