1. RSSB CET, Main Exams and the Police Constable Exam
Most Group C jobs in the Rajasthan government are filled by the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB), earlier known as RSMSSB. For many of these posts you must first clear a screening test called the Common Eligibility Test (CET). This lesson explains the CET pattern, how it leads to the main exam, and the outline of the Police Constable exam. Patterns and dates change, so always read the latest notification for your post.
CET: two levels and the basic pattern
- CET is held at two levels: Senior Secondary (Class 12) level and Graduation level. Each level is for a different group of posts.
- CET 2026 Graduation level: 150 objective questions for 300 marks, time 3 hours.
- CET 2026 Senior Secondary level: 120 objective questions for 240 marks (2 marks each), time 2 hours 30 minutes. This is shorter than the earlier 150-question paper, so check your own notification.
- Both are offline OMR exams. Each question has five circles: A, B, C, D for the answers and E for 'I am not attempting this question'.
- To qualify you need at least 40% marks. SC and ST candidates get a relaxation of 5% (so 35%).
Negative marking and the option E rule
- For every wrong answer, one-third (1/3) of the marks of that question is deducted.
- If you do not want to answer a question, you must darken circle E. Then there is no penalty for that question.
- If a question is left completely blank (no circle darkened, not even E), 1/3 of that question's marks is deducted, just as for a wrong answer.
- If more than 10% of the questions are left with no circle darkened, the candidate is disqualified.
- About 10 extra minutes are given at the end to check the OMR sheet. Use them to make sure every question has exactly one circle filled: an answer or E.
From CET to the main exam
- CET is only a screening test. It does not give a job by itself. CET marks are used to shortlist candidates for the main exam of each post.
- The CET score is now valid for 3 years from the date of the result. Earlier it was valid for only 1 year.
- Graduation-level CET leads to posts such as Patwari, Gram Vikas Adhikari (VDO), Junior Accountant and Tehsil Revenue Accountant.
- Senior Secondary-level CET leads to posts such as Junior Assistant and Clerk Grade-II (the old LDC posts) in many departments, Forest Guard (Vanpal), Hostel Superintendent and Jamadar Grade-II (Excise). The 2026 advertisement also lists Police Constable.
- CET 2026 dates (revised schedule of late September 2026, tentative): Senior Secondary level 1 to 3 December 2026 (moved from 23 to 25 October because of the panchayat elections); Graduation level 16 to 18 January 2027.
Rajasthan Police Constable and RPSC exams
- Police Constable recruitment is done by Rajasthan Police (police.rajasthan.gov.in). Police Constable is now among the posts listed in the CET 2026 Senior Secondary level advertisement, so check the latest constable notice for the full process.
- The 2025 constable written exam was 150 questions for 150 marks: Reasoning and Computer 60, General Knowledge, Social Studies and Current Affairs (with laws on crimes against women and children) 45, and Rajasthan GK 45.
- In that exam a wrong answer cost 0.25 mark. After the written test came the Physical Efficiency Test (5 km race) and Physical Standard Test, which are qualifying.
- The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), based at Ajmer, holds higher exams such as RAS (Rajasthan Administrative Service) and School Lecturer. Its site is rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in.
- RSSB's official website is rssb.rajasthan.gov.in. Applications are made through the Rajasthan SSO portal with One Time Registration (OTR).
Quick facts
- CET Graduation level 2026
- 150 questions, 300 marks, 3 hours
- CET Senior Secondary level 2026
- 120 questions, 240 marks, 2 hours 30 minutes
- Negative marking (CET)
- 1/3 of the question's marks per wrong answer
- Option E
- Darken E to skip; more than 10% fully blank = disqualified
- Qualifying marks
- 40% (SC/ST 35%)
- CET score validity
- 3 years from the result
- Official sites
- rssb.rajasthan.gov.in, rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in, police.rajasthan.gov.in
💡 Practise with a five-circle OMR sheet at home. Get used to darkening E for every question you skip, so that you never leave a question fully blank in the real exam.
📝 5-question quiz on this lesson: enrol free to take it and track your score.
