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UPSC Courses

How To Prepare State PSC

Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) is a department of the government of Tamil Nadu that is responsible for governing the recruitment of personnel into the state's public service. It is the successor of the Madras Service Commission, which came into being under an Act of the Madras Legislature in 1929 and was the first Provincial Public Service Commission in India. It adopted its current name in 1970. TNPSC operates under Articles 315 to 323 of Part XIV of the Constitution of India.

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission discharges the duties and functions specified in Article 320 of the Constitution of India. The commission is required to advise the Government on all matters relating to framing of recruitment rules, principles to be followed in making appointments and promotions and transfers from one service to another service, in respect of disciplinary matters affecting government servants and to conduct examinations for selection of candidates under direct recruitment to the State, Subordinate and Ministerial Services.

The TNPSC conducts recruitment exams (competitive, departmental) for filling up vacancies in the state administration.

The patterns/schemes of all the TNPSC exams can be found on the official website of the Commission.

The Combined Civil Services Examination – I (CCS-I) , conducted by the TNPSC, is the common entry point for Group 1 Services in Tamil Nadu.

The TNPSC Group 1 Exam is conducted in three stages:

  1. Prelims
  2. Mains
  3. Interview

The Prelims Exam Pattern is given below:

Name of Exam Combined Civil Services – I (Group -1 Services Preliminary Examination)
Number of Papers One
Number of Questions 200
Total Marks 300
Nature of Questions Objective Type (MCQs)
Negative Marking No
Subjects/Syllabus
  • General Studies – 150 questions (Degree Standard)
  • Aptitude & Mental Ability – 50 questions (SSLC Standard)
Minimum Qualifying Marks
  • Open Category: 120
  • Other than Open Category: 90
Duration 3 hours

The Prelims Syllabus is given in brief below:

  1. General Science
  2. Current Events
  3. Geography
  4. History and Indian Culture
  5. Indian Polity
  6. Indian Economy
  7. Indian National Movement
  8. Aptitude and Mental Ability Tests & Logical Reasoning

TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus for Mains

The Mains Exam comprises three descriptive papers and each paper can be subdivided into three units covering broad subject areas.

The new TNPSC syllabus for Mains is summarised below

As per the TNPSC Group 1 Exam Pattern for Mains, there are three descriptive-type papers for a total of 750 marks.

NO optional subjects in the TNPSC Group 1 exam.

The Mains Exam Pattern is given below.

Name of Exam Combined Civil Services – I
(Group -1 Services Preliminary Examination)
Number of Papers Three
Total Marks
  • Paper 1 – 250
  • Paper 2 – 250
  • Paper 3 – 250

Total: 750 + Interview (100 marks) = 850

Nature of Questions Objective Type (MCQs)
Minimum Qualifying Marks
  • Open Category: 340
  • Other than Open Category: 255
Duration 3 hours for each paper

The syllabus of TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam is given in brief below:

PAPER 1 PAPER 2 PAPER 3
  • Modern Indian History and Indian Culture
  • Social Issues – India and Tamil Nadu
  • General Aptitude & Mental Ability (SSLC Standard)
  • Indian Polity and Emerging Political Trends across the world affecting India
  • Role and Impact of Science and Technology in the Indian development
  • Tamil Society – Culture and Heritage
  • Indian Geography – special reference to Tamil Nadu
  • Biodiversity, Disaster Management and Environment
  • Indian Economy – Current trends and Impact of the global economy on India

For Detailed TNPSC Mains syllabus click here

An Oral Test/Interview for 100 marks is conducted by a TNPSC board to assess the candidate’s suitability to a career in administration.

The Eligibility Criteria for TNPSC Group 1 Exam is:

  1. Age Limit
    1. Minimum – 21 years
    2. Maximum – 32 years (Age Concession Available)
  2. Educational Qualification – Graduate Degree from a recognised University/institution
  3. Physical Qualification – Specific physical qualifications are mentioned for the posts of Dy SP and District Officer (Fire and Rescue)

The Educational qualification needed for the TNPSC Group 1 exam is a graduate degree from:

  • A university incorporated by a Central or State Act or
  • An educational institution established by an Act of Parliament or
  • A deemed University under Section 3, UGC Act 1956

Aspirants who are in their final year can also apply for the TNPSC Group 1 Preliminary Exam but they need to submit proof of passing while applying for the Main stage of the exam.

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UPSC GS Mains Crash Course - RAW Prelims Answer Key 2024