RPSC APO Syllabus 2026: Exam Pattern, Law Topics & Preparation Guide
- Selection: Written Exam (Objective + Descriptive) → Interview
- Law dominates: IPC, CrPC, Indian Evidence Act = core of the exam
- 371 posts | Last date 7 July 2026 | LLB required
By RojgarDekho Team | Updated: June 2026
RPSC APO is a law-specific examination — unlike general RPSC exams, here your law degree knowledge directly determines your performance. The exam tests your understanding of substantive criminal law (IPC), procedural criminal law (CrPC), and the law of evidence (Indian Evidence Act) at a level much deeper than general awareness. If you're a law graduate who has genuinely studied these subjects, you start with a significant advantage. If you crammed through law school, this exam will require serious re-studying of core subjects.
RPSC APO 2026 Last Date: 7 July 2026. LLB required. Apply via SSO Rajasthan →
Selection Process — Complete Overview
RPSC typically conducts the APO examination in two stages: a written examination followed by a personal interview. The exact exam pattern may vary between recruitment cycles — always verify from the official RPSC notification and admit card. Based on previous RPSC APO examination patterns, here is the typical structure:
| Stage | Type | Duration | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Exam — Paper 1 | Objective MCQ (Law + GK) | 3 hours | 150–200 | Merit-based |
| Written Exam — Paper 2 | Descriptive (Law essays, case analysis) | 3 hours | 150–200 | Merit-based |
| Personal Interview | Face-to-face panel interview | 30–45 minutes | 75–100 | Merit-based |
The total marks and exact pattern depend on the specific RPSC notification for this recruitment. For the 2021 RPSC APO exam, the pattern included a 200-mark objective paper and interview. Always download the official syllabus from the RPSC website (rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in) for the definitive pattern.
RPSC modifies exam patterns periodically. The structure above is based on historical RPSC APO exams. Download the official notification and syllabus from rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in — that is the definitive reference for the 2026 exam.
Paper 1 — Law Subjects Syllabus
Indian Penal Code (IPC) — Highest Weight
IPC is the backbone of the RPSC APO exam. You need to know both the conceptual framework and specific sections with their ingredients, punishments, and notable case law. Key areas that appear consistently in APO exams across states:
| IPC Topic | Sections to Know | Exam Focus |
|---|---|---|
| General Exceptions | Sections 76–106 (mistake of fact, consent, private defence, necessity) | Ingredients, limits of private defence |
| Offences Against Body | Sections 299–304 (Culpable Homicide, Murder), 307, 308, 319–338 (Hurt, GBH) | Distinction between CH and Murder (Sec 299 vs 300) |
| Sexual Offences | Sections 375–376, 354, 509 (post-2013 amendments under Nirbhaya law) | Statutory rape definition, consent |
| Theft, Robbery, Dacoity | Sections 378–395, 399–402 | Distinguishing theft from robbery from dacoity |
| Criminal Breach of Trust | Sections 405–409 | Ingredients — entrustment, dishonest misappropriation |
| Cheating | Sections 415–420 | Dishonest inducement to deliver property |
| Criminal Conspiracy | Section 120A–120B | Definition, scope, common intention vs common object (149) |
| Abetment | Sections 107–116 | Three forms of abetment, instigation, aid |
| Forgery | Sections 463–477A | Making false documents, intention |
Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) — Second Most Important
CrPC governs how criminal cases proceed through the system. For a prosecution officer, this is practically the most important law — you use it daily. Key topics:
| CrPC Topic | Sections | Why It Matters for APO |
|---|---|---|
| FIR and Investigation | Sections 154–176 | FIR registration, police powers, cognizable vs non-cognizable, investigation procedure |
| Arrest and Bail | Sections 41–60, 436–450 | Grounds for arrest, bail provisions, anticipatory bail (438), bail in non-bailable offences |
| Charge and Framing | Sections 211–240 | Contents of charge, joinder of charges, alteration of charges |
| Trial — Sessions and Magistrate Courts | Sections 225–250, 251–259 | Trial procedure, plea of guilty, examination of accused (313) |
| Appeals and Revision | Sections 372–401 | Who can appeal, grounds, revision jurisdiction |
| Speedy Trial / Undertrial Rights | Section 437A, 436A | Rights of undertrials, maximum detention period |
Indian Evidence Act — Third Core Subject
| Evidence Act Topic | Sections | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Relevancy of Facts | Sections 5–55 | Facts in issue vs relevant facts, Section 6 (res gestae) |
| Admissions and Confessions | Sections 17–31 | Distinction between admission and confession, Section 25 (confession to police inadmissible) |
| Dying Declaration | Section 32(1) | Admissibility without cross-examination, corroboration need |
| Expert Opinion | Section 45 | When expert evidence is relevant — medical, forensic, handwriting |
| Documentary Evidence | Sections 61–100 | Primary vs secondary evidence, when secondary is admissible |
| Burden of Proof | Sections 101–114A | General rule, exceptions including Section 114A (rape cases) |
| Examination of Witnesses | Sections 135–166 | Examination-in-chief, cross-examination, leading questions |
Paper 1 — General Knowledge Component
In addition to law subjects, RPSC APO exams typically include a General Knowledge section. This covers Rajasthan GK (History, Geography, Art & Culture, Economy, Government), Indian Polity, and Current Affairs. The GK section is typically 20–30% of the objective paper's marks. Rajasthan GK carries higher weight than national GK — this is an RPSC examination.
Paper 2 — Descriptive Law (If Applicable)
If the 2026 RPSC APO exam includes a descriptive paper, you will be asked to write essay-style answers on legal topics, case analyses, and hypothetical problems. The descriptive paper tests not just knowledge of law but the ability to apply it — reasoning through a factual scenario and arriving at a legally sound conclusion. Practice writing 400–600 word answers on IPC and CrPC topics under timed conditions. Speed and clarity of legal writing are both tested.
Preparation Strategy — Law Graduates Who Haven't Revised in Years
Many APO candidates are 3–5 years out of law school. Their substantive law knowledge has faded. Here is the most efficient revision strategy to rebuild for the RPSC APO exam in 3–4 months:
Start with IPC — work through Ratanlal and Dhirajlal's IPC commentary for the important chapters rather than reading the bare act alone. Focus on the sections listed above. For each offence, understand the key ingredients, the punishment, and the landmark case that established the authoritative interpretation. Don't memorize section numbers blindly — understand the legal concept first, then attach the section number.
For CrPC, follow RV Kelkar's Criminal Procedure Code — a law school standard that covers both theory and practice. Pay particular attention to the bail provisions, as these are both high-frequency in the exam and central to your future work as a prosecutor. Understanding how bail jurisprudence has evolved (especially post-2021 Supreme Court decisions on bail as the rule, jail as exception) shows depth in the interview.
For Evidence Act, use Batuk Lal's Indian Evidence Act — it's detailed but readable. Focus on the admissibility sections (confession, dying declaration, expert evidence) as these appear in virtually every APO-style exam.
