Welcome to Ujiyari’s Rajasthan current affairs notes for 16 July 2026, prepared for RPSC RAS, RSSB and all State PCS aspirants. Today’s edition covers the RPSC RAS 2026 recruitment cycle, the RSSB CET Graduate Level application window, the Wildlife Institute of India’s fresh status report on the Great Indian Bustard in the Thar, the Rajasthan Assembly’s 75th Amrit Mahotsav, the Rajasthan Industrial Park Promotion Policy 2026, and the state’s road infrastructure milestone. Each item carries a Prelims-ready fact table and a Mains angle, followed by a Fact File and five practice MCQs.
1. RPSC RAS 2026 Recruitment Cycle Underway
Why in News: As of mid-July 2026, the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) has closed applications (last date 3 July 2026) for the RAS/RTS Combined Competitive Examination 2026 against 607 vacancies, with the Preliminary Examination scheduled for 29 November 2026.
Background: The Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) examination is the state’s flagship recruitment for gazetted officers across State Services (RAS, RPS, RAcS) and Subordinate Services. Conducted by RPSC, headquartered at Ajmer, the exam follows the three-stage pattern of Prelims, Mains and Interview. The 607 vacancies span administrative, police, accounts and allied services, and the notification reaffirms the reservation and domicile framework applicable to Rajasthan recruitment. This connects to the constitutional scheme of State Public Service Commissions under Article 315 and the governance capacity of the state.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: RPSC is a constitutional body under Article 315; it is headquartered at Ajmer and conducts RAS/RTS examinations.
- Mains: Discuss how transparent, time-bound recruitment through RPSC strengthens administrative capacity and public trust in Rajasthan’s governance.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) |
| RPSC headquarters | Ajmer |
| Constitutional basis | Article 315 (State Public Service Commissions) |
| Exam | RAS/RTS Combined Competitive Examination 2026 |
| Vacancies | 607 posts |
| Prelims date | 29 November 2026 |
2. RSSB CET (Graduate Level) 2026 Application Window Open
Why in News: The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) opened online applications for the Common Eligibility Test (CET) Graduate Level 2026 on 4 July 2026, with the last date 2 August 2026 and the OMR-based test scheduled for 1 to 3 December 2026.
Background: The Common Eligibility Test is a single qualifying gateway that screens candidates for multiple Group C posts requiring a graduate-level qualification, replacing the need to sit separate preliminary tests for each vacancy. Administered by the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (formerly the Rajasthan Subordinate and Ministerial Services Selection Board), the CET reduces repeated examination costs for aspirants and streamlines the hiring pipeline. This connects to administrative reform in recruitment and the state’s effort to expand fair employment access. This connects to Rajasthan’s governance push for efficient, aspirant-friendly public recruitment.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: RSSB conducts the CET; the Graduate Level CET 2026 test is scheduled for 1 to 3 December 2026 in OMR mode.
- Mains: Evaluate how a common eligibility test lowers the examination burden on aspirants while improving efficiency in filling Group C posts.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) |
| Examination | CET Graduate Level 2026 |
| Application opens | 4 July 2026 |
| Last date | 2 August 2026 |
| Test dates | 1 to 3 December 2026 |
| Mode | Offline (OMR-based) |
3. WII Releases Status Report on Great Indian Bustard in Thar
Why in News: In July 2026, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) released a status and trend report on the Great Indian Bustard (Godawan) in the Thar, estimating a stable population of around 130 individuals but flagging rising threats from power lines and solar infrastructure.
Background: The Great Indian Bustard, Rajasthan’s state bird, is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and the Thar Desert around Jaisalmer holds roughly three-quarters of its global population. The core habitat lies within the Desert National Park, notified in 1980. Conservation measures include captive breeding at the Sam and Ramdevra centres, removal of invasive Prosopis juliflora, predator control and habitat restoration; overhead power lines remain a leading cause of mortality. This connects to biodiversity conservation, the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and the balance between renewable energy expansion and species protection.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: The Great Indian Bustard (Godawan) is Rajasthan’s state bird; Desert National Park (Jaisalmer/Barmer) is its main habitat, notified in 1980.
- Mains: Examine the tension between solar and wind energy expansion in the Thar and the survival of the critically endangered Godawan.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Species | Great Indian Bustard (Godawan) |
| IUCN status | Critically Endangered |
| Report by | Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun |
| Estimated population | Around 130 individuals |
| Main habitat | Desert National Park, Jaisalmer (notified 1980) |
| Key threat | Power lines and infrastructure in the Thar |
4. Rajasthan Assembly Begins Its 75th Amrit Mahotsav
Why in News: On 15 July 2026, the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly began the year-long Amrit Mahotsav marking 75 years since its constitution, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurating the celebrations in Jaipur.
Background: The Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha, a unicameral House of 200 seats, traces its origins to the early 1950s after the integration of the princely states into the Rajasthan Union, and the Amrit Mahotsav commemorates 75 years of the state’s legislative journey. The inaugural event, presided over by Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani and inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota member of Parliament Om Birla, featured commemorative programmes on the House’s democratic record, constitutional practice and the digitisation of Assembly records, including a digital museum and e-Vidhan initiatives. The celebration underscores the role of state legislatures in India’s federal democracy and the accountability of the executive to the House. This connects to the state legislature, parliamentary procedure and cooperative federalism.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: Rajasthan has a unicameral legislature of 200 seats; the current Assembly Speaker is Vasudev Devnani; Om Birla is the Lok Sabha Speaker.
- Mains: Discuss the significance of strengthening state legislatures and legislative record digitisation for democratic accountability.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | Rajasthan Assembly 75th year Amrit Mahotsav |
| Inaugurated on | 15 July 2026 |
| Inaugurated by | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla |
| Assembly Speaker | Vasudev Devnani |
| Legislature type | Unicameral, 200 seats |
| Theme | Democratic record and digitisation of records |
5. Rajasthan Industrial Park Promotion Policy 2026
Why in News: The Bhajan Lal Sharma government’s Industrial Park Promotion Policy 2026 remains a headline governance measure in July 2026, offering incentives for private and public-private industrial parks through the RajNivesh single-window portal.
Background: The policy is designed to accelerate industrial land development by encouraging privately owned, hybrid land-sharing and public-private partnership models for industrial parks. Incentives include exemption from electricity duty on renewable power use, concessions on stamp duty and land conversion charges, and clearances routed through the RajNivesh single-window system. The policy follows the momentum of the Rising Rajasthan investment drive and seeks to translate investment commitments into on-ground manufacturing capacity. This connects to industrial policy, ease of doing business and the state’s employment and revenue objectives.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: RajNivesh is Rajasthan’s single-window clearance portal for investment; the Industrial Park Promotion Policy 2026 offers stamp duty and land conversion concessions.
- Mains: Discuss how industrial park policy and single-window clearance can convert Rising Rajasthan investment pledges into actual manufacturing and jobs.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Policy | Rajasthan Industrial Park Promotion Policy 2026 |
| Single-window portal | RajNivesh |
| Key incentive | Electricity duty exemption on renewable power |
| Other concessions | Stamp duty and land conversion charge relief |
| Models allowed | Private, hybrid land-sharing, PPP |
| Linked drive | Rising Rajasthan investment initiative |
6. Rajasthan Crosses Major Road Infrastructure Milestone
Why in News: In mid-2026 the state government reported completion of about 48,748 km of road works costing around Rs 33,195 crore over just over two years, including 17,934 km of entirely new roads connecting 1,756 villages.
Background: Road connectivity is central to Rajasthan’s development strategy given its vast geographical spread, the largest of any Indian state by area, and dispersed rural habitations. The reported works combine new construction, upgradation and strengthening under state and centrally sponsored schemes, extending all-weather connectivity to previously unconnected villages. Improved roads support agricultural marketing, tourism circuits and industrial logistics across the desert and Aravalli regions. This connects to rural connectivity, PMGSY-linked road development and balanced regional growth.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area; road connectivity milestones link new villages under state and central schemes.
- Mains: Analyse how expanding road connectivity in Rajasthan supports rural livelihoods, market access and equitable regional development.
| Prelims Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Road works completed | About 48,748 km |
| Investment | Around Rs 33,195 crore |
| New roads | 17,934 km |
| Villages connected | 1,756 villages |
| Period | Just over two years |
| Rajasthan rank | Largest Indian state by area |
Practice MCQs
Q1. The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), which conducts the RAS/RTS Examination, is headquartered at which city?
- (a) Jaipur
- (b) Jodhpur
- (c) Ajmer
- (d) Udaipur
Answer: (c) RPSC is headquartered at Ajmer and is a constitutional body under Article 315 of the Constitution. It conducts the RAS/RTS Combined Competitive Examination, with the 2026 cycle offering 607 vacancies and Prelims on 29 November 2026.
Q2. With reference to the Great Indian Bustard (Godawan), consider the following statements:
- It is the state bird of Rajasthan.
- It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
- The Desert National Park in Jaisalmer is one of its main habitats.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) All three are correct. The Great Indian Bustard is Rajasthan’s state bird, is Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and the Desert National Park (notified in 1980) in Jaisalmer is its principal habitat. The WII’s July 2026 report put the Thar population at around 130 individuals.
Q3. The Amrit Mahotsav inaugurated on 15 July 2026 marks 75 years of which institution, and who inaugurated it?
- (a) The Rajasthan High Court; the Chief Justice of India
- (b) The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly; Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
- (c) The Rajasthan Public Service Commission; the Governor
- (d) The Rajasthan Secretariat; the Chief Minister
Answer: (b) The Amrit Mahotsav marks 75 years of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, a unicameral House of 200 seats. It was inaugurated on 15 July 2026 by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, with Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani presiding.
Q4. The RajNivesh portal, referenced in the Rajasthan Industrial Park Promotion Policy 2026, is best described as:
- (a) A land records digitisation portal
- (b) A single-window clearance portal for investment
- (c) A rural employment registration portal
- (d) An electricity billing portal
Answer: (b) RajNivesh is Rajasthan’s single-window clearance system for investment approvals. Under the Industrial Park Promotion Policy 2026, it routes clearances for industrial parks, which also receive stamp duty and land conversion concessions and electricity duty exemption on renewable power.
Q5. The Common Eligibility Test (CET) Graduate Level 2026 in Rajasthan is conducted by which agency?
- (a) Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC)
- (b) Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB)
- (c) Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE)
- (d) Rajasthan Skill and Livelihoods Development Corporation
Answer: (b) The CET is conducted by the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB). The Graduate Level CET 2026 application window opened on 4 July 2026 (last date 2 August 2026), with the OMR-based test scheduled for 1 to 3 December 2026. It serves as a single qualifying gateway for multiple Group C posts.
