Rajasthan APO Exam 2026

Overview: If you are aiming to crack the Rajasthan APO Exam 2026, this detailed guide, structured for comprehensive understanding and effective preparation, is your essential starting point.

The Rajasthan APO Exam (Assistant Prosecution Officer) is a highly prestigious competitive examination for law graduates aspiring to join the prosecution services in the state of Rajasthan. Conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), securing this position means serving as a legal representative of the state in criminal proceedings, thereby playing a critical role in maintaining justice and ensuring the prosecution of offenders.

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Rajasthan APO Exam Overview 2026

The APO position demands strong legal acumen and integrity. The RPSC manages the Rajasthan APO Exam specifically to fill state-level vacancies in the prosecution department.

Aspect	Detail
Exam Name	RPSC APO
Conducting Body	Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC)
Role	Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO) – Legal representative of the state in criminal cases
Selection Process	Three-tier process: Preliminary Examination, Mains Examination, and Interview

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Rajasthan APO Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before beginning the application process, candidates must ensure they meet the specific eligibility criteria, as failure to do so can result in disqualification.

1. Educational Qualification

• A Bachelor's Degree in Law (LLB) is required from a recognized university.
• Some states conducting the APO exam may also require prior experience as an advocate in courts.

2. Age Limit (As of January 1, 2026)

• Minimum Age: 21 years.
• Maximum Age: 35 years.

Category	Age Relaxation
SC/ST	5 years
OBC	3 years

3. Nationality

• The applicant must be a citizen of India.

Detailed Rajasthan APO Exam Pattern 2026 (Three Stages)

The selection process assesses the candidate's legal knowledge, general awareness, and communication skills through three stages: Preliminary Examination, Mains Examination, and Interview.

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Qualifying)

The Prelims examination is objective type (MCQ). This stage is qualifying in nature, meaning the marks obtained here do not count towards the final merit list.

Feature	Details
Total Marks	150 marks
Duration	2 hours
Structure (2 Papers)	Law (70% weightage) and Language (30% weightage)
Negative Marking	Applicable at 33% (1/3rd deduction)

Stage 2: Mains Examination (Descriptive)

The Mains examination involves descriptive papers. The marks from the Mains examination are included in the preparation of the final merit list.

Paper	Subject	Marks	Duration	Type
Paper 1	General Studies/GK	100	3 hours (Each Paper)	Descriptive
Paper 2	General Hindi	100	3 hours (Each Paper)	Descriptive
Paper 3	General English	100	3 hours (Each Paper)	Descriptive
Paper 4	Criminal Law (BNS, BNSS, BSA)	300	3 hours (Each Paper)	Descriptive
Total Marks	600 marks	-	-	-

Mains papers may also include tasks like Essay Writing, Precis, Translation, and, in some states, Judgment Writing.

Stage 3: Interview (Viva-Voce)

This final stage evaluates legal aptitude, communication skills, presence of mind, and general awareness.

• Total Marks: 50 marks.
• The interview marks are added to the Mains marks to determine the final merit list.

Comprehensive Rajasthan APO Exam Syllabus 2026

The  Rajasthan APO syllabus encompasses core legal concepts, general awareness, and communication proficiency required for prosecutorial duties. The sources highlight the importance of the new criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA) for the 2026 examination.

Prelims Syllabus

Subject Area	Weightage	Topics Covered
Law	70%	Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), and Rajasthan Police Act.
Language	30%	Hindi and English (focusing on Grammar, Essay, Precis, and Translation).
Other General Laws	(Relevant to broader APO pattern)	IPC, CrPC, Indian Evidence Act, Constitution of India, General Hindi & English.

Mains Syllabus

The Mains papers are descriptive and demand a deep understanding of the law.

Paper	Subjects/Areas
Paper 1 (General Studies/GK)	Current Affairs, Rajasthan GK, Constitution.
Paper 2 (Hindi)	Essay, Precis Writing, Translation.
Paper 3 (English)	Essay, Precis Writing, Grammar.
Paper 4 (Criminal Law)	Core Laws: BNS, BNSS, BSA. Local Law: Rajasthan Prohibition Act.

Specific Legal Acts & Concepts for Rajasthan APO:

Candidates must study both the core new criminal laws and various state-specific local laws:

• Core Laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
• State & Special Laws:
  • Rajasthan Police Act, 2007 (focus on police powers and duties).
  • Rajasthan Prohibition Act, 2019 (focus on liquor control).
  • Rajasthan Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2022 (focus on recruitment fraud prevention).
  • SC/ST Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Juvenile Justice Act, Probation of Offenders Act, and Arms Act.

Rajasthan APO Exam Application Process 2026

The application process for the RPSC APO is typically conducted online through the official RPSC website.

Steps for Application:

1. Visit the official website of RPSC (rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in).
2. Register with basic personal and contact information.
3. Fill in academic details, including the minimum required educational qualifications (LLB degree).
4. Upload necessary documents, such as a photo, signature, and LLB certificate/mark sheets.
5. Pay the application fee online (e.g., General: ₹600, SC/ST: ₹400).
6. Submit the form and keep a printout for future reference.

How to Crack the Rajasthan APO Exam 2026: Strategy & Tips

Success in the RPSC APO exam requires a structured study plan, consistent effort, and focus on both legal knowledge and superior writing skills.

1. Study Plan & Routine

• Allocate 6–8 hours daily for study. Dedicate 3 hours to Law (BNS, BNSS, BSA), 2 hours to GK, and 1 hour to answer writing practice.
• Implement a Weekly Goal: Spend 3 days on core law subjects (BNS, BNSS, BSA), 2 days on Rajasthan law/GK, and 2 days focusing on Hindi/English language papers.
• Daily Revision: Start your study session with a 30-minute revision of older notes.
• Routine Segregation: Read core law subjects (BNS, BNSS, BSA) in the morning (6–9 AM). Focus on GK and Current Affairs in the afternoon (10 AM–1 PM). Dedicate the evening (3–6 PM) to answer writing practice and mock tests.

2. Mastering Law Subjects (BNS, BNSS, BSA)

• New Laws Focus: Concentrate on studying the new criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA) using Universal Bare Acts.
• Conceptual Learning: Memorize sections conceptually rather than by rote, which helps retention.
• Section Practice: Aim to memorize about 10 sections daily.
• Key Topics: For BNSS, focus on important topics like arrest, bail, and charge sheet. For BSA, focus on admissibility and witnesses.
• Case Laws: Study and write down daily case laws, which are crucial for enhancing Mains answers.

3. Language & General Studies Preparation

• Hindi & English (Mains): The Hindi and English papers in Mains are considered challenging and require dedicated preparation, possibly through coaching, even if your grammar skills are generally good. The Mains syllabus includes Letter Writing, Report Writing, Notice Writing, and descriptive work on topics like tense.
• Current Affairs: Read newspapers daily (e.g., The Hindu, Indian Express). Focus on current affairs, Rajasthan GK, and Constitutional Law for Paper 1 of Mains.

4. Answer Writing and Practice

• Prelims Strategy: Due to the 33% negative marking, only answer questions you are absolutely sure about. Practice 50-100 questions daily to improve accuracy.
• Mains Structure: Structure your Mains answers clearly: Introduction, Law (including sections/case laws), and Conclusion.
• Time Management: Practice writing 2–3 questions daily, allocating approximately 25 minutes per question to manage time effectively.
• Feedback: Seek feedback from mentors or coaching to refine your writing style.

5. Interview Preparation

The interview evaluates your personality and legal aptitude.

• Focus Areas: Ensure you have excellent knowledge of BNS, BNSS, BSA, and the Rajasthan Police Act.
• Current Events: Stay updated on Rajasthan and national legal/social issues.
• Presentation: Maintain confidence while answering. Dress formally (suit/sari) to make a good impression.

To Sum Up

The Rajasthan APO Exam offers a significant career pathway within the state’s legal framework. By focusing intensely on the revised syllabus (BNS, BNSS, BSA), diligently practicing descriptive writing for the 600-mark Mains, and ensuring timely preparation for Hindi and English, you can significantly enhance your chances of success. 

Cracking the Rajasthan APO exam is like meticulously preparing a powerful legal argument: every piece of evidence (study session) must be sound, every procedure (study plan) must be followed correctly, ensuring a successful judgment (selection).