Big goals need smart strategies!
The first step to crack the Rajasthan APO exam is thoroughly understanding the exam pattern. Knowing what stages to expect, how the papers are structured, and how marks are distributed gives you a clear edge right from the start.
In this blog, we’ll break down the Rajasthan APO exam pattern 2025 in a simple, step-by-step format, so you can prepare smarter, stay focused, and boost your chances of success. Let’s dive in!
Rajasthan APO Exam Pattern: Overview
The Rajasthan APO exam pattern has two main stages: Prelims and Mains. Each stage checks your legal knowledge and language skills.
The prelims are all about quick thinking with MCQs, while the mains dive deep into your writing and legal understanding.
Rajasthan APO Exam Pattern: Prelims
The prelims examination is the first step in the Rajasthan APO selection process. It is meant to shortlist candidates for the mains. It follows an objective-type format with multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
| Part | Subjects | Total Questions | Duration |
| Part A | Law | 70 | 2 hours |
| Part B | General English | 15 | |
| General Hindi | 15 |
- Exam Mode: Objective (MCQs)
- Total Marks: 100
- Number of Questions: 100
- Duration: 2 hours
- Nature of the Exam: Qualifying in nature; marks scored here won’t be counted in the final merit.
Subject Weightage
- Law subjects: 70%
- Language skills: 30% (split equally between Hindi and English)
Negative Marking
- 1/3rd mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.
- Selecting multiple answers for one question is considered incorrect.
Check the Rajasthan APO Admit Card release date.
Rajasthan APO Exam Pattern: Mains
The mains examination is the second and most crucial stage in the Rajasthan APO exam pattern 2025. This stage tests how well you know the law and can effectively present legal arguments on paper. It’s all about depth, clarity, and legal thinking.
| Part | Subjects | Total Questions | Duration |
| Part A | Law | 300 | 3 hours |
| Part B | General English | 50 | 2 hours |
| General Hindi | 50 |
- Exam Mode: Descriptive, written format
- Number of Papers: 4 (GK & Current Affairs, IPC & CrPC, Evidence Act & Constitution, Rajasthan Laws & Language)
- Total Marks: 400 (Paper I of Law (carrying 300 marks) and Paper II of Language (carrying 100 marks)
- Duration: 3 hours per paper
- Nature of the Exam: The Rajasthan APO mains exam pattern follows a fully descriptive structure. Candidates must appear in all four papers, and each paper includes a mix of short, medium, and essay-type questions.
Qualifying Marks
- General Category: 40% in each paper
- SC/ST Candidates: 5% relaxation (minimum 35% per paper)
Language Paper Standard
The level of the Hindi and English language papers is similar to the Senior Secondary standard.
Focus Areas in Law Papers
- Strong grasp of criminal law and procedure
- Practical ability to frame charges
- Clear articulation of legal provisions and case analysis
Check Rajasthan APO eligibility conditions carefully before applying for the exam.
Rajasthan APO Exam Pattern 2025: Syllabus
Let’s go through the Rajasthan APO Syllabus 2025:
Prelims Syllabus
The Rajasthan APO prelims syllabus is divided into two major parts: Law and Language Proficiency.
Part A – Law
| Subject | Key Topics Covered |
| Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) | Sections 1–4, 6–52A, 76–106, 34, 149, 299–377, 378–462 |
| Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) | Sections 1–5, 6–31, 61–90, 154–176, 211–224, 238–250, 251–259, 260–265, 436–439 |
| Indian Evidence Act, 1872 | Sections 1–4, 5–11, 24–30, 32, 45–55, 118–134 |
| SC/ST Act, 1989 | Sections 1–2, 3–9 |
| Arms Act, 1959 | Sections 1–2, 3–12, 19–24B |
| Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 | Sections 1–2, 4–9, 10–26 |
| Rajasthan Excise Act, 1950 | Sections 1, 3–7, 54–70 |
| POCSO Act, 2012 | Sections 1–2, 3–12 |
| Rajasthan Public Examination Act, 1992 | Sections 1–8 |
| Rajasthan Recruitment Exam Act, 2022 | Sections 1–10 |
| Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 | Sections 1–2, 6–7, 9–10 |
Part B – Language Proficiency
| Language | Key Topics |
| Hindi | विलोम शब्द, पर्यायवाची, व्याकरण (लिंग, वचन, काल), वाक्य/शब्द शुद्धि, अनुवाद |
| English | Tenses, Voice, Narration, Modals, Prepositions, Determiners, One-word Substitution |
Mains Syllabus
Look at the Rajasthan APO mains syllabus below:
Paper I: Law (300 Marks)
| Part | Topics Included |
| Part A | Indian Penal Code, 1860 – General Principles (Sec 1–52A) – Punishments, General Exceptions, Abetment – Conspiracy, Public Tranquility, False Evidence – Offences Against Human Body, Property, Public Morals – Defamation, Intimidation, Attempts |
| Part B | Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 – Constitution & Powers of Courts – Arrest, Bail, Warrants, Trials – Investigation, Complaints, Plea Bargaining – Appeals, Revision, Limitation, Bail |
| Part C | Indian Evidence Act, 1872 – Relevancy of Facts – Oral & Documentary Evidence – Burden of Proof – Examination of Witnesses – Improper Admission/Rejection |
| Part D | Special & State Laws – SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 – Arms Act, 1959 – Rajasthan Excise Act, 1950 – OCSO Act, 2012 – Rajasthan Public Exam Act, 1992 – Rajasthan Recruitment Exam Act, 2022 – Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 – Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 |
Paper II: Language (100 Marks)
| Language Section | Topics |
| General Hindi (50 Marks) | – पत्र/प्रेस विज्ञप्ति लेखन, अनुच्छेद संक्षेप, लेख लेखन – मुहावरे, लोकोक्ति, वाक्य/शब्द शुद्धि – समश्रुत भिन्नार्थक शब्द |
| General English (50 Marks) | Part A- Grammer & Usage – Tenses, Voice, Narration, Modals, Prepositions, Phrasal Verbs Part B- Comprehension, Precis Writing & Translation – Unseen passage + questions – Hindi to English translation Part C- Composition, Letter/Report Writing, and Notice Writing – Letter or Report (150 words) – Notice (100 words) |
Download Rajasthan APO notification PDF 2025 and check official details.
Rajasthan APO Exam Pattern PDF Download
You can download the Rajasthan APO exam pattern PDF from the official RPSC website.
Having the PDF helps you better plan your prep, revisit paper structures, and stay aligned with the latest updates from RPSC. Ensure you check the Rajasthan APO notification for any changes in the format or syllabus.
RPSC APO Exam Pattern: Important Tips & Insights
1. Understand the Pattern First:
Know the weightage, marking scheme, and question types for both prelims and mains.
2. Focus on Law Subjects:
Law holds the highest weightage in both stages: the master IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act.
3. Work on Language Skills:
Hindi and English matter in both prelims and mains, so don’t skip them.
4. Practice Descriptive Writing:
For mains, improve your ability to write structured, clear, and legally sound answers.
5. Time Management is Key:
Practice completing papers within the time limit, especially in mains.
6. Avoid Guesswork in Prelims:
Negative marking can lower your score—answer only when sure.
7. Stay Updated with Current Affairs:
Especially for Paper 1 in mains, regularly read newspapers and legal updates. Follow judiciary current affairs for this part.
8. Revise Rajasthan Laws Thoroughly:
These are unique to the state and can be scoring if prepared well.
Know the Rajasthan APO salary, perks, and career benefits in detail.
FAQs About Rajasthan APO Exam Pattern
Yes, there is negative marking for every incorrect answer, so choose wisely.
The mains exam has a total of 400 marks—100 for each of the four papers.
The prelims are bilingual (Hindi and English), while the mains have separate language papers in both.
Law is the most important, followed by General Hindi and General English.
There are minor updates every year, so always check the official notification.