Rajasthan APO Prelims Answer Key 2026: Set A, B, C, D Answer Key

Rajasthan APO Prelims Answer Key 2026: The Rajasthan Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO) Preliminary Examination has been completed. The examination tested candidates extensively on the transition from the old criminal laws—IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act—to the new criminal laws, namely the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).

StudyIQ Judiciary has prepared a Rajasthan APO Prelims Master Answer Key for all 100 questions, along with a detailed thematic analysis of important questions. Since the examination was conducted through different question paper sets—Set A, Set B, Set C and Set D—the consolidated answer key can help candidates match questions across their respective booklets.

Rajasthan APO Prelims Answer Key 2026

The Rajasthan APO Prelims paper consisted of 100 questions. StudyIQ Judiciary’s consolidated answer key provides answers to all questions, while questions marked with an asterisk indicate areas involving statutory ambiguity, drafting issues or citations that could not be conclusively verified.

Rajasthan APO Answer Key: Set A, B, C and D

Candidates should note that the Rajasthan APO examination uses different randomized question booklets. Therefore, the question number in one set may not correspond to the same question number in another set.

The master answer key is designed to overcome this difficulty by allowing candidates to identify questions based on their subject matter and then verify the corresponding answer.

Rajasthan APO Prelims Master Answer Key

Note: Questions marked with (*) have been identified as potentially challenge-worthy because of ambiguity, drafting issues or citation-related concerns.

Rajasthan APO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026

The examination placed significant emphasis on the new criminal laws introduced in 2023. Candidates were required not only to remember statutory provisions but also to apply them to factual situations.

The major areas tested included:

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
• Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023
• Corresponding provisions of IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act
• Important judicial decisions
• Hindi language and grammar
• Statutory interpretation and application

Important BNS Questions Asked in Rajasthan APO Prelims

1. Marital Rape Age Threshold

A question asked about the age below which sexual intercourse by a man with his wife would constitute rape.

The answer is 18 years. The analysis identifies this with Exception 2 to Section 63 of the BNS, reflecting the increased age threshold associated with the Supreme Court’s decision in Independent Thought v. Union of India (2017).

2. Wrongful Confinement

A factual situation involved a person being kept in a lock-up despite having a valid bail order.

The correct offence identified in the analysis is wrongful confinement. The distinction is important: wrongful restraint prevents a person from proceeding in a particular direction, whereas wrongful confinement restricts the person within circumscribed limits.

3. Servant Taking Master’s Property

In the illustration involving a servant entrusted with a master’s plate who subsequently runs away with it, the offence identified is theft.

The reasoning is based on the principle that the master retains constructive possession while the servant has only custody.

4. Showing Pornography Against a Woman’s Will

The question concerning showing pornography against the will of a woman points to Section 75(1)(iii) BNS, dealing with sexual harassment.

5. Definition of Oath

The incorrect statement concerning the definition of “oath” was identified as the proposition that it includes statements only in court proceedings.

The analysis highlights that Section 2(23) BNS uses wording covering statements made whether in a Court or not.

Important BNSS Questions

The Rajasthan APO Prelims also tested important provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

Sanctioning and Withdrawal of Prosecution

One question dealt with the authority competent to sanction and withdraw prosecution. The answer identified in the analysis is that an Executive Magistrate can exercise both functions, with Section 3(2)(b) BNSS treating these as administrative or executive functions.

Community Service

Community service is one of the notable features of India’s new criminal-law framework.

The incorrect proposition was identified as the statement that a convict is entitled to remuneration for community service. The analysis notes that community service is an unpaid restorative punishment.

Cancellation of Maintenance

The question on cancellation of maintenance asked candidates to identify an option that is not a statutory ground.

The analysis identifies voluntary surrender of the right to maintenance as the incorrect ground. Section 144(5) BNSS specifically refers to circumstances such as living in adultery, refusing to live with the husband without sufficient reason, or living separately by mutual consent.

Arrest Information Officer

A question also tested the minimum rank required for maintaining arrest information registers under Section 37(b) BNSS.

The answer identified is Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI).

Important BSA Questions

The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 was another important component of the paper.

Motive, Preparation and Conduct

A question asked which mental element is not governed by Section 6 BSA.

The answer is intention. The analysis distinguishes intention from motive, preparation and conduct, noting that intention is separately dealt with under Section 13 BSA.

Discovery of a Weapon

The examination included the classic discovery-of-fact principle associated with Section 27 of the Indian Evidence Act and its corresponding BSA provision.

In the statement involving a weapon and the words “with which I killed B”, the confessional portion is inadmissible. The admissible portion relates to the factual discovery of the weapon and its location. The analysis connects this principle with Pulukuri Kottaya v. Emperor.

Previous Sexual History of Victim

The analysis identifies as incorrect the proposition that previous sexual experience with any person is relevant for determining consent.

Section 48 BSA bars the use of previous sexual experience for determining consent in the relevant sexual-offence context.

Rajasthan APO Answer Key: Questions That May Be Challenged

Some questions in the examination have been identified as potentially challenge-worthy because of statutory inconsistencies, ambiguous options, linguistic disputes or unverifiable case citations.

Petty Organised Crime

The analysis highlights the question concerning petty organised crime under Section 112(1) BNS.

While the provision expressly mentions acts such as theft, snatching, cheating and selling question papers, the analysis notes that dishonest misappropriation of property is not expressly included.

This may provide grounds for objection depending on the official key and options.

Handcuffing Under BNSS

Another potentially challenge-worthy question concerns the circumstances in which handcuffing is permitted under Section 43(3) BNSS.

The analysis notes that certain offences, including human trafficking and counterfeiting, are expressly mentioned, whereas selling public examination question papers is absent from the listed offences.

Hindi Grammar Questions

Some Hindi-language questions may also attract objections.

The analysis specifically identifies questions concerning the prefix in “कुंद” and the Sandhi involving “बिंब + ओष्ठ” as linguistically debatable. It notes that “कुंद” may be treated as an unanalyzable root word and that multiple forms may potentially be defended for the Sandhi question.

Recent Case-Law Citations

Questions referring to recent case citations, including Jyotsna Devi and Hutu Ansari, have also been flagged.

According to the analysis, the underlying legal propositions may concern established principles, but the cited cases could not be independently confirmed against accessible sources.

Rajasthan APO Prelims Result and What Candidates Should Do Next

After the Preliminary Examination, candidates should not wait for the official cutoff before beginning preparation for the next stage.

The Rajasthan APO Mains Examination requires a different approach. Candidates must move from objective question recognition to:

• Descriptive legal writing
• Structured legal arguments
• Charge framing under BNS
• Procedural drafting under BNSS
• Legal essays
• Hindi and English answer writing
• Preparation of Minor Acts

The source material specifically highlights areas such as the Rajasthan Excise Act, POCSO Act and SC/ST Act for the Mains preparation.

How to Prepare for Rajasthan APO Mains

Candidates who expect to clear the Preliminary Examination should begin answer-writing practice immediately.

A focused strategy should include:

1. Revise BNS, BNSS and BSA
Pay particular attention to provisions that were heavily tested in the Prelims.

2. Practice legal drafting
Work on charge framing, applications, petitions and other procedural formats.

3. Strengthen Minor Acts
Give dedicated time to Rajasthan-specific and important central legislation.

4. Improve answer-writing speed
Mains preparation requires both legal accuracy and the ability to present arguments in a structured manner.

5. Analyse disputed questions
Keep track of questions that may be affected by objections or changes in the official answer key.

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