Rajasthan Public Service Commission RPSC/RAS Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2024

RAS Mains Examination 2024: Scheme & Syllabus

Candidate Admission:

1. • Candidates will be admitted to the Main Examination in a ratio of 15:1 relative to the total number of vacancies.
   • Candidates scoring the same marks as the last selected candidate in any range will also be admitted.
2. Written Examination Structure:
   • Total Papers: 4 Descriptive/Analytical Papers
   • Duration: 3 hours per paper
   • Marks per Paper: 200

Paper	Subject	Marks	Time
I	General Studies – I	200	3 Hours
II	General Studies – II	200	3 Hours
III	General Studies – III	200	3 Hours
IV	General Hindi and General English	200	3 Hours

Paper I: General Knowledge and General Studies

Unit I: HISTORY

Part A: History, Art, Culture, Literature, Tradition, and Heritage of Rajasthan

• Historical Overview:
  • Major landmarks from Prehistoric times to the late 18th century.
  • Important dynasties and their administrative and revenue systems.
• 19th & 20th Century Events:
  • Peasant and tribal movements.
  • Political awakening and the freedom movement.
  • Integration of Rajasthan.
• Cultural Heritage:
  • Performing arts, fine arts, handicrafts, and architecture.
  • World Heritage sites and tourism in Rajasthan.
  • Fairs, festivals, folk music, and folk dance.
• Literature:
  • Significant works of Rajasthani literature and regional dialects.
• Notable Figures:
  • Saints, Lok Devtas, and eminent personalities of Rajasthan.

Part B: Indian History & Culture

• Indian Heritage:
  • Fine arts, performing arts, architecture, and literature from the Indus Civilization to the British era.
• Religious Movements:
  • Philosophical movements in ancient and medieval India.
• Modern India (19th Century to 1965):
  • Significant events, personalities, and issues.
  • Stages of the Indian National Movement and contributions from across the country.
• Socio-religious Reforms:
  • Reform movements in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Post-Independence:
  • Consolidation and reorganization, including the accession of princely states and linguistic reorganization.

Part C: History of the Modern World (up to 1950 A.D.)

• Major Movements:
  • Renaissance and Reformation.
• Key Events:
  • American War of Independence, French Revolution (1789), and Industrial Revolution.
• Global Impacts:
  • Imperialism and colonialism in Asia and Africa.
  • Consequences of the World Wars.

Unit II: ECONOMICS

Part A: Indian Economy

• Agriculture:
  • Growth and productivity trends in Indian agriculture.
  • Food processing sector and food management.
  • Agricultural reforms and associated challenges.
• Industrial Sector:
  • Trends in industrial policy and finance.
  • Liberalization, globalization, privatization, and economic reforms.
  • Infrastructure development and its impact on economic growth.
• Inflation and Price Management:
  • Understanding inflation, prices, and demand/supply dynamics.
• Fiscal Policy:
  • Centre-State financial relations and the latest Finance Commission recommendations.
  • Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act; fiscal reforms in India.
  • Budgetary trends, fiscal policy, and tax reforms.
  • Issues surrounding subsidies, including cash transfers and related topics.
  • Trends in government revenue and expenditure.
• Government’s Economic Role:
  • The role of the government in economic activities.
  • Concepts of private, public, and merit goods.
• Social Sector Issues:
  • Challenges related to poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
  • Healthcare and education policies.
  • Regulatory effectiveness and redefining the state’s role in economic development and employment-oriented growth strategies.

Part B: World Economy

• Global Economic Trends:
  • Role of major international institutions: World Bank, IMF, and WTO.
  • Issues related to sustainable development and climate change.

Part C: Economy of Rajasthan

• Agricultural Scenario:
  • Overview of production and productivity in agriculture.
  • Water resources and irrigation management.
  • Agricultural marketing and the dairy/animal husbandry sectors.
• Rural Development:
  • Infrastructure development in rural areas.
  • Panchayati Raj and State Finance Commission roles.
• Industrial Development:
  • Institutional frameworks for industrial development and recent trends.
  • Focus on Khadi and village industries.
• Infrastructure Development:
  • Power and transportation infrastructure.
  • Role of private investment in infrastructure and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.
• Development Projects:
  • Major development initiatives in Rajasthan.
  • State budget and fiscal management issues and challenges.
• Welfare Schemes:
  • Economic welfare schemes focused on social justice and empowerment.
  • Basic social services: education and health.
  • Addressing poverty, unemployment, and aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Unit III: SOCIOLOGY, MANAGEMENT, ACCOUNTING & AUDITING

Part A: Sociology

• Development of Sociological Thought in India:
  • Caste and Class: Nature, origin, functions, and challenges within Indian society.
  • Processes of Change: Sanskritization, Westernization, secularization, and globalization.
  • Challenges: Issues like dowry, divorce, child marriage, corruption, communalism, poverty, unemployment, drug addiction, and problems faced by vulnerable groups (Dalits, elderly, and disabled).
  • Tribal Communities in Rajasthan: Focus on Bhil, Mina (Meena), and Garasia—problems and welfare.

Part B: Management

• Marketing Concepts:
  • Modern marketing, marketing mix (Product, Price, Place, Promotion), supply chain management, e-commerce, and business ethics.
• Finance Management:
  • Wealth maximization, sources of finance, capital structure, banking and non-banking institutions, stock market, MNCs, FDI, and FII.
• Leadership and Team Dynamics:
  • Leadership theories, group and individual behavior, motivation theories, conflict management, and time/stress management.
• Entrepreneurship:
  • Concepts of incubation, startups, unicorns, venture capital, and angel investors.
• Management of Essential Services:
  • Education management, healthcare and wellness management, tourism, and hospitality management.

Part C: Accounting & Auditing

• Accounting Fundamentals:
  • Basic knowledge of double entry accounting, financial statement analysis, and social accounting.
• Auditing:
  • Objectives of auditing, social, performance, efficiency audits, and basic knowledge of government audit.
• Budgeting Techniques:
  • Performance budgeting and zero-based budgeting.

Paper II: General Knowledge and General Studies

Unit I: Administrative Ethics

• Ethics and Human Values:
  • Lessons from great leaders, role of family, society, and educational institutions in instilling values.
• Ethical Concepts:
  • Concepts of duty, good, virtue; ethics in private vs. public relationships.
• Philosophical Foundations:
  • Ethics from the Bhagavad Gita, Gandhian ethics, and contributions of moral thinkers from India and the world.
• Administrative Challenges:
  • Ethical dilemmas in administration, decision-making, social justice, accountability, and code of ethics.
• Case Studies:
  • Practical applications of ethical principles.

Unit II: General Science & Technology

• Chemistry:
  • Everyday applications, states of matter, atomic structure, important drugs, and concepts of pH.
• Physics:
  • Everyday physics, gravitation, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear principles.
• Biology:
  • Human body systems, genetics, diseases (communicable and non-communicable), and medicinal plants with a focus on Rajasthan.
• Computer Science:
  • Basic concepts, networking, recent developments (AI, big data, cloud computing), and their impacts.
• Scientific Contributions:
  • Contributions of Indian scientists, advancements in technology, and government policies in science and tech.
• Space and Defence Technology:
  • Indian space program, satellite technology, and missile development.

Unit III: Earth Science (Geography & Geology)

Part A: World

• Earth Structure:
  • Layers of the Earth and the Geological Time Scale.
• Physical Features:
  • Major landforms: mountains, plateaus, plains, and deserts.
• Geological Phenomena:
  • Earthquakes and volcanoes: types, distribution, and impacts.
• Geopolitical Issues:
  • Major global geopolitical challenges.
• Environmental Issues:
  • Key environmental concerns facing the world.

Part B: India

• Physical Geography:
  • Major physical features including mountains, plateaus, plains, and deserts.
• Physiographic Divisions:
  • Overview of India’s major physiographic regions.
• Hydrology:
  • Major rivers and their significance.
• Climate:
  • Origin of the monsoon, climatic characteristics, rainfall distribution, and climatic regions.
• Natural Resources:
  • Types and uses of water, forests, soils, rocks, and minerals.
• Demographics:
  • Population growth, distribution, density, sex ratio, literacy, and urban vs. rural populations.

Part C: Rajasthan

• Physical Features:
  • Overview of Rajasthan’s mountains, plateaus, plains, and deserts.
• Water Bodies:
  • Major rivers and lakes in Rajasthan.
• Climatic Characteristics:
  • Classification of climate in Rajasthan.
• Vegetation:
  • Types of vegetation in the region.
• Agriculture:
  • Major crops, their production, and distribution.
• Mineral Resources:
  • Types, distribution, and industrial uses of metallic and non-metallic minerals.
• Energy Resources:
  • Conventional and non-conventional energy resources.
• Demographics:
  • Characteristics of the population and major tribes.
• Wildlife and Biodiversity:
  • Threats to wildlife and conservation efforts.
• Geo-parks and Geo-heritage:
  • Concept and potential of UNESCO Geo-parks and geo-heritage sites in Rajasthan.
• Environmental Issues:
  • Major environmental challenges facing the state.

Paper III: General Knowledge and General Studies

Unit I: Indian Political System, World Politics and Current Affairs

• Constitution of India:
  • Framing, features, amendments, and the basic structure.
• Ideological Contents:
  • Preamble, fundamental rights, directive principles, and fundamental duties.
• Institutional Framework:
  • Parliamentary System: Roles of the President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, and Parliament.
  • Federalism: Centre-state relations, Supreme Court, High Courts, judicial review, and activism.
  • Key Institutions: Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, UPSC, NITI Aayog, Central Vigilance Commission, Central Information Commission, and National Human Rights Commission.
• Political Dynamics:
  • Influence of caste, religion, class, ethnicity, language, and gender in politics.
  • Political parties, electoral behavior, civil society, national integrity, and potential socio-political conflicts.
• State Politics of Rajasthan:
  • Party system, political demographics, phases of political competition, and local governance.
• Global Politics:
  • Post-Cold War order, U.S. hegemony, UN and regional organizations, international economy, terrorism, and environmental issues.
• Foreign Policy of India:
  • Evolution, determinants, relations with key global players (USA, China, Russia, EU), and roles in international organizations (UN, NAM, BRICS, G-20, G-77, SAARC).
• Geo-political Issues:
  • Strategic issues in South Asia, Southeast Asia, West Asia, and their implications for India.
• Current Affairs:
  • Recent events and significant figures relevant to Rajasthan, national, and international importance, including sports.

Unit II: Concepts, Issues, and Dynamics of Public Administration and Management

Administration and Management

• Meaning and Significance:
  • Role of administration and management in both developed and developing societies.
  • Evolution of Public Administration as a discipline.
  • New Public Administration and various approaches to its study.
• Key Concepts:
  • Power, authority, legitimacy, responsibility, and delegation.
• Principles of Organization:
  • Hierarchy, span of control, and unity of command.
• Functions of Management:
  • Corporate governance and social responsibility.
• New Public Management:
  • Dimensions and change management.

Civil Services Attitude and Values

• Core Values:
  • Ethics, integrity, impartiality, nonpartisanship, and dedication to public service.
  • Relationship dynamics between generalists and specialists.

Control Over Administration

• Control Mechanisms:
  • Legislative, executive, and judicial means, along with their limitations.

Administrative Setup in Rajasthan

• Structure:
  • Overview of the Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, State Secretariat, Directorates, and Chief Secretary.
• District Administration:
  • Organization and roles of the District Collector, District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, and Tehsil administration.

Development Administration

• Definition and Scope:
  • Characteristics of development administration.

State Commissions and Acts

• Key Bodies:
  • State Human Rights Commission, State Election Commission, Lokayukt, and Rajasthan Public Service Commission.
• Legislative Acts:
  • Rajasthan Guaranteed Delivery of Public Services Act, 2011, and Rajasthan Right to Hearing Act, 2012.

Unit III: Sports and Yoga, Behavior, and Law

Part A: Sports and Yoga

• Sports Policies:
  • Overview of India’s and Rajasthan’s sports policies.
• Organizations:
  • Role of the Sports Authority of India and Rajasthan State Sports Council.
• Awards:
  • National and state-level awards for sports achievements.
• Yoga:
  • Benefits and its promotion as a positive lifestyle.
• Sports Personalities:
  • Eminent sports figures in India.
• First Aid and Rehabilitation:
  • Basic principles of first aid and rehabilitation practices.
• Participation in International Competitions:
  • Indian athletes’ involvement in Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Paralympic Games.

Part B: Behavior

• Intelligence:
  • Types of intelligence: cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual.
• Personality:
  • Traits and types of personality, determinants, and assessment methods.
• Learning and Motivation:
  • Learning styles, memory models, causes of forgetting, and motivation assessment.
• Stress Management:
  • Nature, types, sources, symptoms, effects of stress, and mental health promotion strategies.

Part C: Law

• Legal Concepts:
  • Ownership, possession, personality, liability, rights, and duties.
• Contemporary Legal Issues:
  • Right to Information and Information Technology Law, including cybercrimes and intellectual property rights.
• Crimes Against Women and Children:
  • Laws addressing domestic violence, sexual harassment, and child protection (e.g., The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012).
• Welfare Laws:
  • The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
• Land Laws in Rajasthan:
  • Key legislations: Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956; Rajasthan Tenancy Act, 1955.

Paper IV: General Hindi and General English

सामान्य हिंदी (कुल अंक 120)

भाग A: सामान्य हिंदी (विषय – 50 अंक)

1. लघु लेखन:
   • लघु लेखन एवं लघु लेखन के अंतर्गत विषयों पर विचार करें।
2. मिलन:
   • मिलन के संबंध में शब्दों का सही प्रयोग एवं उनके उपयोग पर ध्यान दें।
3. उच्चारण:
   • सही उच्चारण की पहचान और उस पर आधारित कार्य।
4. शब्द रचना:
   • विभिन्न शब्दों का प्रयोग एवं उनकी विशेषताएँ।
5. शब्दों के अर्थ:
   • शब्दों के अर्थों की पहचान एवं उनकी व्याख्या।
6. शब्द समुच्चय:
   • शब्दों के समूह की पहचान।
7. वर्णनात्मक लेखन:
   • वर्णनात्मक शैली में लेखन पर ध्यान दें।
8. विश्लेषणात्मक लेखन:
   • विभिन्न विषयों पर विश्लेषणात्मक लेखन करें।

भाग B: सामान्य अंग्रेजी (कुल अंक 50)

1. लघु लेखन:
   • एक लघु लेखन कार्य, जिसमें विषय का संक्षेप में विवरण देना है (150 शब्द)।
2. समसामयिक मुद्दे:
   • वर्तमान मुद्दों पर एक निबंध लिखें (100 शब्द)।
3. व्याकरण एवं भाषा:
   • विभिन्न व्याकरणिक और भाषाई संरचनाओं का अध्ययन करें।
4. अनुवाद:
   • हिंदी से अंग्रेजी में 5 वाक्यों का अनुवाद करें।
5. संक्षेपण लेखन:
   • दिए गए पाठ का संक्षेपण (75 शब्द)।

भाग C: सामान्य हिंदी (कुल अंक 20)

1. विषय पर निबंध:
   • किसी भी विषय पर 250 शब्दों का निबंध लिखें।

General English (Total Marks: 80)

Part A: Grammar & Usage (20 Marks)

Correction of Sentences (10 sentences for correction):

1. Articles & Determiners: Errors in the use of definite and indefinite articles.
2. Prepositions: Common mistakes related to prepositional phrases.
3. Tenses & Sequence of Tenses: Correcting tense agreements and sequences.
4. Modals: Misuse of modal verbs in various contexts.
5. Voice: Transforming sentences from active to passive voice and vice versa.
6. Narration: Changes needed for direct speech to indirect speech and vice versa.
7. Synonyms & Antonyms: Identifying and correcting word choices.
8. Phrasal Verbs & Idioms: Errors in using idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs.
9. One Word Substitute: Finding a single word that substitutes a phrase.
10. Words Often Confused or Misused: Distinguishing between commonly confused words.

Part B: Comprehension, Translation & Precis Writing (30 Marks)

1. Comprehension of an Unseen Passage (250 words approximately):
   • Answer 5 questions based on the passage.
   • Question 5 should focus on vocabulary (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, or meaning).
2. Translation:
   • Translate five sentences from Hindi to English, demonstrating accurate comprehension and expression.
3. Precis Writing:
   • Write a précis of a given passage (approximately 150-200 words), capturing the main ideas concisely.

Part C: Composition & Letter Writing (30 Marks)

1. Paragraph Writing:
   • Choose 1 out of 3 provided topics and write a coherent paragraph (approximately 200 words).
2. Elaboration of a Given Theme:
   • Elaborate on a given theme or statement (approximately 150 words).
3. Letter Writing or Report Writing:

Write either a formal letter or a report on a specified topic (approximately 150 words).