TNPSC Group 2A Mains 2026 – CBT Objective Exam: Pattern, Unit-wise Plan and Daily Practice

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Group IIA has 803 of the 846 vacancies in Notification 07/2026. Its Mains Paper II is NOT descriptive – it is a Computer Based Test (CBT) with 200 objective questions. But the questions go much deeper than the prelims: multi-statement, assertion–reason, match-the-following and Tamil Nadu administration questions. This page shows the official pattern, how the 150 General Studies questions are split by unit, and gives you free in-depth practice every day.

Official pattern (TNPSC Notification 07/2026, para 6.3 and Annexure III, code 583)

Paper I	Tamil Eligibility Test – SSLC standard, descriptive, 100 marks, 3 hours, minimum 40 (qualifying only)
Paper II	Computer Based Test (objective), 3 hours, 300 marks, minimum 90 – Part A General Studies (degree standard) 150 questions + Part B General Intelligence & Reasoning (SSLC standard) 50 questions = 200 questions
Rank	Rank list on Paper II marks; Paper II is evaluated only if the Paper I minimum is secured. No interview.

Part A – 150 General Studies questions by unit

Unit	Questions	Focus	Our books
I – Modern History of Tamil Nadu, Tamil Society, Culture & Heritage	30	Europeans and wars, Polligar rebellion, Vellore Mutiny, reform movements, freedom struggle in TN, Keezhadi/Adichanallur, Sangam literature, Thirukkural, Justice Party, Self-Respect and Dravidian movements	TN History & Culture Indian History & National Movement Tamil Society & Thirukkural PYQ
II – Administration of States with reference to Tamil Nadu	45	Constitution, Union and State governments, TN Legislative Assembly, local bodies (73rd/74th, TN Panchayat Act 1994, Grama Sabha), TN Secretariat and district administration (Collector to VAO), e-governance, TN welfare schemes since 1990	Indian Polity TN Economy & Development Administration TN Administration PYQ
III – Science & Technology in Development	20	Nuclear physics, electronics, robotics, nanotechnology, batteries, polymers, GIS, biotechnology (GM crops, PCR, ELISA), IVF, vaccines, TN scientists, computer fundamentals (hardware, memory, OS, DBMS, networks, security)	General Science
IV – Tamil Nadu Economy & Social Issues in Tamil Nadu	30	State budget and income, agriculture and marketing, FPOs, education (GER), poverty and employment schemes, migration, population, health, women empowerment, marginalised groups and welfare programmes	TN Economy & Development Administration Indian Economy
V – Geography of TN, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management	25	Relief, rivers, climate, soils, forests and sanctuaries, irrigation, minerals, industries, transport; pollution, biodiversity hotspots, SDGs, Paris Agreement, climate action plan, TNSDMA and disaster plan	Geography of India

Part B – 50 General Intelligence & Reasoning questions (SSLC standard): analogy, classification, coding–decoding, puzzles, dice, direction and distance, Venn diagrams, calendar, statement and conclusion, mirror images, embedded figures and more (27 topics in Annexure III). Aptitude & Mental Ability →

Why Group 2A Mains questions are deeper than prelims

• Unit II alone carries 45 questions – Tamil Nadu administration (Secretariat, district administration, e-governance, welfare schemes since 1990) is asked in detail, not just the Constitution.
• Expect multi-statement questions ("which of the statements are correct?"), assertion–reason, match-the-following and chronology – one wrong statement changes the answer, so half-knowledge does not work.
• Unit III includes computer fundamentals (memory types, OS commands, DBMS, networks, security) – new for most prelims candidates.
• Every unit lists current affairs – recent TN schemes, budget figures and reports are fair game.

Previous year Group 2A Mains papers with answers

Group 2A Mains 2026 – questions with answers Group 2A Mains 2025 – questions with answers

Free daily Group 2A Mains practice – 30 questions every day: 25 in-depth GS + 5 reasoning (Tamil + English)

CBT tips

• No computer knowledge is needed beyond using a mouse (Annexure IV, 1.7). Practise the mock test that TNPSC provides on its website before the exam, as many times as you like.
• Time plan: about 54 seconds per question (180 minutes for 200 questions); finish Part B reasoning in about 40 minutes and keep 15 minutes to review flagged questions.
• Practise statement-type questions daily – our free daily set below is built only from such questions.

Group 2 (descriptive) – 3 Mains questions daily Group 2 descriptive mains PYQ with answers 9-book TNPSC set ₹1,599

Frequently asked questions

Is the TNPSC Group 2A Mains descriptive or objective?

Objective. As per Notification 07/2026, Group IIA Mains Paper II is a Computer Based Test with 200 objective questions (150 General Studies + 50 General Intelligence & Reasoning) for 300 marks in 3 hours. Paper I, the Tamil Eligibility Test, is descriptive and qualifying (minimum 40 out of 100).

How many questions come from each unit in Group 2A Mains?

Unit I (Modern History of TN, Tamil society) 30, Unit II (Administration of States with reference to TN) 45, Unit III (Science & Technology) 20, Unit IV (TN economy & social issues) 30, Unit V (Geography of TN, environment, disaster management) 25 – total 150 – plus 50 reasoning questions.

What is the minimum mark for Group 2A Mains?

90 out of 300 in Paper II for all communities, and 40 out of 100 in Paper I (Tamil Eligibility Test). The rank list is prepared on Paper II marks.

Where can I practise Group 2A Mains questions for free?

On this page: 30 new objective questions every day (25 in-depth General Studies + 5 reasoning) in Tamil and English with explanations, prepared by Shanmugam IAS Academy faculty from the official Group 2A Mains syllabus.

Source: TNPSC Notification 07/2026 dated 11.08.2026 (para 6.3, Annexure III code 583, Annexure IV 1.7).