The RPSC RAS exam has three stages — a Preliminary (objective, screening) test, a Main (descriptive) examination and an Interview. This is the complete RAS 2026 syllabus and exam pattern for Prelims and Mains, with the topics newly added in the 2026 syllabus flagged for you.
RAS 2026 exam pattern at a glance
Stage
Papers
Total Marks
Nature
Preliminary
1 — GK & General Science
200 (150 Q)
Objective (MCQ), 1/3 negative; qualifying only
Main
4 — GS I–III + Hindi/English
800
Descriptive (3 hours each)
Interview
—
100
Personality test
Final merit
Main + Interview
900
—
RAS Prelims 2026 — Pattern & Subjects
The RAS Preliminary exam is a single objective paper — 'General Knowledge and General Science' — of 200 marks with 150 questions in 3 hours, with 1/3 negative marking. It is only a screening stage: Prelims marks are not added to the final merit. The syllabus spans eleven broad areas:
Rajasthan History, Art & Culture
Indian History
Geography (World & India)
Geography of Rajasthan
Indian Polity & Governance
Rajasthan Polity & Administration
Indian Economy
Economy of Rajasthan
Science & Technology
Reasoning & Mental Ability
Current Affairs
What's new in the 2026 syllabus
RPSC revised the RAS syllabus for 2026. These are the most notable additions — the likely fresh question areas to prioritise:
Modern Indian History extended to the year 2000 (1857, Partition onward)
Indian Knowledge & Value System (Varna–Ashram, Purushartha)
Sources of Rajasthan History (archaeological & numismatic)
Fiscal Federalism & the Finance Commission
Rajasthan State Budget & State Finance Commission
Social Audit & Grievance Redressal; NCW & NCPCR
Unfair Means in Recruitment Act, 2022
Recent S&T advancements & indigenization
RAS Mains 2026 — Four Papers
Candidates who clear Prelims sit the Main examination — four descriptive papers of 200 marks each (800 total), three hours per paper. The four papers are:
Paper I — General Studies-I: History (Rajasthan/India/World), Economy (India & Rajasthan), Sociology, Management, Accounts & Auditing — 200 marks
Paper II — General Studies-II: Administrative Ethics, General Science & Technology, Earth Science — Geography & Geology (World, India, Rajasthan) — 200 marks
Paper III — General Studies-III: Indian Polity, Governance & International Relations, Public Administration (Concepts, Issues & Dynamics), Behaviour & Law — 200 marks
Paper IV — General Hindi (90 marks), General English (70 marks) & Essay (40 marks) — 200 marks
Interview & Final Merit
The final stage is a personality test (interview) of 100 marks. The final merit list is prepared from the Main examination (800) plus the Interview (100) — a total of 900 marks. Prelims marks do not count.
Interview / personality test: 100 marks
Final merit = Mains 800 + Interview 100 = 900 marks
How to use this syllabus smartly
Prelims is only qualifying — clear it comfortably, but build Mains-quality notes from day one.
Prioritise the 2026-new topics above — they are the most likely fresh question areas.
Rajasthan-specific portions (history, geography, polity, economy) carry heavy weight in both stages.
Pair the syllabus with previous-year question trends to see the real topic weightage.
Frequently asked questions
How many stages are there in the RAS exam?
Three: the Preliminary exam (objective, qualifying), the Main exam (descriptive) and the Interview.
How many questions and marks are in the RAS Prelims?
The RAS Prelims has 150 questions for 200 marks in 3 hours, with 1/3 negative marking.
Is the RAS Prelims score counted in the final merit?
No. Prelims is only a screening stage; the final merit is based on the Mains (800) plus the Interview (100).
How many papers are in the RAS Mains?
Four descriptive papers of 200 marks each — 800 marks in total.
What are the main changes in the 2026 RAS syllabus?
RPSC extended Modern History to 2000, added the Indian Knowledge System, fiscal federalism & Finance Commission, State Budget & State Finance Commission, social audit, NCW/NCPCR, the Unfair Means in Recruitment Act 2022, and recent science & technology, among others.