Preparing for MPESB Van Rakshak / Jail Prahari 2026? The written exam is straightforward — 100 MCQ, 100 marks, 2 hours. But the physical test has a 1:5 ratio cutoff — so written marks matter. Here's the complete syllabus for 1,679 posts.
Exam Pattern
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Online CBT (Computer Based) |
| Questions | 100 MCQ |
| Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 per wrong answer (1/4) |
| Qualifying Marks | UR: 33%, SC/ST/OBC: 23% |
| Shortlisting for Physical | 1:5 ratio (Van Rakshak), 1:10 (Jail Prahari) |
Subject-wise Syllabus
| Subject | Questions (approx) |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge (+ MP GK) | 25-30 |
| General Hindi | 15-20 |
| General English | 10-15 |
| General Mathematics | 15-20 |
| General Science | 15-20 |
| Total | 100 |
General Knowledge + MP GK (25-30 questions)
- Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy — basics
- MP GK (10-15 questions): जिले (52), नदियां (नर्मदा, चंबल, बेतवा), राष्ट्रीय उद्यान (कान्हा, बांधवगढ़, पन्ना, सतपुड़ा), जनजातियां (गोंड, भील, बैगा), MP योजनाएं, प्रसिद्ध मंदिर और स्थल
- Current Affairs — last 6 months
Hindi (15-20 questions)
- समास, संधि, अलंकार, रस, मुहावरे, लोकोक्तियां
- पर्यायवाची, विलोम, वाक्य शुद्धि, वर्तनी
- अपठित गद्यांश
Mathematics (15-20 questions)
- Number System, Percentage, Ratio, Profit & Loss, Average
- Time & Work, Time & Distance, SI/CI
- Basic Geometry & Mensuration
Science (15-20 questions)
- Physics: Motion, Force, Energy, Light, Electricity
- Chemistry: Elements, Compounds, Acids-Bases, Metals
- Biology: Human Body, Diseases, Nutrition, Environment
Selection Process
- Written Exam: 100 MCQ, 100 marks — merit based
- Physical Test: 1:5 (Van Rakshak) or 1:10 (Jail Prahari) — Running, Long Jump, Shot Put
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
FAQ
Is there negative marking?
Yes, 0.25 marks per wrong answer (1/4). So 1-mark question → 0.25 deducted. Skip if unsure.
How important is MP GK?
Very! 10-15 questions from MP — districts, rivers, national parks, tribes, schemes. This is your scoring opportunity over non-MP candidates.
What is the physical test ratio?
Van Rakshak: 1:5 (top 5x merit called for physical). Jail Prahari: 1:10. So written marks are crucial for shortlisting.
Topic-wise Weightage — What to Focus On
| Subject | Approx Questions | Difficulty | Scoring Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK + MP GK | 25-30 | Easy-Moderate | HIGH — if you know MP GK |
| Hindi | 15-20 | Easy | HIGH — 10th level grammar |
| English | 10-15 | Easy | MODERATE — basic grammar |
| Maths | 15-20 | Moderate | MODERATE — practice needed |
| Science | 15-20 | Easy-Moderate | HIGH — NCERT 9-10th level |
MP GK — Most Important Topics (10-15 questions)
This is your biggest scoring opportunity. Non-MP candidates struggle here.
- Districts: All 52 districts of MP — their headquarters, rivers, major cities
- Rivers: Narmada (MP's lifeline), Chambal, Betwa, Kshipra, Son, Tapi, Mahi
- National Parks (6): Kanha (Tiger), Bandhavgarh (White Tiger), Panna (Diamonds), Satpura, Pench, Van Vihar (Bhopal)
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Pachmarhi, Ratapani, Gandhi Sagar, National Chambal Sanctuary
- Tribes: Gond (largest), Bhil, Baiga, Korku, Sahariya — their festivals, art, food
- Historical Sites: Sanchi Stupa (UNESCO), Khajuraho (UNESCO), Bhimbetka Caves (UNESCO), Orchha, Mandu
- Government Schemes: Ladli Bahna Yojana, Mukhyamantri Seekho Kamao, Jan Kalyan Yojana, Samagra Portal
- Economy: Soybean capital of India, major crops (wheat, rice, pulses), industries (Mandideep, Pithampur)
- Culture: Lokrang festival, Malwa folk music, Bundeli/Malvi/Nimadi dialects
Preparation Strategy — 30-Day Plan
- Week 1-2: Complete GK + MP GK (Lucent GK + MP Parichay book). This is 25-30 marks — half your paper
- Week 2-3: Hindi grammar (समास, संधि, मुहावरे — practice 20 questions daily) + Science (NCERT 9-10th revision)
- Week 3-4: Maths (Number System, Percentage, Time & Work — practice sets) + English (grammar basics)
- Last 5 days: Mock tests only — take 5 full-length tests. Focus on speed (100 questions in 120 minutes = 72 seconds each)
Best Books for Preparation
- GK: Lucent General Knowledge + MP Parichay (Punekar Publication)
- MP GK: MP Samanya Gyan by Arihant or Youth Competition Times
- Hindi: Vasundhara Hindi Grammar
- Maths: RS Aggarwal (Arithmetic section only)
- Science: NCERT Class 9th-10th Science textbooks
- English: SP Bakshi Objective English (Chapter 1-10 only)
- Previous Papers: MPESB Van Rakshak 2023 + Jail Prahari 2022 papers (available on esb.mp.gov.in)
More FAQ
What is the difficulty level of Van Rakshak exam?
Easy to moderate — 10th pass level. GK and Hindi are easiest sections. Maths requires some practice. Science is NCERT-based. If you prepare MP GK well, you can score 60+ out of 100.
Which subject should I focus on most?
GK + MP GK (25-30 marks) — this alone is 25-30% of your paper. If you score 25/30 in GK and 15/20 in Hindi, you already have 40/100 from just 2 subjects. Maths and Science need practice but GK is the quickest to prepare.
Can I prepare in 30 days?
Yes, 30 days is sufficient for this exam since it's 10th-level. Focus: 2 weeks on GK+Hindi, 1 week on Maths+Science, last week on mock tests. Study 4-5 hours daily.
