Exams · Tamil Nadu exams · TNPSC Group I
TNPSC Group I
Shishya's tracker has no announced TNPSC Group I exam date yet. TNPSC Group I Preliminary Examination: 200 questions, 300 marks, 180 minutes, no deduction printed for a wrong answer; 0.5 mark is deducted if a question is left blank (TNPSC notice, 23 Jun 2026). Official site: tnpsc.gov.in.
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.
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Updated 9 Sept 2026 ·Vacancy counts change every cycle — always confirm the exact number in the latest official notification before applying.
Sourced
Source: official exam authority notification · refreshed weekly. How this works →
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ChemistryWhich element has the highest electronegativity?
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TNPSC Group I eligibility
Verified against the official notification. Source ↗ · last reconciled 2026-05.
- Age
- 21 – 32 years (General)21-32 for General (no upper limit for SC/ST/SCA/MBC/BC). Reference date is 1 July of the exam year.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree (any discipline) from a recognised university.
- Knowledge of Tamil is mandatory — verified via the Tamil Eligibility Test, the qualifying paper.
- Final-year graduating students can apply.
- Attempts
- Unlimited attempts (within upper age cap for General; no upper age for SC/ST/SCA/MBC/BC).
- Nationality
- Indian citizen.
TNPSC Group I cutoffs
Historical cutoffs are a guide, not a prediction. Use them to set a realistic target, not to predict next year's exact number.
Prelims cutoff (qualifying for Mains)
out of 300 marks (Paper 1 — GS)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 |
| 2023 | BC | ~185 – 195 |
| 2023 | MBC / DC | ~175 – 188 |
| 2023 | SC | ~160 – 175 |
| 2023 | ST | ~140 – 160 |
Source: official ↗ · verified 2026-05.
TNPSC Group I salary after selection
Approximate starting gross at an X-class (metro) posting. Actual pay depends on post, city, year of joining and prevailing DA.
Deputy Collector (TN State Service)
Pay Level 22 (Tamil Nadu)- Basic pay
- ₹56,100
- Gross monthly
- ₹93,000 – ₹1,05,000 (Chennai, after probation)
- Perks
- Government quarters
- Vehicle
- Medical
- TN State NPS
- LTC
Source: official ↗ · verified 2026-05.
TNPSC Group I — Frequently asked questions
Is Shishya free for TNPSC Group I preparation?
How many TNPSC Group I practice questions does Shishya have?
Are TNPSC Group I previous year question papers available?
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What is the exam pattern of TNPSC Group I?
Is there negative marking in TNPSC Group I?
In which languages is TNPSC Group I conducted?
What is the expected cutoff for TNPSC Group I?
Can I build a topic-wise TNPSC Group I mock test?
How can I prepare for TNPSC Group I for free?
Previous year papers
100 questions across all yearsPrevious year paper practice: each year is a set of PYQ-pattern questions — freshly worded in the pattern of that year's paper, not the paper itself. Every card shows how many it holds against the real paper's count.
2025
20 PYQ-pattern questions modelled on the 2025 paper (which had 200)
Practise these →2024
20 PYQ-pattern questions modelled on the 2024 paper (which had 200)
Practise these →2023
20 PYQ-pattern questions modelled on the 2023 paper (which had 200)
Practise these →2022
20 PYQ-pattern questions modelled on the 2022 paper (which had 200)
Practise these →2021
20 PYQ-pattern questions modelled on the 2021 paper (which had 200)
Practise these →
Mock tests
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
SET20 questions · 180 min
Start mock →TNPSC Group I — 2021 PYQ-pattern set (20 of 200 questions)
SET20 questions · 180 min
Start mock →TNPSC Group I — 2025 PYQ-pattern set (20 of 200 questions)
SET20 questions · 180 min
Start mock →
Practice by subject & topic
Full-length subject tests below — 25 questions each, real exam format, instant scoring.Want to drill a single topic? Open it from the syllabus — a topic that has practice questions has a short quiz on its page.
General Studies
40 QsTamil Nadu — History, Culture, Society & Administration
22 QsAptitude and Mental Ability
45 Qs
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Students
12
Mocks taken
17
Average score
43%
Top score
100%
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.
Exceptionally rare range
92–100% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •Near-perfect Prelims execution, among state's top 100-200 aspirants
- •First choice of service and posting location highly probable
- •Deputy Collector with preferred metropolitan posting — subject to final combined merit
- •Indicates mastery of TN current affairs, polity, history, and general studies
- •Must maintain consistency through Mains and Interview for top-10 final rank
- •Historical toppers typically score 90-95% in Prelims combined with strong Mains
Prelims excellence zone
85–92% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •Exceptional Prelims performance, typically top 500-1000 candidates
- •Deputy Collector (Chennai/Coimbatore preferred postings) — based on final rank
- •DSP (Special Branch/CB-CID) — elite cadres subject to final merit and preference
- •Assistant Director (Industries) — Group I service, industrial development role
- •Any Group I service realistically achievable with comparable Mains performance
- •Prelims score provides strong psychological advantage and buffer for Mains
Top tier Prelims performers
78–85% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •Among top Prelims scorers statewide
- •Strong foundation for competitive Mains ranking
- •Deputy Collector (preferred districts/departments) — depending on final merit
- •Assistant Commissioner (Labour) — Group I service, policy and enforcement role
- •District Revenue Officer — Group I revenue administration
- •Typically clears with 20-30 marks above general category cut-off
- •High probability of final selection with adequate Mains preparation
Competitive Mains contender
68–78% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •Comfortable Prelims clearance with margin
- •Deputy Collector — Group I service, state administrative cadre
- •Assistant Director (Rural Development) — Group I service, policy implementation role
- •District Employment Officer (Group I) — higher cadre than Group II-A version
- •Block Development Officer (BDO) — Group I service when recruited through Combined Civil Services
- •Good position for preferred service allocation if Mains performance is strong
Mains qualification likely
55–68% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •Strong chance of clearing Prelims for all categories
- •Assistant Collector (General) — Group I service, entry cadre to IAS-equivalent TN Civil Service
- •Deputy Superintendent of Police — Group I service, direct entry to police administration
- •District Registrar (Registration Department) — Group I service
- •Commercial Tax Officer Grade-I — Revenue administration
- •Needs Mains preparation focus on Essay, General Tamil, and Optional subjects
Borderline qualifying zone
40–55% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Below cut-off range
0–40% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
AI-curated from historic cut-off patterns. Always verify with the latest official notification before making decisions.
News & timeline
See older updates →Latest news
The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission has officially released the answer key for the Group 1 Preliminary Examination held on September 27, 2026. Candidates can now compare their responses with the official solutions and raise objections if needed within the stipulated time.
The Preliminary Examination for Combined Civil Services-I (Group I Services) was successfully held on September 27, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM across 38 district centres in Tamil Nadu. The exam was conducted in offline OMR-based mode.
TNPSC released the hall tickets for Group 1 Preliminary Examination on September 17, 2026, through the One Time Registration (OTR) Dashboard. Candidates downloaded their admit cards using login credentials for the September 27 exam.
TNPSC's website says the Group I (CCSE-I, Notification No. 05/2026) preliminary examination, objective type in OMR mode, is scheduled for 27 September 2026 in the forenoon session. Hall tickets were released on 17 September 2026 and can be downloaded from the TNPSC exam dashboard with your application number and date of birth.
TNPSC announced 20 additional vacancies through Addendum No. 5B/2026, raising the total Group 1 recruitment from the original 26 posts to 46 posts for the 2026 cycle.
Important dates
📍Prelims exam — forenoon session (objective type, OMR)
passedSun, 27 Sept, 2026
Officialtnpsc.gov.in ↗📍Preliminary Examination
passedSun, 27 Sept, 2026
Reportedtestbook.comSingle shift: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM across 38 district centres; originally scheduled for Sept 6, postponed to Sept 27
Prelims answer key published
passedSun, 27 Sept, 2026
Reportedtestbook.comOfficial answer key released at tnpsc.gov.in; objection window likely open
Prelims result (expected)
35 days awaySun, 15 Nov, 2026
ExpectedTypically declared 6-8 weeks after prelims; top 20 times the vacancies (920 candidates for 46 posts) to be shortlisted for Mains
📍Main Examination (expected)
127 days awayMon, 15 Feb, 2027
ExpectedFour descriptive papers over multiple days; Paper I (Tamil) is qualifying · no key published for this stage
Interview (expected)
233 days awayTue, 1 Jun, 2027
Expected100 marks interview; typically held 3-4 months after Mains results
Syllabus
Tap any topic for its study notes + a 10-question topic test
General Studies
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.
Tamil Nadu — History, Culture, Society & Administration
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.
Tamil Nadu Administration and Development
Administrative structure and welfare schemes of Tamil Nadu.
Aptitude and Mental Ability
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
Mensuration of 2D and 3D figures.
Time and Work
Work efficiency, pipes and cisterns, group work.
Time and Distance
Trains, boats, average speed and relative speed.
Logical Reasoning
Statement-conclusion, syllogism, cause-effect, assumption.
Puzzles
Seating arrangement, scheduling and grouping puzzles.
Dice
Dice problems — opposite faces, position, surface counting.
Visual Reasoning
Mirror image, water image, paper folding/cutting, embedded figures.
Alphanumeric Reasoning
Coding-decoding, alphabet test, alphanumeric series.
Number Series
Find next term, find missing/wrong term, pattern series.
Data Interpretation
Tables, bar/pie/line graphs — calculation-based questions.