RSSB Platoon Commander Syllabus 2025: Detailed Exam Pattern & Preparation Guide
Syllabus Overview
The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) Platoon Commander Exam 2025 is conducted in three stages:
- Written Examination (400 marks) – Two papers (General Hindi, General Knowledge & General Science)
- Physical Measurement Test (PMT) & Physical Efficiency Test (PET) (100 marks) – Qualifying in nature
- Interview (50 marks) – Final selection based on cumulative performance
Candidates must secure minimum 36% in each written paper and 40% in aggregate to qualify for subsequent stages. Negative marking of 1/3 mark per wrong answer applies.
Key Highlights:
- Exam Mode: Offline (OMR-based)
- Question Type: Multiple Choice (Objective)
- Total Vacancies: 84 (Non-Scheduled Areas: 82, Scheduled Areas: 2)
- Eligibility: Graduation from a recognized university or equivalent military rank (Naib Subedar or above)
- Age Limit: 20–25 years (relaxations applicable as per government norms)
- Selection Process: Written Exam → PMT/PET → Interview → Document Verification
Subject-wise Syllabus
Paper-I: General Hindi (200 Marks, 150 Questions)
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Word Formation | - Sandhi (joining) and Sandhi Vichchhed (separation) |
- Compound words (Samas)
- Prefixes (Upsarg) and Suffixes (Pratyay) | | 2. Word Types | - Tatsam, Ardhatatsam, Tadbhav, Deshaj, Foreign Words
- Parts of Speech: Noun (Sangya), Pronoun (Sarvanam), Adjective (Visheshan), Verb (Kriya), Indeclinables (Avyay) (e.g., Kriya Visheshan, Sambandh Suchak, Vismayadibodhak Nipat) | | 3. Word Knowledge | - Synonyms (Paryayvachi), Antonyms (Vilom)
- Meaning differentiation in word pairs (Shabd Yugm)
- Phrases for meaningful words (Vakyansh ke liye Sarthak Shabd)
- Homophones (Samshurut Bhinnarthak Shabd)
- Selection of appropriate words (Uchit Shabd Chayan)
- Relationship-based vocabulary (Sambandhvachi Shabdavali) | | 4. Word Correction | - Spelling errors and corrections (Shabd Shuddhi) | | 5. Grammatical Categories | - Case (Karak), Gender (Ling), Number (Vachan), Person (Purush), Tense (Kaal), Mood (Vritti), Aspect (Paksh), Voice (Vachya) | | 6. Sentence Construction | - Sentence structure and syntax (Vakya Rachna) | | 7. Sentence Correction | - Grammatical errors and corrections (Vakya Shuddhi) | | 8. Punctuation | - Usage of punctuation marks (Viram Chinh) | | 9. Idioms & Proverbs | - Common Hindi idioms (Muhavare) and proverbs (Lokoktiyan) | | 10. Technical Terminology | - Administrative and legal terms (Prashasnik, Vidhik Shabdavali) |
Paper-II: General Knowledge & General Science (200 Marks, 150 Questions)
1. History, Art, Culture, Literature, Tradition & Heritage of Rajasthan
- Major Landmarks: Ancient dynasties (e.g., Mauryas, Guptas, Rajputs), administrative and revenue systems
- Socio-Cultural Issues: Caste system, tribal communities, social reforms
- Freedom Movement: Role of Rajasthan in India’s independence, political awakening, and integration
- Architecture: Forts (e.g., Chittorgarh, Mehrangarh), monuments (e.g., Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar)
- Arts & Handicrafts: Paintings (e.g., Phad, Miniature), pottery, textiles (e.g., Bandhani, Block Printing)
- Literature: Works of Rajasthani authors (e.g., Mirabai, Sant Kabir), local dialects (e.g., Marwari, Mewari)
- Fairs & Festivals: Pushkar Fair, Desert Festival, Teej, Gangaur
- Folk Music & Dance: Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Kathputli (puppet shows)
- Religious Movements: Saints and folk deities (e.g., Pabuji, Gogaji)
- Tourism: UNESCO World Heritage Sites (e.g., Keoladeo National Park, Hill Forts of Rajasthan)
2. Indian History
- Ancient & Medieval Period:
- Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire
- Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagara Empire
- Art, culture, and architecture (e.g., Ajanta-Ellora Caves, Taj Mahal)
- Modern Period:
- British colonialism, Revolt of 1857, Indian National Movement (INC, Gandhi, Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose)
- Social and religious reforms (e.g., Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission)
- Post-independence consolidation (e.g., princely state integration, linguistic reorganization)
3. Geography of World, India & Rajasthan
| Topic | World Geography | Indian Geography | Rajasthan Geography |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Features | Continents, oceans, mountain ranges (e.g., Himalayas, Andes), plateaus, deserts | Physiographic divisions (e.g., Himalayas, Northern Plains, Deccan Plateau) | Aravalli Range, Thar Desert, Chambal River, Luni Basin |
| Environmental Issues | Climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss | Pollution, water scarcity, conservation efforts (e.g., Project Tiger) | Desertification, water management (e.g., Indira Gandhi Canal), wildlife sanctuaries |
| Natural Resources | Minerals (e.g., oil, coal), waterways, industrial regions | Agriculture, minerals (e.g., iron ore, mica), energy resources (e.g., solar, wind) | Minerals (e.g., zinc, copper), irrigation projects (e.g., Bisalpur Dam) |
| Population & Economy | Demographic trends, urbanization, economic hubs | Population density, migration, economic sectors (e.g., IT, manufacturing) | Population distribution, tribal communities, handicraft industries |
4. Indian Constitution, Political System & Governance
- Constitutional Development: Government of India Acts (1919, 1935), Constituent Assembly, Preamble
- Fundamental Rights & Duties: Articles 14–32, Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), Fundamental Duties
- Federal Structure: Union-State relations, emergency provisions, judicial review
- Political System:
- Union Government: President, Parliament (Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha), Supreme Court, Election Commission
- State Government: Governor, Chief Minister, State Legislature, High Court
- Local Governance: Panchayati Raj, Municipal Corporations, 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments
- Public Policy & Rights: Welfare schemes, citizen charters, RTI Act, NHRC, CVC
5. Economic Concepts & Indian Economy
- Basic Concepts:
- Budgeting, banking (e.g., RBI, commercial banks), public finance, national income (GDP, GNP)
- Inflation, subsidies, public distribution system (PDS), e-commerce
- Economic Development & Planning:
- Five-Year Plans (objectives, achievements), NITI Aayog, liberalization, privatization
- Major sectors: Agriculture (Green Revolution), Industry (Make in India), Services (IT, tourism)
- Human Resource & Development:
- Human Development Index (HDI), poverty alleviation schemes (e.g., MGNREGA), unemployment
- Social justice: Reservations, empowerment of SC/ST/OBC/EWS, women’s welfare
6. Science & Technology
- Everyday Science: Physics (e.g., laws of motion), Chemistry (e.g., periodic table), Biology (e.g., human anatomy)
- Information Technology: Computers, internet, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence
- Space & Defence: ISRO (e.g., Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan), DRDO, satellites, missile technology
- Health & Nutrition: Diseases (e.g., COVID-19), vaccines, balanced diet, healthcare schemes
- Environmental Science: Climate change, pollution control, renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind)
- Agriculture & Animal Husbandry: Green revolution, organic farming, livestock management (e.g., camel, goat rearing)
7. Reasoning & Mental Ability
- Logical Reasoning:
- Statement-Assumption, Statement-Argument, Statement-Conclusion, Courses of Action
- Analytical reasoning (e.g., puzzles, seating arrangements)
- Mental Ability:
- Number series, letter series, coding-decoding, odd-one-out, blood relations
- Basic Numeracy:
- Number systems, ratios, percentages, simple/compound interest, data interpretation (tables, graphs)
8. Current Affairs
- State (Rajasthan): Government schemes (e.g., Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Yojana), political developments, cultural events
- National: Union Budget, elections, major policies (e.g., GST, Digital India), sports (e.g., Olympics, cricket)
- International: Global summits (e.g., G20, COP28), conflicts (e.g., Russia-Ukraine war), technological advancements
Important Topics (High Weightage)
General Hindi
- Sandhi & Samas: Focus on common examples (e.g., देव + आलय = देवालय, राज + पथ = राजपथ)
- Grammatical Categories: Tenses (Kaal), voices (Vachya), and sentence correction
- Technical Terminology: Legal and administrative terms (e.g., न्यायालय, अधिनियम)
General Knowledge & General Science
- Rajasthan’s History & Culture:
- Dynasties: Mauryas, Guptas, Rajputs (e.g., Mewar, Marwar), Mughal influence
- Freedom Movement: Role of Rajasthan in 1857 revolt, Praja Mandal movement
- Fairs & Festivals: Pushkar Fair, Desert Festival, Teej, Gangaur
- Indian Polity:
- Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, amendments (e.g., 42nd, 44th)
- Governance: Panchayati Raj, local self-government, welfare schemes
- Geography:
- Rajasthan: Thar Desert, Aravalli Range, major rivers (e.g., Chambal, Luni), irrigation projects
- India: Physiographic divisions, monsoons, natural disasters (e.g., floods, earthquakes)
- Economy:
- Rajasthan: Agriculture (e.g., bajra, mustard), minerals (e.g., zinc, copper), handicrafts
- India: Five-Year Plans, GST, demonetization, economic reforms
- Science & Technology:
- Everyday Science: Laws of motion, human body, nutrition
- IT & Space: ISRO missions, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence
Preparation Approach
1. General Hindi
- Grammar: Master Sandhi, Samas, and sentence correction. Use NCERT Class 10–12 Hindi textbooks.
- Vocabulary: Learn synonyms, antonyms, and idioms. Practice with previous year papers.
- Writing Skills: Improve comprehension and essay writing (e.g., précis, letter writing).
2. General Knowledge & General Science
- History & Culture: Focus on Rajasthan’s dynasties, freedom movement, and folk traditions. Refer to "Rajasthan Adhyayan" by Dr. Suresh Sharma.
- Polity: Study the Indian Constitution, governance structures, and current affairs. Use "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth.
- Geography: Prioritize Rajasthan’s physical features, climate, and resources. Use "Oxford School Atlas" for maps.
- Economy: Understand basic concepts (e.g., GDP, inflation) and government schemes (e.g., MGNREGA). Refer to "Indian Economy" by Ramesh Singh.
- Science: Focus on NCERT Class 6–10 textbooks for fundamentals. Stay updated on recent discoveries (e.g., Chandrayaan-3).
- Current Affairs: Read "The Hindu", "Dainik Bhaskar", and "Pratiyogita Darpan". Use monthly magazines for revision.
3. Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Training Plan:
- Running: Practice 100m sprints (target: 14–16 seconds for males, 17–19 seconds for females).
- Long Jump: Improve explosive strength (target: 13–15 feet for males, 8–10 feet for females).
- Chinning Up: Build upper body strength (target: 6–10 reps for males, 5–7 reps for females).
- Pushups/Squats: Enhance endurance (target: 55–75 reps in 2.5 minutes).
- Diet: High-protein diet (e.g., eggs, lentils) and hydration. Avoid junk food.
4. Interview Preparation
- Mock Interviews: Practice with peers or mentors. Focus on clarity, confidence, and body language.
- Dress Code: Formal attire (e.g., shirt-trousers for males, saree/suit for females).
- Common Questions:
- "Why do you want to join the Home Defence Department?"
- "Explain the role of a Platoon Commander."
- "How will you handle a crisis situation?"
Preparation Resources
Books
| Subject | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| General Hindi | - "Samanya Hindi" by Lucent Publications |
- "Hindi Vyakaran" by Kamta Prasad Guru | | General Knowledge | - "Rajasthan GK" by Dr. Suresh Sharma
- "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth
- "Indian Economy" by Ramesh Singh
- "General Science" by Lucent Publications | | Current Affairs | - "Pratiyogita Darpan" (Monthly Magazine)
- "The Hindu" (Newspaper)
- "Dainik Bhaskar" (Hindi Newspaper) |
Online Resources
- Websites:
- RSSB Official Website (for notifications, syllabus updates)
- ExamGarh (for study materials, mock tests)
- Testbook (for previous year papers, quizzes)
- YouTube Channels:
- "Study IQ Education" (for polity, economy)
- "Wifistudy" (for Hindi grammar, current affairs)
Mock Tests & Previous Year Papers
- Mock Tests: Take online mock tests on platforms like ExamGarh, Testbook, or Adda247 to assess preparation.
- Previous Year Papers: Solve RSSB Platoon Commander papers from 2018–2024 to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Final Tips
- Time Management: Allocate 3–4 hours daily for each subject. Prioritize weak areas.
- Revision: Revise notes weekly. Use flashcards for important dates, formulas, and terms.
- Health: Maintain a balanced diet and sleep schedule. Avoid burnout.
- Stay Updated: Follow RSSB’s official website for exam date changes or syllabus updates.
- Confidence: Believe in your preparation. Stay calm during the exam.
Source: Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) Notification No. 05/2025 (Dated: 17.07.2025)