RAS Mains: Paper II, General Studies II (Administrative Ethics, General Science and Technology, Earth Science)

About this paper

Paper II of the RAS/RTS Main Examination is titled General Knowledge and General Studies (General Studies-II). It brings together three quite different areas: Administrative Ethics, General Science and Technology, and Earth Science (Geography and Geology) of the World, India and Rajasthan. Its marks count towards the final order of merit, which is made up of the four Main Examination papers (800 marks) and the interview (100 marks).

• 200 marks, 3 hours.
• Descriptive/analytical: RPSC says the papers consist of brief, medium, long answer and descriptive type questions.
• A candidate must take all four papers of the Main Examination.
• To be called for the interview, a candidate must obtain at least 10% marks in each Main Examination paper and 15% in the aggregate (SC/ST candidates get a 5% relaxation; ex-servicemen and persons with disabilities get relaxation as provided in the rules named in the advertisement).
• Papers are answered in Hindi or in English; a paper may not be answered partly in Hindi and partly in English unless this is specifically allowed.

RPSC's Scheme of Examination (9 January 2026) gives this unit-wise plan for the paper:

RPSC notes that this scheme is only for general guidance and information and assistance of candidates: the unit-wise distribution of marks and questions may vary.

Official syllabus

RPSC's words for Paper II, in full. Each sub-page below quotes its own part again.

Unit I - Administrative Ethics

• Ethics and human Values: Lessons from lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators. Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
• Ethical concepts Rit and Rin-Inspiration from Karmavada. Concept of Duty, concept of Good and Virtue.
• Ethics in private and public relationships. Philosophical basis of Integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship. Liberal Society: Transparency, media and bureaucracy.
• Ethics of Bhagwad Geeta and its role in administration.
• Gandhian Ethics.
• Contribution of Moral thinkers, and Philosophers from India and World.
• Ethical concerns, dilemmas and challenges in administration. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Versus Conscience in administrative decision making.
• Basis of Ethical decision making: Social justice, humanitarian concerns, accountability in governance. Instrumental rationality versus value rationality.
• Non-factual Case Studies on the above mentioned topics.

Unit II - General Science & Technology

• Chemistry in Everyday Life; Atomic Structure; Metal, Non-Metal and Metalloids, Metallurgical Principles and Methods, Important Ores and Alloys; Acid, Base and Salts, Concept of pH and Buffers; Important Drugs (Synthetic and Natural), Antioxidants, Preservatives, Insecticides, Pesticides, Fungicides, Herbicides, Fertilizers, Binders and Sweeteners; Carbon & its Compounds and their Domestic, Industrial Applications; Fuels, Octane Rating; Radioactivity - Concepts and Applications; Green Chemistry and its Applications.
• Physics in Everyday Life; Motion, Work, Power and Energy; Gravitation; Light and its Properties; Heat; Static and Current Electricity; Magnetism, Electro-Magnetism, Sound and Electro-Magnetic Waves, Application of Physics in Medical Diagnostics; Nuclear fission and Fusion; Radiation Safety.
• The Cell; Plant Parts - their Functions and Uses; Plant Nutrition & Growth Regulators with special reference to Agriculture and Horticulture; Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Plants. Basics of Human Physiology - Digestion, Respiration, Circulation, Excretion, Reproduction and Nervous System. Food and Nutrition; Immunity; Diseases; Public Health Initiatives; Beneficial & Harmful Microbes; Fermentation Technology; Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering - Basic Concepts and their Applications; Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues (ELSI) of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Recent Advances - Vaccines, CRISPR, mRNA Technology, Artificial Organs.
• Basic Computer Science; Networking; Analog and Digital Telecommunication; Frequency Spectrum; Mobile Telephony, Recent Developments in Information and Communication Technology - Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; Big Data; Cloud and Edge computing; Internet of things; Blockchain and Digital Currency; Virtual and Augmented Reality; OTT Platforms & social media.
• Contribution of Indian Scientists in Science & Technology; Major Indian Scientific Institutions; Scientific and Technological Advancements - Robotics, Nanotechnology, Quantum Computing, etc.; Development of Science & Technology in India and Rajasthan; Government Policies related to Science and Technology; Digital India Initiatives; Cyber Security and Data Privacy.
• Space and Defence Technology - Indian Space Programme; Satellites and their Applications; Various Launch Vehicles; Remote Sensing; Defence Research and Indigenous Technologies; Indian Missile Programme; Drone Technology; Chemical and Biological Weapons.

Unit III - Earth Science (Geography & Geology)

Part A - World

• Interior of the Earth and Geological Time Scale.
• Broad Physical Features: Mountains, Plateaus, Plains, Deserts - types and distribution.
• Earthquakes and Volcanoes: Types, distribution and their impact.
• Climate - Insolation, Atmospheric circulation, Humidity and Precipitation.
• Major Environmental Issues.

Part B - India

• Physiography of India.
• Drainage pattern and important Rivers.
• Climate: Monsoon, Climatic characteristics, Distribution of rainfall and Climatic regions.
• Natural Resources: Types and uses of Water, Natural Vegetation, Soil, Minerals and Power Resources.
• Population: Growth, Distribution and Density, Sex-ratio, Literacy, Urban and Rural Population.

Part C - Rajasthan

• Physiography.
• Important Rivers and Lakes.
• Climatic Characteristics and their classification.
• Natural Vegetation, Wildlife and Biodiversity.
• Soil resources.
• Agriculture - Major Crops: Production and Distribution.
• Minerals Resources - Types, distribution and industrial uses.
• Demographic Characteristics.
• Tribes.
• Concept of UNESCO Geo-parks and Geo-heritage sites: Potential in Rajasthan.
• Tourism.

Subject-wise breakdown

• Unit I: Administrative Ethics: human values, Rit and Rin, Karmavada, duty and virtue, integrity and impartiality, the Bhagavad Gita and Gandhian ethics, moral thinkers, dilemmas, AI and conscience, the bases of ethical decisions, and case studies.
• Unit II: General Science and Technology: chemistry, physics and biology in everyday life, biotechnology, computers and ICT, Indian science and institutions (including Rajasthan), Digital India and cyber security, and space and defence technology.
• Unit III, Part A: World Geography and Geology: interior of the Earth, geological time scale, landforms, earthquakes and volcanoes, climate and environmental issues.
• Unit III, Part B: Geography of India: physiography, drainage, monsoon and climatic regions, natural resources and population.
• Unit III, Part C: Geography of Rajasthan: physiography, rivers and lakes, climate, vegetation and wildlife, soils, crops, minerals, population, tribes, geo-heritage and tourism.

How this paper connects

• The Prelims sections on Science & Technology and on Geography of World, India and Rajasthan cover much of Units II and III: see RAS Prelims: General Knowledge and General Science. In the Mains the same topics are answered in 50 or 150 words, so explanation matters more than recall.
• Administrative Ethics sits close to Paper III's Behavior part (intelligence, leadership, workplace communication, stress) and its Public Administration unit: see Mains Paper III.
• Rajasthan's agriculture, water resources, petroleum and minerals also appear from the economic side in Paper I, Unit II, Part C (Economy of Rajasthan), and tribes, heritage and tourism meet Paper I, Unit I, Part A (History, Art, Culture, Literature, Tradition and Heritage of Rajasthan): see Mains Paper I.
• The essay theme Science, Technology, Environment, and Sustainable Development and the theme Tourism, Culture, and Contemporary Issues with reference to Rajasthan draw on this paper: see Mains Paper IV.

Source: Rajasthan Public Service Commission, Scheme & Syllabus of the Rajasthan State and Subordinate Services Combined Competitive (Mains) Examination, 9 January 2026, PDF; Scheme of Examination (Mains), 9 January 2026, PDF. Last checked 11 November 2026.