RAS Mains General Studies Paper II — Ethics, Science and Earth Science
Structured preparation resources for India's competitive examinations.
This guide follows RPSC’s RAS Mains syllabus dated 9 January 2026 for Paper II (200 marks, three hours). It brings together Administrative Ethics, General Science and Technology, and Earth Science. Treat the official syllabus as the final scope; use this page to organise explanations, examples and answer practice.
Unit I: Ethics and human values
Ethics concerns how actions should be judged, while values are beliefs or principles that guide choices. Study lessons from leaders, reformers and administrators by identifying the value demonstrated, the situation in which it mattered and its relevance to public service. Family, society and educational institutions influence value formation, but an administrator must still apply law and reason rather than assume that every social custom is ethically justified.
Rit, Rin, Karmavada, duty, good and virtue
Prepare these concepts in their philosophical context and explain how they inform responsibility, action and social obligations. Distinguish a concept’s original context from its modern administrative application. When referring to Indian philosophical traditions, avoid reducing a complex idea to a single slogan.
Ethics in private and public relationships
Public office creates duties that go beyond personal loyalty. Integrity means consistency between stated principles and conduct; impartiality requires decisions based on relevant criteria rather than favouritism; non-partisanship requires fair administration across political preferences. Transparency and media scrutiny can strengthen accountability, while privacy, confidentiality and due process also matter.
Ethics of the Bhagavad Gita, Gandhian ethics and moral thinkers
For each thinker or tradition in the syllabus, prepare the central idea, a brief explanation and a relevant administrative application. Gandhian ethics can be discussed through truth, non-violence, means and ends, service and restraint. Do not use a quotation unless its wording and attribution are verified. The goal is to apply the idea to a decision, not merely reproduce a quotation.
Ethical dilemmas and AI versus conscience in administration
Administrative dilemmas arise when duties or values conflict—for example, speed versus procedural fairness, confidentiality versus disclosure, or loyalty versus reporting wrongdoing. AI may help organise information, but its output can be incomplete, biased or difficult to explain. An officer remains responsible for legality, human impact, verification and appeal. Automation should support accountable judgement, not replace it blindly.
Ethical decision-making and case studies
Use a repeatable sequence: establish facts; identify stakeholders; list legal duties and competing values; consider realistic options; assess consequences and fairness; decide; explain safeguards; and document the decision. Social justice and humanitarian concerns should be considered alongside accountability and legality. A strong answer names a workable action, responsible authority, timeline and review mechanism.
Unit II: Chemistry in everyday life
Revise atomic structure, elements and compounds, metals, non-metals and metalloids, ores and alloys, acids, bases, salts, pH and buffers. Learn common applications of carbon compounds, fuels and octane rating, radioactivity and green chemistry. The syllabus also names drugs, antioxidants, preservatives, insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, fertilisers, binders and sweeteners; focus on basic purpose, examples, safe use and environmental or health implications.
Physics in everyday life
Understand motion, work, power, energy, gravitation, light, heat, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic induction and sound. Learn the basic idea behind electromagnetic waves and the use of physics in medical diagnostics. Distinguish nuclear fission from fusion and understand radiation safety at a general level. For numerical questions, keep units consistent and show the formula before substituting values.
Cell biology, plants, human physiology and health
Learn cell structure and function, plant parts, plant nutrition, growth regulators and sexual and asexual reproduction. In human physiology, revise digestion, respiration, circulation, excretion, reproduction and the nervous system. Connect food and nutrition with immunity, disease prevention and public-health initiatives. Understand beneficial and harmful microbes, fermentation, biotechnology and genetic engineering at a foundational level.
The syllabus also names GMOs and ethical, legal and social issues; vaccines, CRISPR, mRNA technology and artificial organs. For each development, understand the basic mechanism, intended use, demonstrated benefit and limitations. Avoid treating a new technology as universally available or proven for every use.
Computer science, networks and emerging technology
Study basic computer concepts, networks, analog and digital telecommunications, frequency spectrum and mobile telephony. The syllabus includes AI and machine learning, big data, cloud and edge computing, the Internet of Things, blockchain and digital currency, virtual and augmented reality, OTT platforms and social media. For each, learn a plain-language definition, typical use, key limitation and one security or governance issue.
Indian scientists, institutions and indigenous technology
Prepare scientist–contribution pairs using reliable institutional sources, and distinguish an institution’s mandate from its individual achievements. Study robotics, nanotechnology and quantum computing at a basic conceptual level. For government policies, Digital India initiatives, cyber security and data privacy, understand the public purpose and the practical issues of access, consent, security and accountability.
Space and defence technology
Learn the Indian space programme, satellites and their applications, launch vehicles, remote sensing, defence research, indigenous technologies, missile programmes, drone technology and chemical or biological weapons. Use official ISRO, DRDO and government material for current programme details. Focus on purpose and application rather than unsupported claims about capabilities.
Unit III, Part A: Earth science — world
Study the Earth’s interior and geological time scale, the formation and distribution of mountains, plateaus, plains and deserts, and the causes and distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes. Climate topics include insolation, atmospheric circulation, humidity and precipitation. Link processes to hazards and environmental issues; explain why exposure and preparedness influence the impact of a natural hazard.
Part B: Earth science — India
Revise India’s physiography, drainage patterns and important rivers, monsoon and rainfall distribution, and climatic regions. Natural resources include water, vegetation, soil, minerals and power resources. Population topics include growth, distribution, density, sex ratio, literacy and rural–urban composition. Use the correct census or survey year whenever quoting statistics.
Part C: Earth science — Rajasthan
Study physiography, rivers and lakes, climate classification, natural vegetation, wildlife and biodiversity, soil, agriculture, minerals, demographic characteristics, tribes and tourism. The syllabus specifically includes UNESCO geoparks and geo-heritage sites and their potential in Rajasthan. Distinguish a recognised UNESCO designation from a proposed site or a general heritage location; verify the status from official UNESCO and government sources.
Answer practice
- An automated system flags an eligible applicant incorrectly. How should the officer respond?
- Explain the difference between fission and fusion at a basic scientific level.
- How do physical geography and exposure together shape the impact of earthquakes?