How to Prepare for RPF Sub-Inspector 2026

GA at 50 questions is your biggest scoring lever — especially defence and security context. Master with correct year-place pairings: Operation Vijay = Kargil 1999, Operation Meghdoot = Siachen 1984, Operation Pawan = Sri Lanka 1987-90, Operation Blue Star = Punjab 1984, Operation Cactus = Maldives 1988, Operation Trident = Karachi 1971. Police hierarchy (DGP > IG > DIG > SP > ASP > Inspector > SI) is asked frequently — never confuse IG with Inspector General (they're the same rank).

Polity is graduate-tier — know specific Articles (14, 19, 21, 32, 280, 324, 356, 368) and their domains. Use M. Laxmikanth's Indian Polity as the standard reference. Don't fabricate Article-to-Act linkages: parliamentary Acts (RPF Act 1957, RTI Act 2005, IT Act 2000) are NOT enacted under specific Articles.

Arithmetic at graduate level — learn the shortcuts: CI minus SI for 2 years = P(R/100)², equal-SP with ±n% gives n²/100% loss, etc. R.S. Aggarwal Quant + Arihant Fast Track Arithmetic are sufficient. Aim for 30+ correct out of 35.

Reasoning at graduate level — practice multi-step syllogisms with possibility cases, complex seating arrangements (linear and circular), and direction-sense with multiple steps. Indu Sijwali's Reasoning book is solid.

PET prep — SI timings are friendlier than Constable but you still need consistent training. Run 1600m thrice a week timed (aim for 6:00 min to have a 30-sec margin over the 6:30 limit). Long jump and high jump need technique work, not just power.

Medical B-1 standard — get an eye check well before applying. Coloured contact lenses, LASIK, refractive errors above the limit will disqualify. If you wear glasses with high power, this exam may not be the right fit.

Mock tests — 2-3 per week in the final 6 weeks at strict 90-minute timing. Track which sub-topic of GA is your weakest (usually defence-specific facts or specific Article numbers) and revise daily.