RAS Prelims 2024 Paper Analysis (Feb 2025 Exam)
The Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) Preliminary Examination 2024 was conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) on 2 February 2025 — a single 150-question, 200-mark General Knowledge & General Science paper with 1/3 negative marking, qualifying only. This…
RAS Prelims 2024 Paper Analysis (Feb 2025 Exam)
Executive Summary & Factual Context
The Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) Preliminary Examination 2024 was conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) on 2 February 2025 (the "RAS 2024" recruitment cycle was delayed into 2025). The exam is a single paper — General Knowledge & General Science — of 150 questions for 200 marks, 3 hours, with 1/3 negative marking, and is qualifying only (not added to the final merit).
I. SUBJECT-WISE QUESTION DISTRIBUTION (Long-Term Average)
Real Subject Weightage (Average Questions per Paper, Across the 7 Real RAS Prelims Papers Held So Far)
| Subject | Avg. Questions |
|---|---|
| Polity | 23 |
| Geography (World/India/Rajasthan) | 21 |
| Reasoning + Maths | ~21 |
| Science & Technology | 19 |
| Current Affairs | 18 |
| Rajasthan History-Art-Culture | 15 |
| Rajasthan Economy | 14 |
| Indian History | 11 |
| Economic Concepts / Indian Economy | 9 |
Key Observation
This is a long-run average from Raj Study's own PYQ bank, not a confirmed subject-wise breakdown of the 2024 (Feb 2025) paper specifically — RPSC does not publish an official subject-wise split. Treat it as a general planning guide, not an exact prediction of any single year's paper.
II. SUBJECT-WISE PRACTICE QUESTIONS
इन प्रश्नों की वास्तविक 2024 (फरवरी 2025) पेपर में उपस्थिति की पुष्टि नहीं की जा सकती — ये सामान्य अभ्यास प्रश्न हैं, PYQ नहीं।
Subject 1: INDIAN POLITY & GOVERNANCE
Sample Question: Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the power of the President to issue ordinances during parliamentary recess?
- A) Article 122
- B) Article 123
- C) Article 213
- D) Article 245
Solution: Answer: B) Article 123
Article 123 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to promulgate ordinances when both houses of Parliament are not in session. Key points:
- Ordinances have the same force as laws
- Must be laid before Parliament within 6 weeks
- Automatically ceases after 6 weeks if not approved
- Related Articles: 213 (State Governors), 372 (President's powers)
Subject 2: HISTORY & CULTURE
Sample Question: The 'Chipko Movement' of 1973 was primarily associated with which environmental action?
- A) Water conservation in Rajasthan
- B) Protection of forests through non-violent resistance
- C) Mining regulation in Jharkhand
- D) Wildlife protection in Uttarakhand
Solution: Answer: B) Protection of forests through non-violent resistance
The Chipko Movement ('embrace the trees') originated in the Garhwal region:
- Led by Sunderlal Bahuguna and women activists
- Protested against deforestation by embracing trees
- Resulted in a 15-year ban on green felling in the Uttar Pradesh Himalaya (from 1980)
- Significance: First major environmental movement post-independence
Subject 3: GEOGRAPHY
Sample Question: Which of the following states has the longest coastline in India?
- A) Karnataka
- B) Tamil Nadu
- C) Andhra Pradesh
- D) Gujarat
Solution: Answer: D) Gujarat
Gujarat has India's longest state coastline (the exact figure has been revised upward over time by newer, more precise Survey of India measurements — older sources cite ~1,214-1,600 km; it is well above other coastal states such as Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu either way).
Subject 4: ECONOMICS & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Sample Question: As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24 annual report, what is India's unemployment rate (usual status, age 15+)?
- A) 3.2%
- B) 6.4%
- C) 8.5%
- D) 5.1%
Solution: Answer: A) 3.2%
The PLFS Annual Report (July 2023-June 2024) by MoSPI/NSSO put the usual-status unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above at 3.2%.
Subject 5: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Sample Question: Which Indian space mission successfully landed on the Moon's south pole in August 2023?
- A) Chandrayaan-1
- B) Chandrayaan-2
- C) Chandrayaan-3
- D) Aditya-L1
Solution: Answer: C) Chandrayaan-3
Chandrayaan-3 Mission Highlights:
- Landed on lunar south pole (August 23, 2023)
- Successfully deployed Pragyan rover
- Detected sulphur and other elements on the lunar surface (it did not confirm water molecules)
- Significance: India became the 4th nation with soft landing capability, and the first near the lunar south pole
Subject 6: RAJASTHAN-SPECIFIC AFFAIRS
Sample Question: In which year was the Rajasthan Electricity Reform Act enacted, leading to the formation of the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC)?
- A) 1997
- B) 1999
- C) 2000
- D) 2003
Solution: Answer: B) 1999
RERC Context:
- The Rajasthan Power Sector Reforms Act, 1999 (enacted 28 December 1999) provided for setting up the regulatory commission, which was constituted shortly after (1999-2000)
- Regulatory body for electricity in Rajasthan
- Responsible for tariff determination
- Oversees power distribution companies (DISCOMs)
Subject 7: CURRENT AFFAIRS
Sample Question: Which country hosted the 2024 Summer Olympics?
- A) Japan
- B) South Korea
- C) France
- D) China
Solution: Answer: C) France
Note: 2024 Paris Olympics (26 July – 11 August 2024). France is in Europe; the next edition (2028) will be hosted by Los Angeles, USA.
Subject 8: ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES
Sample Question: The 'Montreux Record' is maintained under which international environmental treaty?
- A) Ramsar Convention
- B) CITES
- C) Montreal Protocol
- D) Basel Convention
Solution: Answer: A) Ramsar Convention
Montreux Record Details:
- Registry of wetlands of international importance facing or likely to face ecological change
- Maintained under the Ramsar Convention
- India's wetlands currently on this record: Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur, Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) — Wular Lake is not on it
- Purpose: Monitor ecological changes and conservation needs
Subject 9: GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Sample Question: Who became the Governor of Rajasthan in July 2024?
- A) Kalraj Mishra
- B) Mangubhai Patel
- C) Haribhau Bagde
- D) Gehlot
Solution: Answer: C) Haribhau Bagde
Governorship Timeline:
- Kalraj Mishra: 9 September 2019 – 31 July 2024
- Haribhau Bagde: 31 July 2024 onwards (Mangubhai Patel is the Governor of Gujarat, not Rajasthan)
- Official residence: Raj Bhawan, Jaipur
- Constitutional role: State ceremonial figurehead
III. CONCLUSION & PREPARATION STRATEGY
Key Takeaways:
- RAS Prelims is a single qualifying paper of 150 questions / 200 marks with 1/3 negative marking
- Polity, Geography and Reasoning+Maths carry the heaviest long-term average weightage
- Rajasthan-specific history, culture, economy and current affairs together form a large, non-negotiable share of the paper
- Treat any subject-wise split or cutoff "prediction" you see online with caution unless it cites an official RPSC source
Recommended Study Approach:
- Build strong fundamentals in Polity, Geography and Reasoning+Maths first (highest average weightage)
- Cover Rajasthan-specific governance, history, art & culture, and economy in depth
- Follow current affairs through official sources (PIB, government releases)
- Practice previous years' real question papers rather than unverified "predicted" sets
इस विषय पर अभ्यास करें
Reading is not enough — practice questions to remember what you just read.