This guide explains how to prepare for RAS Prelims 2026 with a step-by-step strategy for beginners and repeaters. It covers the latest syllabus, exam pattern, Rajasthan-focused preparation, MCQ practice, revision plan, current affairs strategy, study schedule, and common mistakes to avoid, helping aspirants build accuracy and clear the RAS Prelims screening stage confidently.

Preparing for RPSC RAS Prelims 2026 means understanding exactly what the exam tests, following the official syllabus and pattern, and building a preparation strategy that aligns with it. The RAS Preliminary Exam is a screening test designed to filter candidates for the Main Examination. It consists of a single objective-type paper of 150 questions for 200 marks and covers important General Knowledge topics including Rajasthan-specific history, culture, geography, polity, economy, science & current affairs.

RPSC RAS 2026 Official Exam Structure (Prelims & Mains, Interview )

• Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)
• Mains Exam (Descriptive Type)
• Personality Test (Interview)

Preliminary Examination – Official Structure

The RPSC has released the revised RAS 2026 syllabus and examination scheme, and the Preliminary exam will consist of a single objective-type paper based on General Knowledge and General Science covering state and national topics. The official scheme and syllabus documents have been issued by RPSC dated 09-01-2026 on the commission’s website.

Component	Details
Type	Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
Total Marks	200
Duration	3 hours
Purpose	Screening test for Mains
Marking Scheme	Negative marking (typically ⅓ for wrong answers)
Subjects Covered	Rajasthan History, Art & Culture, Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science & Technology, Current Affairs, Rajasthan Examination Act, 2022, and state-specific content

The official syllabus PDF outlines that the Prelim syllabus includes Core GK + Rajasthan-focused history, geography, society, polity, economy and current affairs similar to earlier combined exams.

Mains Examination – Official Structure

The RPSC RAS Mains Exam in 2026 will be a descriptive/analytical written exam consisting of four compulsory papers, each of which is detailed in the official syllabus document issued by RPSC.

Paper	Subject	Marks	Duration
Paper I	General Studies – I (History & Culture, Geography)	200	3 hours
Paper II	General Studies – II (Polity, Governance, Law)	200	3 hours
Paper III	General Studies – III (Economy, Science & Technology, Management & Current Affairs)	200	3 hours
Paper IV	General Hindi & General English	200	3 hours

Total Marks (Mains): 800 Marks (across 4 papers)

RAS Prelims 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the RAS Prelims 2026 Exam Pattern Clearly

Before opening any book, you must understand what RAS Prelims demands.

RAS Prelims 2026 Key Points

Single objective paper

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Covers Rajasthan + India level topics
• Sports & Yoga removed
• Rajasthan Examination Act, 2022 added
• Prelims is qualifying in nature
• This means accuracy matters more than attempting all questions.

Step 2: Go Through the Latest RAS Prelims 2026 Syllabus

One of the biggest mistakes aspirants make is preparing without syllabus clarity.

Important Subjects in RAS Prelims 2026

• Rajasthan History, Art & Culture
• Rajasthan Geography
• Indian Geography
• Indian Constitution & Polity
• Rajasthan Economy
• Indian Economy
• General Science & Technology
• Current Affairs (State + National)
• Rajasthan Examination Act, 2022 (New)
• Focus more on Rajasthan-centric content, as it gives an edge.

Step 3: Build a Strong Foundation (First 2–3 Months)

The first phase of preparation should focus on concept building, not memorization.

What to Study First

• Rajasthan History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
• Rajasthan Geography (Districts, Rivers, Climate)
• Indian Polity basics (Constitution, Rights, Duties)
• NCERT Science (Class 6–10)

Tips

• Use NCERT books for basics
• Read slowly and understand concepts
• Make short notes alongside reading
• This phase decides how strong your base will be.

Step 4: Rajasthan-Specific Preparation Strategy

RAS is not UPSC. Rajasthan knowledge is the core strength area.

Must-Focus Areas

• Rajasthan folk culture, festivals, dances
• Art forms, architecture, paintings
• Administrative structure of Rajasthan
• Rajasthan government schemes
• Rajasthan budget & economy

Smart Tip: Questions are often repeated in concept. Revise Rajasthan topics multiple times instead of reading new material daily.

Step 5: Prepare Current Affairs the Right Way

Current Affairs plays a decisive role in RAS Prelims.

What to Cover

• Rajasthan government schemes
• State policies and reports
• Appointments related to Rajasthan
• National current affairs linked to governance
• Environment & climate issues

How to Study

• Daily newspaper (selective reading)
• Monthly current affairs notes
• Focus on why, not just what

Step 6: New Topic Strategy – Rajasthan Examination Act, 2022

This is a new addition and very important for RAS Prelims 2026.

What to Study

• Purpose of the Act
• Offences and penalties
• Role in preventing cheating
• Authority powers

Preparation Tip: Read the Act in simple language and prepare MCQ-type notes. Since it’s new, even 1–2 questions can be ranking-deciding.

Step 7: Practice MCQs Regularly (Non-Negotiable)

Reading alone will not clear Prelims.

MCQ Practice Plan

• Topic-wise MCQs after finishing each subject
• Weekly mixed MCQ tests
• Analyze every test thoroughly

Focus Areas

• Accuracy improvement
• Elimination technique
• Time management

Step 8: Create a Realistic Daily Study Plan

Consistency beats long study hours.

Sample Daily Schedule

• 3–4 hours: Static subject study
• 1 hour: Current affairs
• 1 hour: MCQ practice
• 30 minutes: Revision

Even 5–6 focused hours daily are enough if done consistently.

Step 9: Revision Strategy (Most Important Step)

Most aspirants fail due to poor revision.

Smart Revision Plan

• First revision within 7 days
• Second revision within 30 days
• Final revision in last 20–25 days

Tools for Revision

• Short notes
• Mind maps
• MCQ error notebook

Step 10: Mock Tests & Final Preparation Phase

In the last 2 months before the exam:

What to Do

• Full-length mock tests (weekly, then bi-weekly)
• Analyze score trends
• Improve weak areas only

What to Avoid

• New books
• Random YouTube strategies
• Overconfidence

RAS Weekly Study Plan 2026

Day	Main Subject	Topics to Study	Practice Task	Time Allocation
Monday	Rajasthan History	Ancient & Medieval Rajasthan	30–40 MCQs	Static: 3–4 hrs MCQs: 1 hr
Tuesday	Rajasthan History	Modern Rajasthan, Freedom Movement	PYQs + MCQs	Static: 3–4 hrs Revision: 30 min
Wednesday	Geography	Rajasthan Geography (Rivers, Climate, Districts)	Map Practice + MCQs	Static: 3 hrs MCQs: 1 hr
Thursday	Polity	Indian Constitution, State Governance	25–30 MCQs	Static: 3 hrs CA: 1 hr
Friday	Economy	Rajasthan Economy, Budget, Schemes	MCQs + Short Notes	Static: 3 hrs MCQs: 1 hr
Saturday	Science & Environment	General Science, Ecology, Biodiversity	Topic-wise MCQs	Static: 2.5 hrs MCQs: 1.5 hrs
Sunday	Current Affairs & Revision	Rajasthan + National CA	Weekly Mock Test	Mock: 2 hrs Analysis: 1 hr

Weekly Rotation

Week	Extra Focus Topic (Add Along with Daily Plan)
Week 1	Indian History & Geography
Week 2	Science & Technology
Week 3	Environment & Biodiversity
Week 4	Rajasthan Examination Act, 2022
Week 5	Full Syllabus Revision
Week 6	Full-Length Mock Tests

Common Mistakes to Avoid in RAS Prelims Preparation

• Ignoring Rajasthan-specific topics
• Studying without syllabus mapping
• Too many sources
• No MCQ practice
• Late start of revision

Avoiding these mistakes can improve your chances significantly.

Important Official Points to Note

• Prelims is a qualifying/screening stage. Marks are typically not counted in final merit but you must pass to reach Mains.
• Mains is descriptive and highly scoring. Performance here is combined with the interview for final ranking.
• Official syllabus documents must be downloaded from rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in > Syllabus to ensure you follow the exact topics prescribed for Prelims and Mains.

Conclusion

Preparing for RAS Prelims 2026 requires a clear understanding of the syllabus, a Rajasthan-centric approach, and consistent MCQ practice. Focus on concept clarity, regular revision, and current affairs while giving special attention to the Rajasthan Examination Act, 2022. With a structured study plan, smart revision, and mock test analysis, beginners and repeaters can confidently clear the screening stage and move towards RAS Mains success.

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