The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) has officially announced the syllabus and examination pattern for the highly anticipated 2026 Rajasthan State and Subordinate Services Combined Competitive Exam (CCE). This examination serves as the primary gateway for thousands of aspirants seeking prestigious government employment within the state of Rajasthan.
RPSC 2026 Exam Structure: A Two-Tier Process
The RPSC CCE 2026 will be conducted in two distinct phases: the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination. The Preliminary Exam is an objective-type screening test designed to shortlist candidates for the next stage. It comprises 150 multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 200 marks, to be attempted within a duration of three hours.
This initial test covers a broad spectrum of subjects to evaluate a candidate's general awareness and aptitude. Key topics include:
- History, Art, Culture, and Heritage of Rajasthan
- Indian History and Geography
- Indian Polity, Governance, and Economy
- General Science & Technology
- Mental Ability and Reasoning
- Current Affairs of National and International importance
Candidates must note that the prelims exam incorporates a negative marking scheme, where one-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every incorrect answer.
Deep Dive into the RPSC 2026 Mains Syllabus
Those who qualify the preliminary hurdle will advance to the Main Examination, which is a comprehensive descriptive (written) test. The Mains exam is designed to assess in-depth knowledge, analytical abilities, and writing proficiency.
The RPSC Mains syllabus is extensive and includes multiple papers on General Studies, focusing intensely on Rajasthan and India. The core areas encompass:
- Rajasthan's History, Culture, Geography, and Economy
- Indian History, Geography, Polity, and Governance
- Environmental Studies, Science & Technology
- Current Affairs and their impact
Additionally, candidates must tackle compulsory language papers in Hindi and English, testing comprehension, precis writing, and essay composition. A significant component is the Optional Subject paper, where aspirants can choose one subject from a prescribed list, such as Public Administration, Political Science, Geography, History, or others, to demonstrate specialized knowledge.
Official syllabus PDFs for both Prelims and Mains are available for download on the commission's portal, providing aspirants with the definitive blueprint for their studies.
Strategic Preparation Guide for Aspirants
With the syllabus now clearly outlined, formulating an effective preparation strategy is crucial. Experts recommend a Rajasthan-centric approach, especially in the initial months, given the high weightage of state-specific topics across both exam stages.
A disciplined study plan should allocate dedicated time for mastering theory, practicing objective questions for Prelims, and developing answer-writing skills for Mains. Integrating resources like previous years' question papers and regular mock tests is indispensable. This practice helps identify recurring themes, improves time management during the actual exam, and familiarizes candidates with the pressure of the testing environment.
Success in the RPSC CCE requires consistent effort, smart resource management, and a thorough understanding of the exam's demands, starting with a meticulous review of the official syllabus and pattern for 2026.
