TNPSC Group 1 2026 at a Glance

*Note: The vacancy figure is tentative and may be modified according to official commission updates up until the publication of Preliminary Examination results.

TNPSC Group 1 Important Dates 2026

TNPSC Group 1 2026 Vacancies

The official notification (05/2026) lists a total of 26 vacancies across various State Civil Services. The number of vacancies is tentative and liable for modification until publication of Preliminary Examination results.

# Includes backlog vacancy
* Includes shortfall vacancies
Disclaimer: The total vacancy count is tentative and subject to official modification by the Commission during the examination cycle.

TNPSC Group 1 Posts Breakdown

How to Apply for TNPSC Group 1 2026

1. Visit the official TNPSC online application portal (www.tnpscexams.in).
2. Complete One Time Registration (OTR), if not already registered.
3. Log in to the applicant system using your OTR credentials.
4. Select the Combined Civil Services Examination – I (Group I Services).
5. Enter the required personal, educational, and category information accurately.
6. Upload the required photograph and signature adhering strictly to specifications.
7. Verify all information using the application preview.
8. Make corrections if required before final submission.
9. Pay the applicable examination fee unless fee exemption is claimed.
10. Click the final Submit button.
11. Save/print the submitted application for future reference.

TNPSC Group 1 Application Correction Window 2026

Official Correction Period: 02 August 2026, 12:01 AM to 04 August 2026, 11:59 PM

• Candidates can edit permitted details during the correction period.
• After the correction window closes, modifications are strictly not allowed.
• Candidates should carefully verify the final application summary.
• Photograph and signature can be re-uploaded through the edit option during the applicable period.

TNPSC Group 1 Application Fee

• The ₹100 Preliminary Examination fee is payable while submitting the online application unless fee exemption is claimed.
• The ₹200 Main Examination fee applies to candidates shortlisted for the Main Examination who have not claimed fee exemption, subject to the conditions specified in the notification.

TNPSC Group 1 Eligibility 2026

1. Minimum Age Limit

Candidates must have completed 21 years of age as on 01.07.2026.

2. Maximum Age Limit

Maximum age limits vary by post and candidate category as prescribed in the notification as on 01.07.2026:

For Candidates classified as "Others" (Unreserved):

• Deputy Collector: 34 years
• Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes): 35 years for candidates possessing any degree; 35 years for candidates possessing B.L. degree (with applicable concessions shown separately in the notification)
• Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies: 34 years
• District Registrar: 34 years
• Assistant Commissioner of Labour: 34 years

For Reserved Categories - SC / SC(A) / ST / MBC/DC / BC(OBCM) / BCM:

Relaxed maximum age limits apply to reserved categories, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and Ex-Servicemen as per category-wise rules detailed in the official notification. Candidates must consult the official notification for exact post-specific concessions.

3. Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess the prescribed educational qualification on the date of notification (23.06.2026).

• Final-year degree candidates may apply for the Preliminary Examination subject to the conditions specified in the notification.
• The required degree must satisfy the prescribed sequence of study (10th + HSC/Diploma + Degree pattern) where applicable.
• Candidates claiming equivalence must provide the prescribed Government order/document at the time of verification.

TNPSC Group 1 Tamil Knowledge Requirement

According to the official notification, candidates should possess adequate knowledge in Tamil on the date of notification.

This requirement is fulfilled if the candidate has passed the SSLC / HSC / Degree examination with Tamil as one of the languages, or has studied in Tamil Medium, or passes the specified Second Class Language Test in Tamil conducted by TNPSC within the prescribed period after appointment.

PSTM in TNPSC Group 1 2026

Person Studied in Tamil Medium (PSTM) refers to a person who studied through Tamil medium of instruction up to the educational qualification prescribed for direct recruitment.

For a post requiring a Degree, the notification specifies study from First Standard through Degree in Tamil medium (1st Std → SSLC → HSC/Diploma → Degree in Tamil Medium), subject to detailed provisions.

Supporting Documents Required for PSTM Eligibility TNPSC Group 1:

• SSLC PSTM Certificate / Mark Sheet
• HSC / Diploma PSTM Certificate
• Degree PSTM Certificate issued by College / University in the prescribed format
• Transfer Certificate (TC) mentioning medium of instruction
• Provisional Certificate / Convocation Certificate / Mark Sheets

Candidates claiming PSTM reservation must maintain appropriate prescribed evidence for Tamil-medium study at every educational level.

Visual Standards for TNPSC Group 1

The official recruitment notification specifies the following visual requirements:

Applies to the notified Group I posts listed, including:

• Deputy Collector
• Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes)
• Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies
• District Registrar
• Assistant Commissioner of Labour

Candidates with defective vision are required to submit the prescribed Eye Fitness Certificate from a qualified Eye Specialist working in a Government Hospital at the time of joining, as specified in the notification. Candidates should consult the official notification for exact technical visual standards.

TNPSC Group 1 Medical Standards

• Selected candidates must submit a physical fitness certificate at the time of joining service.
• Medical examination is conducted by the Medical Board for candidates provisionally admitted to the Interview stage.
• Medical and physical fitness standards are verified according to the specific post and applicable executive service rules.

TNPSC Group 1 Selection Process

The Combined Civil Services Examination – I comprises three successive examination stages:

• Preliminary Examination: Serves purely as a screening test. Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not counted for final ranking.
• Main Examination & Interview: Final ranking is based strictly on the total marks obtained in Main Examination Papers II, III, and IV together with Interview marks.

TNPSC Group 1 Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026

TNPSC Group 1 Main Exam Pattern 2026

• Paper I is qualifying in nature: Minimum qualifying mark for Paper I is 40.
• Paper II, III, and IV are evaluated only if the candidate secures the required minimum qualifying marks in Paper I.
• Appearance in all Main Examination papers and the Interview is compulsory.
• Marks from Paper II, Paper III, Paper IV, and Interview (Total: 850 Marks) are counted for final merit ranking.

TNPSC Group 1 Main Examination Selection Rules

The Preliminary Examination is only a screening examination. Candidates are shortlisted for the Main Examination according to official qualifying criteria:

• Mains Ratio: The number of candidates admitted to the Main Examination is generally 20 times (1:20) the number of candidates to be recruited, observing reservation rules and the tie-at-cutoff provision described in the notification.
• Interview Admission Ratio:
  – Where notified vacancies in a reservation group are 5 or more: Candidates are admitted at 2 times (1:2) the vacancies.
  – Where notified vacancies are 4 or below: Candidates are admitted at 3 times (1:3) the vacancies.

TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus 2026

The official notification states that the Preliminary and Main Examination syllabi are provided in Annexure III.

*Note: The unit-wise distribution of questions mentioned in the syllabus is indicative; TNPSC reserves the right to marginally increase or decrease the number of questions in each unit when necessary.

TNPSC Group 1 Examination Centres 2026

Preliminary Examination:

Candidates can choose two examination centres as preferences while applying online, subject to the rules in the notification. Candidates with benchmark disability can choose one examination centre and will be allotted a venue in that district centre.

Main Examination:

The Main Written Examination will be held at Chennai (Code 0101) only.

TNPSC Group 1 Photo Size & Requirements 2026

Official specifications according to Notification 05/2026:

• Photograph must be taken on or after the notification date (23.06.2026).
• Colour passport-size photograph taken in a professional photo studio.
• Plain white background with a clear frontal view showing both ears and part of the neck.
• Dimensions: 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm (Digital: 170 × 130 pixels).
• Candidate image portion: 3.0 cm / 115 pixels; Name/date portion: 1.5 cm / 55 pixels.
• File Size: 20 KB to 50 KB.
• File Format/Name: JPG / Photograph.jpg

TNPSC Group 1 Signature Size & Requirements 2026

• Draw a box of 6.0 cm × 2.0 cm on white paper.
• Sign strictly within the box using a blue or black ink pen.
• Scan at 200 DPI and crop only the signature box.
• Digital Dimensions: 230 × 75 pixels.
• File Size: 10 KB to 20 KB.
• File Format/Name: JPG / Signature.jpg

TNPSC Group 1 Exam Hall Rules & Banned Items

Candidates are strictly prohibited from bringing electronic and non-electronic items into the examination hall, including:

• Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, health bands
• Programmable devices, storage media, or communication gadgets
• Watches with memory or built-in calculators
• Books, notes, study materials, or unauthorized paper clips

TNPSC Group 1 Hall Ticket 2026

The Memorandum of Admission (Hall Ticket) will be made available online on the official portal. It will not be sent by post. Candidates must download it by entering their One Time Registration (OTR) credentials.

TNPSC Group 1 Result 2026

TNPSC Group 1 Previous Year Question Papers

Access past question papers and official answer keys to evaluate exam patterns:

• Preliminary Examination PYQs (General Studies & Aptitude)
• Main Examination PYQs (Descriptive Papers II, III & IV)

TNPSC Group 1 Current Affairs

Stay updated with targeted current affairs resources tailored for Group 1 General Studies:

TNPSC Group 1 Study Material

Syllabus-aligned preparation notes and subject breakdowns:

*Educational guidance material provided by tnpsc.co / UNITED ACADEMY; not official commission publications.

TNPSC Group 1 Mock Tests

Test your preparation level with online mock tests:

• Preliminary Full-Length Mock Tests
• Unit-wise General Studies Tests
• Aptitude & Mental Ability Practice Modules
• Main Examination Answer Writing Practice

How to Prepare for TNPSC Group 1 2026

Candidates should adopt an integrated preparation model, studying for the Preliminary Examination while simultaneously building descriptive answer-writing skills required for the Main Examination syllabus.

Sample Daily Study Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Official TNPSC Group 1 2026 Sources

Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) is the authoritative source for recruitment notifications, examination dates, eligibility, syllabus, application instructions, hall tickets and results.

TNPSC Preparation Quick Links

Explore comprehensive preparation material, updates and study guides on tnpsc.co:

Preparing for TNPSC Group 1 2026?

Your Group 1 preparation starts with the right syllabus, the right strategy and consistent practice. Explore TNPSC syllabus, current affairs, previous year questions, study materials and mock tests on tnpsc.co.