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TNPSC Group 1 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

India · 5 subjects · 48 topics · Updated 2026-04-06

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Group 1 examination is one of the most prestigious civil service examinations in Tamil Nadu, India. It recruits candidates for high-ranking administrative positions in the Tamil Nadu state government, including Deputy Collector, District Registrar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes), and other Group A services. The examination is conducted in three stages: Preliminary (objective type screening test), Main (written examination), and Interview. It is known for its comprehensive syllabus covering history, geography, polity, economy, and current affairs with a specific focus on Tamil Nadu.

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Verified 2026-04-24

Year: 2026
Subjects: 5
Topics: 48

Freshness tracked daily from https://www.tnpsc.gov.in. See 2026 calendar →

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📋 Exam Pattern

The TNPSC Group 1 Preliminary examination consists of a single paper General Studies (200 questions, 300 marks) to be completed in 3 hours. This paper covers current events, history and geography of India and Tamil Nadu, Indian polity, Indian economy, general science, and mental ability tests. The Main examination has three papers: Paper I (General Studies - 300 marks, 3 hours) covering similar topics as Prelims but in depth; Paper II (General Studies - 300 marks, 3 hours) with more specialized topics; and Paper III (a paper chosen by the candidate from a list of optional subjects - 500 marks, 3 hours). The Interview/Personality Test carries 100 marks. Only those who qualify in Prelims appear for Mains, and final selection is based on Mains + Interview marks.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must be Indian citizens (or subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees) with a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. The age limit is 21-32 years for most positions, with relaxations for SC/ST (no upper limit), OBC (35 years), PwD (37 years for blind/deaf, 40 years for others), and ex-servicemen (48 years). Candidates must have proficiency in Tamil language (reading, writing, and speaking). Those without Tamil proficiency may need to pass the Tamil language test conducted by TNPSC within a specified period after appointment.

Subjects & Topics Covered — 48 topics across 5 subjects

History

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10 topics · Ancient Indian History· Medieval Indian History· Modern Indian History + more

Geography

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10 topics · Physical Geography of India· Rajasthan Geography· Indian Climate and Monsoon + more

Science

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10 topics · Topic 1· Topic 2· Topic 3 + more

Politics

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8 topics · Topic 1· Topic 2· Topic 3 + more

Economics

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10 topics · Introduction to Economics· Demand and Supply· Elasticity + more

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Frequently Asked Questions — TNPSC Group 1

Everything you need to know about TNPSC Group 1. Scroll down for the complete study guide.

What is TNPSC and how does it work?

TNPSC (Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission) conducts Group 1, 2, 3, and 4 examinations for recruitment to civil services and administrative posts in the Tamil Nadu state government. The Combined Engineering Services Examination (CESE) is the engineering-specific recruitment under Group 4. TNPSC exams are conducted in Tamil Nadu for positions like Assistant Engineer (Civil/Electrical/Mechanical), Junior Engineer, and other state government posts. Candidates must be Tamil Nadu residents or graduates from Tamil Nadu institutions to be eligible for most posts.

What is the TNPSC exam pattern?

TNPSC Group 4 consists of a single written examination of 300 questions to be answered in 3 hours. The paper covers: General Studies (200 questions, covering history, geography, science, polity, economics, current affairs), Aptitude & Mental Ability (25 questions), General English (25 questions), and General Tamil (50 questions — candidates choose between Tamil and English for this section). All questions are objective MCQs. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. The exam is conducted in both Tamil and English medium.

What is a good TNPSC score and how does selection work?

A score of 180–200 out of 300 is generally considered competitive for the General category. For the Engineer posts (Group 4 CESE), the selection is based on marks obtained in the written exam alone — there is no interview. The rank list is prepared and allocated to departments based on preference and vacancy. After being allocated, candidates undergo document verification and medical examination before appointment. TNPSC Group 4 posts include roles like Junior Engineer (Civil), Assistant, and VAO (Village Administrative Officer) — each with different eligibility criteria.

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Exam Name	TNPSC Group 1
Country	🇮🇳 India
Subjects	History, Geography, Science, Politics, Economics
Total Topics	48
Official Source	https://www.tnpsc.gov.in
Last Updated	2026-04-06