RAS posts: RAS, RPS, RTS and beyond

When most people hear "RAS", they think of one service: the Rajasthan Administrative Service, whose officers serve as SDMs, ADMs and in senior posts across the state. But the exam's official name — the Rajasthan State and Subordinate Services Combined Competitive Examination — tells the real story. A single exam fills dozens of services, some at the state level and many at the subordinate level. The 2026 notification, for example, advertised 607 posts: 192 in state services and 415 in subordinate services.

Knowing what each service does helps you rank your preferences sensibly — and answer the interview question every candidate faces: "Why this service?"

State services and subordinate services

What the main services involve

Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS)

RAS officers are the backbone of district and state administration. A new officer typically begins as a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO/SDM), responsible for revenue administration and land records, revenue courts, magisterial duties, elections, disaster relief, and the implementation of government schemes in the sub-division. With experience come posts such as Additional District Magistrate, Additional Collector, heads of departments and corporations, and senior roles in the secretariat. Senior RAS officers are eligible for promotion to the IAS.

Rajasthan Police Service (RPS)

RPS officers begin as Deputy Superintendents of Police — typically as Circle Officers supervising several police stations, or in specialised units. Their work covers investigation, law and order, crime prevention, traffic, and community policing. Senior RPS officers are eligible for promotion to the IPS.

Rajasthan Accounts Service

Officers manage treasuries, accounts and financial administration in departments and public bodies — a crucial role in an age of budgets, audits and direct benefit transfers.

Rajasthan Tehsildar Service (RTS)

Tehsildars are at the heart of revenue administration: land records and mutations, revenue cases, certificates, relief distribution, and the supervision of patwaris and girdawars. For many rural citizens, the tehsil office is the face of the government.

Other services

Cooperative officers oversee cooperative societies; commercial tax officers administer GST and other taxes; industries service officers promote enterprises; women and child development officers run programmes such as ICDS; excise officers regulate liquor; devasthan officers manage temple trusts and endowments.

Training

Newly selected officers train at the Harish Chandra Mathur Rajasthan State Institute of Public Administration (HCM RIPA) in Jaipur, followed by field training. Police officers also train at the Rajasthan Police Academy, Jaipur.

A typical day

A composite picture of an SDM's day might begin with a public hearing where villagers bring land disputes, pension complaints and certificate applications. Late morning brings revenue court hearings; the afternoon a site visit — a water project, an encroachment, a school — and a review meeting on a scheme. In summer, drinking-water supply in desert villages may dominate the agenda; during fairs and festivals, crowd management; during elections, everything else pauses. A Circle Officer's day, meanwhile, involves police station visits, investigation reviews, meetings with complainants and arrangements for processions and fairs.

How to choose your preferences

Answering "Why this service?"

Connect three things: your background, the service's work, and your skills — specifically and sincerely. For example: growing up in a drought-affected village, watching how an SDM organised drinking-water tankers, and your own experience in a relief camp during college.

Behind the Scenes and Ticket to Civil Services, written by serving officers, offer honest perspectives on life in public service.