[APP GROUP II-2025] Who is the playwright of 'Oondrukol'?

Correct Answer: A [Mudiyarasan]

Notes:

'Oondrukol' is a work by the poet Mudiyarasan.

2.

[SPECIAL COMPETITIVE-2025] "Mathi Petra Minor" Novelist

Correct Answer: A [Ramamirtham]

Notes:

Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar wrote the novel 'Dasigal Mosavalai alladhu Mathipetra Minor' against the Devadasi system.

3.

[GROUP 1&1A-2025] Which book features the series "Pagaivar pull Aarga"?

Correct Answer: C [Aingkurunuru]

Notes:

The phrase 'Pagaivar pul aarga' occurs in Vetkai Pathu, the opening Marutham section of Ainkurunuru.

4.

[GROUP 4-2025] Match the following:
(a) Karaikkal Ammaiyar
(b) Andal
(c) Aranganadha Mudaliyar
(d) Seraman Perumal Nayanar
1. Thiruvantadi
2. Kachhikalambagam
3. Pavaippattu
4. Moothathiruppathigangal

Correct Answer: C [4 3 2 1]

Notes:

Moothathiruppathigangal – Karaikkal Ammaiyar; Thiruppavai – Andal; Kachhi Kalambagam – Aranganatha Mudaliyar; Ponvannathu Anthathi (Thiruvanthathi) – Cheraman Perumal Nayanar.

5.

[GROUP4-2025] Match the Works/Books with the authors:
(a) Vetriverkai - 1. Avvaiyar
(b) Nanneri - 2. Kumaraguruparar
(c) Neethineri Vilakkam - 3. Athiveerarama Pandiyar
(d) Nalvazhi - 4. Duraimangalam Sivaprakasar

Correct Answer: C [3 4 2 1]

Notes:

Vetriverkai is by Athiveerarama Pandiyar, Nanneri by Duraimangalam Sivaprakasar, Neethineri Vilakkam by Kumaraguruparar and Nalvazhi by Avvaiyar.

6.

[CTS-IV-POST-2025] Through whose literature can we trace the origin of didactic texts (in Greek literature)?

Correct Answer: C [Hesiod]

Notes:

The origin of didactic literature in Greek is traced to Hesiod, whose 'Works and Days' is regarded as the earliest Greek didactic poem. (The TNPSC answer key had marked 'Homer'.)

7.

[CTS-IV-POST-2025] Ithazhakalanthathi belongs to which Anthathi literary genre?

Correct Answer: B [Nirotta yamaka anthathi]

Notes:

In a Nirotta Yamaka Anthathi the lips never touch while reciting it, hence it is called Ithazhakalanthathi (lips-apart anthathi).

8.

[CTS-NON-IV-POST-2025] Who is the author of the short story "Anbalippu"?

Correct Answer: D [K. Alagirisamy]

Notes:

'Anbalippu' is a short-story collection by Ku. Alagirisamy, which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1970.

9.

[CTS-NON-IV-POST-2025] Match (scholars and the period they assigned):
(a) K. Vellaivaranar - 1. BC 4th to 3rd century
(b) K. Kanagasabapathy Pillai - 2. BC 5320
(c) N. Subramaniyan - 3. AD 4th century
(d) S. Vaiyapuri Pillai - 4. BC 2nd century

Correct Answer: A [2 4 1 3]

Notes:

On the date of Tolkappiyar: K. Vellaivaranar proposed BC 5320, Kanagasabapathy Pillai the 2nd century BC, N. Subramaniyan the 4th–3rd century BC and S. Vaiyapuri Pillai the 4th century AD.

10.

[CTS-ITI-POST-2025] Choose the right matches among the following.
(1) Sankaradass Swamigal - Gnanakkoil (The Temple of Wisdom)
(2) Caldwell - Gnanakkannadi (The Mirror of Wisdom)
(3) Padikkasu Pulavar - Thondaimandala Sathagam
(4) Vedhanayagam Pillai - Penmadhi Malai

Correct Answer: D [(3) and (4) are correct]

Notes:

Thondaimandala Sathagam was composed by Padikkasu Pulavar, and Penmadhi Malai by Mayuram Vedanayagam Pillai.

11.

[GROUP2-2A-2025] Match the following:
(a) Bharathiar - 1. Pandian Parisu
(b) Kavimani Desiga Vinayagam Pillai - 2. Tamilan Ithayam
(c) Bharathidasan - 3. Kannan Pattu
(d) Ramalingam Pillai - 4. Asia Jothi

Correct Answer: C [3 4 1 2]

Notes:

Kannan Pattu is by Bharathiar, Asia Jothi by Kavimani, Pandian Parisu by Bharathidasan and Tamilan Ithayam by Namakkal Kavignar Ramalingam Pillai.

12.

[CTS-ITI-LEVEL-II-2025] Choose the right matches:
1. Kundrak Kuravai - A dance by Mullai land women to Thirumal
2. Aichiyar Kuravai - A dance by Kurinchi land women to Murugan
3. Marakkal - A dance by Kotravai to kill the Asuras
4. Paavai - A dance by Thirumagal to conquer the Asuras

Correct Answer: D [[3] and [4] are correct]

Notes:

In Silappathikaram, Kundrak Kuravai is danced by Kurinji women for Murugan and Aichiyar Kuravai by Mullai women for Thirumal, so 1 and 2 are swapped; Marakkal is Kotravai's dance and Paavai is Thirumagal's dance to defeat the Asuras.

13.

[APP-GR-II-2026] Match the following:
Book Name - Author
(a) Thennattu Porkalangal - 1. Se. Diwan
(b) Viduthalai Velviyil Tamilagam - 2. T. Stalin Gunasekaran
(c) Viduthalai Poril Tamilaga Muslimgal - 3. Ka. Appadurai
(d) Viduthalai Poril Tamilagam - 4. Ma.Po. Sivagnanam

Correct Answer: B [3 2 1 4]

Notes:

Thennattu Porkalangal is by Ka. Appadurai, Viduthalai Velviyil Tamilagam by T. Stalin Gunasekaran, Viduthalai Poril Tamilaga Muslimgal by Se. Diwan and Viduthalai Poril Tamilagam by Ma.Po. Sivagnanam.

14.

[CTS-IV-POST-2026] Choose the correctly matched ones:
(1) Kaai Nel Aruththu Kavalam Kollinae (To harvest rice & consume in handfuls) - Kovoor Kizhaar
(2) Yathum Oore; Yaavarum Kelir (Every city is your city, everyone is your kin) - Kaniyan Poongundranaar
(3) Valliyorp Padarnthu Pullir Pogi (The people spread out & achieved their goals) - Pisiraanthaiyar
(4) Ee Yena Iraththal Izhinthandru (It is dishonourable to beg) - Kazhaithin Yaanaiyaar

Correct Answer: B [(2) and (4) are correct]

Notes:

'Yathum Oore Yaavarum Kelir' is by Kaniyan Poongundranar (Puram 192) and 'Eeyena Iraththal Izhinthandru' by Kazhaithin Yaanaiyar (Puram 204); 'Kaai Nel Aruthu' is by Pisiranthaiyar and 'Valliyorp Padarnthu' by Kovur Kizhar.

15.

[CTS-IV-POST-2026] Which of the following is incorrectly paired?
(1) Kandhapuranam - An adaptation of the first part of the Sankara Samhita
(2) Yasodhara Kaviyam - An adaptation of the Sanskrit book Yasodhara Charitra
(3) Periyapuranam - An adaptation of the Sanskrit Uttara Mapurana
(4) Sripuranam - An adaptation of the story of Naga Panchami

Correct Answer: C [(3) and (4)]

Notes:

Periyapuranam is Sekkizhar's original Tamil Saiva work, not an adaptation of the Uttara Mahapurana, and Sripuranam adapts the Jain Mahapurana, while the Naga Panchami story underlies Nagakumara Kaviyam; so pairs (3) and (4) are wrong.

16.

[GROUP2A-MAINS-2025] Arrange the following Tamil scholars in chronological order:
(1) Mayooram Vedanayagam Pillai
(2) Vedanayagam Sastriar
(3) Thanjavur Abraham Pandithar
(4) H.A. Krishnapillai

Correct Answer: C [(2), (1), (4), (3)]

Notes:

By year of birth the order is Vedanayagam Sastriar (1774), Mayuram Vedanayagam Pillai (1826), H.A. Krishna Pillai (1827) and Abraham Pandithar (1859).

17.

[GROUP2A-MAINS-RE-2026] Match the Sangam books published by U.V.Sa. with the years they were published:
(a) Pathupattu - 1. 1903
(b) Purananuru - 2. 1889
(c) Ingurunuru - 3. 1904
(d) Pathitrupathu - 4. 1894

Correct Answer: B [2 4 1 3]

Notes:

U.V. Swaminatha Iyer published Pathupattu in 1889, Purananuru in 1894, Ainkurunuru in 1903 and Pathitrupathu in 1904.

18.

[GROUP2A-MAINS-REVOKED-2026] Which of the following are not correct statements about Subrahmanya Bharathi?
(i) He exhibited nationalist patriotism
(ii) He translated Edward Fitzgerald's Omar Khayyam
(iii) He was also called Asia Jothi
(iv) His works are Azhagin Sirippu and Pandiyan Parisu

Correct Answer: D [(ii), (iii) and (iv) only]

Notes:

Only (i) is true of Bharathi. The Omar Khayyam translation and 'Asia Jothi' are by Kavimani Desiga Vinayagam Pillai, and Azhagin Sirippu and Pandiyan Parisu are by Bharathidasan, so (ii), (iii) and (iv) are wrong. (The TNPSC answer key had marked (ii) and (iii) only.)

19.

[GROUP2A-MAINS-REVOKED-2026] Rank the poets who composed the largest number of Sangam songs:
(1) Orambogiyar
(2) Ammuvanar
(3) Peyanar
(4) Kabilar

Correct Answer: D [(4), (2), (1), (3)]

Notes:

By number of Sangam poems the order is Kabilar (235), Ammuvanar (127), Orambogiyar (110) and Peyanar (105).

20.

[GROUP2A-MAINS-REVOKED-2026] Match the poets who composed the following lyrics in Ainkurunuru:
(a) Kizhathi Kootru Pathu - 1. Othalanthai
(b) Kizhavar Uraitha Pathu - 2. Orampogiyar
(c) Annai Pathu - 3. Ammoovanar
(d) Elavenil Pathu - 4. Kabilar

Correct Answer: A [2 3 4 1]

Notes:

In Ainkurunuru, Kizhathi Kootru Pathu belongs to Marutham (Orampogiyar), Kizhavarku Uraitha Pathu to Neithal (Ammoovanar), Annai Pathu to Kurinji (Kabilar) and Ilavenil Pathu to Palai (Othalanthaiyar).

21.

[GSASO-2020] Who first translated the Bhagavad Gita from Sanskrit into English?

Correct Answer: A [Charles Wilkins]

Notes:

Charles Wilkins produced the first English translation of the Bhagavad Gita in 1785.

22.

[ARGS-2020] "வடவேங்கடம் தென்குமரி ஆயிடைத் தமிழ் கூறும் நல்லுலகம்" (Vadavengadam Thenkumari Aayidai Tamil Kurum Nallulagam – the good land where Tamil is spoken, between Venkatam in the north and Kumari in the south). These lines are mentioned in which Tamil work?

Correct Answer: B [Tolkappiyam]

Notes:

These lines occur in the Sirappu Payiram (preface) of Tolkappiyam, written by Panambaranar.

23.

[PTGS-2021] Name the work that says: "செல்வம் சகடக் கால்போல வரும்" (Wealth changes its position like a cart-wheel).

Correct Answer: B [Naaladiyar]

Notes:

The line is from Naladiyar's chapter on the impermanence of wealth: wealth goes up and down like the spokes of a turning cart-wheel.

24.

[GSCE-2021] Assertion (A): Periyapuranam was written by Sekkizhar during the reign of Cholas. Seevakasindhamani and Kambaramayanam were also written during the reign of Cholas.
Reason (R): Tamil literature flourished during the Cholas period.
Considering (A) and (R), choose the correct answer.

Correct Answer: C [Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)]

Notes:

Periyapuranam (under Kulothunga II), Seevaka Chintamani and Kambaramayanam were all composed in the Chola period; the flourishing of Tamil literature under the Cholas explains this.

25.

[AHGS-2021] Which one of the following is used for protecting one's homeland during war?

Correct Answer: D [Kaanji]

Notes:

Kanchi thinai is fighting to defend one's own land against an invading army; Vanji is marching to invade the enemy's land.

26.

[AHGS-2021] Who is called as Paanan according to Tamil Literature?

Correct Answer: A [One who sings a song]

Notes:

In Sangam literature the Paanar were bards who sang to the accompaniment of the yazh; the Panarruppadai poems are addressed to them.

27.

[AHGS-2021] "Vinaiyin neengi vilangiya arivin munaivan kandathu ______ aagum" — After removing the causes of one's suffering, the one with crystal knowledge finds its ______.

Correct Answer: D [Primary/Original text]

Notes:

Tolkappiyam (Marabiyal) defines the primary text (Muthal nool) as that which is seen by the sage freed from karma and endowed with pure knowledge.

28.

[AGGS-2021] Give the meaning of the word 'Nuvvai' in the following lines:
"நும்மினும் சிறந்தது நுவ்வை ஆகுமென்று
அன்னை கூறினள் புன்னையது சிறப்பே"
(Numminum sirandhadhu nuvvai aagum endru / annai kurinal punnaiyadhu sirappe)

Correct Answer: A [Thangai (Younger sister)]

Notes:

In Natrinai 172, the mother called the punnai tree the heroine raised as a child 'nuvvai' – 'your younger sister', as commentators explain. (The TNPSC answer key had marked 'Thamakkai'.)

29.

[ADGS-2021] The early work on Grammar and poem was assigned to the pre-Christian era.

Correct Answer: A [Tolkappiyam]

Notes:

Tolkappiyam by Tolkappiyar is the oldest extant Tamil grammar, generally assigned to the pre-Christian era.

30.

[ADGS-2021] Which literature describes the social and political condition of the Chola dynasty?

Correct Answer: C [Kalingathuparani]

Notes:

Jayankondar's Kalingathuparani celebrates Kulothunga I's Kalinga victory and reflects the political and social conditions of the Chola age.

31.

[EO-G3-2022] Which of the following pairs is not correct?
(i) Pattinappalai — Katiyalur Urithiran Kannanar
(ii) Patitruppattu — Speaks of Eight Chera Kings
(iii) Madurai Kanchi — Refers to Mudukudumi Peruvazhuthi
(iv) Thiruvanchikalam — Refers to Karikala Chola

Correct Answer: D [(iv) only]

Notes:

Thiruvanchikalam is a Chera-country shrine associated with Sundarar and Cheraman Perumal, not with Karikala Chola; the other pairs are correct.

32.

[PSY-2022] The lives of the Sixty-three Saiva Nayanmars were narrated in

Online Quiz

Correct Answer: A [Mudiyarasan]

Notes:

'Oondrukol' is a work by the poet Mudiyarasan.

Correct Answer: A [Ramamirtham]

Notes:

Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar wrote the novel 'Dasigal Mosavalai alladhu Mathipetra Minor' against the Devadasi system.

Correct Answer: C [Aingkurunuru]

Notes:

The phrase 'Pagaivar pul aarga' occurs in Vetkai Pathu, the opening Marutham section of Ainkurunuru.

Correct Answer: C [4 3 2 1]

Notes:

Moothathiruppathigangal – Karaikkal Ammaiyar; Thiruppavai – Andal; Kachhi Kalambagam – Aranganatha Mudaliyar; Ponvannathu Anthathi (Thiruvanthathi) – Cheraman Perumal Nayanar.

Correct Answer: C [3 4 2 1]

Notes:

Vetriverkai is by Athiveerarama Pandiyar, Nanneri by Duraimangalam Sivaprakasar, Neethineri Vilakkam by Kumaraguruparar and Nalvazhi by Avvaiyar.

Correct Answer: C [Hesiod]

Notes:

The origin of didactic literature in Greek is traced to Hesiod, whose 'Works and Days' is regarded as the earliest Greek didactic poem. (The TNPSC answer key had marked 'Homer'.)

Correct Answer: B [Nirotta yamaka anthathi]

Notes:

In a Nirotta Yamaka Anthathi the lips never touch while reciting it, hence it is called Ithazhakalanthathi (lips-apart anthathi).

Correct Answer: D [K. Alagirisamy]

Notes:

'Anbalippu' is a short-story collection by Ku. Alagirisamy, which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1970.

Correct Answer: A [2 4 1 3]

Notes:

On the date of Tolkappiyar: K. Vellaivaranar proposed BC 5320, Kanagasabapathy Pillai the 2nd century BC, N. Subramaniyan the 4th–3rd century BC and S. Vaiyapuri Pillai the 4th century AD.

Correct Answer: D [(3) and (4) are correct]

Notes:

Thondaimandala Sathagam was composed by Padikkasu Pulavar, and Penmadhi Malai by Mayuram Vedanayagam Pillai.

Correct Answer: C [3 4 1 2]

Notes:

Kannan Pattu is by Bharathiar, Asia Jothi by Kavimani, Pandian Parisu by Bharathidasan and Tamilan Ithayam by Namakkal Kavignar Ramalingam Pillai.

Correct Answer: D [[3] and [4] are correct]

Notes:

In Silappathikaram, Kundrak Kuravai is danced by Kurinji women for Murugan and Aichiyar Kuravai by Mullai women for Thirumal, so 1 and 2 are swapped; Marakkal is Kotravai's dance and Paavai is Thirumagal's dance to defeat the Asuras.

Correct Answer: B [3 2 1 4]

Notes:

Thennattu Porkalangal is by Ka. Appadurai, Viduthalai Velviyil Tamilagam by T. Stalin Gunasekaran, Viduthalai Poril Tamilaga Muslimgal by Se. Diwan and Viduthalai Poril Tamilagam by Ma.Po. Sivagnanam.

Correct Answer: B [(2) and (4) are correct]

Notes:

'Yathum Oore Yaavarum Kelir' is by Kaniyan Poongundranar (Puram 192) and 'Eeyena Iraththal Izhinthandru' by Kazhaithin Yaanaiyar (Puram 204); 'Kaai Nel Aruthu' is by Pisiranthaiyar and 'Valliyorp Padarnthu' by Kovur Kizhar.

Correct Answer: C [(3) and (4)]

Notes:

Periyapuranam is Sekkizhar's original Tamil Saiva work, not an adaptation of the Uttara Mahapurana, and Sripuranam adapts the Jain Mahapurana, while the Naga Panchami story underlies Nagakumara Kaviyam; so pairs (3) and (4) are wrong.

Correct Answer: C [(2), (1), (4), (3)]

Notes:

By year of birth the order is Vedanayagam Sastriar (1774), Mayuram Vedanayagam Pillai (1826), H.A. Krishna Pillai (1827) and Abraham Pandithar (1859).

Correct Answer: B [2 4 1 3]

Notes:

U.V. Swaminatha Iyer published Pathupattu in 1889, Purananuru in 1894, Ainkurunuru in 1903 and Pathitrupathu in 1904.

Correct Answer: D [(ii), (iii) and (iv) only]

Notes:

Only (i) is true of Bharathi. The Omar Khayyam translation and 'Asia Jothi' are by Kavimani Desiga Vinayagam Pillai, and Azhagin Sirippu and Pandiyan Parisu are by Bharathidasan, so (ii), (iii) and (iv) are wrong. (The TNPSC answer key had marked (ii) and (iii) only.)

Correct Answer: D [(4), (2), (1), (3)]

Notes:

By number of Sangam poems the order is Kabilar (235), Ammuvanar (127), Orambogiyar (110) and Peyanar (105).

Correct Answer: A [2 3 4 1]

Notes:

In Ainkurunuru, Kizhathi Kootru Pathu belongs to Marutham (Orampogiyar), Kizhavarku Uraitha Pathu to Neithal (Ammoovanar), Annai Pathu to Kurinji (Kabilar) and Ilavenil Pathu to Palai (Othalanthaiyar).

Correct Answer: A [Charles Wilkins]

Notes:

Charles Wilkins produced the first English translation of the Bhagavad Gita in 1785.

Correct Answer: B [Tolkappiyam]

Notes:

These lines occur in the Sirappu Payiram (preface) of Tolkappiyam, written by Panambaranar.

Correct Answer: B [Naaladiyar]

Notes:

The line is from Naladiyar's chapter on the impermanence of wealth: wealth goes up and down like the spokes of a turning cart-wheel.

Correct Answer: C [Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)]

Notes:

Periyapuranam (under Kulothunga II), Seevaka Chintamani and Kambaramayanam were all composed in the Chola period; the flourishing of Tamil literature under the Cholas explains this.

Correct Answer: D [Kaanji]

Notes:

Kanchi thinai is fighting to defend one's own land against an invading army; Vanji is marching to invade the enemy's land.

Correct Answer: A [One who sings a song]

Notes:

In Sangam literature the Paanar were bards who sang to the accompaniment of the yazh; the Panarruppadai poems are addressed to them.

Correct Answer: D [Primary/Original text]