TNPSC Group 1 2026 – Posts, Vacancies, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus
Updated: 04-11-2026 · Shanmugam IAS Academy
TNPSC Group 1 (Combined Civil Services Examination–I, Group I Services) 2026 was notified through Notification No. 05/2026 (Advertisement No. 736, dated 23-06-2026). It recruits for senior Tamil Nadu Government posts such as Deputy Collector, in three stages: Preliminary, Main and Interview.
Current status (03-11-2026): the application window is closed and the Preliminary exam was held on 27-09-2026 for 46 posts; the tentative answer key was published on 06-10-2026. The Preliminary result has not been published yet – TNPSC's Selection Schedule (as on 23-10-2026) tentatively shows December 2026. The Main exam date will be announced along with the Preliminary result. If you wrote the Prelims, start Mains answer-writing practice now instead of waiting for the result.
This page is compiled from the official TNPSC notification, addenda (5A, 5B), syllabus and Selection Schedule, and is updated whenever TNPSC issues a new notice. In case of doubt, the English version of the notification prevails. For final details see tnpsc.gov.in.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification (05/2026, Advt. No. 736) | 23-06-2026 |
| Online application opens | 30-06-2026 |
| Last date to apply | 29-07-2026 (11.59 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | 02-08-2026 (12.01 AM) – 04-08-2026 (11.59 PM) |
| Preliminary exam | First announced for 06-09-2026; postponed by Addendum 5A/2026 (16-07-2026) and held on 27-09-2026, 9.30 AM – 12.30 PM |
| Addendum 5B/2026 – 20 more vacancies (total 46) | 13-08-2026 |
| Tentative answer key | Published on 06-10-2026 |
| Preliminary result | Not yet published (as on 03-11-2026); tentatively December 2026 as per TNPSC Selection Schedule |
| Main exam | Date not announced yet – to be announced with the Preliminary result |
| Interview | To be announced after the Main exam result |
Posts and Vacancies
Notification 05/2026 announced 26 vacancies. Through Addendum 5B/2026 (13-08-2026) TNPSC added 20 more, so the total is now 46 vacancies. All posts are in Level of Pay 22.
| Post | Service | Post Code | As notified (05/2026) | Revised (5B/2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deputy Collector | Tamil Nadu Civil Service | 1001 | 12 (incl. backlog vacancy) | 12 |
| Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) | Tamil Nadu Commercial Taxes Service | 1003 | 2 | 10 |
| Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies | Tamil Nadu Co-operative Service | 1004 | 3 (incl. shortfall) | 6 (incl. shortfall) |
| District Registrar | Tamil Nadu Registration Service | 1005 | 8 | 8 |
| Assistant Commissioner of Labour | Tamil Nadu Labour Service | 1946 | 1 | 1 |
| Assistant Director of Rural Development – newly added | Tamil Nadu Panchayat Development Service | 1006 | – | 6 |
| District Employment Officer – newly added | Tamil Nadu General Service | 1007 | – | 3 |
| Total | 26 | 46 |
As per para 3.1 of the notification, the vacancies are tentative and may change until the Preliminary result is published; if they change, the number of candidates admitted to later stages changes accordingly. Check the TNPSC website for the final number.
Eligibility
Educational qualification
- A degree from a recognised university / institution – for all posts.
- Other things being equal, some posts give preference: Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) – B.Com. / B.L. degrees and a Diploma in Taxation Laws (in the order set out in the notification); Assistant Commissioner of Labour – freedom fighters and their families; Assistant Director of Rural Development and District Employment Officer – the degrees listed in Addendum 5B.
- Adequate knowledge of Tamil on the date of notification (Tamil as a language in SSLC / HSC / degree, or Tamil-medium study, or a pass in the TNPSC Second Class Language Test (Full Test) in Tamil).
Age limit (as on 01-07-2026)
- Minimum age: 21 (all posts).
- Others: should not have completed 34; B.L. degree holders for Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) – 35.
- SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM), BCM: should not have completed 39; B.L. degree holders for Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) – 40.
- Extra age concession for persons with benchmark disability, ex-servicemen and destitute widows.
- "Others" with five or more years of government service are not eligible, even if within the age limit.
- The same limits (Others 34; other categories 39) apply to Assistant Director of Rural Development and District Employment Officer.
- Check the exact limit for your post in the table at para 4.1 of the notification and para 3 of Addendum 5B.
Exam Pattern
1. Preliminary exam – screening only
| Subject | Standard | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies | Degree | 175 | 300 (total) | 3 hours |
| Aptitude and Mental Ability | SSLC | 25 | ||
| Total | 200 | 300 |
- Single paper, objective type, OMR; questions in both Tamil and English.
- Minimum qualifying marks: SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM), BCM – 90; Others – 120.
- Preliminary marks are not counted for the final ranking. 20 times the number of vacancies, following the rule of reservation (plus all candidates tied at the cut-off in each category), are admitted to the Main exam.
2. Main exam – descriptive
| Paper | Subject | Standard | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Tamil Eligibility Test – qualifying only | SSLC | 100 (minimum 40) | 3 hours |
| Paper II | General Studies I | Degree | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper III | General Studies II | Degree | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | Degree | 250 | 3 hours |
| Interview | Interview | – | 100 | – |
| Total for ranking | Papers II + III + IV + Interview | 850 |
- Papers II, III and IV are evaluated only if you score at least 40 in Paper I. Paper I marks are not counted for ranking.
- Minimum qualifying marks in the Main exam (Papers II + III + IV, out of 750): SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM), BCM – 225; Others – 300. Candidates below this are not eligible for the Interview. The Interview has no minimum qualifying mark.
- Candidates with benchmark disability can claim exemption from Paper I (must be stated in the online application).
- Appearing in all Main papers and the Interview is compulsory.
- Main exam centre: Chennai only.
- Interview: 2 times the vacancies where a reservation category has 5 or more vacancies; 3 times where it has 4 or fewer.
Syllabus Overview
Full official syllabus (PDF): Preliminary syllabus · Main syllabus.
Preliminary – unit-wise questions
| Unit | Part A – General Studies (Degree standard) | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| I | General Science | 10 |
| II | Geography of India | 10 |
| III | History, Culture of India and Indian National Movement | 25 |
| IV | Indian Polity | 40 |
| V | Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu | 50 |
| VI | History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu | 40 |
| – | Part B – Aptitude (15) + Reasoning (10), SSLC standard | 25 |
Note: Polity (40), Economy + TN Development Administration (50) and Tamil Nadu History (40) together account for 130 of the 175 GS questions. The unit-wise numbers are indicative; TNPSC may marginally increase or decrease them (para 6.7 of the notification).
Main exam – paper-wise units
| Paper | Units (marks) |
|---|---|
| Paper I – Tamil Eligibility Test | Translation (Tamil ↔ English), précis writing, expansion, official letter writing, comprehension, word / sentence skills, Thirukkural-based essay, current / social / development topics |
| Paper II – General Studies I | Modern History of India and Indian Culture (100); Social Issues in India and Tamil Nadu (100); Ethics and Integrity (50) |
| Paper III – General Studies II | Indian Polity and Emerging Political Trends across the World affecting India (100); Role and Impact of Science and Technology in the Development of India (100); Tamil Society – Culture and Heritage (50) |
| Paper IV – General Studies III | General Geography and Geography of India with special reference to Tamil Nadu (75); Environment, Biodiversity and Disaster Management (75); Indian Economy – Current Economic Trends and Impact of Global Economy on India (100) |
Fee
- One Time Registration (OTR): ₹150 (valid for 5 years from registration).
- Preliminary exam fee: ₹100.
- Main exam fee: ₹200 – only for candidates admitted to the Main exam.
- Online payment only; service charges extra.
- Fee concession: SC, SC(A), ST, persons with benchmark disability, destitute widows – full exemption; BC(OBCM), BCM, MBC/DC – three free chances; ex-servicemen – two free chances.
How to Apply
The 2026 Group 1 application window is closed. For the next notification the steps are the same:
- Apply online only at tnpscexams.in.
- First complete One Time Registration (OTR) – Aadhaar linking, an active e-mail ID and mobile number are needed.
- Log in with your OTR user name / password, click "APPLY" for Group 1, upload photo and signature, and choose two Preliminary exam centres in order of preference (one centre for candidates with benchmark disability).
- Pay the fee and "SUBMIT"; note down the Application Number. Corrections are allowed only in the correction window given in the notification.
Help: TNPSC toll-free 1800 419 0958 (working days, 10.00 AM – 5.45 PM); for OTR / application issues, helpdesk@tnpscexams.in.
When is the next Group 1 notification?
TNPSC publishes an Annual Planner every year. The 2026 planner listed the Group 1 notification for 23-06-2026. The 2027 planner was not on the TNPSC website when this page was updated (03-11-2026); we will add it here once it is out. See also our exam calendar.
How we help you prepare
- TNPSC Mains – daily answer-writing practice with model answers
- Free TNPSC quiz – subject-wise: Polity, Economy, Tamil Nadu History, TN Economy / Administration, Aptitude
- Daily current affairs (English) · Tamil
- TNPSC notes – Tamil Nadu leaders
- TNPSC books and PYQ books
- TNPSC exam calendar
- TNPSC coaching courses · Fees
- Classroom coaching: Group 1 coaching – Coimbatore · Group 1 coaching – Madurai · TNPSC coaching – Coimbatore · Madurai branch
- Talk to us: +91 99941 46662 · WhatsApp
Frequently asked questions
What is the TNPSC Group 1 exam and which posts does it cover?
It is the Combined Civil Services Examination–I (Group I Services) conducted by TNPSC for senior Tamil Nadu Government posts. As per Notification 05/2026 and Addendum 5B/2026, it covers Deputy Collector, Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes), Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies, District Registrar, Assistant Commissioner of Labour, Assistant Director of Rural Development and District Employment Officer.
How many vacancies are there in TNPSC Group 1 2026?
The notification (05/2026) announced 26 vacancies. Through Addendum 5B/2026 (13-08-2026) TNPSC added 20 more, making 46. As the notification says, the number is tentative and may change until the Preliminary result is published.
When is the TNPSC Group 1 Main exam?
The Preliminary exam was held on 27-09-2026 and its result is not out yet (as on 03-11-2026); TNPSC's Selection Schedule tentatively shows December 2026. TNPSC will announce the Main exam date when it declares the Preliminary result; the Main exam is held only in Chennai.
Who can apply for TNPSC Group 1?
Any graduate with adequate knowledge of Tamil on the date of notification. Minimum age 21 as on 01-07-2026. Maximum: Others 34; SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM), BCM 39 (35 / 40 for B.L. holders applying for Assistant Commissioner, Commercial Taxes). Extra concession for persons with benchmark disability, ex-servicemen and destitute widows.
Are Preliminary marks counted in the final ranking?
No. The Preliminary exam (200 questions, 300 marks) is only a screening test. The final ranking is based on Main Papers II, III and IV (750 marks) and the Interview (100 marks) – 850 marks in all.
Is the Tamil paper compulsory in the Group 1 Main exam?
Yes. Paper I is the Tamil Eligibility Test (SSLC standard, 100 marks). The General Studies papers are evaluated only if you score at least 40 in it, and its marks are not counted for ranking. Candidates with benchmark disability can claim exemption from this paper.
Which units carry the most weight in the Group 1 Prelims?
Of the 175 General Studies questions, Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu has 50, Indian Polity 40, and History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu 40. Aptitude and Reasoning add 25 more questions. These numbers are indicative.
When will the next TNPSC Group 1 notification come?
It will be known when TNPSC publishes its Annual Planner for 2027, which was not out as on 03-11-2026. We will update this page as soon as it is released.
