RPSC RAS/RTS 2026 –
Complete Preparation 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. Graduate degree required. Age 21–40 years (as on 1 Jan 2027). 3-stage selection: Prelims → Mains → Interview. Starting salary ₹44,900–₹1,77,500/month with promotion to IAS cadre possible.
What is RPSC RAS/RTS 2026?
The Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) and Rajasthan Taxation 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.
A selected RAS officer is appointed to posts such as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Tehsildar, Block Development Officer (BDO), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and senior officers in 23+ Rajasthan state 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 7.5 crore population across 50 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
✅ RPSC RAS 2026 Notification is OUT! Official notification released on 27 May 2026 for 607 vacancies. Apply online from 4 June – 3 July 2026 via rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in. Prelims on 29 November 2026.
| 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 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 | 🔵 Upcoming |
| RPSC RAS 2026 – Application Last Date | 3 July 2026 | 🔵 Upcoming |
| RPSC RAS 2026 – Preliminary Examination | 29 November 2026 (Sunday) | 🔵 Upcoming |
| RPSC RAS 2026 – Main Examination | 2027 (TBN) | ⚠️ TBN |
| 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 | TBN |
| RAS 2026 (current) | 607 (192 State + 415 Subordinate) | 29 Nov 2026 | TBN |
📝 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) | Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Tehsildar, BDO, District Supply Officer |
| Rajasthan Taxation Service (RTS) | Commercial Taxes Officer (CTO), State Tax Officer |
| Rajasthan Police Service (RPS) | Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) |
| Rajasthan Accounts Service | Accounts Officer / Senior Accounts Officer |
| Rajasthan Co-operative Service | Co-operative Development Officer |
| Rajasthan Forest Service | Range Forest Officer (RFO) |
| Other Allied Services | Various Group A & B posts across 23+ departments |
📊 Previous Year Cut-offs
| Category | Prelims 2023 (est.) | Mains 2023 (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| General (Male) | ~95/200 | ~490/900 |
| General (Female) | ~88/200 | ~470/900 |
| OBC (Male) | ~88/200 | ~465/900 |
| OBC (Female) | ~83/200 | ~450/900 |
| SC | ~80/200 | ~430/900 |
| ST | ~75/200 | ~415/900 |
| EWS | ~88/200 | ~460/900 |
💰 Salary & Career Growth
| Grade / Post | Basic Pay (Pay Matrix) | TA (approx.) | HRA |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDM / Tehsildar (Pay Matrix Level 14) | ₹56,100–₹1,77,500/month | ₹7,200–₹9,000 | 18% of basic (Non-metro) |
| BDO / District Officer (Level 11–13) | ₹44,900–₹1,42,400/month | ₹6,000–₹7,200 | 18% of basic |
| Deputy SP / RTS Officer (Level 10–12) | ₹56,100–₹1,77,500/month | ₹7,200 | 18% of basic |
| IAS-equivalent after promotion (DM) | ₹1,44,200–₹2,18,200/month | ₹15,750 | As applicable |
📈 Career Progression Path
Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS)
Group A · On joining
Sub-Divisional Magistrate / Tehsildar
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
Navigate to the RPSC section and find the RAS 2026 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 3 July 2026 (midnight) 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 | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan General Knowledge | Lucent / Lakshya Publications | Rajasthan GK (Prelims) | Buy |
| Indian Polity | M. Laxmikanth | Polity | Buy |
| Indian Economy | Ramesh Singh | Economy | Buy |
| Certificate Physical & Human Geography | G.C. Leong | Geography | Buy |
| 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) | Buy |
| 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+) | Buy |
| Rajasthan Adhyan Saar Sangrah Prashan Bank (वस्तुनिष्ठ प्रश्न व्याख्या सहित) | Gauri Publication | Rajasthan GK Question Bank | Buy |
| Errorless 12 Year-wise RPSC RAS Prelims Solved Papers (2000–25) | Disha Publications (3rd Edition) | Previous Year Papers + 5 Practice Sets | Buy |
| Rajasthan GK Abhikathan-Karan (कथन-कारण) 2026 – RPSC & RSMSSB New Pattern | Gauri Publication | Rajasthan History, Art, Culture, Geography, Polity | Buy |
🌐 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.
Testbook RAS Free Mocks
Free full-length RAS Prelims mock tests with detailed analysis and Rajasthan GK practice sets.
💡 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
What is the RPSC RAS 2026 notification date?
How many vacancies are there in RPSC RAS 2026?
What is the age limit for RPSC RAS 2026?
What is the RPSC RAS exam pattern?
What is the salary of an RAS officer in 2026?
Is Rajasthan domicile required for RPSC RAS?
When is the RPSC RAS 2026 Prelims exam date?
What is the application fee for RPSC RAS 2026?
📅 Last Updated: 28 May 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. TaiyarHo.in is not affiliated with RPSC or any government body.