RAS Cut-Off 2025 — Category-wise Marks & Trend Analysis
Last updated: April 2026 · 10 min read
Quick Answer
The RAS cut-off is the minimum qualifying score needed to advance from Prelims to Mains, and from Mains to the Interview stage. Cut-offs vary by category and have been steadily rising over the past decade. For the 2025 cycle, the General category Prelims cut-off is expected around 85–90 marks out of 200. Understanding cut-off trends helps you set realistic score targets and plan your preparation accordingly.
What Determines the RAS Cut-Off?
The RPSC determines cut-off marks based on multiple factors. Understanding these helps you gauge how difficult a particular year's exam will be and what score you should target.
Number of Vacancies
More vacancies generally lead to lower cut-offs. When RPSC advertises 800+ posts, cut-offs tend to be 3-5 marks lower than cycles with only 400 posts.
Paper Difficulty Level
A tougher paper naturally brings down cut-offs. RPSC papers have varied significantly in difficulty across years, with some cycles having noticeably harder questions.
Number of Aspirants
With 1.5-2 lakh candidates appearing each cycle, even a small increase in competition pushes cut-offs upward. The trend has been consistently upward over the past decade.
Negative Marking Impact
With 1/3rd negative marking for each wrong answer, reckless guessing significantly reduces scores across the board, keeping cut-offs in check despite competition.
RAS Prelims Cut-Off (2018–2025)
The following table shows approximate category-wise Prelims cut-off marks across the last four exam cycles. These figures are based on available data and expert analysis.
| Year | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 85–90 | 78–82 | 68–72 | 60–65 | 80–85 |
| 2023 | 82–87 | 75–80 | 65–70 | 58–63 | 78–82 |
| 2021 | 78–83 | 72–76 | 62–67 | 55–60 | 75–80 |
| 2018 | 75–80 | 68–73 | 60–65 | 52–57 | — |
Note: These are approximate ranges based on available data and expert analysis. EWS category was introduced after 2019, so 2018 data is not available. Verify exact figures on rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in when official results are declared.
RAS Mains Cut-Off Trends
The Mains cut-off is calculated on a total of 800 marks (4 papers x 200 marks each). Unlike Prelims, Mains marks directly count toward the final ranking along with Interview marks (100), making a total of 900 marks. The following table shows approximate Mains qualifying marks.
| Year | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 380–420 | 350–390 | 310–350 | 280–320 | 370–410 |
| 2023 | 370–410 | 340–380 | 300–340 | 270–310 | 360–400 |
| 2021 | 360–400 | 330–370 | 290–330 | 260–300 | 350–390 |
| 2018 | 345–385 | 315–355 | 280–320 | 250–290 | — |
Note: Mains cut-offs are approximate and represent qualifying marks for Interview call. Final selection cut-off (Mains + Interview out of 900) is higher.
Cut-Off Trend Analysis
The data shows a clear upward trend in RAS cut-offs over the past decade. Here are the key takeaways from analyzing the historical data.
Steady Upward Trend
General category Prelims cut-offs have risen from approximately 75–80 in 2018 to 85–90 in 2025, an increase of about 10 marks over four cycles. This translates to a 3–5 mark increase per cycle on average. The trend is consistent across all categories.
Increasing Competition
The number of applicants has grown from approximately 1.2 lakh in 2018 to nearly 2 lakh in 2025. Better access to study material, online coaching, and rising awareness of government jobs have all contributed to stiffer competition.
Vacancy Impact
Years with higher vacancies (700+) tend to have slightly lower cut-offs. RPSC typically shortlists about 15 times the number of vacancies for Mains. When 900 posts are advertised, more candidates clear Prelims, but the absolute cut-off may dip by 2–3 marks compared to a 400-vacancy cycle.
Category Gap Remains Consistent
The gap between General and reserved category cut-offs has remained relatively stable. The General-OBC gap is typically 7–10 marks, General-SC is 15–20 marks, and General-ST is 25–30 marks. This pattern has been consistent across all cycles.
How to Score Above the Cut-Off
Clearing the cut-off requires a strategic approach. Here are actionable steps to ensure you score well above the qualifying marks.
Target 100+ Marks (Not Just Cut-Off)
Do not aim to just clear the cut-off. With rising trends, target at least 100–110 marks for General category to build a safety margin. This means getting approximately 80–85 questions correct out of 150.
Focus on High-Weightage Subjects
Indian Constitution (15–18 questions), Rajasthan History (12–15 questions), and Indian Economy (10–12 questions) together make up nearly 40% of the paper. Mastering these subjects gives you the best return on study time.
Manage Negative Marking
With 1/3rd negative marking, every 3 wrong answers cost you 1 correct answer. Attempt only questions you are reasonably confident about. A strategy of 120–130 attempted questions with 80%+ accuracy beats attempting all 150 with lower accuracy.
Practice with PYQ-Weighted MCQs
Previous year questions reveal the actual topics RPSC focuses on. Practice with 16,000+ MCQs that are weighted by PYQ frequency to focus your effort on what actually appears in the exam.
Take Timed Mock Tests
Practice under exam conditions (3 hours, 150 questions) to build speed and accuracy. Analyze your mock test scores against expected cut-offs to track your readiness. Read our detailed preparation strategy for more tips.
Final Selection Cut-Off (Mains + Interview)
The final merit list is prepared based on Mains (800 marks) + Interview (100 marks) = 900 total marks. Prelims marks are not counted. Here is the approximate final selection cut-off for General category across recent cycles.
| Year | Total Marks | General Cut-Off (approx) | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 900 | 480–520 | ~905 |
| 2023 | 900 | 460–500 | ~905 |
| 2021 | 900 | 440–480 | ~988 |
| 2018 | 900 | 420–460 | ~681 |
Note: Final selection cut-offs are approximate. Actual figures depend on the specific cycle's difficulty and competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the expected RAS Prelims cut-off for 2025?
Based on recent trends and increasing competition, the expected RAS Prelims 2025 cut-off for General category is approximately 85-90 marks out of 200. OBC candidates can expect around 78-82, SC around 68-72, ST around 60-65, and EWS around 80-85. These are approximate figures and actual cut-offs are released by RPSC after the exam.
Why are RAS cut-offs increasing every year?
RAS cut-offs have been rising due to several factors: increasing number of aspirants (now 1.5-2 lakh per cycle), better availability of study material and coaching, more graduates entering the competition, and sometimes fewer vacancies. The trend shows a steady 3-5 mark increase per cycle in the General category.
Does RPSC release official cut-off marks?
Yes, RPSC releases official category-wise cut-off marks on its website (rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in) after the results are declared. The cut-offs mentioned in this guide are approximate ranges based on available data and expert analysis. Always verify with the official RPSC notification for exact figures.
How is the RAS Prelims cut-off calculated?
The RAS Prelims cut-off is determined by RPSC based on several factors: the number of vacancies, number of candidates who appeared, difficulty level of the paper, and the reservation policy. RPSC shortlists approximately 15 times the number of vacancies for Mains. Negative marking (1/3rd for wrong answers) significantly impacts scores.
What score should I target to safely clear Prelims?
To safely clear the RAS Prelims, aim for at least 100-110 marks out of 200 for General category. This gives a comfortable margin above the typical cut-off of 85-90. Focus on accuracy over speed since negative marking (1/3rd per wrong answer) can reduce your score significantly. Attempting 120-130 questions with 80%+ accuracy is a good strategy.
Is the RAS Mains cut-off the same as Prelims?
No, the Mains cut-off is separate and calculated on the total Mains marks (800). The Mains cut-off is combined with Interview marks (100) to determine the final merit list out of 900 total marks. Prelims marks are not counted in the final ranking — Prelims is purely a qualifying stage.
Ready to Score Above the Cut-Off?
Practice with 16,000+ expert-curated MCQs weighted by PYQ frequency. Track your scores and identify weak areas before the exam.