Mrunal (http://mrunal.

org/)

[Strategy] RAS 2013 Prelims: booklist, study material, approach, cutos,

previous papers, syllabus of Rajasthan State & Subordinate Services
Combined Competitive Exam

Studyplan (http://mrunal.org/category/studyplan) / 3 years Ago /

562 Comments (http://mrunal.org/2013/06/strategy-ras-2013-prelims-booklist-study-material-appro

1. UPSC vs RAS
2. Analysis of RAS-2012 prelims
3. Rajasthans history and culture
4. Indian History n Culture
5. Geography
1. World Geography
2. India Geography
3. Geography of Rajasthan
6. Environment and Biodiversity (EnB)
7. Economy
8. Economy of Rajasthan
9. Polity
1. Rajasthan state polity/administration
2. Rajasthan Public Policy
10. Science & Technology
11. Current Affairs and PIN
12. Reasoning & Mental Ability
1. Mental Ability
2. Basic Numeracy
13. Conclusion

14. Appendix: Free study material, Download links

1. Exam related Technical details:
1. 2012s prelim paper
2. Mains papers of 2008 and 2010
3. Cutoffs for 2012s Prelims
4. Syllabus
5. Notification for 2013s Exam
6. Press Note regarding reforms in RAS exam
2. RAS Specific Study material
3. NCERT and NIOS (Essential/Core)
4. India yearbook
5. Softwares
6. NCERT and NIOS (Peripheral)

UPSC vs RAS
first lets see how RAS is different from UPSC preliminary exam.
Exam

UPSC

Rajasthan

Two papers
1. General studies
Prelim

2. Aptitude

Only single paper that contains both General studies +

Aptitude questions.
3 hours, 150 questions.

Total 4 hours and 200

questions.
Separate essay paper

No

1. Separate qualifying
paper for English
2. Separate qualifying
paper regional

Single paper thatll contain 120 marks worth Hindi and

80 marks worth English =total 200 marks.

language
Mains

Four papers of General

studies.
4 x 250=1000 marks.

Three papers of general studies. 3 x 200=600 marks.

One optional subject (two

papers)

No optional subjects.

No

GS(Mains) paper contains maths, reasoning and

statistics in its syllabus.

Analysis of RAS-2012 prelims

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/97816112@N02/9143950748/)
Entire question paper available in a separate article click me (http://mrunal.org/2013/06/questionpaper-ras-preliminary-exam-2012-rajasthan-state-and-subordinate-services-combinedcompetitive-exam-cutoffs-previous-papers.html)
Unlike the UPSC CSAT-2013 paper, the RAS-2012 prelims paper had following differences:
Very few Economy questions and all of them based on current affairs, number based.
Very few Qs on polity and all of them centered on current affairs / Rajasthan.
Environment biodiversity matter mostly GK and Rajasthan based.
Science forms a major part, and mostly based on direct theory from conventional books.
Current affairs form a significant part- including person in news, awards, events etc.

Although, this time RAS has changed syllabus, included aptitude within GS Prelims paper. So, it
remains to be seen whether they continue the old ways or not. Anyways, lets see how to
approach individual topics as per the syllabus

Rajasthans history and culture

Start with the Social science / history textbooks of Rajasthan State education board. You can
freely download them from http://rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in/books/index.htm
(http://rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in/books/index.htm)
If you look at the syllabus of history in Rajasthan University, Jaipur:
1. BA History part 1=> paper 2 is about all History of Rajasthan (from Ancient to 1956).
2. MA History paper 5: Main trends in History and Culture of Rajasthan
And as long as there are BA/MA history courses in Government colleges, there will be readymade
guidebooks/digests for the individual papers, right?
So I suggest you visit the bookstores dealing with college books, and inquire for the guidebooks
for above papers- that should serve as your base material.
Since RAS got hundreds of vacancies this time, the unscrupulous elements will recycle the same
content from such BA/MA books and sell it as study-material for Rs.2000/5000/7000 rupees
depending on your desperation. So apply your head, always stick to standard reference bookstheyre cheaper and more reliable for competitive exams.
Additional sources:
Visit the sitemap of Rajasthan Governments tourism website. All these topics are covered in
detail. (http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Home/SiteMap.aspx
(http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Home/SiteMap.aspx))
Youll also find scattered information in NIOSs culture course, NCERTs, plus in Rajasthan state
education boards textbooks.
Here is the list of syllabus topics that you need to prepare:
1. Salient features of Architecture Forts and Monuments
2. Arts, Paintings and Handicrafts.
3. Fairs, Festivals, Folk Music and Folk Dances.
4. Rajsathani Culture, Traditions and Heritage.
5. Important Tourist Places.

6. Major Landmarks in the History of Rajasthan, Major Dynasties, their Administrative and
Revenue System. Socio-cultural Issues.
7. Freedom Movement , Political Awakening and Integration
8. Religious Movements, Saints& Lok devtas of Rajasthan.
9. Leading Personalities of Rajasthan.
10. Important Works of Rajasthani literature. Local Dilects

Indian History n Culture

This topic can be subdivided into
Ancient

Harappa, Vedic age etc.

Medieval

Delhi Sultanate, Mughal dynasty etc.

Modern

British Raj, freedom struggle etc.

Culture

Jainism, buddism, culture, literature, panting, dance, music etc.

If you look at the old papers of RAS, the Indian history related MCQs are mostly General
knowledge type.
For example who defeated whom and when?
So, in that regard NCERTs (under new syllabus) wont be of much help. Because they dont
dwell much into such GK. (Although there is no harm in reading them, but on has to consider
the time constrain).
Besides, youve to Rajasthan state education boards textbooks for social science /history for
preparing Rajasthans history and culture anyways. And even in those Rajasthan state board
textbook, Indias history will be covered. If you need additional reference, consult General
studies manual, otherwise just leave it there.
for Indian culture, use NIOS course material.
For modern history, go for A brief History of Modern India by spectrum publication
(http://www.flipkart.com/brief-history-modern-india/p/itmdg229y7jccdgy?
pid=9788179304747&affid=mrunalrugm). Itll also help for the mains as well. same book
available in Hindi medium under title Adhunik Bharat Ka Etihas, Spectrum
(http://www.flipkart.com/adhunik-bharat-ka-etihas-hindi/p/itmd7zf5svxrjsdt?
pid=9788179304785&affid=mrunalrugm)
Bipin Chandra is also good, if youve the time and mood.

Geography
As per upsc syllabus

As per RAS syllabus

1. Physical

1. World Geography

2. Indian

2. Indian Geography

3. World

3. Geography of Rajasthan

World Geography
Syllabus

Reference

Broad Physical features

NCERT Class 6: chapter 2 to 6

NCERT Class 11: 3 to 7

Environmental and Ecological

Issues.

Separate strategy given under the heading Environment and

Biodiversity.

International Waterways

NCERT Class 11, Chapter 13 and 14.

Class 12 (Fundamentals of Human Geography) Chapter 8.

Major Industrial Regions

Class 12 (Fundamentals of Human Geography) Chapter 6.

India Geography
Syllabus
1. Broad physical features and Major
physiographic divisions.

Reference
NCERT Class 6, Ch.7
NCERT Class 9, Ch.1, 2 and 4
NCERT Class 11, Ch.1, 2
For this, you should refer following chapters from
NCERT Geography and Science textbooks.
NCERT Geography Class 8 Ch.4
NCERT Geography Class 10 Ch.4
NCERT Geography Class 11 Ch.6

2. Agriculture and Agro based

Activities.

NCERT Geography Class 12 (Funda. in Human

geography) ch.5
NCERT Geography Class 12 (India people &
Economy) ch.5
NCERT Science Class 7, ch.3 and 9

NCERT Science Class 8, ch.1

NCERT Science Class 9, ch.15
3. Minerals Iron, Manganese, Coal,
Oil & Gas, Atomic minerals.
4. Major Industries and Industrial
development.
5. Transportation major transport
corridors.

NCERT Geography Class 10, ch.5

NCERT Geography Class 12 (India people &
Economy) ch.7
NCERT Class 10 ch. 6 and 8

NCERT Class 10 Ch.7

NCERT Class 12 (India people & Economy) Ch.10

6. Natural Resources.

NCERT Class 10 Ch.1

7. Environmental Problems and

Separate strategy given under the heading

Environment and Biodiversity.

Ecological Issues.

Geography of Rajasthan
In the NCERTs chapters under Indian geography, youll find scattered information about
Rajasthan. Note it down separately.
India Yearbook: refer to chapter 30: State and union territories =>Rajasthan. Youll find
overview of Rajasthans geography, irrigation etc. But for MCQs, that information alone will
not suffice.
Therefore, Use Rajasthan State education board textbooks (preferably from Class 7 to 12)
related to Social science and geography subjects and prepare the following topics.
1. Broad physical features and Major physiographic divisions.
2. Natural Resource of Rajasthan3. Climate, Natural Vegetation, Forests, Wildlife and Bio-diversity
4. Major irrigation projects.
5. Mines and Minerals.
6. Population.
7. Major Industries and Potential for Industrial Development.
Additional preparation for Rajasthan geography:

1. Major irrigation

Chapter 15 Rajasthan State Five year plan.

projects.

2. Mines and Minerals.

Raj. Mineral departments official website

http://www.dmg-raj.org/ (http://www.dmg-raj.org/)
On the left hand side, there is a menu title mineral information,
read the articles posted under it.
Also prepare the overview/salient features of Rajasthans Mineral
Development policy.
Prepare the Rajasthan related statistics from Census 2011.
available here http://www.rajcensus.gov.in/Pe_DATA.html

3. Population.

(http://www.rajcensus.gov.in/Pe_DATA.html)
also prepare Rajasthan vs. states (for example literacy, sex ratio)
from Census 2011, with the help of internet.

4. Major Industries and

Potential for
Industrial

Use google to dig out SEZs and towns of export excellence in

Rajasthan.

Development.

Environment and Biodiversity (EnB)

Unlike UPSC, the RAS doesnt contain separate topic of Environment and Biodiversity, but it is
listed as a sub-topic, under World, Indian and Rajasthans geography.
However, it should be separately prepared because
Even in RAS-prelims-2012, there were quite a few questions from Rajasthan related
environment related topics.
it comes again in the mains syllabus and in past mains exams, theyve asked direct
questions such as Explain environmental benefits of organic farming, Explain
Eutrophication and so on.
The foundation material for Environment biodiversity is NIOS (National institute for open
schooling.)
Also refer to following chapters of NCERT textbooks.
NCERT Geography textbooks

NCERT Other subject Textbooks

Geography Class6 Ch8

Science Class7 Ch7, 16,17 and 18

Geography Class7 Ch1 to 6

Science Class8 Ch7 and 18

Geography Class8 Ch 2 and 5

Science Class9 Ch14

Geography Class9 Ch5

Science Class10 Ch. 14 to 16

Geography Class10 Ch2

Biology Class12, Ch. 13 to 16

Geography Class11 Ch4 and 5

Chemistry class11, Ch.14

Geography Class11 Ch 15 and 16

Economy Class11, Ch.9

Additionally prepare the objective/targets/salient features of following policies:

What?

From where?

Rajasthan State
Environment Policy 2010
Rajasthan State Forest

http://rajasthan.gov.in
(http://rajasthan.gov.in/rajgovt/actnpolicies/actnpolicies.htm)

Policy 2010
Rajasthan Solar energy
policy

http://www.rrecl.com/Solar1.aspx
(http://www.rrecl.com/Solar1.aspx)

Also visit Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporations website (rrecl.com) and make the list of
projects and schemes.
for wildlife sanctuaries, national parks list, visit Rajasthan forest Departments page:
http://rajforest.nic.in/?q=national-parks-and-sanctuaries-in-rajasthan (http://rajforest.nic.in/?
q=national-parks-and-sanctuaries-in-rajasthan)
for information on wildlife in individual national parks: http://www.rajasthanwildlife.in/
(http://www.rajasthanwildlife.in/)

Economy
For let me list the unconventional topics from the RAS syllabus (free downloads @bottom)
Accounting
NIOS Accountancy, chapter 1 to 3
Concept,

IGNOU BA Public Administration chapter on Accountancy

Tools and Uses in

in government.

Administration
e-Commerce

IGNOU MA Public Administration chapter on E-commerce.

Now coming to the conventional topics of economy: For RAS prelims, Economy is subdivided into
three parts
1. Basic concepts
2. Indian Economy
3. Rajasthans Economy
For topic #1 and #2, the sources are
1. NCERT Class 11, 12 (free download links @bottom).
2. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh (TMH Publication). (http://www.flipkart.com/indianeconomy-civil-services-examinations-5th/p/itmdfgb8bvemvqvw?
pid=9781259064289&affid=mrunalrugm) Same Book in Hindi under title Bhartiya
Arthvyavastha, Ramesh Singh
3. Mrunal.org/economy
4. newspaper, magazines.

Prelim topic

Subtopics as per official

syllabus

1. Basic Knowledge of
Budgeting, Public Finance,
Fiscal policy

How to prepare?

NCERT Class 12 Macroeconomics,

Chapter 5
Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh,
Chapter on public finance
Ramesh Singh, chapter on Banking

2. Banking, Monetary Policies

CRR, SLR, NBFC and related current

affairs have been explained in
Mrunal.org/economy

Basic
Concepts of
Economics16

3. National Income, Growth

and Development
4. Stock Exchange and Share
Market

NCERT Class 12 Macroeconomics,

Chapter 2
Ramesh Singh, Chapter 2
Ramesh Singh chapter 2, 12, 13, 14
and 16.
Ramesh Singh Chapter 21

5. Subsidies, Public
Distribution System

Mrunals summary of Economic

Survey Ch8, subtopic food
Management.

6. Inflation- Concept, Impact

and Control Mechanism
1. 5 Year Plans Objectives,
Strategies and
Achievements.
3. Major Sectors of EconomyAgriculture, Industry,
Service and Trade- Current

Indian
Economic
Development
& Planning

Status.

4. Major Economic Problems

and Government
Initiatives.

Ramesh Singh Chapter 7

1. Ramesh Singh ch.5
2. Also chapter 2 of Rajasthan states
Five year plan.
Ramesh Singh ch9 and 10
Mrunals summary of Economic
survey chapter 8, 9 and 10.
Contains scattered topics for example
inflation, rupee depreciation, Foreign
investment, IIP etc. so go through:
1. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
2. Mrunal.org/economy
3. keep an eye on newspapers

5. Economic Reforms and

Liberalization
1. Human Development
Index
2. Poverty and
unemployment: Concept,

Human
Resource and
Economic
Development

Types, Causes, Remedies

NCERT Class 11 Indian Economic

Development.
Covered under my summary of
Economic Survey ch13. available on
Mrunal.org/economy
Ramesh Singh chapter 22
Mrunals summary of Economic survey
ch.13.

3. (Poverty removal) Flagship

Schemes.
4. Social Justice and
Empowerment
5. Provisions for Weaker

Covered under Mrunals summary of

Economic Survey ch13.

Sections.
(http://www.flipkart.com/indian-economy-civil-services-examinations5th/p/itmdfgb8bvemvqvw?pid=9781259064289&affid=mrunalrugm)
Youll have to again face these topics as GS Mains paper 1 under
Economic Concepts and Indian Economy. Although in mains some new
topics will also come for example Issue of NPA, Financial Inclusion, Tax
Reforms in India, concept of Money supply. But pretty much all of them
covered in the combination of: NCERT, Ramesh singh,
Mrunal.org/economy

Economy of Rajasthan
For this, primary reference sources are
1. Budget speech of CM
2. Rajasthans Five year plan documents.
3. Newspaper.
Additionally prepare the salient features of following:
1. Rajasthan Industrial and Investment Policy
2. Policy for the Registration and Protection of Geographical Indications of Goods in Rajasthan
3. Rajasthans Mineral Development policy
While you read these topics, do make notes because same content is repeated in the syllabus of
GS (Mains) paper 1 and 3.
Prelim topics

How to prepare?
Goto Rajasthan Government s finance department website and Read
following PDFs from Budget 2013-14:

Macro
overview of
Economy.

1. Budget at a glance
2. Budget speech of CM
Also Chapter 1 of Rajasthan state five year plan.

Major

Agricultural,
Industrial and
Service Sector
Issues.

Chapter 10,11 and 15-18 of Rajasthans Five year plan.

Growth,
Development
and Planning.

Chapter 2,3 and 4 of Rajasthan state five year plan.

Infrastructure
& Resources.

10, 16, 17, 18

Major
Development
Projects.

Chapter 7 and 8 of Rajasthan state five year plan.

this topic also re-appears in GS Mains paper 3 under the title Current
sensitive issues.
This includes Government Welfare Schemes for SC/ST/Backward
Class/Minorities/Disabled Persons, Destitute, Women, Children, Old Age
People, Farmers & Labourers.
Programmes
and Schemes-

Refer to chapter 14, 20-28 of Rajasthan state five year plan, and prepare
micro-notes or mindmaps containing following details about every
scheme: 1)which department/ministry implements it? 2) who is the target
beneficiary 3) salient features/benefits offered.
State government would publish big colourful ads in the newspapers
(usually before any elections), showing their achievements and schemes.
do note down the information from there too.

Polity
As per the RAS prelims syllabus, polity can be further classified into
1. Indian Constitution related conventional topics e.g. Government of India Acts: 1919 and 1935,
Nature of Indian Constitution; Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State,
Fundamental Duties, Federal Structure, Constitutional Amendments, etc.
2. Indian Political System and Governance e.g. CVC, NHRC etc.
3. Rajasthan state related polity e.g. CM, state assembly, HC etc.

(http://www.flipkart.com/indian-polity-4th/p/itmdmmsnbhqfwj3a?
pid=9781259064128&affid=mrunalrugm)
For topic #1 and 2 listed above, read Indian polity by M.Laxmikanth
(http://www.flipkart.com/indian-polity-4th/p/itmdmmsnbhqfwj3a?
pid=9781259064128&affid=mrunalrugm). For Hindi medium, the same
book is available under the title Bharat ki Rajyavyavstha, M.Laxmikanth
(http://www.flipkart.com/bharat-ki-rajvyavastha-civil-seva-pariksha-keliye-hindi-3rd/p/itmczynwvrxw5gpq?
pid=9780070678880&affid=mrunalrugm).

How to eciently read M.Laxmikanth?

1. First you read the chapter on President, Vice President and immediately
move to the chapter on governor. Then read on Emergency provisions.
2. Read chapter on PM and cabinet, then move to CM and state council of Ministers.
3. Chapter on Parliamentary system and then directly to parliament, but after budget topic is
done pause this chapter and move to on CAG. Then come back and resume the chapter on
parliament.
4. Once parliament is finished, move to State legislative assembly.
5. Supreme Court and then High court, tribunals.
6. Attorney Gen =>Advocate General
7. UPSC =>State PSC
8. Finance Commission =>Planning Commission=>National Development council
9. Now Centre State relation and Interstate relations.
10. Election Commission=> chapter on election, Anti-defection
11. All the National Commissions on Women, SC, ST,OBC, CVC, Lokpal and so on.
Once ^this is done. Move to
1. Citizenship, Fundamental rights, DPSP, duties.
2. Amendment of Constitution=> preamble
3. Jammu Kashmir => Scheduled and Tribal Areas.
4. UT, Panchayati Raj, municipalities
After ^this is done. Read whatever chapters are remaining. Ultimately
Appendix for union-state-concurrent list, table of precedence etc.

the mock MCQ questions given in Laxmikant.

Rajasthan state polity/administration

It includes

1. Governor
2. Chief
Minister
3. State
Assembly
4. High Court
5. Rajasthan
Public
Service
Commission
6. State
Human
Rights
Commission
7. State
Election

The basic theory regarding power, function, appointment etc. remain

one and same for all states, so refer to the relevant chapters in Indian
polity by M.Laxmikanth.
Also go through the Rajasthan state education boards social science /
civics textbooks and prepare the relevant chapters.
Sometimes the state PCS exams ask GK type questions from these topics
also. For example who is the current State election Commissioner or
How many judges are there in Rajasthan High Court etc.
For such GK/current affairs, visit the official websites of those bodies and
click on About us. but do that exercise, after youve finish the basic
syllabus for the preliminary exam.

Commission
8. State
Information
Commission

District
Administration

Prepare the basic concepts, prepare chapter 15 to 18 from IGNOU BA Public

Administration course code: BPAE-102. Because the same concent will also
re-appear under GS Mains paper 1, subtopic Administrative System of
Rajasthan.
Also using internet find following:
Find the total no. of districts in Rajasthan.
recently created/merged/renamed districts
5th Schedule areas in Rajasthan.
Cities of Rajasthan under Police Commissioner system.

After independence, many parts were merged in Rajasthan state during 48-56.
RAS-prelims-2012, also contained question about it. So, prepare that list from:
http://rajforest.nic.in/?q=formation-of-rajasthan (http://rajforest.nic.in/?q=formation-of-rajasthan)

Rajasthan Public Policy

For preliminary exam, public policy is a very vague topic for framing MCQs, unless they enter
in GK type question for example: Rajasthan Forest policy was enacted in which year?
or they might ask you MCQs from salient features of various policy but then there are so
many polices, it starts becomes very time consuming to finish the syllabus.
However, keeping the other topics from prelims and mains in mind, I would suggest you
atleast prepare the salient features of policies given below.

Economy related
1. Rajasthan Industrial and Investment Policy
2. Policy for the Registration and Protection of Geographical Indications of Goods in Rajasthan
3. Mineral Development policy

Environment related
1. Rajasthan State Environment Policy 2010
2. Rajasthan State Forest Policy 2010
3. Policy for providing generation of Electricity from Biomass

Agriculture/ rural Development related:

1. State Water Policy
2. State Livestock Development Policy
3. Policy for Promotion of Agro-Processing and Agri-Business, 2010
4. Sector Policy for Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation

Sci-tech related
1. Rajasthans Biotech Policy
2. Rajasthans IT Policy
you can download policy documents from
www.rajasthan.gov.in/rajgovt/actnpolicies/actnpolicies.html
(http://www.rajasthan.gov.in/rajgovt/actnpolicies/actnpolicies.html)

You dont have to read the entire policy documents, just concentrate on the overview/salientfeatures/objectives of said policy and prepare notes out of it, for quick revision during Mains
preparation.
Lets move to next subtopic under polity:

Rajasthan Citizen charter and Legal rights

For Legal Rights,
Prepare the salient features/overview/objectives of following:
1. Rajasthan Guaranteed Delivery of Public Services Act, 2011
2. The Rajasthan Right to Hearing Act, 2012
For Citizen Charter
basics explained here
http://mrunal.org/2013/03/polity-citizens-charter-bill-2011-salient-features-issues-criticismexplained.html (http://mrunal.org/2013/03/polity-citizens-charter-bill-2011-salient-featuresissues-criticism-explained.html)
And for Rajasthan so far 32 departments have already issued such charters. And Divisional
Commissioner is empowered to transfer an employee, if he/she is found negligent in
implementation of citizen charters. (Although itd be waste of time to prepare 32 departments
citizen charters for prelims, so better just ignore or may be prepare a few big ones example state
department for agriculture, social-justice, tourism etc. keeping the mains syllabus in mind.)

Science & Technology

The science technology (including environment-biodiversity), forms a significant part of
Prelims as well as mains.
In the RAS mains exam syllabus, GS Paper II worth 200 marks revolves around just two topics
1) Aptitude 2) Science-Tech.
anyways, for the moment lets just concentrate on the topics to be prepared for prelims:

Sources
1. NCERT Class 7 to 10 science textbooks
2. Mrunal.org/snt (http://www.Mrunal.org/snt)
3. relevant chapters in Rajasthans five year plan and policies.
4. (optional) Spectrums book on Science and Technology. (http://www.flipkart.com/science-

technology-india/p/itmdgt9kys9su7qg?pid=9788179304846&affid=mrunalrugm) Also
available in Hindi medium under the title Vigyan Evum Prodhyogiki, Spectrum Editorial board
(http://www.flipkart.com/vigyan-evum-prodhyogiki-hindi/p/itmdgt9hyznsrzge?
pid=9788179304853&affid=mrunalrugm)
Official syllabus
topic
Basics of
Everyday Science.

How to prepare?
For this refer to NCERT science textbooks class 7 to 10
For more reference, you may refer to NIOS course material for
Science.
Lot of stuff related to e-governance and ICT projects has been covered
in my economy survey chapter 10 (part 3 of 5) article. available on
mrunal.org/economy.

Electronics,
Computers,
Information and
Communication
Technology (ICT).

for Rajasthan State governments e-governance projects e.g. ESANCHAR, Aarogya Online etc. refer to Chapter 27 of Rajasthan states
five year plan and simultaneously prepare notes on it because theyll
be extremely useful for the mains.
for more reference: chapter 9 and 10 for Spectrums book on Science
and Technology. (http://www.flipkart.com/science-technologyindia/p/itmdgt9kys9su7qg?pid=9788179304846&affid=mrunalrugm)

Space Technology
including
Satellites.

Space-tech related Current affairs compilation from 2012 to March

2013, already given in mrunal.org/snt
Copy paste its content in MS word file. Then whatever new thing
happens, you update it in your word file.
Defense related Current affairs compilation from 2012 to March 2013,

Defense
Technology

already given in mrunal.org/snt

Copy paste its content in MS word file. Then whatever new thing
happens, you update it in your word file.
Topic available in General studies manual And or chapter 9 and 10 for
Spectrums book on Science and Technology.

Nanotechnology

OR just google it. All you need is definition, principle and applications.
Lot of Nano-tech applications already given under my Hindu-science
tech summary articles, available on mrunal.org/snt

This already covered under NCERT science textbooks from class 7 to

10.
Union governments schemes related to public health, already covered
Human body,
Food and
Nutrition, Health
care

under three part article series in Mrunal.org/snt

for Rajasthan governments schemes on public health (e.g. Mukhya
Mantri Nishulk Dava Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Balika Sambal Yojana etc.)
refer to Chapter 21 and 26 of Rajasthan states five year plan and
simultaneously prepare notes on it because theyll be extremely useful
for the mains.

Environmental

Strategy already given under the topic title environment and

and Ecological

biodiversity. Foundation from NCERT+NIOS.

Changes and

Koyoto and various summits covered under mrunal.org/enb

its Impacts.

Chapter 12 of Rajasthan states five year plan and simultaneously

Biodiversity

prepare notes on it because theyll be extremely useful for the mains.

Biotechnology
and Genetic
Engineering

NCERT Botany class 12

Chapter 17 of Spectrums book on Science and Technology.

Agriculture,
Horticulture,

Overlaps with Geography chapters that I suggested earlier.

Forestry

Chapter 10, 11 and 12 of Rajasthan states five year plan and

Animal

simultaneously prepare notes on it because theyll be extremely useful

Husbandry

for the mains.

with special

For additional reference: Chapter 5 of Spectrums book on Science and

reference to

Technology.

Rajasthan.
Chapter 19 Rajasthan states five year plan
Keep an eye on newspapers.
Development of
Science and
Technology in
Rajasthan.

Also the Rajsthan Sci-tech departments website

http://dst.rajasthan.gov.in/ (http://dst.rajasthan.gov.in/)
Also prepare salient-features/objectives of following policies
3. Rajasthans Biotech Policy
4. Rajasthans IT Policy

Current Aairs and PIN

Official syllabus mentions following:
1. Major Current Events and Issues of State(Rajasthan), National and International
2. Persons and Places in recent news
3. Games and Sports related Activities
In 2012s RAS prelims paper, we can see lot of current affairs questions were asked.

How to prepare national/international current aairs?

Goto library, read whatever competitive magazine you get (CST, Pratiyoigta, Chronicle, Wizard)
and note down important things in loose pages then file them under separate categories
(person in news, books-authors, sports, international summit etc.).
Ive already published compilation for important persons in news, books-authors and sport
from 2012 upto March 2013.
http://mrunal.org/2013/02/misc-gk-persons-in-news-2012-13-sports-books-awards-for-ssc-cgl-sbipo-upsc-csat.html (http://mrunal.org/2013/02/misc-gk-persons-in-news-2012-13-sports-booksawards-for-ssc-cgl-sbi-po-upsc-csat.html)
copy paste it in MS Word file and keep editing, updating as new developments take place.

Current Aairs Rajasthan

for this, you should follow a local daily newspaper.
but in such newspapers, usually they tend to focus on masala and gossip news,
cricket,Bollywood,local politics etc. but from exam point of view such things are not very
important.
from the newspaper, keep a habit of noting down following things in a separate file:

1. Creation/merger of departments/ministries/government
organizations.
2. New policies, schemes for agriculture, weaker section,

Government related

education etc.
3. Allocation by planning Commission.
4. Any landmark judgments of the high court.
5. any new bill/act in the state legislative assembly

1. New government initiatives to bring more investment and

boost economy, tourism.

Economy

2. Signing of MoUs,
3. New oil/gas plants or pipelines etc.
4. SEZ allocation, building of new national
highway/expressway etc.
1. News related to wildlife, seasonal migration of birds etc.

Environment/science
related

2. news related to launching of projects for renewable energy,

soil conservation, combating desertification etc.
1. Any athlete from the state, participating in an international
level sporting event.
2. Any author/artist/sportsman from the state, getting state,
national or international level award.

Persons/places in
news

3. Death of any important person. (Business tycoon, author,

dancer, writer etc.)
4. Location of any city where international or national level
conference/event is being held.
5. Location of any place where military exercise is taking place.

Reasoning & Mental Ability

For reasoning, the book remains same as usual:
A modern Approach to Verbal and Non-verbal reasoning by Dr. RS Aggarwal (S.Chand
Publication).
(http://www.flipkart.com/modern-approach-verbal-non-verbal-reasoningrevised/p/itmdytg8ghhmrq75?pid=9788121905510&affid=mrunalrugm)
First finish the topics listed in the official syllabus:

Logical Reasoning (Deductive, Inductive, Abductive)

Topics as per official syllabus.
1. Statement and
Assumptions,
2. Statement and Argument,

Approach

3. Statements and
Conclusion,

RS Aggarwals book: Section II (Logical deduction), chapter No.

2 to 8.

4. Courses of Action.
5. Analytical Reasoning.
If the time permits, also go through the first chapter (logic/syllogism)
If youve already MK Pandeys Book (analytical reasoning) as part of your SBI PO preparation,
then first understand the theory from part I of his book and then use RS Aggarwal as practice
work.
For additional practice, you may also use previous years IBPS/Bank PO papers.

Mental Ability
Topics as per official syllabus.

Approach (RS Aggarwals book)

1. Number series

1, 16

2. Letter series

10

3. Odd man out

Chapter 3

4. Coding-Decoding

Chapter 4

5. Problems relating to Relations

Chapter 5 and 6

6. Shapes and their sub sections.

Non-verbal reasoning section: chapter 4,7,14.

In above topics, there is hardly any theory or formulas. The only way to attain speed and
accuracy is through practice. So do all the sums from those chapters of his book.
Once this is done, also get an overview of other chapters of his book as well.

Reasoning For GS Mains!

Curiously, RAS even has reasoning topic in its GS (Mains) Paper 2 syllabus.
It contains all of the topics mentioned above + Venn Diagrams.
For Venn Diagrams, do following Chapter #9 of RS Agarwal. But it only deals with Logical venn
diagram and not maths based venn diagrams (e.g. in a society 30 people drink coffee and 40
drink tea then..) so for that type maths based Venn diagrams, either refer NCERT maths class

11 chapter 1 or go through your quantitative aptitude book.

Basic Numeracy
The syllabus mentions very basic level topics.
Use whatever book youve for quantitative aptitude (RS Aggarwal, Tyra, Sarvesh Kumar
anything is fine) and prepare topic listed in the official syllabus viz.
Official syllabus

What to prepare?

Elementary
knowledge of
Mathematical
analysis.

Practice BODMAS, surds-indices related questions

Statistical Analysis

Averages. + Basic formulas for mean, median and mode and definition
based question. For this refer NCERT Class 11 Statistics, Chapter 1 to 4.

Number System

HCF, LCM, remainders.

Order of
Magnitude

Comparison of fraction. NCERT Class 7 Chap 2, 9.

Ratio and
Proportion

NCERT Class 8 Chap 13. then practice sums from your quantitative
aptitude book.

Percentage,
Simple and
Compound
Interest

All these can be easily solved once your basic concepts of % is clear. go
through Mrunal.org/aptitude

This portion doesnt have much theory or formulas. (Except for the
pie-charts).
Data Analysis
(Tables, Bar
diagram, Line
graph, Pie-chart).

Hence the only way to improve speed and accuracy is through

practice.
So, Practice the Data interpretation (DI) cases from previous years
SSC CGL and BankPO question papers. The DI questions BankPO
require very lengthy calculations, but I dont think thatll be the case
with RAS.

Do not just stop ^here. Because the RAS Mains GS paper II also has maths topics in its
syllabus- Including Time and Work, Time, Speed and Distance, area-volume-perimeter! So

while youre in the momentum, try to finish them as well.

Dont just read the sums, solve them on your own. Otherwise in the exam, youll make silly
mistakes while plugging the values in the equations and silly mistakes in calculations.
do maintain a diary: whatever formulas, shortcut techniques, special type of questions you
come across, note them here. Even note down whatever mistakes you make while solving
sums- to prevent them from happening in future.

Conclusion
1. Good or bad, whatever was your experience with UPSC CSAT 2013, leave it there and start
preparation with a fresh mind.
2. Dont be in overconfidence that just because Ive cracked xyz exam earlier so this is a pappu
exam for me. Competition is merciless, reading-revision is necessary.
3. If youve applied for this exam, then focus on your studies only. Dont waste time in daydreaming, facebook, orkut, random net surfing, chatting, TV, cricket, weddings of distant
relatives etc. Time-pass activities will always be there, but once you cross the age-limit, there
is no restart button. (This rule applies to all competitive exams.)
4. When you get bored reading General studies, then solve maths / reasoning questions. when
you get bored with maths / reasoning, then resume your General studies preparation.
5. I cant do maths or I cant do science, yeh mujse nahi hoga, woh mujse nahi hoga= these are all
losers excuses. Im not from a good college/ Im not from English medium =these are all
inferiority complexes. Success in Government recruitment exams only depends on your score
in written exam and interview. So, avoid losers excuses and inferiority complexes and commit
yourself to the hardwork and leave rest in the hands of God.

Free study material, Download links

RAS Exam related Technical details:
courtesy: Mr.csl80 for these details.

2012s
prelim
paper
Mains papers of
2008 and 2010

click me (http://mrunal.org/2013/06/question-paper-ras-preliminary-exam2012-rajasthan-state-and-subordinate-services-combined-competitiveexam-cutoffs-previous-papers.html)
https://files.secureserver.net/0sU4TvbvGiB72C
(https://files.secureserver.net/0sU4TvbvGiB72C)

Cutoffs for
2012s Prelims
Syllabus
Notification for
2013s Exam

Go to this link and download whatever PDFs you require:

https://files.secureserver.net/0fHXKGPK4piZyE
(https://files.secureserver.net/0fHXKGPK4piZyE)

Press Note
regarding
reforms in RAS
exam

RAS Specic Study material

1.Rajasthans Five year
plan document

https://files.secureserver.net/0sTWYRF8vkNc6J
(https://files.secureserver.net/0sTWYRF8vkNc6J)

2.Rajasthans Budget

3.Accountancy and
related material

https://files.secureserver.net/0s15UHzeMgVVFs
(https://files.secureserver.net/0s15UHzeMgVVFs)

4.District Administration

NCERT and NIOS (Essential/Core)

Go to following link: https://files.secureserver.net/0fHCh0CLd6Az63
(https://files.secureserver.net/0fHCh0CLd6Az63)
Youll find the material organized in various folders. Click on individual folder and download zip
files. Here is the description about the contents of individual folder:
Folder

Comment
Contains NCERT history chapters from class 7 to 12, in three zip files:

History

ancient, medieval and Modern

+NIOS Culture material
Contains class 7 to 10 NCERT Science in three zips: physics, chemistry,
biology.

Science

+NIOS Science material. (although there will be lot of overlapping)

Class 11, 12 Science books given in the peripheral section below.

Contains selective chapters from class 6 to 12 from science and

EnB

geography textbooks that are relevant for Environment and biodiversity.

+NIOS material for environment and biodiversity EnB.
Contains NCERT class 11 + NCERT 12 Macro economics

Economy

+NIOS economy material.

Class 12 Micro-economics not included because not worth the time for
CDS. Although download link in the peripheral section below.
Contains NCERT class 6 to 12 in five zip folders: physical, India, World,

Geography

Agro and glossary.

+NIOS material on geography (although lot of overlapping)

India yearbook
Earlier government used to upload free PDF files for India yearbook (e.g. India 2010, India
2011 etc.)
But for the RAS prelims, you should prepare a few static topics for it, from MCQ point of view.
so, just download the India 2011 edition click me
(https://files.secureserver.net/0s7OobL0vlSx5o)
And read chapter following chapters
1.Land and the People
2.National Symbols
3.The Polity (for polity)
20 Justice and Law (for polity segment)
30. State and UT (for geography related questions, also give specification attention to
Rajasthan topic under it.)

Softwares
1. Majority of these PDF files provides direct copying of text. => That means you can use
Mrunals autonotemaker to quickly make notes and mindmaps out of it, just use mouse
cursor to highlight a particular line /phrase and my software will copy its text in a separate file.
for more instructions click me (http://mrunal.org/2012/10/tech-mrunals-auto-notemaker-for-