The premier administrative examination for Deputy Collectors and ACP/DySP in Maharashtra.
Mandatory educational background, age limits, pay scale, and service designations
The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) conducts the Maharashtra Gazetted Civil Services Combined Examination (popularly known as Rajyaseva) to recruit Sub-Divisional Magistrates (Deputy Collectors), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySP), Tehsildars, and Block Development Officers. Formatted to match UPSC Civil Services, it features a 2-paper Prelims and a 1750-mark descriptive Mains with Marathi and English qualifying papers, followed by a 275-mark interview.
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent qualification.
19 to 38 Years
Backward Classes (OBC/SC/ST/VJNT/SBC/EWS): 5 years (up to 43) | PwD: up to 45 | Ex-Servicemen: As per rules
General / UR: 6 attempts (Up to 38 years of age)
OBC: 9 attempts (Up to 43 years of age)
SC / ST: Unlimited attempts (Up to 43 years of age)
Pay Matrix S-20 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) for Group A & S-15 for Group B + DA, HRA, Transport & Medical
Annual Vacancies: Approx. 300 – 600 vacancies annually
Stage-wise breakdown, paper timing, question distribution, and negative marking rules
Negative Marking Rule: 1/4th (0.25) marks deducted per incorrect answer in Prelims.
Mode: Offline OMR for Prelims, Descriptive Sheets for Mains, In-Person Interview in Mumbai | Medium: Bilingual (Marathi / English); Marathi and English qualifying language papers.
Two objective papers of 200 marks each. Paper 1 (General Studies) determines the Mains cutoff; Paper 2 (CSAT) is qualifying with mandatory 33% minimum marks. Standard 1/4th negative marking applies.
| Paper / Component | Format | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking & Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1: General Studies Current events of state, national and international importance, History of India (with special reference to Maharashtra) and Indian National Movement, Maharashtra, India and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography, Maharashtra and India - Polity and Governance (Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy), Economic and Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change, General Science | Objective (MCQ) | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours | Decides Mains qualification list (12-15x vacancies) |
Paper 2: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Comprehension, Interpersonal skills including communication, Logical reasoning and analytical ability, Decision making and problem solving, General Mental Ability, Basic numeracy (Class X level) & Data interpretation, Marathi and English Language Comprehension skills (Class X/XII level) | Objective (MCQ) | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours | Qualifying in nature (Mandatory minimum 33% = 66 Marks) |
Pattern matches UPSC Civil Services. Marathi (300 marks) and English (300 marks) are qualifying (minimum 25% required). Final written merit is calculated from 7 descriptive papers of 250 marks each (Essay, GS 1 to 4, and 2 papers of one Optional Subject = 1750 Marks).
| Paper / Component | Format | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking & Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1: Marathi Language Comprehension, Precis writing, Usage and Vocabulary, Short Essay, Translation from English to Marathi | Descriptive (Written) | 300 | 3 Hours | Qualifying (Min 25% required, not counted in merit) |
Paper 2: English Language Comprehension, Precis writing, Usage and Vocabulary, Short Essay, Translation from Marathi to English | Descriptive (Written) | 300 | 3 Hours | Qualifying (Min 25% required, not counted in merit) |
Paper 3: Essay Two essays on philosophical, socio-economic, political, cultural, or administrative themes | Descriptive (Written) | 250 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 4: General Studies I History, Heritage and Culture of India and Maharashtra, World Geography, Society | Descriptive (Written) | 250 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 5: General Studies II Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations (with Maharashtra context) | Descriptive (Written) | 250 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 6: General Studies III Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security & Disaster Management | Descriptive (Written) | 250 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 7: General Studies IV Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude, Public Service Values & Case Studies | Descriptive (Written) | 250 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 8: Optional Subject Paper 1 Choice of one optional discipline (Part 1 of honours university syllabus) | Descriptive (Written) | 250 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper 9: Optional Subject Paper 2 Choice of one optional discipline (Part 2 of honours university syllabus) | Descriptive (Written) | 250 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Board interview conducted at MPSC office at Cooperage Telephone Exchange Building, Maharshi Karve Road, Mumbai evaluating administrative maturity, character, leadership, and knowledge of Maharashtra state governance.
| Paper / Component | Format | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking & Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Personality Interview Board Personal record & DAF, Maharashtra industrial corridors (Samruddhi Mahamarg, Coastal Road), Agrarian distress in Vidarbha/Marathwada & Jalyukt Shivar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj administrative philosophy (Ashta Pradhan), Social reformers of Maharashtra (Phule-Shahu-Ambedkar legacy) | Interview | 275 | 25 – 35 Minutes | Added to Mains marks for 2025 Grand Total Merit |
Detailed curriculum modules categorized by standard foundations vs. high-yield scoring chapters
Phase-by-phase roadmap, daily study schedule, topper golden rules, and fatal pitfalls to avoid
MPSC Rajyaseva is now fully descriptive and aligned with the UPSC CSE format (1750 marks written + 275 marks interview). Aspirants must balance UPSC-level analytical answer writing with deep factual command over Maharashtra history (Shivaji Maharaj, Peshwas, Phule-Shahu-Ambedkar), regional geography, and Samyukta Maharashtra movement. The 500-mark Optional Subject and 250-mark Essay are the highest-scoring rank determinants.
Maharashtra State Board Books (Class 8-12), Eknath Patil (Tatya's Thokla), Laxmikanth
Optional Subject (500 marks), GS 1 to 4 descriptive answer drafting
Paper 1 GS revision, CSAT math/reasoning, Maharashtra Current Affairs
Full mock exams across all 7 merit papers + Marathi/English qualifying
Topper-validated standard reference books and chapter-wise question banks
Author: Eknath Patil | Pub: K'Sagar Publications
The ultimate encyclopedic compilation for MPSC state history, geography, economy, and social reformers.
Author: Dr. K.B. Deshmukh / Bipin Chandra | Pub: Deepstambh Prakashan
Essential academic reference for in-depth questions on Phule, Shahu, Ambedkar, Tilak, and Agarkar.
Author: M. Laxmikanth | Pub: McGraw Hill
The definitive guide for Prelims and Mains GS-2 constitutional and governance topics.
Author: K'Sagar Editorial Board | Pub: K'Sagar Publications Pune
Authentic past papers of MPSC Rajyaseva with detailed explanations in Marathi and English.
Official past category-wise cutoffs to benchmark your target mock scores
| Cycle / Tier / Service | General (UR) | OBC | EWS | SC | ST | Scope & Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Prelims GS-1 (Out of 200 Marks) | 110.50 Marks | 110.50 Marks | 110.50 Marks | 102.00 Marks | 91.00 Marks | Cutoff out of 200 marks in Paper 1; CSAT is qualifying at 33%. |
| 2022 Prelims GS-1 (Out of 200 Marks) | 106.50 Marks | 106.50 Marks | 106.50 Marks | 98.50 Marks | 86.50 Marks | Screening cutoff for Mains examination entry. |
| 2021 Final Merit (Out of 2025 Marks) | 1080.00 Marks (Deputy Collector) | 1035.00 Marks | 1048.00 Marks | 980.00 Marks | 925.00 Marks | Final aggregate out of 2025 (Mains 1750 + Interview 275). |
From initial application to final cadre allocation and joining the training academy
Apply online at mpsc.gov.in ensuring Marathi language proficiency.
Appear for Paper 1 (GS - 200 marks) and Paper 2 (CSAT qualifying - 200 marks). Top 12-15 times vacancies qualify for Mains.
Write 7 descriptive merit papers (1750 marks) + 2 qualifying language papers (Marathi & English) over 5-7 days.
Attend board interview in Maharshi Karve Road, Mumbai (275 Marks).
Merit ranking out of 2025 determines allocation to Deputy Collector, DySP, or Assistant Commissioner State Tax followed by training at YASHADA Pune.
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