Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) Strategy

• 04 Aug 2021

Last Updated: May 2024

Why the need for Strategy?

• To ensure success in the most popular 'RAS-RTS' exam conducted by Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), Ajmer, there is a need to make proper and dynamic strategy according to its nature.
• This is the first process by which half of your success is ensured in the very beginning itself.
• It is to be noted that this exam is generally conducted in three stages :
  
  1. Preliminary Examination – Objective Nature
  2. Mains Examination- Objective & Descriptive Nature
  3. Interview - Oral
• In order to reach each next stage, it is necessary to succeed in the previous stage.
• The nature of examination of these three stages is different from each other. Hence, there is a need to make a different strategy to ensure success at each stage.

Preliminary Examination Strategy

• Like other State Public Service Commissions, the nature of questions in the preliminary examination of Rajasthan Public Service Commission is also objective (multiple choice) type. Therefore, it requires special attention to the facts. Like;
  
  • 'Photovoltaic cell' is related to which type of energy?
  • When were the fundamental duties included in the constitution?
  • What is the meaning of 'patta rekh' in the history of Rajasthan? etc .
• A total of 150 objective type questions are asked in this exam for which maximum 200 marks are fixed. These questions have to be answered within a maximum time limit of three hours.
• As all questions have equal marks and there is a provision of negative marking for wrong answers (one third (1/3) mark is deducted for each wrong answer), candidates are expected to avoid the rhyming method and Solve the questions carefully.
• Generally 40-50% marks are required to pass in this exam due to the provision of negative marking, but sometimes this percentage can be even less considering the difficulty level of the questions. For example, the 'cut-off' of RPSC Preliminary Examination for the year 2018 was 76.6 marks which is less than 40%.
• Mainly in the syllabus of 'General Knowledge and General Science' in the Preliminary Examination of RPSC :
  
  • History, Art, Culture, Literature, Tradition and Heritage of Rajasthan; History of India (History of Ancient, Medieval and Modern India); Geography (Geography of India, World and Rajasthan); Indian Constitution, Political System and Governance, Political and Administrative System of Rajasthan; Economic Concepts and Indian Economy, Economy of Rajasthan; Science and technology, logical reasoning and mental ability and current events.
  • Its detailed discussion has been done under the heading Syllabus.
• First of all, study the syllabus of the preliminary examination and keeping in mind all its parts and aspects, determine the order of preference according to convenience and interest.
• To ensure success in this stage of the examination, do a thorough review of the questions asked in the preliminary examination in the last 5 to 10 years and pay more attention to the points and titles from which the tendency to ask questions has been more in the previous years.
• A micro observation of the syllabus of this exam and the nature of questions asked in previous years shows that deep conceptual and factual knowledge of some sections is essential.
• It is clear from the above that in this preliminary examination of RPSC, about 40% questions are asked from the particular state of Rajasthan. Therefore, for success in this examination, it is necessary to study the particular state of Rajasthan through standard books and newspapers and the internet.
• The easiest way to remember and solve these questions is to make short notes related to the factual information of the subject and study them regularly. For example;
  
  • A question related to Indian Passes was asked, 'In which state is the Shipki La Pass located?
    
    • For its preparation, you should prepare a list of the major passes of India and the state concerned.
  • Questions related to logical reasoning and mental ability can be practiced by categorizing the previously asked questions into different sections.
  • The book 'Quick Book on General Science and Technology' by Drishtiias can be helpful for solving science and 'Computer' based questions.
  • It is beneficial to study NCERT books of class 11 and class 12 for the remaining sections of general studies.
  • For this, any standard level notes available in the market can also be studied.
• Considering the nature of RPSC Preliminary Examination, it is beneficial to study the entire syllabus in the context of Rajasthan state.
  
  • In this examination, the frequency of questions asked from state specific and current events is high, so they should be studied seriously regularly.
  • Keeping in view the nature and number of questions on current events, you can regularly study the current affairs points of any daily newspaper like The Hindu, Rajasthan Patrika, Dainik Jagran (National Edition), etc. as well as available on the Drishti website.
  • Apart from this, it will be beneficial to study the standard monthly magazine 'Drishti Current Affairs Today' for the preparation of this section.
  • It is beneficial to read the brief description of 'Bharat' (India Year Book) available in the market, published by the Publications Division, for the questions asked from institutions, etc. in these examinations.
• It is generally beneficial to attempt the practice papers 15-20 days before the preliminary exam date and to solve the questions asked in the preliminary examination in previous years within the prescribed time limit (usually three hours).
  
  • While solving these questions develops the understanding of the subject, it becomes easier to solve the repetitive questions in these exams.

Mains Exam Strategy

• The preparation strategy for the main exam is different from that of the preliminary exam as it is written (Descriptive) in nature.
• While the preliminary examination is qualifying in nature, the marks obtained in the main examination are added to the final merit list. Hence, this stage of the examination is very important and crucial to a great extent.
• The main exam is descriptive/analytical in nature, consisting of short, medium and long word-limit questions.
  
  • The answers to all these questions have to be written in the prescribed words in the prescribed place in the answer-book given by the commission within a time limit of not more than three hours.
• After new amendments in RPSC Now this main examination is of total 800 marks, in which maximum 200-200 marks have been fixed for each paper.
• In the first paper of General Studies, questions will be asked from History, Art, Culture, Literature, Tradition and Heritage of Rajasthan. Therefore, it is necessary to make short notes of the state of Rajasthan after doing special study.
  
  • The first question paper includes 'Indian History and Culture' (Ancient, Medieval and Modern India) as well as the history of the modern world.
  • Apart from this, questions related to 'Economy' (Indian Economy, Global Economy and Economy of Rajasthan) 'Sociology, Management and Accounting and Audit' will be asked.
  • It is clear that a factual and in-depth study of the traditional course along with Rajasthan's special is necessary. Also, practice of related questions is a necessary condition for concise and concise writing skills.
• In the second paper, 'Administrative Ethics', 'General Science and Technology', agriculture-science, horticulture, forestry, dairy and animal husbandry are also included in this paper with special reference to Rajasthan.
  
  • Therefore, it is necessary to have updated and traditional information about the particular state of Rajasthan.
  • Also, the study of 'Earth Science (Geography and Earth Sciences)' asked in the second paper is necessary in the context of the world, India and Rajasthan.
• The third paper of General Studies includes 'Indian Political System, World Politics and Current Affairs', 'Concepts, Issues and Dynamics of Public Administration and Management' and 'Sports and Yoga, Practice and Law'.
  
  • The nature of this paper is analytical as well as demands updated content.
  • Therefore, it is necessary for the candidates to know the updated details of related developments through newspapers, monthly magazines and the internet, which will be helpful in understanding the nature of questions.
• In the main examination, the fourth paper is related to linguistic knowledge, in which questions are asked in relation to 'General Hindi and General English'.
  
  • Under General Hindi, where Hindi grammar, abbreviation, letter-writing and essay writing are included, under General English, English grammar, comprehension, translation, precise writing, letter writing etc. are included.
  • The level of 'General Hindi and General English' will be of Senior Secondary level. So it should be practiced regularly.
• Generally 60-65% marks are required to get success in this stage of the exam.
• Credit will be given to the organized, subtle and powerful expression in the least number of words in all the subjects of the examination.
  
  • It is known that the answers of the descriptive nature papers have to be written in the answer-book, so while writing the answers to such questions, special attention should be paid to the writing style and accuracy as well as time management.
  • The development of writing style and consistency comes from constant practice, for which a comprehensive understanding of the subject is essential.

Interview Strategy

• The candidates selected in the main examination (generally 3 times the total number of vacancies mentioned in the notification) have to appear for an interview before the commission after one month ordinarily.
• Interview is the last and important stage of any examination.
• Less in terms of marks but it has a special contribution in the final selection and post determination.
• A total of 100 marks have been fixed for the interview in this RPSC exam.
• Your final selection is done on the basis of a merit list prepared on the basis of the aggregate of marks obtained in the main examination and interview.