RPSC RAS Previous Year Papers 2026: Topic Analysis & Practice Questions
- Exam date: 29 November 2026 | 150 MCQs, 200 marks, 3 hours
- Rajasthan GK carries ~60% — and Rajasthan History alone often contributes 25–30 questions
- 14 practice questions inside — topic-representative, clearly NOT official RPSC papers
By RojgarDekho Team | Updated: June 2026
RPSC has conducted the RAS Prelims multiple times. The exam has a clear, repeatable pattern — certain topics show up every time, certain question types are predictable, and the difficulty level has stayed consistent over the years. This article gives you the topic-frequency analysis so you know exactly where to put your effort.
RPSC RAS Prelims: 29 November 2026. 607 posts. Apply by 3 July 2026 →
Topic-Wise Question Frequency Analysis
Based on analysis of RPSC RAS Prelims papers from previous years (2013, 2016, 2018, 2021 exam series). Approximate distribution across 150 questions:
| Topic | Approx Questions (out of 150) | Marks (out of 200) | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan History & Culture | 35–40 | 47–53 | ★★★★★ |
| Rajasthan Geography | 20–25 | 27–33 | ★★★★★ |
| Rajasthan Polity & Economy | 15–20 | 20–27 | ★★★★ |
| Current Affairs (Rajasthan + National) | 15–20 | 20–27 | ★★★★ |
| Indian History & Culture | 10–12 | 13–16 | ★★★ |
| Indian Geography | 8–10 | 11–13 | ★★★ |
| Indian Polity | 8–10 | 11–13 | ★★★ |
| General Science | 8–10 | 11–13 | ★★★ |
| Reasoning & Mental Ability | 10–12 | 13–16 | ★★★ |
| Indian Economy | 5–8 | 7–11 | ★★ |
The most important insight: Rajasthan History + Geography + Culture alone account for approximately 55–65 questions out of 150. Mastering this section is the single biggest lever in your RPSC RAS preparation.
Repeating Sub-Topics in Rajasthan History
| Sub-Topic | How Often It Appears | What to Focus On |
|---|---|---|
| Medieval Rajput Dynasties | Every exam | Mewar (Sisodia), Marwar (Rathore), Jaipur (Kachwaha), Bikaner (Rathore) — rulers, battles, alliances |
| Rajasthan in 1857 | Every exam | Role of Rajput rulers — most supported British. Tantya Tope's Rajasthan campaign |
| Integration of Rajasthan (1948–1956) | Every exam | 7 stages of integration, Sardar Patel's role, creation of Rajasthan state |
| Rajput Art & Architecture | Most exams | Forts (Chittor, Mehrangarh, Amber), Palace styles, step wells |
| Freedom Movement in Rajasthan | Most exams | Bijolia Movement, Shekhawati Movement, tribal revolts |
| Pratihar Dynasty | Frequent | Gurjara-Pratihara empire, Rajasthan connection |
Repeating Sub-Topics in Rajasthan Geography
| Sub-Topic | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Rivers of Rajasthan (Chambal, Luni, Banas, Mahi) | Every exam |
| Natural Regions (Thar, Aravalli, Hadoti, Marwar Plains) | Every exam |
| Districts and Administrative Divisions | Every exam |
| National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries (Ranthambore, Sariska, Keoladeo) | Frequent |
| Minerals of Rajasthan (marble, limestone, mica, zinc) | Frequent |
| Lakes (Sambhar, Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Pushkar) | Frequent |
14 Practice Questions — Topic-Representative
These questions are practice examples based on topic analysis. They are NOT official RPSC papers and have NOT been asked in any actual RPSC RAS examination. Use them only for concept testing.
Rajasthan History (Practice)
1. The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between Maharana Pratap and the Mughal forces led by:
(a) Akbar (b) Man Singh I (c) Todar Mal (d) Birbal
Answer: (b) Man Singh I — the Mughal army was commanded by Amber's ruler Man Singh I, not Akbar personally.
2. Which of the following princely states was the last to accede to India during the integration of Rajputana?
(a) Mewar (b) Jaipur (c) Jodhpur (d) Bikaner
Answer: This requires checking the 7th stage of integration — Sirohi was among the last. Verify from your source material.
3. The Bijolia Movement (1897–1941) was primarily a movement against:
(a) British salt tax (b) Jagirdari exploitation and excessive taxation (c) Feudal land rights of Rajputs (d) Conversion activities
Answer: (b) — Bijolia was a peasant movement against exploitative taxes levied by the jagirdars of Mewar.
Rajasthan Geography (Practice)
4. Which river forms the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh?
(a) Luni (b) Banas (c) Chambal (d) Mahi
Answer: (c) Chambal — forms the natural boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
5. Ranthambore National Park is located in which district of Rajasthan?
(a) Alwar (b) Sawai Madhopur (c) Jaisalmer (d) Kota
Answer: (b) Sawai Madhopur
6. Sambhar Salt Lake is primarily located in which district?
(a) Jaisalmer (b) Barmer (c) Nagaur (d) Bikaner
Answer: (c) Nagaur — though it touches Jaipur district too.
Rajasthan Art & Culture (Practice)
7. Which of the following is a folk dance of Rajasthan performed specifically during the monsoon season?
(a) Ghoomar (b) Terah Taali (c) Gair (d) Kathputli
Answer: (c) Gair — associated with Holi and the Bhil tribe; also performed during festivals. Note: Ghoomar is the most well-known Rajasthani dance. Check your specific source for seasonal dances.
8. The Kishangarh school of miniature painting is famous for its portrayal of:
(a) Battle scenes and Mughal court (b) Radha-Krishna in a distinctive stylized form (c) Portraits of Maratha rulers (d) Wildlife of the Thar desert
Answer: (b) — Kishangarh painting is celebrated for its romanticized Radha-Krishna depictions, especially the famous Bani Thani portrait.
Indian Polity (Practice)
9. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution can the President declare National Emergency?
(a) Article 352 (b) Article 356 (c) Article 360 (d) Article 365
Answer: (a) Article 352 — National Emergency. Article 356 = President's Rule in state. Article 360 = Financial Emergency.
10. The concept of 'creamy layer' in reservation policy applies to which category?
(a) SC (b) ST (c) OBC (d) EWS
Answer: (c) OBC — the creamy layer exclusion applies to OBC candidates, not to SC/ST.
General Science (Practice)
11. Which element has the highest electrical conductivity among commonly used metals?
(a) Copper (b) Gold (c) Silver (d) Aluminium
Answer: (c) Silver — highest electrical conductivity, though copper is more commonly used in wiring due to cost.
12. The Ozone layer primarily absorbs which type of radiation from the sun?
(a) Infrared (b) Visible light (c) Ultraviolet (d) X-rays
Answer: (c) Ultraviolet — specifically UV-B and UV-C radiation.
Reasoning (Practice)
13. If RAJASTHAN is coded as NBOBTQJBS, which encoding system is being used?
(a) Each letter shifted by +1 (b) Each letter shifted by −1 (c) Reverse alphabetical (d) Letter position doubled
Answer: (b) Each letter shifted by −1 in the alphabet (R→Q, A→Z... wait — RAJASTHAN → R=18, Q=17: yes, each letter −1 position). Check carefully — this type of question requires you to verify the full mapping.
14. A train 200m long passes a platform 300m long in 25 seconds. What is the speed of the train?
(a) 15 m/s (b) 18 m/s (c) 20 m/s (d) 25 m/s
Answer: (c) 20 m/s — Total distance = 200+300 = 500m. Speed = 500/25 = 20 m/s.
Preparation Timeline for RPSC RAS Pre 2026
| Month | Focus | Daily Hours |
|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | Rajasthan History (Medieval + Modern) — deep reading, not notes | 4–5 hrs |
| August 2026 | Rajasthan Geography + Art & Culture — maps, visual aids | 4–5 hrs |
| September 2026 | Indian GK (Polity, Economy, Geography, History) — revise NCERT | 3–4 hrs |
| October 2026 | Current Affairs catch-up (July–Oct 2026) + Rajasthan current events | 3–4 hrs |
| November (1–15) | Full-length mock tests — minimum 3 mocks per week | 5–6 hrs |
| November (16–29) | Revision only — no new topics. Focus on weak areas from mocks | 4–5 hrs |
Cut-Off Analysis (Past Years — Indicative)
| Year | Total Marks | Approx General Cut-Off | Approx OBC Cut-Off | Approx SC/ST Cut-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Pre | 200 | ~100–110 | ~90–100 | ~80–90 |
| 2018 Pre | 200 | ~95–105 | ~85–95 | ~75–85 |
| 2016 Pre | 200 | ~90–100 | ~80–90 | ~70–80 |
Cut-offs are indicative estimates based on available information. RPSC does not officially publish Prelims cut-offs. Your target should be 115+ to comfortably qualify regardless of year-to-year variation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can I find official RPSC RAS previous year question papers?
Official past papers are available on the RPSC website (rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in) under the "Old Question Papers" section. They are also available through Rajasthan Patrika publications and preparation books by Dr. Mahaveer Goyal.
Q: How many questions come from current affairs in RPSC RAS Prelims?
Approximately 15–20 questions in Prelims relate to current affairs — split between Rajasthan-specific and national events. Focus on the last 12 months. Rajasthan current affairs carries higher weight than national in this exam.
Q: Is there negative marking in RPSC RAS Prelims?
Yes — 1/3 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. Unattempted questions carry 0 marks. At scale, this means: if you answer 120 questions right and 30 wrong, you score 160 − 10 = 150 marks, not 160.
Q: Can I clear RPSC RAS Prelims in 6 months of preparation?
Yes — with the right strategy. The Prelims syllabus is well-defined. Candidates who focus 60–70% of their time on Rajasthan GK and cover Indian GK topics at revision level have cleared Prelims in 5–6 months. The Mains is a separate 9-month preparation challenge.
Topics That Almost Never Appear — Don't Over-Study These
Just as important as knowing what to study is knowing what to skip. In RPSC RAS Prelims, these topics either appear very rarely or not at all:
| Topic | Reality Check | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Indian History (pre-medieval) | Rarely more than 2–3 questions in RAS Pre. Mauryan empire gets 1 question at most. | Cover broadly, don't deep-dive |
| Indian Economy (detailed) | Budget specifics, banking system nuances — usually 4–6 questions max | One overview pass; focus on current year's budget highlights |
| International Affairs | Usually 2–4 questions, broad level | Read monthly current affairs digest — don't go deeper |
| Sports (national/international) | 1–3 questions; Rajasthan sports gets more weight | Note Rajasthan sports achievements; national briefly |
| Science — advanced topics | Class 10 level only; no advanced science questions in RAS Pre | NCERT Class 9–10 is sufficient; don't go beyond |
4 Additional Practice Questions
Topic-representative practice questions — not from any official RPSC paper.
15. Gurushikhar, the highest peak of the Aravalli range, is located in which district of Rajasthan?
(a) Udaipur (b) Sirohi (c) Ajmer (d) Pali
Answer: (b) Sirohi — Gurushikhar is in the Abu Road area of Sirohi district, height ~1,722 metres.
16. Which Rajasthan government scheme provides urban employment guarantee of 100 days?
(a) MGNREGA (b) Indira Gandhi Shahari Rozgar Guarantee Yojana (c) PM Awas Yojana Urban (d) RMAL
Answer: (b) Indira Gandhi Shahari Rozgar Guarantee Yojana — the urban equivalent of MGNREGA, launched by Rajasthan government.
17. Palanhar Yojana in Rajasthan provides financial assistance to:
(a) Farmers affected by drought (b) Widows of government employees (c) Orphaned and destitute children raised by relatives (d) Persons with disabilities
Answer: (c) — Palanhar Yojana provides monthly support to children who have lost parents or are in need, raised within their extended family instead of institutional care.
18. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in which district?
(a) Alwar (b) Sawai Madhopur (c) Bharatpur (d) Ajmer
Answer: (c) Bharatpur — famous for migratory birds, especially Siberian cranes.
Rajasthan Current Affairs — What to Track (July–November 2026)
Since the exam is on 29 November 2026, current affairs from roughly July 2025 to October 2026 are in scope. Here are the categories that consistently appear in RPSC exams:
| Category | What to Track | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State Government Schemes | New schemes announced, budget provisions, scheme beneficiary numbers | Rajasthan government press releases; Rajasthan Patrika |
| State Sports Achievements | Rajasthan athletes in national/international competitions; state-hosted events | Rajasthan Patrika sports section |
| New Administrative Changes | New districts created or merged, administrative reorganizations | Government of Rajasthan gazette |
| Environment & Conservation | New protected areas, wildlife census (tiger, leopard count in Ranthambore/Sariska) | Forest Department of Rajasthan |
| Awards & Honours | National awards given to Rajasthan-based individuals, organizations | PIB, Rajasthan government releases |
Exam Day Strategy — 150 Questions in 180 Minutes
Most candidates run out of time or panic-guess in the last 20 minutes. Use this time allocation:
| Time Block | What to Do | Questions to Target |
|---|---|---|
| 0–60 minutes | Rajasthan GK — your strongest section. Don't slow down here, build momentum. | 55–65 questions |
| 60–110 minutes | Indian GK (Polity, History, Geography, Economy). Steady pace. | 35–45 questions |
| 110–140 minutes | Reasoning + Mental Ability. These should be quick if practiced. | 10–15 questions |
| 140–160 minutes | Science. Attempt what you know; skip unfamiliar questions. | 8–10 questions |
| 160–180 minutes | Review flagged questions. Attempt any you skipped if now more certain. No blind guessing. | As needed |
Total questions to attempt: aim for 120–130. If you know 130 answers confidently, don't second-guess yourself — mark them and move on. Revision time is for genuinely uncertain questions, not re-confirming ones you know.
How to Use Official RPSC RAS Previous Papers Effectively
Most candidates solve PYQs the wrong way — they solve a paper, check answers, and move on. The high-ROI approach is completely different:
Step 1 — Solve in timed conditions first: Set a timer for 3 hours, attempt all 150 questions, then check. This tells you your current readiness level — not just which answers you know, but how well you manage time under pressure.
Step 2 — Categorize every wrong answer: For each question you got wrong, label it as (a) didn't know the topic at all, (b) knew the topic but misread the question, or (c) knew the answer but made a silly mistake. Category (a) tells you what to study. Category (b) tells you to slow down on reading. Category (c) tells you to be more careful in the actual exam.
Step 3 — Build a "repeat topics" list: After solving 3–4 past papers, certain sub-topics will appear in every paper. Make a dedicated flashcard list of these. Rajasthan medieval history, districts and rivers, Art & Culture communities — these repeat. Your flashcard list for these topics should have 50–100 items, each memorized cold.
Step 4 — Check the date sensitivity: Current affairs questions in past papers are obviously outdated. Don't try to memorize old current affairs — they won't come in 2026. Instead, use the old current affairs questions to understand what type of events RPSC considers exam-worthy. This guides what to track in 2025–2026 current affairs.
Sources for Official RPSC RAS Previous Year Papers
RPSC has conducted the RAS/RTS Combined Competitive Examination in several years. The most widely available papers are from the 2021, 2018, 2016, 2013, and 2010 exam cycles. Here's where to find them:
The RPSC official website (rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in) has a dedicated section for old question papers. Papers from 2013 onwards are typically available. For older papers, printed books by Rajasthan Patrika Publications or Dr. Mahaveer Goyal (a well-known Rajasthan GK author) include curated PYQ collections with answer keys.
Important note: Some papers circulating online have unofficial answer keys that contain errors. Always cross-verify answers from at least two sources for Rajasthan GK questions, where the "official" answer has sometimes been contested in courts and corrected by RPSC post-examination.
