TNPSC Group 1 Exam 2026: Prelims Concluded, Answer Key Status, 46 Vacancies & Mains Updates

Sarkari Result: TNPSC Group 1 2026 Latest Updates

Latest Update (October 1, 2026): The TNPSC Group 1 2026 Preliminary Examination was successfully conducted on September 27, 2026 across Tamil Nadu examination centers (rescheduled from the earlier September 6 date via TNPSC Addendum No. 5A/2026) for 46 notified vacancies under Notification No. 05/2026. The official tentative answer key is awaited on tnpsc.gov.in. Candidates should not rely on unofficial coaching keys for official challenges. Once published, candidates will have a designated 7-day objection window to challenge questions on the commission portal. Result schedules and subsequent Main examination dates will be formally announced by TNPSC following evaluation.

Disclaimer: Always verify dates and official press communiques directly from the primary TNPSC portal at tnpsc.gov.in.

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducts the prestigious TNPSC Group 1 examination to recruit capable and meritorious candidates for top-tier Class I and Class II administrative and police officer posts within the Tamil Nadu state government. Posts such as Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), District Employment Officer, and Assistant Commissioner are filled through this examination. It is rightfully considered the Tamil Nadu equivalent of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, making it the most coveted career milestone for government aspirants in the state.

Candidates looking for the tnpsc group 1 exam date 2026, answer key updates, prelims result timeline, vacancy details, syllabus breakdown, salary structure, and preparation strategy will find everything they need on this page, all sourced from the official TNPSC portal at tnpsc.gov.in.

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1. TNPSC Group 1 2026 Overview

Parameter	Official Details
Exam Name	Combined Civil Services Examination – I (Group 1 Services) 2026
Conducting Authority	Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC)
Notification Number	Notification No. 05/2026 (Dated June 23, 2026) & Addendum No. 5A/2026
State	Tamil Nadu
Total Notified Vacancies	46 Vacancies
Post Category	Group A (Class I) and Group B (Class II) Gazetted State Services
Selection Process	Preliminary Examination (Concluded) $\rightarrow$ Main Written Examination $\rightarrow$ Oral Test (Interview)
Application Mode	Online at apply.tnpscexams.in (Closed on July 29, 2026)
Official Website	tnpsc.gov.in

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2. TNPSC Group 1 2026 Important Dates

The table below outlines verified dates and current operational milestones for the active TNPSC Group 1 recruitment cycle:

Event	Official Date / Stage
TNPSC Group 1 2026 Notification Release	June 23, 2026 (Notification No. 05/2026)
Online Application Window	June 30 to July 29, 2026 (Closed)
Hall Ticket / Admit Card Release	September 2026
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam Date 2026	September 27, 2026 (Concluded; rescheduled from Sep 6)
Tentative Answer Key Release	Awaited on tnpsc.gov.in
Result of Preliminary Exam	Not officially announced yet (Awaited on tnpsc.gov.in)
Main Written Examination (Descriptive)	Not officially announced yet (To be notified with Prelims results)
Oral Test / Interview	Not officially announced yet

Note on TNPSC Annual Planner: The TNPSC publishes an annual planner in Tamil and English available for PDF download on tnpsc.gov.in. Aspirants can download the tnpsc annual planner pdf download in tamil from the official site to track examination calendars for Group 1, Group 2, Group 4, and Departmental exams.

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3. TNPSC Group 1 2026 Vacancy Details (Notification No. 05/2026)

Under official Notification No. 05/2026, the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission notified exactly 46 vacancies across Group A and Group B executive cadre posts.

The service-wise vacancy distribution as notified by the commission:

Service Cadre	Post Nomenclature	Service Code	Vacancies
Tamil Nadu Civil Service	Deputy Collector	1001	16
Tamil Nadu Police Service	Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP - Category I)	1002	23
Tamil Nadu Commercial Taxes Service	Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes)	1003	04
Tamil Nadu Co-operative Service	Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies	1004	01
Tamil Nadu Rural Development Service	Assistant Director of Rural Development	1006	01
Tamil Nadu Employment Service	District Employment Officer	1007	01
Total Notified Vacancies	—	—	46 Posts

Reservation Quota: The 46 posts are distributed in accordance with the statutory 69% reservation roster of the Government of Tamil Nadu across Open Competition (OC), Backward Classes (BC), Backward Classes Muslim (BCM), Most Backward Classes / Denotified Communities (MBC/DC), Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Castes Arunthathiyar (SC-A), and Scheduled Tribes (ST), with horizontal reservations for PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, and Persons Studied in Tamil Medium (PSTM).

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4. Comprehensive Eligibility Criteria

4.1 Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess any valid Bachelor's Degree (in any discipline) from a recognized University incorporated by an Act of Central or State Legislature, or recognized by the UGC. Final year students were permitted to apply provided they submit proof of having passed the degree examination before the Main stage document upload.

Post-Specific Preferences:

• Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP): Preference is given to candidates with a degree in Commerce / Law / Criminology, though any graduate is eligible.
• Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes): Preference to candidates holding Commerce (B.Com) or Law (B.L.) degrees.
• District Employment Officer: Preference to candidates holding degrees in Economics, Education, Sociology, or Statistics.

4.2 Age Limit (As on July 1, 2026)

The prescribed age limit for the TNPSC Group 1 2026 recruitment cycle:

Category	Minimum Age	Maximum Age
Unreserved / General (OC)	21 years	34 years
SC, SC(A), ST (Tamil Nadu)	21 years	39 years
MBC/DC, BC (OBCM), BCM (Tamil Nadu)	21 years	39 years

• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Eligible for upper age concession up to 10 years over the general limit.
• Ex-Servicemen: Maximum age of 55 years for SC/SC(A)/ST/MBC/BC/BCM and 50 years for Others.

4.3 Physical Standards (DSP Post Only)

Candidates opting for the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police (Category-I) must satisfy strict physical measurements:

• Male Candidates: Minimum Height of 165 cm; Chest measurement of not less than 86 cm with expansion of at least 5 cm.
• Female Candidates: Minimum Height of 155 cm.
• Vision: Standard-I vision certified without color blindness.

4.4 Tamil Language Proficiency

Candidates must possess adequate knowledge of Tamil. A Tamil Eligibility Test paper is part of the Main Examination that requires a minimum qualifying score of 40%. This is compulsory; marks obtained are qualifying in nature and do not count towards the final ranking.

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5. TNPSC Group 1 Salary 2026 — Pay Scale and Perks

Officers selected through TNPSC Group 1 2026 are placed at the apex of state civil service compensation:

Post Level	Pay Level	Basic Pay (₹)	Approximate Gross (HQ Posting)
Group A – Class I (Deputy Collector / DSP)	Level 22 (Revised)	₹56,100 – ₹2,05,700	₹90,000 – ₹1,10,000/month
Group A – Class II (Assistant Commissioner)	Level 22	₹56,100 – ₹2,05,700	₹90,000 – ₹1,10,000/month
Group B – Class II (Deputy Registrar / DEO)	Level 22	₹56,100 – ₹2,05,700	₹90,000 – ₹1,10,000/month

In addition to basic pay, officers receive:

• Dearness Allowance (DA) — linked to AICPI, revised bi-annually
• House Rent Allowance (HRA) — 8% to 24% of basic pay based on city tier
• City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) & Medical allowance
• Official vehicle or transport allowance for executive posts
• Government quarters / residence allocation

Career Growth: Officers recruited as Deputy Collectors can eventually be conferred into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre through promotion/empanelment from the Tamil Nadu Civil Service. Similarly, DSPs are eligible for promotion to Additional SP, Superintendent of Police, and conferment into the Indian Police Service (IPS).

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6. Selection Process & Detailed Scheme for TNPSC Group 1 2026

The TNPSC Group 1 selection is a rigorous three-tiered process:

[Stage 1: Preliminary Exam (Screening)] ──► Concluded on Sept 27, 2026
                   │ (200 MCQs | 300 Marks | No Negative Marking)
                   ▼
[Stage 2: Main Written Exam (Descriptive)]
                   │ (Paper I: Tamil 100 Marks Qualifying)
                   │ (Papers II, III, IV: 250 Marks Each = 750 Marks)
                   ▼
[Stage 3: Oral Test / Interview (100 Marks)]
                   │
                   ▼
[Final Merit Ranking: Out of 850 Marks (750 Written + 100 Interview)]

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type — Screening Test)

The Prelims serves as a filtering test. Marks secured in Prelims are NOT added towards the final merit rank.

Parameter	Official Specification
Mode	Offline (OMR-based)
Type	Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
Total Questions	200 questions
Maximum Marks	300 Marks (1.5 marks per question)
Duration	3 Hours (180 Minutes)
Negative Marking	None for wrong answers
OMR Instruction	Shading Option 'E' mandatory if answer is unknown
Language	Bilingual (Tamil and English)

Question Paper Composition:

• General Studies (Degree Standard): 175 Questions (262.5 Marks).
• Aptitude and Mental Ability (SSLC Standard): 25 Questions (37.5 Marks).

Prelims Syllabus Breakdown (Degree Standard — 175 questions)

1. General Science — Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Class IX-XII NCERT equivalent, Tamil Nadu State Board texts). Topics: Nature and Universe, Force and Motion, Heat, Light, Sound, Electricity, Elements and Compounds, Human Body, Health and Nutrition, Animals, Plants.
2. Current Events of National and International Importance — Political events, economic events, sports achievements, government schemes, awards, science and technology developments.
3. History and Culture of India and Tamil Nadu — Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History. Special emphasis on freedom movement. Tamil Nadu-specific: Sangam Age, Bhakti movement, notable rulers (Cholas, Pallavas, Pandyas), modern Tamil history.
4. Indian Polity — Constitution of India, Parliament, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Panchayati Raj, Union-State relations.
5. Economy of India — Planning, budgeting, Five-Year Plans (legacy), NITI Aayog, banking system, inflation, GDP, economic indicators.
6. Indian National Movement — History of the Freedom Movement, important figures, 1857 revolt to 1947 independence.
7. Geography of India (physical, social, economic) — Rivers, mountains, climate, soil, minerals. Special reference to Tamil Nadu geography — rivers (Kaveri, Palar, Vaigai), districts, forests, agriculture.
8. Development Administration in Tamil Nadu — Government schemes, welfare programs, Tamil Nadu government initiatives, district administration.

Prelims Syllabus — Mental Ability (SSLC Standard — 25 questions)

• Simplification, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Time, Work and Distance, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Figures and Diagrams.

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Stage 2: Main Examination (Descriptive Type — Merit Ranking)

The Main Examination consists of 4 descriptive papers:

Paper	Nomenclature	Duration	Max Marks	Nature
Paper I	Tamil Eligibility Test (SSLC Standard)	3 Hours	100 Marks	Qualifying Only (Min 40% / 40 Marks)
Paper II	General Studies – I (Degree Standard)	3 Hours	250 Marks	Merit Ranking
Paper III	General Studies – II (Degree Standard)	3 Hours	250 Marks	Merit Ranking
Paper IV	General Studies – III (Degree Standard)	3 Hours	250 Marks	Merit Ranking
Total Written	Papers II + III + IV	—	750 Marks	Rank Determining

Note: Paper I is qualifying. Marks obtained in Paper I are not counted for determining the final merit ranking. Only those candidates who secure at least 40 marks in Paper I will have their Papers II, III, and IV evaluated.

Paper II: General Studies – I (250 Marks)

• Modern History of India and Indian Culture
• Social Issues in India and Tamil Nadu
• General Aptitude & Mental Ability (SSLC Standard)

Paper III: General Studies – II (250 Marks)

• Indian Polity and Emerging Political Trends affecting India and the World
• Role and Impact of Science and Technology in the Development of India
• Tamil Society – Its Culture and Heritage

Paper IV: General Studies – III (250 Marks)

• Geography of India with special reference to Tamil Nadu
• Environment, Biodiversity and Disaster Management
• Indian Economy – Current Economic Trends and Impact of Global Economy on India

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Stage 3: Oral Test (Interview — 100 Marks)

Candidates who clear the Main Examination cutoff are invited for the final Oral Test / Interview:

• Maximum Marks: 100 Marks.
• Evaluation: Mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, logical exposition, balance of judgment, leadership ability, and understanding of Tamil Nadu administrative affairs.

Final Selection Merit Computation

• Main Written Examination: 750 Marks
• Oral Test (Interview): 100 Marks
• Total Merit Aggregate: 850 Marks
• Minimum Qualifying Marks (for all services):
  • SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC, and BCM: Minimum 255 marks out of 850.
  • Others (Unreserved): Minimum 340 marks out of 850.

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7. TNPSC Group 1 Application Fees & OTR System

For candidate record and upcoming cycles, the official fee structure prescribed by TNPSC:

Fee Component	Amount	Concessions / Exemptions
One-Time Registration (OTR)	₹150 (Valid for 5 years)	Mandatory for all applicants
Preliminary Examination Fee	₹100	Exempted for SC/ST/PwBD; 3 free chances for MBC/BC/BCM; 2 free chances for ESM
Main Examination Fee	₹200	Exempted for candidates eligible for full fee concession

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8. TNPSC Group 1 Preparation Strategy & Recommended Books

8.1 Structured Preparation Approach

1. Foundation Phase: Complete foundational General Studies through NCERT textbooks and Tamil Nadu State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) textbooks from Class 6 to 12.
2. Tamil Nadu Focus: Prioritize Tamil Nadu specific history (Justice Party, Self-Respect Movement, Dravidian Movement), culture, geography, and state administrative schemes.
3. Daily Current Affairs: Maintain disciplined study of The Hindu (Tamil/English) or Dinamani, tracking state government welfare policies and socio-economic indicators.
4. Mock Tests & Past Papers: Regularly solve previous year TNPSC Group 1 question papers to adapt to question phrasing and time distribution.

8.2 Recommended Books by Subject

Subject	Recommended Resource
History (India + Tamil Nadu)	Tamil Nadu State Board Std. 9–12 History textbooks (Samacheer Kalvi)
Indian Polity	M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity
Indian Economy & TN Economy	Tamil Nadu Economic Appraisal + Ramesh Singh / Sankarganesh
Geography	NCERT Std. 9–12 Geography + TN State Board Geography
General Science	TN State Board Std. 6–10 Science textbooks
Current Affairs	The Hindu (Tamil / English) daily + Monthly Current Affairs capsules
Tamil Eligibility	TNPSC official SSLC syllabus + Tamil grammar guides
Mental Ability	R.S. Aggarwal — Quantitative Aptitude

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9. Previous Year Cut-Off Reference Trends

Stage	Unreserved (OC)	BC / BCM	MBC / DC	SC / ST
Prelims (Qualifying Cutoff — approx.)	135–145 / 300	130–140 / 300	125–135 / 300	115–125 / 300
Mains Cutoff (out of 750 for Interview)	480–510 / 750	465–495 / 750	450–480 / 750	420–460 / 750

Note: Cut-offs depend strictly on the number of vacancies (46 posts in 2026), question paper standard, and candidate score normalization.

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10. TNPSC Group 1 vs UPSC CSE: Key Structural Differences

Parameter	TNPSC Group 1	UPSC CSE
Jurisdiction	State (Tamil Nadu)	Central / All-India
Conducting Body	TNPSC	UPSC
Top Post	Deputy Collector	IAS / IPS / IFS
Optional Subject	No Optional Paper	2 Optional Papers in Mains
Tamil Requirement	Mandatory Qualifying Paper (100 Marks)	Indian Language Qualifying Paper
Interview Marks	100 marks	275 marks
Total Merit Base	850 marks	2,025 marks

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11. Related TNPSC Examinations in 2026

TNPSC conducts several examinations in 2026 beyond Group 1. According to the commission's operational schedule:

• TNPSC Group 2 & 2A: For posts such as Sub-Registrar, Municipal Commissioner Gr-II, and Assistant Section Officer.
• TNPSC Group 4: Junior Assistants, Typists, Steno-Typists, and Village Administrative Officers (VAO).
• TNPSC Departmental Examinations: Conducted bi-annually for serving government employees for probation clearance and promotion eligibility.

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12. TNPSC Group 1 2027 Cycle Outlook

Candidates searching for tnpsc group 1 2027 exam date or tnpsc group 1 notification 2027 should distinguish between active and upcoming cycles:

1. Concluded 2026 Preliminary Cycle: The Preliminary examination for Notification No. 05/2026 concluded on September 27, 2026. Tentative answer keys and results are awaited on tnpsc.gov.in, followed by the Mains written examination.
2. Upcoming 2027 Recruitment Cycle: The schedule for the fresh 2027 cycle will be officially notified through the TNPSC Annual Planner 2027, typically published toward the end of the calendar year on tnpsc.gov.in.

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13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — TNPSC Group 1 2026 & 2027

When will the official TNPSC Group 1 2026 tentative answer key be released?

The official tentative answer key is awaited on tnpsc.gov.in. TNPSC typically releases tentative answer keys for objective exams within several working days of the test. Once published, candidates can submit challenges through the online objection portal.

When will TNPSC Group 1 2026 Prelims result be announced?

The exact date has not yet been officially announced by TNPSC. Preliminary results, list of register numbers of shortlisted candidates, and cutoffs will be published on tnpsc.gov.in following evaluation.

What is the shortlisting ratio for TNPSC Group 1 Mains?

Candidates are shortlisted for the Main Written Examination in the ratio of approximately 1:20 (or as determined by the commission in the notification) based on the marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination, following communal reservation rules.

Is there an optional subject in TNPSC Group 1 Mains?

No. Unlike the UPSC Civil Services Examination, TNPSC Group 1 Mains does not have an optional subject. All three General Studies papers (Papers II, III, and IV) are compulsory for all candidates, along with the qualifying Tamil Eligibility paper (Paper I).

What happens if a candidate fails the Tamil Eligibility Paper in Mains?

Candidates who score below 40% (40 marks out of 100) in the Paper I Tamil Eligibility Paper are disqualified. Their subsequent descriptive Papers II, III, and IV will not be evaluated for merit ranking.

Can candidates prepare for both TNPSC Group 1 and UPSC CSE simultaneously?

Yes. Both examinations share substantial overlap in Indian Polity, History, Economy, Geography, and Current Affairs. The primary adjustments needed for TNPSC Group 1 are deep study of Tamil Nadu history, culture, and state governance, alongside practicing without an optional subject.

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Source: Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission | Official Website: https://tnpsc.gov.in