RPSC RAS (Prelims) Exam, 2026 : Syllabus

General Information

Scheme & Syllabus of Examination :-

• The Preliminary Examination will consist one paper on the subject specified below. which will be of objective type and carry a maximum of 200 marks.
• The examination is meant to serve as a screening test only. The Standard of the paper will be that of a Bachelor’s Degree Level. The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates, who are declared qualified for admission to Main Examination will not be counted for determining their final order.

Note :-

• There will be 150 questions of multiple choice (Objective Type), carrying equal marks.
• There will be negative marking 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer

Detailed Information

1. History, Art, Culture, Literature, Tradition & Heritage of Rajasthan

• Pre-historical sites of Rajasthan- from Palaeolithic to Chalcolithic and Bronze Age, Society and Culture of ancient Rajasthan.
• Sources of Rajasthan History: Archaeological, Archival, Literary and Numismatic.
• Political and Cultural achievements of prominent rulers of major dynasties- Cooperation and Resistance with central power, Administrative and Revenue System in Medieval Rajasthan.
• Political and Social condition in 18th-19th Century, Peasant and Trible movements in 20th century, Praja Mandal movements and Mass awakening, Integration of Rajasthan.
• Architectural Tradition of Rajasthan- temples, forts, palaces, Monuments, man-made waterbodies, Various schools of paintings and handicrafts: Performing Art: Folk Dances & Drama. Music (Classical and Folk) & Instruments.
• Language & Literature: Dialects of Rajasthani Language. Literature of Rajasthani language and Folk literature, Religious Life: Religious Communities, Saints and Sects in Rajasthan. Folk Deities of Rajasthan. Religious practices.
• Social Life in Rajasthan: Fairs and festivals; Social customs and traditions; attires and ornaments.
• Leading Personalities of Rajasthan.

2. Indian History

Ancient & Medieval Period:-

• Cultural Foundations of India- Indus and Vedic Age; Religious ideas of 6th Century BC- Ajivakas, Buddhism and Jainism.
• Achievements of prominent rulers of major dynasties: Maurya, Kushan, Satavahan, Gupta, Chalukya, Pallava and Chola.
• Art and Architecture & scientific development in Ancient India.
• Indian Knowledge and Value System: Varna Ashram, Purushartha, Sanskara, Philosophy and Education System.
• Sultanate Period: Achievements of prominent dynasties, Political & Cultural achievements of Vijaynagar empire.
• Mughal Period: Administration and various policies; Marathas.
• Development of Art & Architecture, literature, Paintings and Music during medieval period.
• Religious movements and contribution of Bhakti & Sufi movement.

Modern Period (from early 19th century to 2000):-

• British Imperialism and Resistance- Maratha, Mysore, Sikh. Revolt of 1857. British Political, Economic and Administrative policies. Emergence of Nationalism, Socio religious movements
• The Freedom Struggle & Indian National Movement- Evolution, stages and major events. Revolutionary and various regional movements towards freedom and partition.
• Post Independent Nation Building (up to 2000), Reorganization of state, Institutional building during Nehruvian age, Planning & Economic reforms, development of Science and Technology.

3. Geography of World and India

World Geography :-

• Physical Aspects :- Mountains, Plateaus, Plains & Deserts
• Major Rivers & Lakes
• Natural Vegetation
• Agriculture: Type, Distribution & important crops
• Major Industrial Regions and Industries.
• Transport Network.
• Environmental Issues- Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change & Global Warming, Ozone Layer Depletion.

Geography of India :-

• Physiographic division
• Climate
• Major Rivers and Lakes
• Irrigation
• Agriculture: Important Crops
• Minerals- Metallic and Non-Metallic
• Major Industrial Regions and Important industries

4. Geography of Rajasthan

• Rajasthan: Location, Extent and Physiography
• Rivers and Lakes
• Climatic characteristics
• Natural Vegetation, Biodiversity & Conservation
• Soil
• Agriculture
• Livestock
• Irrigation
• Population- Growth, Density, Literacy, Sex-ratio
• Urbanization
• Tribes
• Minerals- Metallic & Non-Metallic
• Tourism

5. Indian Constitution, Political System & Governance

• Framing of the Constitution, Preamble, Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy and fundamental Duties.
• Union Government- Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.
• Union State Relations, Emergency provisions.
• Urban and Rural local Government.
• Election Commission, Union Public Service Commission, National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for women, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Niti Aayog.
• Public Policy, Citizen Charter, Social Audit and Grievance Redressal system.
• Lokpal, Central Vigilance Commission, Central Information Commission.

6. Political and Administrative System of Rajasthan

• Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, the Rajasthan High Court, Subordinate Courts and other judicial bodies, Advocate General.
• Chief Secretary State Secretariate, Directorates of Various departments, Divisional Commissioner, District Collector/District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, Sub-divisional Officer, Tehsildar.
• Rajasthan Public Service Commission, Rajasthan State Election Commission, Rajasthan Information Commission, Rajasthan State Women Commission, Board of Revenue, Lokayukt.
• Administration of Panchayati Raj and Municipalities in Rajasthan.

7. Economic Concepts and Indian Economy

• Economic Growth and Development. Environmental Degradation and Sustainable Development.
• Measurement of Development- Conventional Method, Human Development Index and Related Indices.
• Role of Monetary and Fiscal Policy in Economic Development. Recent Budget of Government of India and Resource Mobilization.
• Fiscal Federalism- Centre-State Financial Relations and Finance Commission.
• Agricultural Development- Institutional and Technological Aspects. Reforms in Indian Agriculture. Challenges and Government Initiatives.
• Industrial Growth, Pattern and Policy and Industrial Reforms. Economic Reforms-Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization.
• Role of Service Sector in Economic Growth- Challenges and Opportunities. Energy, Transportation and Communication.
• Skill Development and Employment Generation- Programmes and Polices. Social Justice and Empowerment.

8. Economy of Rajasthan

• Macro overview of Economy and State budget.
• Current Status, Issues and Government Initiatives of Agriculture, Industry and Service Sector.
• Infrastructure Development: Energy, Transportation and Communication.
• Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and State Finance Commission.
• Basic Social Services- Education and Health.
• Major Welfare Schemes of Government of Rajasthan.

9. Science & Technology

• Basics of Everyday Science.
• Computers, Information and Communication Technology.
• Defence and Space Technology with special reference of India.
• Inheritance and variation; Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology.
• Human Health Care; Food and Nutrition; Diseases and Public Health Programs.
• Environmental & Ecological Changes and their Impact assessment.
• Biodiversity; Conservation of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development.
• Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry with special reference to Rajasthan.
• Key Government Programs & Policies related to Science & Technology in Rajasthan and India.
• Recent Scientific & Technological advancements; Contribution of Indians in Science & Technology; Indigenization of Science & Technology.

10. Reasoning & Mental Ability

Reasoning (Deductive, Inductive, Abductive) :-

• Statement and Assumptions
• Statement and Argument
• Statements and Conclusion
• Statement and Courses of Action
• Analytical Reasoning/ Critical Reasoning

Mental Ability :-

• Number/Letter sequences
• Coding/Decoding
• Problems related to Relations
• Direction sense test
• Logical Venn diagram
• Ranking and Sitting Arrangement
• Shapes and their sub sections

Basic Numeracy :-

• Ratio, Proportion and Partnership, Profit and Loss
• Percentage
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Perimeter and Area of Plane figures
• Data Analysis (Tables, Bar diagram, Line graph, Pie-chart)
• Mean (Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic), Median and Mode
• Permutation and Combination
• Probability (Simple Problems)

11. Current Affairs & Issues (with special reference to Rajasthan)

• Important personalities, places, and contemporary issues of relevance.
• Newly launched schemes, programs, and initiatives pertaining to welfare and development.
• Major economic and political developments.
• Significant events and achievements related to sports and games.
• Major awards, publications and distinguished authors.
• Rajasthan Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Act, 2022.