The RAS Eligibility 2026 guide explains the minimum and maximum age limits, category-wise age relaxation, and attempt rules for the RPSC RAS examination. Candidates can check eligibility for General, OBC, SC/ST, EWS, PwD, women, and ex-servicemen categories. The article also clarifies cutoff dates, relaxation benefits, and important rules to help aspirants plan their RAS preparation effectively.

Becoming an officer through the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) is a popular ambition for many young graduates in Rajasthan and across India. Before starting serious preparation, one of the most important steps is to clearly understand the eligibility criteria. Among the eligibility factors, age limits and number of attempts are two areas where aspirants often have questions.

We will deconstruct the RAS eligibility with regard to the age, age relaxations by category, and the number of times that you can take the exam. We have also incorporated tables, bullet points and descriptions to ensure that everything is easy to read. The information presented here is applied to information presented by official eligibility criteria and widely applied interpretation by reputable sources.

RAS Eligibility Criteria: Overview

Before we focus on age and attempts, let’s look at what eligibility means at a high level.

To be eligible for the RPSC RAS exam, a candidate must meet all of the following general requirements:

• The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
• The applicant should possess a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
• The age of the candidate must fall within the prescribed age limits (explained next).
• There is no minimum percentage requirement in the degree for the exam.
• Final-year students in graduation can apply provisionally, subject to providing proof of passing before the mains exam.

Minimum and Maximum Age Limit for RAS

Rajasthan Public service commission (RPSC) has established both a minimum age and a maximum age so that the candidates should be mature enough to handle the responsibility of service and also to create a reasonable level of competition among the candidates.

Basic Age Range

This means a candidate must be at least 21 years old by the cutoff date specified in the RPSC notification and must not have exceeded the upper age limit for their category.

Why 21 years?

This requirement ensures candidates have completed their graduation before entering the service or are close to finishing it.

Age Relaxation and Category-Wise Age Limits

One of the key advantages of competitive exams in India is that age concessions are available for certain categories to promote equal opportunity. RPSC follows category-wise relaxations in the upper age limit.

Category-Wise Age Limit Summary

*For PwD candidates, the exact relaxation depends on subcategory (General, OBC, SC/ST) and applicable rules.

Key Points on Age Relaxation

• General category female candidates get an additional 5 years.
• OBC and SC/ST female candidates typically receive a 10-year relaxation, increasing the limit to 50.
• Persons with disabilities receive extended relaxation based on their category.
• Widowed and divorced women are not restricted by any upper age limit, and therefore they can make an appearance irrespective of their age provided that they qualify in terms of the education requirements.
• Ex-servicemen who keep records of their services might find relaxation (which is often up to 50).

These relaxations ensure that the RAS exam is open to a large pool of candidates and should be able to accept the value of inclusion and equity in recruitment to the public service.

Understanding Age Limit Cutoff Dates

Whenever RPSC notifies the exam, it does state the reference date against age calculation. Whenever RPSC notifies the exam, it does state the reference date against age calculation. This typically falls on the 1st of the year of the exam or some predetermined date that is indicated in the notification.

Suppose that the notification was of RAS 2026 on the cutoff date, January 1, 2026:

• On the lower side, a candidate who attains the age of 21 years on or before January 1, 2026 is eligible.
• The candidate who is not older than the category's upper age on January 1, 2026, may apply.

It is important to make sure you look at the official RPSC announcement because the cutoff can be different in different cycles.

Number of Attempts in RAS Exam

A common question is whether there is a cap on how many times a candidate can sit for the RAS exam.

Attempt Rules

• There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts prescribed by RPSC.
• A candidate can attempt the exam repeatedly as long as they remain within the age limit for their category.
• Once a candidate crosses the upper age limit, they can no longer appear for the exam.

This means efforts are only constrained by age, not by a fixed attempt cap such as seen in some other exams. As long as you keep meeting age eligibility, you can keep applying.

Tips for Candidates on Age and Attempts

The following are some effective suggestions for aspirants on their way to RAS:

Plan Early: Prepare early, particularly where you are either near the lower or upper age ranges. The sooner the better; the more years you have to take the exam in case you have to.

Track Changes in Rules: RPSC reviews the eligibility criteria periodically. Check official notifications on the latest cutoff dates, relaxations and any change of age requirements.

Use Age Relaxation Wisely: When you are in one of those categories that have age relaxations, you need to strategize your efforts. You can have more additional time than general category candidates.

Document Domicile and Category Proof: Age relaxation often applies only if you meet domicile and category requirements. Make sure you have valid evidence if you are claiming reserved category benefits.

Conclusion

Becoming age conscious and age wise are the piercing steps in your RAS preparation. The rules are designed to give fairness and opportunity and certain relaxations to reserved categories and the availability of flexibility in making attempts based on age and not attempts.

When you are updated on announcements, keep note of your age eligibility and strategize your preparation schedule to do the RPSC RAS exam, then you will be well placed to do so.

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