📚 RAS Exam 2026 — RAS Mains Syllabus — New Pattern

History

Part A (History of Rajasthan)

• Pre-historic culture, historical sites and their significance
• political and cultural achievements of various rulers of Rajasthan (up to the 18th century)
• revenue and administrative system and its changing nature
• 19th-20th century — the Revolt of 1857, peasant and tribal movements, political awakening, mass movements and integration of Rajasthan
• art & culture — performing and fine arts, handicrafts, architecture and monuments, folk music, folk dance, folk arts and folklore
• fairs and festivals
• tribes and their traditions
• heritage — major historical monuments and tourist sites of Rajasthan
• Rajasthani language and major literary works
• religious beliefs, saints and folk deities

Part B (History & Culture of India)

• Indian heritage — fine arts, performing arts, architecture and literature of India from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the British era
• religious movements and philosophy of ancient and medieval India
• British policies and their impact — political, economic and administrative integration of the country
• Indian national movement — its various stages and streams, key contributors
• socio-religious reform movements and intellectual awakening in the 19th and 20th centuries
• post-independence India — merger of princely states and linguistic reorganisation of states, development of science and technology, women's empowerment and women's reform movements

Part C (History of Modern World, up to 1991)

• The Renaissance and Reformation
• American War of Independence, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution and Russian Revolution
• Nazism in Germany and Fascism in Italy
• impact of the World Wars
• the world during the Cold War

Economy

Part A (Indian Economy)

• Economic growth and development — concept and measurement, income approach, HDI and other related indicators, climate change and environmental degradation
• Agriculture — productivity and progress, land reforms, agricultural finance and marketing, food security and food processing, key policy initiatives
• Industrial policy and reforms — globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation, industrial finance, MSMEs — importance and policy initiatives
• Service sector and infrastructure — energy, transport and communication
• International trade and balance of payments, foreign aid and investment
• Public finance — union budget, sources of revenue and expenditure, budget deficit and public debt, India's fiscal policy and reforms, centre-state financial relations and Finance Commission
• RBI and monetary management, banking and financial sector reforms in India
• Social sector — education and health, poverty and unemployment, schemes to enhance labour employability in India, welfare schemes for weaker and marginalised sections of society

Part B (World Economy)

• Global economic issues — role of the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund

Part C (Economy of Rajasthan)

• Economic growth indicators of Rajasthan — state domestic product, per capita income and inclusive growth, Viksit Rajasthan 2047, green growth and environmental sustainability, status of Rajasthan in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
• State budget — fiscal management and budget deficit
• Agricultural development — production and productivity, water resources and irrigation, animal husbandry and allied activities, agricultural marketing, government welfare schemes for farmers
• Rural development and rural infrastructure, Panchayati Raj institutions and the State Finance Commission
• Institutional mechanism for industrial development, investment promotion policy, importance and policy initiatives for MSMEs, petroleum and oil resources in the state
• Infrastructure development — energy and transport, public-private partnership projects, externally aided state projects
• Human resource development — health and education, unemployment and poverty, employment generation and poverty alleviation schemes
• Good governance and digital transformation for effective delivery of public services
• Major state government welfare schemes for SC/ST/OBC/minorities/persons with disabilities, destitute, women, children and senior citizens

Sociology, Management, Accounting & Auditing

Part A (Sociology)

• Concept of caste and class, changing dimensions of caste and class in Indian society
• changes in contemporary Indian society and culture — secularisation, urbanisation, modernisation and globalisation
• concepts related to the Indian social system — the theory of Karma, Dharma, Purushartha and Ashrama Vyavastha
• issues related to family and marriage in contemporary Indian society, issues concerning the elderly and persons with disabilities, the impact of cybercrime and social media on Indian society
• challenges and issues facing Indian society — dowry, divorce, corruption, poverty, prostitution, unemployment and drug addiction
• problems related to weaker sections of Indian society (mainly with reference to Rajasthan) — women, marginalised groups, Dalits, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and welfare schemes for them

Part B (Management)

• General management — managerial concepts, managerial skills and levels, functions of management, MBO, decision-making process — techniques and models
• organisational behaviour — nature and scope, perception, motivation — concepts and theories, group dynamics and team building, organisational climate and culture
• marketing management — concept and scope, marketing mix — product, price, promotion, physical distribution, services and digital marketing
• human resource management — concept and scope, HR planning, recruitment, selection, placement and training, performance appraisal systems, modern trends in human resources
• strategic management — concept and scope, business environment and SWOT analysis, strategy formulation and implementation, strategic control and evaluation

Part C (Accounting & Auditing)

• Theoretical base of accounting — Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAPs) and basic accounting concepts
• accounting standards — basic knowledge of accounting standards
• company financial statements, techniques of financial statement analysis, cash flow statements, basic knowledge of social accounting and responsibility accounting
• computerised accounting — features and software packages
• basic knowledge of Goods and Services Tax
• meaning and objectives of auditing, audit programme, basic knowledge of social, performance and efficiency audit, preliminary knowledge of government audit

Administrative Ethics

• Ethics and human values — lessons drawn from the lives of great men, social reformers and administrators
• contribution of family, social and educational institutions in developing human values
• ethical concepts — Rit and Rin, inspiration from the theory of Karma, concept of duty, concept of the auspicious and virtue
• role of ethics in private and public relations, philosophical basis of integrity, impartiality and non-attachment
• liberal society — transparency, media and bureaucracy
• ethics of the Bhagwad Gita and its role in administration
• Gandhian ethics
• contribution of moral thinkers and philosophers of India and the world
• ethical concerns and dilemmas in administration, artificial intelligence versus inner conscience in administrative decision-making
• ethical decision-making process — social justice, human concern, accountability instruments in governance
• case studies (non-factual) based on the above topics

General Science & Technology

Chemistry

• Atomic structure; metals, non-metals and metalloids
• Principles and methods of metallurgy, important ores and alloys
• Acids, bases and salts, concept of pH and buffer
• Important drugs (synthetic and natural), antioxidants, preservatives, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, fertilisers, additives and sweeteners
• Carbon and its compounds and their domestic and industrial applications
• Fuels, octane rating, radioactivity — concepts and applications, green chemistry and its applications

Physics

• Motion, work, power and energy; gravitation
• Light and its properties; heat
• Static and current electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism
• Sound and electromagnetic waves; applications of physics in medical diagnosis
• Nuclear fission and fusion; radiation safety

Biology

• Cell, plant parts — their functions and uses, plant nutrition and growth regulators (with special reference to agriculture and horticulture), sexual and asexual reproduction in plants
• Basic concepts of human physiology — digestion, respiration, circulation, excretion, reproduction, nervous system
• Diet and nutrition; immunity; diseases; public health initiatives
• Beneficial and harmful micro-organisms; fermentation technology
• Biotechnology and genetic engineering — basic concepts and applications; ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI) of GMOs
• Recent advances — vaccines, CRISPR, mRNA technology, artificial limbs

Computer Science & ICT

• Basic computer science; networking; analog and digital telecommunication; frequency spectrum; mobile telephony
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning, big data, cloud and edge computing
• Internet of Things, blockchain and digital currency, virtual and augmented reality, OTT platforms and social media

India's Contribution, Space & Defence Technology

• Contribution of Indian scientists to science and technology; major Indian scientific institutions
• Scientific and technological advancements — robotics, nanotechnology, quantum computing, etc.
• Development of science and technology in India and Rajasthan; government policies related to science and technology; Digital India initiative; cyber security and data privacy
• Indian space programme, satellites and their applications, various launch vehicles, remote sensing
• Defence research and indigenous technologies, Indian missile programme, drone technology, chemical and biological weapons

Earth Science (Geography & Geology)

Part A (World)

• Internal structure of the earth and the geological time scale
• major physical landforms — mountains, plateaus, plains and deserts — types and distribution
• earthquakes and volcanoes — types, distribution and impact
• climate — insolation, atmospheric circulation, humidity and precipitation
• major environmental issues

Part B (India)

• Geomorphological divisions of India
• drainage pattern and major rivers
• climate — monsoon, characteristics of climate, distribution of rainfall and climatic regions
• natural resources — types and uses of water, natural vegetation, soil, minerals and energy resources
• population — growth, distribution, density, sex ratio, literacy, urban and rural population

Part C (Rajasthan)

• Physical divisions
• major rivers and lakes
• characteristics and classification of climate
• natural vegetation, wildlife and biodiversity
• soil resources
• agriculture — major crops, production and distribution
• mineral resources — types, distribution and their industrial use
• demographic characteristics
• tribes
• UNESCO geo-park and geo-heritage site concept — potential in Rajasthan
• tourism

Indian Polity, Governance, India & International Affairs, and Current Affairs

Origin, structure and key principles of the Indian Constitution

• Constituent Assembly, sources of influence, philosophical basis, fundamental rights, directive principles of state policy and fundamental duties
• basic structure doctrine, amendment process and major constitutional changes
• recent constitutional developments and judicial decisions, constitutional morality and transformative constitutionalism

Institutional framework and machinery of governance

• President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers and Parliament
• emerging trends of federalism in India
• Supreme Court, High Court, judicial review, judicial activism, virtual courts, e-courts and e-committee

Dynamics of Indian politics

• Contemporary changes marked by the evolution of the party system in India's democracy, rising regionalism and coalition realignment
• shift from identity-based politics to issue-centric and inclusive politics, increase in gender participation, socio-political implications of AI-enabled political mobilisation
• voting behaviour, electoral reforms and functioning of India's electoral process
• contemporary paradigms evolving in Indian politics
• internal security — threats, mandate and role of security forces and agencies, challenges of internal security management

State politics and governance in Rajasthan

• Patterns of political participation, leadership and voting behaviour
• role of political parties and coalition politics in the state
• Panchayati Raj and urban local self-government — structure, issues and challenges
• new dimensions and challenges in Rajasthan's politics
• formulation of public policy in Rajasthan — institutions, processes, stakeholders and implementation constraints
• major e-governance initiatives — achievements and challenges

India and international affairs

• Post-Cold War changes, US pre-eminence, multipolarity, global political economy, international terrorism
• determinants and features of Indian foreign policy, India's relations with major world powers and neighbouring countries, the Indian diaspora and cultural diplomacy
• India's role in regional and global forums — UN, WTO, EU, ASEAN, BRICS, G20, QUAD, I2U2, AUKUS, DAKSHIN
• India's leadership in climate and green diplomacy (COP summits, ISA, Mission LiFE)
• contemporary strategic initiatives in India's foreign policy

Current affairs and issues

• Important contemporary events, issues and key personalities
• major public welfare schemes and government initiatives of Rajasthan
• awards, major literary contributions, and important advancements in science, technology and ICT
• sports policies of India and Rajasthan, major institutions, important sporting events and achievements
• role of yoga in health, wellness and stress management

Concepts, Issues and Dynamics of Public Administration

Public Administration — Ideologies and Theories

• Meaning, nature, scope and importance
• Emergence as a discipline, its role in developing and developed societies
• New Public Administration, New Public Management, good governance, New Public Service
• Ideologies and approaches — scientific management, human relations, behavioural, structural-functional, ecological approach
• Principles of organisation — hierarchy, unity of command, span of control, delegation, centralisation-decentralisation, coordination, authority and responsibility, accountability
• Administrative behaviour — leadership, communication, morale

Union Government & Administrative Institutions

• Union Public Service Commission, Election Commission of India, Comptroller and Auditor General, Finance Commission, Lokpal, NITI Aayog
• Personnel administration — recruitment, training, promotion, neutrality and anonymity in civil services, code of conduct
• Issues of administration — union-state relations, minister-civil servant relations, generalist-specialist, administrative reforms, social audit
• Control over administration — legislative, executive and judicial

Comparative Public Administration

• Features of the administrative systems of the USA, UK, France and China

State & District Administration

• State administration — Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, state secretariat, Chief Secretary, role of directorates
• Police administration, Board of Revenue, State Election Commission, State Human Rights Commission, Lokayukta
• District administration — District Collector, law-and-order administration, revenue administration, development administration

Behaviour and Law

Part A (Behaviour)

• Intelligence — cognitive intelligence, social and emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, appreciative intelligence and spiritual intelligence; their importance and inclusion in the workplace
• Leadership profiles — theories, types and styles, their challenges and effectiveness in the workplace; future leaders — opportunities and challenges
• Communication at the workplace — models and networks of communication and their effectiveness, barriers and distortions in communication; electronic and destructive communication — cyberslacking, cyberloafing, moonlighting, etc.
• Excellence at the workplace — traits and strengths, the RAISEC model and person-environment fit
• Burnout, stress and coping at the workplace — occupational stress, sources and coping styles; personality and stress, gender issues at the workplace

Part B (Law — contemporary legal issues, with specified sections)

• Right to Information Act, 2005 — Sections 1-20
• Information Technology Act, 2000 — Section 1; Section 2 (definitions: communication device, computer, computer network, computer resource, computer system, cyber cafe, cyber security, data, digital signature, electronic record, electronic signature, information, private key, public key); Sections 65, 66, 66(B-F), 67, 67(A-C), 71-78
• Intellectual Property Rights — concept, types and purpose
• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 — Sections 1-29, 31
• Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 — Sections 1-9, 11-20
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) — Sections 1-15
• Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 — Sections 1-25
• Important land laws of Rajasthan — Rajasthan Tenancy Act, 1955 — Section 1; Section 5 (definitions: agricultural year, agriculture, farmer, assistant collector, board, collector, commissioner, crop, grove-holder, grove land, holding, ijara or lease, improvement, land, self-cultivated land, land-holder, landless person, settled land, pasture land, rent, revenue, revenue appellate authority, revenue court, revenue officer, sayer, settlement, sub-divisional officer, sub-tenant, tehsildar, tenant, trespasser, nalbat); Sections 14-17A, 31-37, 38-54A, 206-232, 239-242
• Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956 — Section 1; Section 2; Section 3 (definitions: land records officer, municipality, nazul land, panchayat circle, revenue appellate authority, settlement authority, village); Sections 4-36, 40A, 74-87, 106-137, 142-183
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — Section 1; Section 2 (definitions: child, court, document, gender, in good faith, government, judge, person, public, public servant, valuable security); Sections 189-191, 194-197, 270, 294-296
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 — Section 1; Section 2 (definitions: audio-video electronic means, bail, bailable and non-bailable offence, bail bond, bond, charge, cognizable offence, complaint, electronic communication, inquiry, investigation, non-cognizable offence, sub-division, summons-case, warrant-case); Sections 3(2)(a,b), 14-17, 41-43, 126-129, 148, 149, 152, 163-167, 173, 174, 187, 194-196

General Hindi (Total Marks 90)

Part A (30 Marks)

• Prefixes and suffixes (separating them from words)
• Homophones with different meanings (clarifying meaning through usage in sentences)
• Word correction
• Sentence correction
• Idioms (clarifying meaning through usage)
• Proverbs/sayings (clarifying meaning through usage)
• Technical terminology (Hindi terms equivalent to English words related to administration)

Part B (30 Marks)

• Précis writing (summarising a passage to about one-third of its length, passage of ~150 words)
• Elaboration/Pallavan (expanding the idea of a given aphorism, poetic line or famous quotation, ~100 words)
• Translation (translating an English passage into Hindi, ~50 words)

Part C (30 Marks)

• Letter writing (general official letter, office order, demi-official letter, reminder, report)
• Drafting (notification, tender notice, circular, press release, office memorandum)

सामान्य अंग्रेजी (कुल अंक 70)

भाग अ — व्याकरण एवं प्रयोग (20 अंक)

• Preposition
• एक ही शब्द का विभिन्न शब्द-भेद के रूप में प्रयोग
• Phrasal Verbs एवं Idioms (प्रयोग)
• One Word Substitute (प्रयोग)
• प्रायः भ्रमित या गलत प्रयोग किए जाने वाले शब्द (प्रयोग)

भाग ब — अवबोधन, अनुवाद एवं संक्षेपण (30 अंक)

• अपठित अनुच्छेद (लगभग 300 शब्द) पर आधारित 5 प्रश्न, तथा उसी अनुच्छेद का संक्षेपण (~100 शब्द)
• पाँच वाक्यों का हिन्दी से अंग्रेजी में अनुवाद

भाग स — रचना एवं पत्र-लेखन (20 अंक)

• दिए गए विषय का विस्तार (3 में से कोई 1, ~150 शब्द)
• Official/Demi-Official Letter अथवा Memorandum अथवा Report लेखन (~150 शब्द)

Essay (Total Marks 40)

The essay section of the question paper will comprise six thematic areas. Candidates will be required to write one essay of about 600 words in either Hindi or English (candidate's choice of language). The essay topics will be based on the following six areas:

1️⃣ Language, Literature and Cultural Heritage
2️⃣ Society, Governance and Public Affairs
3️⃣ Science, Technology, Environment and Sustainable Development
4️⃣ Economy, Agriculture, Industry and Commerce
5️⃣ Current Affairs, Disasters and National Development Initiatives
6️⃣ Tourism, Culture and Contemporary Issues with reference to Rajasthan

Candidates are expected to remain fully relevant to the given topic, organise their ideas coherently, and present them with precision and conciseness. Marks will be awarded based on clarity of thought, coherence of structure and effectiveness of expression.