The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) has released the detailed syllabus and exam pattern for the Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO) recruitment 2026 under the Home Department (Prosecution). This recruitment offers a significant opportunity for law graduates, with approximately 371 vacancies reported across sources. The selection process involves a Preliminary Examination (qualifying), a main examination (merit-determining), and Document Verification. Candidates must focus on both the older criminal laws (IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act) and the new criminal codes (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023), along with key special and local laws.
Always verify the latest details on the official website (rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in), as notifications and PDFs may receive updates.
The APO examination is conducted by RPSC for recruitment to the post of Assistant Prosecution Officer under the Home Department (Prosecution), Rajasthan. The 2026 syllabus covers Law along with General Hindi and General English.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Rajasthan Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO) Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) |
| Post | Assistant Prosecution Officer |
| Department | Home Department (Prosecution), Rajasthan |
| Preliminary Exam | Objective Type |
| Main Exam | Written Examination |
| Prelims Total Marks | 100 |
| Prelims Duration | 2 Hours |
| Law Weightage in Prelims | 70 Marks |
| Hindi | 15 Marks |
| English | 15 Marks |
| Mains Total Marks | 400 |
| Mains Law Paper | 300 Marks |
| Mains Language Paper | 100 Marks |
| Mains Law Duration | 3 Hours |
| Mains Language Duration | 2 Hours |
The official RPSC scheme confirms that the Preliminary Examination consists of 70 Law questions/marks and 15 marks each for General Hindi and General English. The Main Examination consists of a 300-mark Law paper and a 100-mark language component comprising General Hindi and General English.
Candidates should understand the examination stages before preparing a study plan. The RPSC APO recruitment examination is structured around a Preliminary Examination and a Main Examination. The Preliminary Examination is objective in nature and acts as the screening stage, whereas the Main Examination is the substantive written stage.
One of the most important points for candidates is that Prelims marks are not counted toward final selection. The official scheme specifically states this, making the Main Examination extremely important for candidates who qualify for the next stage.
The Preliminary Examination is an objective-type (MCQ) test of 2 hours duration. It contains 100 questions for 100 marks.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Law | 70 | 70 | 2 Hours (combined) |
| B | General Hindi | 15 | 15 | |
| B | General English | 15 | 15 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
Candidates must clear the Prelims cutoff to appear for the Mains.
The Main Examination is descriptive and carries 400 marks. It tests practical knowledge of criminal law, procedure, evidence, charge framing, and language proficiency at the Senior Secondary level.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Law | 300 | 3 Hours |
| II | General Hindi | 50 | 2 Hours (combined) |
| II | General English | 50 | |
| Total | 400 |
Part A – Law (70 Marks): The syllabus covers both the new criminal laws and corresponding older provisions, plus special/local acts:
Part B – Language (30 Marks)
Paper I – Law (300 Marks) This paper emphasizes practical application, including charge framing and trial-related skills. It is broadly divided into four parts:
Part A – Substantive Criminal Law
Part B – Criminal Procedure
Part C – Evidence Law
Part D – Special and Local Laws
Paper II – Language (100 Marks) Senior Secondary standard.
General Hindi (50 Marks)
General English (50 Marks)
The Preliminary syllabus focuses heavily on criminal law and related legal provisions. Candidates should prepare the Law portion systematically and give particular attention to provisions that are directly relevant to prosecution work.
The updated syllabus also requires candidates to be attentive to the current criminal-law framework, including the newer criminal codes. Secondary summaries of the 2026 syllabus identify Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) among the important areas.
| Law Area | Important Areas to Prepare |
| Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 | General principles of criminal liability, offences and punishments |
| Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 | Criminal procedure, investigation, inquiry and trial |
| Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 | Relevancy and admissibility of evidence, proof and witnesses |
| Indian Penal Code | Important criminal offences and general principles where prescribed |
| Code of Criminal Procedure | Criminal proceedings, investigation, trial and procedural provisions |
| Indian Evidence Act | Evidence-related concepts where prescribed in the syllabus |
| Special Criminal Laws | Important provisions of special Acts included in the RPSC syllabus |
| Constitutional/legal principles | Relevant legal concepts connected with prosecution |
Because the official syllabus should always be treated as the final authority, candidates should match their preparation material with the latest RPSC PDF rather than relying solely on older APO books or previous-year notes.
The Hindi section is intended to assess the candidate’s command of Hindi language and practical language usage. Candidates should prepare grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and writing-related areas according to the prescribed syllabus.
Important areas generally include:
Candidates preparing for the Main Examination should give additional attention to written expression because the language component at Mains level is broader than simply solving grammar-based objective questions.
The English section evaluates grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and practical writing ability. The official syllabus includes topics such as Tenses, Active and Passive Voice, Direct and Indirect Narration, Determiners, Prepositions, Modals and One Word Substitution.
Important topics include:
| Topic | What to Prepare |
| Tenses | Rules and correct usage |
| Voice | Active and Passive Voice |
| Narration | Direct and Indirect Speech |
| Determiners | Articles and other determiners |
| Prepositions | Correct usage |
| Modals | Obligation, permission, possibility, probability, etc. |
| One Word Substitution | Frequently used terms |
| Vocabulary | Meaning and usage of words |
| Comprehension | Reading and understanding passages |
The Law paper is the most important component of the Main Examination because it carries 300 marks. Preparation should therefore move beyond memorising sections and should include concepts, application of law, procedural stages and answer writing.
Major areas of preparation include:
Candidates should study the criminal-law framework prescribed by RPSC, including offences, general principles of criminal liability, punishments, exceptions, abetment, conspiracy and important offences against persons and property.
This area focuses on the procedure followed in criminal cases. Candidates should understand concepts such as investigation, arrest, bail, inquiry, trial, framing of charges, jurisdiction and other procedural stages covered in the prescribed syllabus.
Evidence is an essential part of prosecution work. Candidates should understand concepts relating to relevancy, admissibility, proof, witnesses, documentary evidence, presumptions and other evidence-related provisions included in the syllabus.
The syllabus also covers various special statutes relevant to criminal prosecution. Secondary references to the 2026 syllabus identify areas such as the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, POCSO Act and other special laws.
Candidates should study each prescribed Act by focusing on:
The Main English paper carries 50 marks. It is broader than the basic grammar portion of Prelims and requires candidates to develop both language accuracy and writing ability.
Important areas include:
The published syllabus summary specifies an unseen passage of approximately 250 words, translation exercises and writing tasks such as letter/report and notice writing.
The Hindi paper carries 50 marks and should be prepared with an emphasis on grammar, comprehension, translation and practical written expression. Candidates should also practise formal and official language because prosecution work requires precise drafting and communication.
Preparation should include:
Candidates should consult the latest official syllabus PDF for the exact wording and scope of individual Hindi topics.
| Subject | Preparation Priority | Best Approach |
| Law | Very High | Bare Acts + notes + MCQs + answer writing |
| General Hindi | Moderate | Grammar + vocabulary + writing practice |
| General English | Moderate | Grammar + comprehension + translation + writing |
| Special Laws | High | Definitions + offences + punishments + procedures |
| Criminal Procedure | Very High | Provision-wise revision + practical application |
| Evidence | Very High | Concepts + provisions + problem-based questions |
Focus on the latest criminal laws: Candidates should ensure that their study material reflects the current statutory framework and the laws specifically prescribed in the 2026 syllabus.
Do not ignore language papers: Hindi and English may carry fewer marks than Law, but they remain important for qualifying and overall performance.
Use previous-year questions: Previous papers can reveal recurring concepts, question framing and the depth expected from candidates.
Revise repeatedly: Law contains a large number of provisions. Regular revision is more effective than reading the same material only once.
Practise legal writing: Mains answers should be organised logically. Use headings, relevant provisions and concise explanations instead of writing unnecessarily long answers.
Follow RPSC updates: Any correction, amendment, examination notice or revised syllabus issued by RPSC should take priority over information published by third-party websites.
Candidates should download the syllabus from the official Rajasthan Public Service Commission website so that they are studying the latest version. RPSC has separately published the preliminary and main examination syllabus documents for Assistant Prosecution Officer.
Official RPSC PDF LINK: RPSC-APO-Pre Syllabus PDF
The Preliminary Examination is an objective-type paper of 100 marks. Law carries 70 marks, General Hindi carries 15 marks and General English carries 15 marks. The total examination duration is two hours.
No. The official RPSC scheme states that marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not counted toward final selection.
The Main Examination Law paper carries 300 marks and has a duration of three hours.
General Hindi and General English carry 50 marks each, making the total language component 100 marks.
The major subjects are Law, General Hindi, and General English. The law syllabus covers criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and prescribed special laws.
Yes. General English is included in both the preliminary and main examination syllabi.
The official scheme specifies a minimum of 40% marks in each paper, with a 5-percentage-point relaxation for SC/ST candidates as provided in the rules.
Start with the official syllabus, prioritize law, read the prescribed statutes, practice previous questions, revise regularly, and begin Mains answer-writing practice alongside Prelims preparation.
The Rajasthan APO Syllabus 2026 is heavily focused on law, making a strong command of criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and special criminal legislation essential for success. The preliminary examination is a 100-mark objective screening test, with 70% weightage assigned to law and the remaining 30% to Hindi and English.
The main examination is substantially more important from a preparation perspective because it carries 400 marks, including a 300-mark law paper and 100 marks for Hindi and English. The law paper can include very short, short, and essay-type questions, so candidates should combine conceptual understanding with regular answer-writing practice.
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