RAS Full Form—Rajasthan Administrative Service—its history, functions, and role in recruiting for SDM, DSP, Tehsildar, and other key state posts. Learn about RPSC, its exam stages, eligibility, and how it conducts Rajasthan’s civil services selection process for aspirants.
theIAShub | 04 Nov, 2025 | 1361 | 0 |
RAS stands for Rajasthan Administrative Service. It is the state civil service of Rajasthan, analogous to the IAS at the national level, but restricted to the state government. RAS officers work under the Rajasthan government and handle administrative duties in various departments and districts. RAS is often recruited through the Rajasthan State and Subordinate Services Combined Competitive Exam (RAS/RTS) conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC).
At India’s independence, Rajasthan was formed by merging 22 princely states. Only three of these (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner) then had public service commissions. To unify the civil service cadre, the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) was created by ordinance, published on 20 August 1949, and formally came into effect on 22 December 1949. The ordinance abolished all separate princely-state commissions and vested the successor administration with a single commission. Initially RPSC had one Chairman and two members; Sir S. K. Ghosh (then Chief Justice of Rajasthan) was first appointed Chairman, with Shri Devi Shankar Tiwari and Shri N. R. Chandorkar as members. In 1951, the Rajpramukh (then head of state) framed the first RPSC service conditions and functions regulations under the Constitution (under Articles 315–323). Over time, RPSC has handled recruitment for RAS and other services for Rajasthan.
RPSC is a constitutional body established under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution. As per Article 315 a public service commission for each state is to be created. RPSC’s duties and functions are those listed in Article 320, which include advising the government on all matters relating to recruitment methods, appointments, promotions, transfers, disciplinary cases, legal cost claims, pensions for service-incurred injuries, and other related questions. In short, RPSC’s powers mirror those of the Union Public Service Commission, but restricted to the state of Rajasthan. (The Constitution also mentions PSCs in Articles 16 and 234–323.) Rajasthan has also enacted state laws and rules (RPSC Rules & Regulations) to supplement these constitutional provisions.
RPSC Headquarters building at Ghooghara Ghati, Ajmer. The RPSC office is located at Ghooghara Ghati, Jaipur Road, Ajmer – 305001. Helpline numbers 0145-2635200 and 0145-2635212 are provided for general inquiries. (Ajmer is the permanent seat of RPSC.) The commission’s website (rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in) is the official portal for notifications, results, application forms, etc.
Under Article 320 of the Constitution, RPSC’s primary functions include:
These duties ensure a fair and systematic personnel policy in the state. RPSC conducts competitive examinations, screens candidates, holds interviews, and ultimately provides lists of recommended candidates for various posts, as required by the government.
The Rajasthan PSC is constituted by the Governor under Article 316 of the Constitution. The sanctioned strength is one Chairman and ten members. Commissioners serve for a term of up to 6 years or until age 62, whichever is earlier.
Currently, RPSC’s leadership (as of late 2025) is as follows:
RAS and IAS are both administrative civil services, but they differ greatly in scope, exam and career path:
|
Aspect |
RAS Exam (Rajasthan Administrative Service) |
IAS Exam (Indian Administrative Service) |
| Exam Authority | Conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) for state-level administrative posts. | Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for All India Services. |
| Scope of Service | RAS officers serve under the Rajasthan state government as part of the State Civil Service. | IAS officers serve under the central or state governments across India as part of the All India Services. |
| Age Limit | 21–40 years (General category); age relaxation applies for reserved categories. | 21–32 years (General category); relaxations as per central government rules. |
| Number of Attempts | No fixed limit; candidates can apply until they reach the upper age limit. | Limited attempts — 6 for General, 9 for OBC, and unlimited for SC/ST categories (within age limit). |
| Exam Pattern & Syllabus | Three stages: Prelims (one paper, 200 marks), Mains (four descriptive papers totaling 800 marks), and Interview. Includes Rajasthan-specific subjects. | Three stages: Prelims (two papers – General Studies & CSAT), Mains (nine papers totaling 1750 marks), and Interview. Focuses on national-level topics. |
| Career Cadre | Officers begin at the state cadre level (e.g., Assistant Collector) and may be promoted to IAS after years of service. | Officers start directly in the All India Service cadre, often posted as Assistant Secretary or equivalent rank. |
| Career Scope | Service limited to Rajasthan; focuses on state administration and development. | National and international scope; involves policymaking and top administrative roles across India. |
The RPSC RAS/RTS Combined Exam has three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Interview.
|
Stage |
Papers | Marks | Duration |
Purpose |
| Prelims | 1 paper: General Studies & General Science (150 Qs, objective) | 200 | 3 hours | Screening (objective test of general awareness). Marks are not counted in final ranking. |
| Mains | 4 papers: GS I, GS II, GS III, General Hindi & English (descriptive) | 800 (200 each) | 3 hours each | In-depth assessment of knowledge (history, polity, economy, science, Rajasthan-specific topics, language skills). Candidates must attempt all four papers. |
| Interview (Personality Test) | – (Oral) | 100 | – (approx. 30–45 min) | Tests personality, communication skills, suitability for public service. Adds to final score (out of 100). |
Candidates must meet the following basic criteria to appear for the RAS/RTS Combined Exam:
|
Eligibility Factor |
Details |
| Age Limit | 21 to 40 years (General category) as on January 1 of the exam year. Age relaxation applies: up to 45 or 50 years for SC/ST/OBC/Female/PH candidates. Non-gazetted Rajasthan government employees may apply up to age 45. |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Final-year students may apply provisionally if they complete graduation before the Main Exam. |
| Number of Attempts | No fixed attempt limit. Candidates may appear until they reach the upper age limit. |
| Nationality | Must be an Indian citizen. RPSC recruitment primarily favors Rajasthan domicile holders; non-domicile candidates are considered under the Unreserved/General category. |
RPSC conducts recruitment exams for Group A, B, C services in Rajasthan. The principal ones include: Rajasthan State & Subordinate Services Combined Exam (commonly called RAS/RTS exam), Rajasthan Police Service (RPS) Exam, Rajasthan State Forest Services Exam, Rajasthan Judicial (Civil Judge) Services, College Lecturer & Assistant Professor exams, School Lecturer, Sub-Inspector, Veterinary/Fisheries Officer, etc.
|
Exam (Full Name) |
Age Limit (General) |
Educational Qualification |
| RAS – Rajasthan Administrative Service | 21–40 years | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline |
| RPS – Rajasthan Police Service | 21–40 years (approx.) | Bachelor’s degree |
| RJS – Rajasthan Judicial (Civil Judge) Service | 21–40 years | Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree |
| State Forest Service | 21–40 years (approx.) | Bachelor’s degree (often in Science/Agriculture) |
| College Lecturer / Asst. Prof (Govt) | 21–40 years (approx.) | Master’s degree in subject; NET/SET* |
| School Lecturer | 18–35 years (approx.) | Master’s degree in subject + B.Ed. |
Note: The above table is illustrative. Exact age relaxations (for SC/ST/OBC, women, etc.) and any NET/SET requirements depend on the specific advertisement and category. For example, RAS allows age relaxation up to 45 for non-gazetted state employees
For the previous exam cycle, RPSC released the RAS notification in September 2024. The Preliminary exam was held on 2 February 2025, and the Mains exam was held on 17–18 June 2025. (The Prelims result was declared on 20 Feb 2025.) The commission has not yet announced the exam schedule for the next cycle (2025–26), so future dates are “Not Declared Yet.” Aspirants should monitor the official RPSC website for updates.
The Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) stands as one of the most prestigious career avenues for individuals aspiring to serve the state of Rajasthan through public administration. Conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), the RAS exam offers a transparent, merit-based path to key administrative roles across various departments and districts.
The RAS Full Form exam is conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), the constitutional body responsible for recruiting candidates to various state services through transparent, merit-based examinations and interviews.
To appear for the RAS Full Form exam, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, be between 21 and 40 years of age, and meet nationality and domicile conditions. Age relaxations apply as per Rajasthan government rules.
The RAS Full Form exam is held in three stages — Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview (Personality Test). The Prelims serve as a screening test, the Mains are descriptive, and the Interview assesses the candidate’s personality and suitability for administrative service.
The RAS Full Form exam is one of the most prestigious state-level examinations in India. It opens the path for aspirants to join Rajasthan’s civil administration, contribute to state governance, and hold leadership positions in various departments.
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