RPSC RAS Pre 2026 — 607 Posts, Apply 4 June to 3 July
The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) has officially released the notification for the State and Subordinate Services Combined Competitive Examination 2026 — the prestigious RAS exam. A total of 607 posts are available: 192 under Rajasthan State Services (the RAS/RTS cadre) and 415 under Rajasthan Subordinate Services. Applications open on 4 June 2026 via sso.rajasthan.gov.in and close on 3 July 2026. The Preliminary exam is scheduled for 29 November 2026.
RAS vs Subordinate Services: Clearing RAS puts you in the IAS-equivalent cadre for Rajasthan — posts like Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), and District Level Officers. Subordinate Services includes Tahsildar, Block Development Officer, Sub-Inspector, and similar positions. Both are covered under one combined exam — the same Prelims and Mains.
Who Can Apply?
Any Indian citizen holding a Bachelor's degree in any stream from any recognised university in India can apply. There is no minimum percentage requirement — even a pass degree qualifies. Age should be between 21 and 40 years as of 1 January 2027. For Rajasthan-domicile SC/ST/OBC candidates, the upper age limit is relaxed to 45 years (5-year relaxation). Male candidates from other states are eligible for General category posts without age relaxation beyond standard rules.
Pay Scale & In-Hand Salary
RAS officers (State Services cadre) start at Pay Level 14 of the Rajasthan Pay Matrix, with a basic pay of ₹56,100/month. After adding DA (around 58% of basic = ~₹32,500), HRA (10–27% depending on city), and other allowances, the gross monthly salary comes to approximately ₹95,000–₹1,10,000 in cities. After standard deductions (NPS ~10%, RGHS health insurance, etc.), the in-hand take-home is approximately ₹63,000–₹75,000/month. Subordinate Services posts start at lower pay levels (Level 10–12) with basic pay ranging from ₹33,800 to ₹47,600, and in-hand salary of ₹45,000–₹65,000 approximately. RAS officers also receive a vehicle, official residence, and a domestic help allowance after reaching certain positions.
Selection Process — 3 Stages
The RAS selection process has three stages:
- Prelims (29 November 2026) — 150 MCQ / 200 marks / 3 hours. Covers General Knowledge of Rajasthan, India, and world. 1/3 negative marking. This is a screening test only — Prelims marks are NOT counted in the final merit list.
- Mains Examination — 4 papers (General Studies I, II, III and General Hindi & English). Each paper is 200 marks. Mains is the real battle — it's descriptive and tests depth of knowledge.
- Interview / Personality Test — 100 marks. Conducted by RPSC panel. Assesses personality, communication, and suitability for administrative roles.
Final merit = Mains marks + Interview marks. Prelims score is irrelevant for final selection.
What Prelims Tests — Quick Summary
The Prelims paper covers: History of Rajasthan and Indian history, Geography (Rajasthan, India, and World), Indian Polity and Governance, Economy (Rajasthan + India), Science and Technology, Current Affairs (last 1 year), and Rajasthan-specific GK (art, culture, folk traditions, famous personalities). The Rajasthan-specific section is crucial — candidates from other states sometimes underestimate how much state-specific content appears. For Rajasthan domicile candidates, this section is a home advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can candidates from other states apply for RPSC RAS 2026?
Yes. RPSC RAS is open to all Indian citizens, not just Rajasthan domicile candidates. However, candidates from other states must pay ₹600 application fee (same as General category) and do not get age relaxation beyond standard rules. Note that Rajasthan-specific GK carries significant weight — out-of-state candidates need dedicated preparation for this section.
Q: Is there a separate fee for Subordinate Services vs State Services?
No. The RPSC RAS exam is a single combined exam — one application and one fee covers both State Services and Subordinate Services. Your post allocation depends on your final merit rank. Top rankers get State Services posts (RAS), lower rankers are allocated Subordinate Services posts.
Q: How many candidates typically appear for RPSC RAS Prelims?
RPSC RAS Prelims typically sees 3–5 lakh registered candidates, out of which around 2.5–4 lakh actually appear. Given 607 posts, the selection ratio is roughly 1 in 400–700 of those who appear. This is an extremely competitive exam — consistent long-term preparation (12–18 months) is required.
Q: What is the probation period after joining RAS?
RAS officers undergo a 2-year probation period, which includes training at the Rajasthan Institute of Public Administration (RIPA) in Jaipur and field postings. During probation, only the basic pay is paid — no DA or HRA. After successful completion of probation, all allowances activate and the officer is confirmed in service.
Q: Can I apply if I'm in the final year of graduation?
Generally, RPSC requires the educational qualification to be completed at the time of the main examination or before joining, not necessarily at the time of application. However, this varies by notification — check the specific eligibility clause in the 2026 notification carefully. If the notification says "must have obtained" the degree by the closing date, then final-year students cannot apply.
Q: What is the career progression for an RAS officer?
A fresh RAS officer typically starts as Sub-Divisional Magistrate or Assistant Collector. After 8–10 years, they can become a District Collector or Superintendent of Police. Senior IAS equivalent positions (Commissioner, Secretary level) are accessible after 15–20 years of service. RAS officers can also be posted to Government of India positions on deputation after meeting seniority requirements.