Seasons of Rajasthan

RPSC recognises five distinct seasons for Rajasthan (compared to the standard four-season model used for most of India):

Season	Local Name	Period	Key Characteristic
Hot Summer	** **	March – mid-May	Rising temperatures; Loo begins; pre-agricultural activity
Pre-monsoon / Hot Dry	** **	Mid-May – June	Extreme heat (45–51°C); dust storms; Loo at peak; Phalodi 51°C record
SW Monsoon	** / - **	July – September	75–80% of annual rainfall; kharif cultivation; flood risk in southeast
Post-monsoon / Retreating	** / **	October – November	Receding monsoon; transitional; cyclone-derived rain rarely affects southeast
Winter	** **	December – February	Cold waves; frost; Western Disturbances (Mawat); rabi agriculture

Source: IMD Jaipur Regional Division; RPSC Mains Reference Syllabus 2026

Rajasthan vs. standard four seasons: The standard Indian meteorological four-season model (pre-monsoon hot, SW monsoon, post-monsoon/NE monsoon, winter) does not capture Rajasthan's distinct pre-monsoon extreme heat period adequately, hence the five-season model is used in Rajasthan-specific geography curricula.

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