Dashboard · Exams · TNPSC Group I
TNPSC Group I (Combined Civil Services - I, Prelims)
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission Group I Prelims — single GS paper, 200 MCQs in 3 hours, for Deputy Collector / DSP / Asst Commissioner posts.
Sourced
Source: official exam authority notification · refreshed weekly. How this works →
Free TNPSC Group I preparation on Shishya
Take expert-curated mocks, practise previous year papers, and Ask Shishya when you're stuck — verified by students who cleared the same path. All free, no credit card. Sign in with Google to begin.
Sign in to start →Start with a diagnostic
10 questions across the syllabus to see where you stand.
Verified against the official notification. Source ↗ · last reconciled 2026-05.
Historical cutoffs are a guide, not a prediction. Use them to set a realistic target, not to predict next year's exact number.
TNPSC publishes minimum qualifying marks rather than precise cutoffs in some cycles; ranges here are inferred from notifications + topper interviews.
| Year | Category | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | General | ~195 – 205 |
2025
20 questions
Take paper →2024
20 questions
Take paper →2023
20 questions
Take paper →2022
20 questions
Take paper →2021
20 questions
Take paper →Take any mock in your preferred language — use the language picker inside the mock to switch (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, and 15 more).
TNPSC Group I — Quick Practice
FULL20 questions · 180 min
Start mock →| 2023 | BC | ~185 – 195 |
| 2023 | MBC / DC | ~175 – 188 |
| 2023 | SC | ~160 – 175 |
| 2023 | ST | ~140 – 160 |
Source: official ↗ · verified 2026-05.
Approximate starting gross at an X-class (metro) posting. Actual pay depends on post, city, year of joining and prevailing DA.
Source: official ↗ · verified 2026-05.
Take a mock to see where you stand on the leaderboard.
What can I get from TNPSC Group I?
Mock-score → expected rank → likely outcome. Use the mocks below to find your current band, then plan how many marks you need to climb.
All-Tamil Nadu top 200
88–100% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Elite bracket — top 500
80–88% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Top tier — Deputy Collector range
72–80% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Strong Mains contention
62–72% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Mains qualification likely
50–62% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Borderline qualification zone
35–50% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Below qualifying threshold
0–35% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
AI-curated from historic cut-off patterns. Always verify with the latest official notification before making decisions.
The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission typically releases the Group I Prelims notification during May-June each year. Candidates are advised to monitor the official TNPSC website regularly for the official advertisement with vacancy details and application procedures.
Source →The Commission has updated the indicative distribution of marks across General Studies topics for this recruitment cycle. Tamil Nadu History and Culture, Current Affairs, and General Science sections have been emphasized in the revised pattern.
Source →TNPSC has completed the evaluation process for the 2025-26 Group I Mains examination. Shortlisted candidates are being called for document verification in batches at the Commission's Chennai office.
Source →TNPSC has confirmed additional examination centers in tier-2 cities including Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Tirunelveli to accommodate the increasing number of applicants for the Group I Combined Civil Services examination.
Source →Expected notification release for Group I Prelims
3 days awayFri, 29 May, 2026
Official advertisement with vacancy details, eligibility criteria, and application timeline
Application portal opening (anticipated)
5 days awaySun, 31 May, 2026
Online registration begins on TNPSC official portal
Last date for online application submission
35 days awayTue, 30 Jun, 2026
Deadline for completing registration and fee payment
Hall ticket download availability
80 days awayFri, 14 Aug, 2026
Admit cards released approximately 2 weeks before exam date
📌TNPSC Group I Prelims examination date
95 days awaySat, 29 Aug, 2026
Objective type exam covering General Studies, Aptitude & Mental Ability
Prelims answer key publication (expected)
100 days awayThu, 3 Sept, 2026
Provisional answer key with window for objections
Click any topic to read study notes
General Science
Scientific knowledge, scientific temper, applications of science.
Current Events
National and international current affairs of the last 12-18 months.
Geography of India
Indian geography with focus on physical, social, and economic aspects.
History and Culture of India
Indian history from Indus Valley to post-independence; cultural heritage.
Indian National Movement
British colonialism and Indian struggle for independence.
Indian Polity
Constitution of India, governance structures and institutions.
Indian Economy
Indian economy structure, planning, financial system and reforms.
History of Tamil Nadu
Ancient to modern history of the Tamil region.
Tamil Language and Literature
Classical to modern Tamil literature.
Freedom Struggle in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu's contribution to the Indian National Movement.
Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu
Reform, rationalist and Dravidian movements.
Art, Culture and Heritage of Tamil Nadu
Tamil cultural heritage — temples, music, dance and traditions.
Simplification
BODMAS, fractions, decimals, square and cube roots.
Percentage
Percentage calculations and applications.
HCF and LCM
Highest common factor, lowest common multiple — basic problems.
Ratio and Proportion
Direct, inverse and compound ratio, proportion.
Simple and Compound Interest
SI, CI and applied interest calculations.
Area and Volume
Prelims result announcement
130 days awaySat, 3 Oct, 2026
Qualified candidates shortlisted for Mains examination
📌Group I Mains examination (tentative)
225 days awayWed, 6 Jan, 2027
Descriptive exam across multiple General Studies papers and Essay
Tamil Nadu Administration and Development
Administrative structure and welfare schemes of Tamil Nadu.
Mensuration of 2D and 3D figures.