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The TNPSC Group 1 Cut Off 2026 will be officially released by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission along with the Preliminary Exam result, after the exam is held on 27 September 2026. Until then, the best way to set a realistic target score is to study previous years’ cut off trends closely, since TNPSC never pre-announces a cut off, it is simply the mark of the last candidate selected in each category and gender for that cycle. Explore the TNPSC Group 1 cut-off marks 2026 with category-wise previous year data, key factors behind cut-off trends, and the expected range.
TNPSC Group 1 Previous Questions 2026 – Year-Wise PYQs
| Category | Year | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims | 2021 | |
| Prelims | 2019 | |
| Prelims | 2017 | |
| Prelims | 2015 | |
| Prelims | 2014 | |
| Mains | 2019 | |
| Mains | 2019 | |
| Mains | 2019 | |
| Mains | 2011 | |
| Mains | 2011 | |
| General Studies & Tamil | — |
TNPSC Group 1 Exam 2026: Key Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Civil Services Examination – I (Group I Services) |
| Notification No. | 05/2026 |
| Advertisement No. | 736 |
| Notification Date | 23 June 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 26 (provisional) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Start Date | 30 June 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 29 July 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 2 – 4 August 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | 27 September 2026 (revised from 6 September 2026) |
| Selection Stages | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Pay Level | Level 22 (₹56,100 – ₹2,05,700) |
| Official Website | tnpsc.gov.in |
TNPSC Group 1 Cut Off 22026 vs Minimum Qualifying Marks: Know the Difference
These two numbers are often confused, but they are not the same.
Minimum qualifying marks are fixed in the notification itself. For 2026, General, BC, MBC, and DNC candidates need 120 out of 300 (40 percent) to qualify, while SC, ST, and SC(A) candidates need 90 out of 300 (30 percent). This is a baseline requirement.
Cut off marks are competitive and always higher than the qualifying minimum. They represent the actual score of the last candidate selected in each category, and they move up or down every year depending on vacancies, paper difficulty, and the number of applicants. Simply clearing the qualifying mark does not guarantee you move to Mains, you need to clear the cut off for your category.
TNPSC Group 1 Previous Year Cut Off Marks 2026 for Prelims
Here is the category and gender-wise Prelims cut off from the most recent available cycles:
TNPSC Group 1 2015 Prelims Cut-Off
| Category | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| OC | 125 | 123 |
| BC | 122 | 120 |
| BCM | 116 | 114 |
| MBC | 120 | 118 |
| SC | 115 | 114 |
| ST | 110 | 108 |
TNPSC Group 1 2017 Prelims Cut-Off
| Category | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| OC | 120 | 119 |
| BC | 117 | 116 |
| BCM | 113 | 112 |
| MBC | 116 | 115 |
| SC | 110 | 111 |
| ST | 105 | 104 |
TNPSC Group 1 2019 Prelims Cut-Off
| Category | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| OC | 204 | 192 |
| BC | 189 | 180 |
| BCM | 181 | 163 |
| MBC/DC | 186 | 175 |
| SCA | 177 | 165 |
| SC | 180 | 168 |
| ST | 160 | — |
TNPSC Group 1 Cut-Off Data: 2020–2025
| Year | Prelims Cut-Off Status |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Official category-wise cut-off not available |
| 2021 | Official category-wise cut-off not available |
| 2022 | No distinct standalone Group 1 Prelims cut-off confirmed |
| 2023 | Official category-wise cut-off not available |
| 2024 | No officially confirmed category-wise cut-off found |
| 2025 | No distinct standalone Group 1 Prelims cut-off confirmed |
TNPSC Group 1 Expected Cut Off 2026
Since the official cut off is only announced after results, any figure you see before that, including here, is an estimate based on trends, not a confirmed number. That said, a few factors are worth factoring into your expected range for 2026:
- Vacancies are significantly lower this cycle, with only 26 posts notified, a sharp drop compared to previous years. Fewer vacancies typically push cut offs higher, since the same or larger pool of applicants is competing for far fewer seats.
- The exam pattern and qualifying marks remain unchanged from the last notified cycle, so there’s no fresh syllabus-driven jump expected this time, unlike the 2017 to 2019 shift.
- Based on these factors, candidates should reasonably expect the 2026 cut off to be at or above recent trend levels for their category, rather than close to the older, lower cut offs from 2015 or 2017.
A safer approach: take the highest cut off from the last two or three available cycles for your specific category and gender, and add a buffer of 8 to 10 marks as your personal target score. This buffer accounts for reduced vacancies and any unexpected rise in competition.
Factors That Influence the TNPSC Group 1 Cut Off 2026
Number of vacancies: Fewer vacancies generally mean a higher cut off, since the same competition is fighting for fewer seats.
- Difficulty level of the paper: An easier paper leads candidates to score higher overall, which pushes the cut off up. A tougher paper does the opposite.
- Number of applicants: A larger applicant pool increases competition, which can raise the cut off even if the paper difficulty stays constant.
- Category and gender-wise reservation: Cut offs are calculated separately for each category and gender combination, so your target should always be based on your specific category, not the overall or OC figure.
- Syllabus or pattern changes: As seen between 2017 and 2019, a syllabus revision can cause a sharp, one-time shift in cut off trends that doesn’t reflect gradual year-on-year movement.
How TNPSC Group 1 Mains Cut Off 2026 Works
The Prelims cut off only decides who moves to Mains, it isn’t used for final selection. The Main Examination, which carries 750 marks across Papers II, III, and IV (Paper I being a qualifying Tamil test), is what actually determines your final merit and cut off for selection. Typically, around 20 times the number of vacancies are called for Mains from the Prelims, subject to reservation rules. With just 26 vacancies notified for 2026, roughly 500 to 520 candidates are expected to be shortlisted for Mains, making both stages highly competitive.
How to Check TNPSC Group 1 Cut Off 2026 Once Released
- Visit the official TNPSC website, tnpsc.gov.in.
- Look under the “What’s New” section for the Group 1 Result and Cut Off link once results are announced.
- Click on the relevant link for TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Cut Off 2026.
- The PDF showing category-wise and gender-wise cut off marks will open on screen.
- Download and save the PDF, and cross-check your own score against your specific category and gender.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TNPSC Group 1 cut off for 2026?
The official cut off for 2026 has not been released yet. It will be announced along with the Prelims result after the exam on 27 September 2026. Based on previous trends and reduced vacancies this cycle, candidates should target a score at or above recent cut off levels for their category.
What was the TNPSC Group 1 cut off in the most recent available year?
In 2019, the OC cut off was 204 for male and 192 for female candidates. Other categories ranged between roughly 160 and 190, depending on category and gender.
Is the cut off the same for every category?
No. TNPSC releases cut off marks separately for each category, including OC, BC, BCM, MBC/DC, SCA, SC, and ST, and further splits them by gender.
Why did the TNPSC Group 1 cut off jump so much between 2017 and 2019?
A syllabus revision around that period changed the exam pattern and made the paper more scoring overall, which pushed cut offs sharply higher across all categories.
What score should I target for TNPSC Group 1 2026?
A reliable approach is to take the highest cut off from the last two to three cycles for your specific category and gender, then add a safety margin of 8 to 10 marks to account for this year’s reduced vacancies.
Is clearing the minimum qualifying marks enough to pass Prelims?
No. Minimum qualifying marks (120 for General/BC/MBC/DNC, 90 for SC/ST/SCA) are a baseline requirement, but you also need to clear the actual cut off for your category to be shortlisted for Mains.
Does the Prelims cut off decide final selection?
No. The Prelims cut off only decides who qualifies for the Mains exam. Final selection is based on your performance in the Main Examination, which carries the actual merit-deciding marks.
