A Block Development Officer (BDO) is a government official who is responsible for the development and administration of a specific block in a district. A BDO oversees various schemes and projects related to rural development, revenue collection, social welfare, education, health, agriculture, and other sectors. A BDO also coordinates with other officials and agencies at the block level and reports to the District Collector.
For daily current affairs and job alerts please join below channels
Join WhatsApp Channel
Join Telegram Channel
To become a BDO in Rajasthan, one has to clear the Rajasthan State and Subordinate Services Combined Competitive Examination (RAS) conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC). The RAS exam is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in the state and attracts thousands of aspirants every year. The RAS exam consists of three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The candidates who qualify all the three stages are allotted various posts under the state services, including BDO, based on their rank, preference, and availability of vacancies.
Eligibility Criteria for RAS Exam
To be eligible for the RAS exam, one has to fulfil the following criteria:
- Nationality: One must be a citizen of India or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, Vietnam, or Zambia with the intention of permanently settling in India.
- Age Limit: One must be between 21 and 40 years of age as on January 1 of the year of examination. However, there are certain relaxations in the upper age limit for candidates belonging to reserved categories, ex-servicemen, state government employees, etc.
- Educational Qualification: One must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university or institution in any discipline. Candidates who are appearing for their final year examination or awaiting their results are also eligible to apply, provided they produce proof of passing the examination before the mains exam.
- Physical Standards: One must meet the prescribed physical standards for height, chest measurement, eyesight, etc., as per the notification.
Read: How to become SI in Rajasthan Police
Exam Pattern and Syllabus for RAS Exam
The RAS exam is conducted in three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The exam pattern and syllabus for each stage are as follows:
Preliminary Exam
The preliminary exam is an objective type test that consists of two papers: General Knowledge and General Science (Paper I) and General Aptitude Test (Paper II). Each paper carries 200 marks and has 150 questions. The duration of each paper is three hours. There is negative marking of one-third marks for each wrong answer. The preliminary exam is only a screening test and its marks are not counted for the final merit list. The syllabus for the preliminary exam covers topics such as:
- Paper I: History, Art, Culture, Literature, Tradition and Heritage of Rajasthan; Indian History – Ancient, Medieval and Modern; Geography of Rajasthan; Geography of World and India; Indian Constitution; Political System and Governance; Economic Concepts and Indian Economy; Economy of Rajasthan; Science and Technology; Reasoning and Mental Ability; Current Affairs.
- Paper II: Comprehension; Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills; Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability; Decision Making and Problem Solving; General Mental Ability; Basic Numeracy; Data Analysis and Interpretation; English Language.
Mains Exam
The mains exam is a descriptive type test that consists of four papers: General Studies I (Paper I), General Studies II (Paper II), General Studies III (Paper III), and General Hindi and General English (Paper IV). Each paper carries 200 marks and has eight questions. The duration of each paper is three hours. The mains exam tests the candidates’ knowledge, understanding, analysis, expression, and writing skills. The syllabus for the mains exam covers topics such as:
- Paper I: History, Art, Culture, Literature, Tradition and Heritage of Rajasthan; Indian History – Ancient, Medieval and Modern; History of Modern World.
- Paper II: Indian Constitution; Political System and Governance; Administrative System of Rajasthan; Economic Concepts and Indian Economy; Economy of Rajasthan; Science and Technology.
- Paper III: Geography of Rajasthan; Geography of World and India; Environment and Ecology; Current Affairs.
- Paper IV: General Hindi: Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Translation from English to Hindi, Precis Writing.
- General English: Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Translation from Hindi to English, Precis Writing.
Interview
The interview or personality test carries 100 marks and aims to assess the candidates’ suitability for the service based on their mental alertness, critical thinking, logical reasoning, communication skills, leadership qualities, social awareness, ethical values, and overall personality. The candidates are also expected to have knowledge about Rajasthan’s culture, history, geography, economy, polity, and current affairs.
Preparation Tips for RAS Exam
To prepare for the RAS exam, one has to follow a systematic and smart strategy that covers the entire syllabus and enhances one’s skills and confidence. Some of the preparation tips for the RAS exam are:
- Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: One should be familiar with the exam pattern and syllabus of each stage of the RAS exam and plan their study accordingly. One should also refer to the previous year question papers and mock tests to get an idea of the difficulty level, type of questions, and weightage of topics.
- Read NCERT Books and Standard Reference Books: One should read the NCERT books from class 6 to 12 for the basic concepts and facts related to various subjects. One should also refer to some standard reference books for in-depth knowledge and analysis of important topics. Some of the recommended books are:
- History: Rajasthan Adhyayan by Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan; History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra; India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra; A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir; Ancient India by RS Sharma; Medieval India by Satish Chandra.
- Geography: Rajasthan Bhugol by L R Bhalla; Geography of India by Majid Husain; Certificate Physical and Human Geography by GC Leong; NCERT Class 11 and 12 Geography Books.
- Polity: Lakshya Rajasthan by Dr. Rajeev Garg; Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth; Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu.
- Economy: Arthik Vikas Ki Samajh by Ramesh Singh; Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh; Economic Survey of India; Budget of India; Economic Review of Rajasthan.
- Science and Technology: Science and Technology in India by Ashok Kumar Singh; NCERT Class 6 to 10 Science Books; Lucent’s General Science.
- Current Affairs: Pratiyogita Darpan; Rajasthan Patrika; The Hindu; Yojana; Kurukshetra; PIB.
- Revise Regularly and Make Notes: One should revise the topics regularly and make short notes or flashcards for quick revision. One should also revise the current affairs on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis and make notes of important facts, data, events, etc.
- Practice Writing and Solving Questions: One should practice writing answers for the mains exam in a clear, concise, and coherent manner. One should also practice solving objective type questions for the preliminary exam in a time-bound manner. One should also attempt mock tests and previous year papers to evaluate their performance and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
-
Prepare for the Interview: One should prepare for the interview by reading about Rajasthan’s culture, history, geography, economy, polity, and current affairs. One should also update their knowledge on national and international issues and form their opinions on them. One should also practice mock interviews with friends or mentors and improve their communication skills, body language, and confidence.
The Bottom Line
Becoming a BDO in Rajasthan is a challenging but rewarding career option for those who want to serve the rural development sector. To become a BDO in Rajasthan, one has to clear the RAS exam conducted by RPSC. The RAS exam consists of three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The candidates who qualify all the three stages are allotted various posts under the state services, including BDO, based on their rank, preference, and availability of vacancies. To prepare for the RAS exam, one has to follow a systematic and smart strategy that covers the entire syllabus and enhances one’s skills and confidence.
Here are some bullet points that summarize the article:
- A BDO is a government official who is responsible for the development and administration of a specific block in a district.
- To become a BDO in Rajasthan, one has to clear the RAS exam conducted by RPSC.
- The RAS exam consists of three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.
- The preliminary exam is an objective type test that consists of two papers: General Knowledge and General Science (Paper I) and General Aptitude Test (Paper II).
- The mains exam is a descriptive type test that consists of four papers: General Studies I (Paper I), General Studies II (Paper II), General Studies III (Paper III), and General Hindi and General English (Paper IV).
- The interview or personality test carries 100 marks and aims to assess the candidates’ suitability for the service based on their mental alertness, critical thinking, logical reasoning, communication skills, leadership qualities, social awareness, ethical values, and overall personality.
- To prepare for the RAS exam, one has to follow a systematic and smart strategy that covers the entire syllabus and enhances one’s skills and confidence.
Some Common FAQs
Q: How many vacancies are there for BDO in Rajasthan?
A: The number of vacancies for BDO in Rajasthan varies every year depending on the availability of posts and the reservation policy of the state government. The RPSC releases the notification for the RAS exam with the details of the vacancies for various posts, including BDO, before the commencement of the exam. The candidates can check the official website of RPSC or the local newspapers for the latest information on the vacancies.
Q: What is the salary and perks of a BDO in Rajasthan?
A: The salary and perks of a BDO in Rajasthan are as per the pay scale and allowances prescribed by the state government. According to the 7th Pay Commission, the pay scale of a BDO in Rajasthan is Rs. 15,600 – Rs. 39,100 with a grade pay of Rs. 5,400. The BDO also gets other benefits such as Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Medical Allowance, Travel Allowance, etc.
Q: What are the duties and responsibilities of a BDO in Rajasthan?
A: The duties and responsibilities of a BDO in Rajasthan are manifold and diverse. Some of the major duties and responsibilities of a BDO are:
- To implement and monitor various schemes and projects related to rural development, revenue collection, social welfare, education, health, agriculture, and other sectors at the block level.
- To coordinate with other officials and agencies at the block level such as Panchayati Raj Institutions, NGOs, Self Help Groups, etc.
- To supervise and guide the staff and functionaries at the block level such as Junior Engineers, Accountants, Gram Sevaks, etc.
- To maintain law and order and handle public grievances at the block level.
- To prepare and submit reports and returns on various aspects of block administration to the District Collector.
Q: What are the skills and qualities required for a BDO in Rajasthan?
A: The skills and qualities required for a BDO in Rajasthan are:
- Administrative Skills: A BDO should have good administrative skills to manage and execute various tasks and activities at the block level efficiently and effectively.
- Leadership Skills: A BDO should have good leadership skills to motivate and inspire the staff and functionaries at the block level and to resolve any conflicts or issues that may arise.
- Communication Skills: A BDO should have good communication skills to interact and communicate with various stakeholders at the block level such as villagers, officials, agencies, etc., and to convey their needs and feedback to the higher authorities.
- Analytical Skills: A BDO should have good analytical skills to evaluate and assess the performance and impact of various schemes and projects at the block level and to suggest improvements or modifications if needed.
- Problem-Solving Skills: A BDO should have good problem-solving skills to identify and address any challenges or difficulties that may hamper the development and administration of the block.
- Ethical Values: A BDO should have high ethical values to uphold the integrity and honesty of the service and to work for the welfare of the people.
Q: How to prepare for the interview for BDO in Rajasthan?
A: To prepare for the interview for BDO in Rajasthan, one should follow these tips:
- Update Your Knowledge: One should update their knowledge on Rajasthan’s culture, history, geography, economy, polity, and current affairs. One should also update their knowledge on national and international issues and form their opinions on them.
- Read Your DAF: One should read their Detailed Application Form (DAF) carefully and prepare for any questions that may be asked based on their personal details, educational background, hobbies, achievements, etc.
- Practice Mock Interviews: One should practice mock interviews with friends or mentors and improve their communication skills, body language, and confidence. One should also seek feedback from them and work on their weaknesses.
- Be Honest and Positive: One should be honest and positive during the interview and answer the questions with clarity, logic, and conviction. One should also avoid giving vague or contradictory answers or showing any nervousness or arrogance.