The RAS exam, stage by stage

Every few years, lakhs of young people across Rajasthan — from Jaipur's coaching hubs to small towns in Barmer and Banswara — fill in the form for the Rajasthan State and Subordinate Services Combined Competitive Examination, better known simply as the RAS exam. It is conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), headquartered in Ajmer, and it fills posts across the state's administration: the Rajasthan Administrative Service itself, the Rajasthan Police Service, the Tehsildar service, accounts, cooperatives, commercial taxes and many more.

For a first-time aspirant, the exam can seem like a maze of papers, units and rules. It is actually straightforward once you see its three stages clearly. This guide walks through each of them, explains how marks are counted, and draws out what the pattern means for how you should prepare.

The three stages at a glance

The logic is simple. Prelims narrows the field; Mains and the interview decide who gets selected and to which service.

Stage 1: Prelims

The RAS Prelims is a single paper of General Knowledge and General Science — there is no separate CSAT paper as in UPSC or UPPSC. Reasoning, mental ability and basic numeracy are included within the same paper.

The five-option answer sheet is RAS's most distinctive feature. Each question has four answer options plus a fifth circle that a candidate darkens if they choose not to attempt it. Leaving all five circles blank is itself penalised, and leaving too many questions entirely blank can lead to disqualification. We explain this rule in detail in a separate guide, because misunderstanding it has cost candidates dearly.

Stage 2: Mains

The Mains is where the RAS is really decided. It has four papers, each of 200 marks and three hours, all descriptive.

Questions come in a mix of lengths — very short answers, medium answers and longer analytical ones — so the Mains rewards both wide coverage and concise writing.

Stage 3: The interview

Candidates who qualify in the Mains are called for an interview of 100 marks. The board assesses personality, awareness, judgement and suitability for public service in Rajasthan. Your district, your education and hobbies listed in your application, and current issues in the state are the usual starting points.

How the final merit is calculated

Final merit is based on the total of Mains (800) and interview (100) — 900 marks. Allotment of services depends on your rank, your preferences, and the reservation rules that apply to your category.

What the pattern tells you about preparation

First, Rajasthan is everywhere. Rajasthan's history, art and culture, geography and economy appear in the Prelims and in several Mains papers. A candidate strong in national GS but weak on Rajasthan will struggle.

Second, the Mains is broad. Few examinations ask a single candidate to write about the Chauhans of Ajmer, the basics of auditing, earthquakes and plate tectonics, the ethics of public service and the new criminal laws — all in one week. Coverage matters as much as depth.

Third, language counts. Paper IV carries 200 marks for Hindi, English and an essay. Candidates who treat it as an afterthought give away easy marks.

Fourth, precision beats length. Because many Mains questions demand short answers, the ability to write a precise definition or a crisp 50-word explanation is as valuable as the ability to write a long essay.

Basic eligibility

RAS candidates must be graduates, and the age limits and relaxations are set out in each notification. Knowledge of Devanagari Hindi and of Rajasthani culture is expected. Always check the current notification for exact conditions.

Where to begin

Download the latest notification and syllabus from the RPSC website, print the syllabus, and read it line by line. Then read our guides on the syllabus, the Prelims strategy and the five-option rule — in that order.