TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026: Unit-Wise Topics, Marks Weightage & Paper Structure

TNPSC Group 1 Exam Date 2026

The TNPSC Group 1 Preliminary Examination 2026 has been revised to 27 September 2026, from the originally scheduled date of 6 September 2026. The exam will be conducted from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Candidates should check the official TNPSC updates for any further changes.

TNPSC Group 1 Exam Pattern — Overview of Both Stages ( Prelims & Mains)

TNPSC Group 1 (Combined Civil Services Examination – I) is conducted in two written stages, followed by an interview:

• Preliminary Examination — a single objective paper combining General Studies (degree standard) and Aptitude & Mental Ability (SSLC standard), used purely for screening.
• Main Examination — four descriptive papers, of which Paper I (Tamil) is qualifying and Papers II, III, IV are scored toward merit.
• Interview — 100 marks, added directly to the Main Exam score for final ranking.

The syllabus for both the Preliminary and Main Examinations is published as Annexure III of the notification, and the same paper structure is also listed on TNPSC’s official syllabus page for “All posts included in Group-I Services.

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam Pattern 2026: Paper Structure and Marks

• Total marks: 300
• Mode: Objective, OMR-based
• Language: Tamil and English
• Qualifying marks: 120/300 for “Others,” 90/300 for SC/SC(A)/ST/MBC/DC/BC(OBCM)/BCM candidates

Remember — this stage is purely a screening test. Marks scored here don’t carry into your final merit, so the goal is simply to clear the qualifying cut-off comfortably and move to the Main Exam.

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Syllabus 2026 — General Studies (Part A), Unit-Wise

Part A carries 175 questions across six units. Here’s exactly what each unit covers and how many questions it typically carries:

Unit I: General Science (10 Questions)

Scientific temper and reasoning; nature of the universe; mechanics, properties of matter, force, motion, and energy; everyday applications of electricity, magnetism, light, sound, heat, nuclear physics, and electronics; elements, compounds, acids, bases, salts, fertilizers, pesticides; classification of living organisms, genetics, physiology, nutrition, human diseases; environment and ecology; latest inventions in science and technology; current affairs.

Unit II: Geography of India (10 Questions)

Physical features, monsoon, rainfall, weather, and climate; water resources and rivers; soil, minerals, and natural resources; forest and wildlife; agricultural patterns; transport and communication; population density, distribution, racial and linguistic groups; natural calamities, disaster management, environmental pollution, climate change, green energy; geographical landmarks; current affairs.

Unit III: History, Culture of India, and Indian National Movement (25 Questions)

Indus Valley Civilization; Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals, Marathas; South Indian history; National Renaissance and early uprisings against British rule; the Indian National Congress; leaders such as B.R. Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Bharathiar, V.O. Chidambaranar, Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Thanthai Periyar, Rajaji, and others; Satyagraha and militant movements; communalism and Partition; unity in diversity; India as a secular state; national symbols; current affairs.

Unit IV: Indian Polity (40 Questions)

The largest single unit in Part A by question count. Constitution of India — Preamble, salient features; Union, State, and Union Territory relations; Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles; Union and State Executive/Legislature; local governments and Panchayat Raj; federalism and Centre-State relations; elections; Judiciary and rule of law; anti-corruption measures — Lokpal, Lok Ayukta; Right to Information; women’s empowerment; consumer protection; political parties and the political system; current affairs.

Unit V: Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu (50 Questions)

The single highest-weightage unit in the entire Preliminary syllabus. Nature of the Indian economy; five-year plans, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog; RBI, fiscal and monetary policy, Finance Commission, GST; agriculture, industrial growth, rural welfare programmes; population, education, health, employment, poverty; Human Development Indicators in Tamil Nadu; social reform movements and their socio-economic impact; reservation policy rationale; e-Governance in Tamil Nadu; public delivery systems; current socio-economic issues and current affairs.

Unit VI: History, Culture, Heritage, and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu (40 Questions)

History of Tamil society and archaeological discoveries; Tamil literature from the Sangam age to contemporary times; Thirukkural — its significance, universal values, and philosophical content; Tamil Nadu’s role in the freedom struggle; role of women in the freedom struggle; the Justice Party and growth of Rationalism; the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidian Movement; contributions of Thanthai Periyar and Perarignar Anna.

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Syllabus 2026 — Aptitude and Mental Ability (Part B)

Part B carries 25 questions at SSLC standard, split into two units:

Unit I: Aptitude (15 Questions)

Simplification; Percentage; Highest Common Factor (HCF); Lowest Common Multiple (LCM); Ratio and Proportion; Simple Interest; Compound Interest; Area; Volume; Time and Work.

Unit II: Reasoning (10 Questions)

Logical reasoning; Puzzles; Dice; Visual reasoning; Alpha-numeric reasoning; Number series.

TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam Pattern 2026: Paper-Wise Structure and Marks

Paper I is purely qualifying — you must clear it before your Paper II, III, and IV answer sheets are even evaluated. Language of the question paper for Paper I is Tamil; for Papers II, III, and IV, it’s Tamil and English.

TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam 2026 Syllabus — Paper I: Tamil Eligibility Test

Standard: SSLC | Marks: 100 (Qualifying) | Duration: 3 hours

This paper tests practical Tamil language proficiency rather than literature, and covers:

• Translation — English to Tamil and Tamil to English
• Précis writing (சுருக்கி எழுதுதல்)
• Comprehension (பொருள் உணர்திறன்)
• Expansion of ideas from a given note
• Essay writing related to Thirukkural
• Letter writing (as applicable)
• General knowledge of the Tamil language

Topics covered under this paper’s broader syllabus also include current affairs, social issues, contemporary problems, environmental issues, Indian economy-related topics, science and technology, arts and culture, social reform movements — the Dravidian Movement and Self-Respect Movement, Tamil language in the digital age (computing Tamil, e-governance Tamil, office Tamil), and Tamil Nadu’s socio-economic progress and welfare schemes. Given the qualifying nature of this paper, a solid working command of written Tamil, rather than deep literary study, is what typically decides success here.

TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam 2026 Syllabus — Paper II: General Studies I (250 Marks)

Unit I: Modern History of India and Indian Culture (100 marks)

Advent of Europeans, colonialism, and the establishment of British rule; early uprisings — South Indian rebellion (1799–1801), Vellore rebellion (1806), Sepoy Mutiny (1857); Indian National Movements — Moderates, Extremists, and Terrorism; national leaders including Tagore, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Gandhi, Nehru, Bose, Ambedkar, and Patel; constitutional developments from 1773 to 1950; Partition of India; Tamil Nadu’s role in the freedom struggle — Subramanya Siva, Bharathiyar, V.O. Chidambaranar, Rajagopalachariyar, Periyar, Kamarajar; National Renaissance and socio-religious reform movements; emergence of “Social Justice” ideology and the Justice Party in Tamil Nadu; salient features of Indian culture, unity in diversity; national symbols and cultural panorama.

Unit II: Social Issues in India and Tamil Nadu (100 marks)

Population explosion, fertility, mortality, and population control; migration and poverty; illiteracy, dropouts, Right to Education, women’s education; child labour and child abuse; sanitation — rural and urban; women empowerment — domestic violence, dowry, sexual assault laws and schemes; urbanisation policy; religious and communal violence; problems of minorities and human rights issues; regional disparities; social development models and community development programmes; health and human development — health policy and healthcare programmes in India; vulnerable sections and welfare programmes; current affairs.

Unit III: Ethics and Integrity (50 marks)

Ethics and human interface — definitions and scope; ethics of Indian schools of philosophy and of Thirukkural; kinds of ethics — Intuitionism, Existentialism; duties, responsibility, and moral judgements; attitude and its relation with thought and behaviour; ethics in public administration — philosophical basis of governance and probity; codes of ethics and conduct for public service professionals; transparency and service delivery; maintenance of confidentiality; citizen’s charters; challenges of corruption.

TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam 2026 Syllabus — Paper III: General Studies II (250 Marks)

Unit I: Indian Polity and Emerging Political Trends Across the World Affecting India (100 marks)

Historical background and making of the Indian Constitution; Preamble, salient features, Parts, Articles, Schedules, and Amendments; Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles; Union and State government structure — Legislature, Executive, Judiciary; local government and the 73rd/74th Constitutional Amendments; federalism and Union-State relations; Indian Administration and Civil Services — historical background, classification, recruitment; political parties, pressure groups, and mass media; administrative reforms — Central Vigilance Commission, Lokpal, Lokayukta, RTI Act; profile of Indian states; India’s foreign policy, defence, and national security; international organisations, pacts, and summits; current affairs.

Unit II: Role and Impact of Science and Technology in the Development of India (100 marks)

Science and technology — achievements, applications, and impacts; elements, compounds, acids, bases, salts; chemistry of ores and metals; fertilizers, pesticides, polymers; renewable and non-renewable energy; space research, nano science and technology; advancements in IT, robotics, automation, artificial intelligence; computer systems, networks, cybersecurity, machine learning; agriculture biotechnology and genetically modified crops; horticulture and modern propagation techniques; main concepts of life science — cell biology, nutrition, respiration, genetics, heredity; communicable and non-communicable diseases; organ transplantation, stem cell technology, forensic science; government organisations in science and technology — DRDO and others; current affairs.

Unit III: Tamil Society — Culture and Heritage (50 marks)

(Candidates may answer this unit either in Tamil or in English) Origin and development of Tamilians; palm-leaf manuscripts and documents; archaeological excavations — Adhichanallur, Arikkamedu, Keeladi, Konthakai, Manalur, Sivakalai; Tamil arts, science, and culture across the Sangam, Medieval, and Modern ages; growth of Rationalism and the origin of Dravidian Movements in Tamil Nadu; socio-cultural life of the modern Tamilian — caste, religion, women, polity, education, and commerce; the Tamil diaspora; development of modern Tamil through print, translation, film, computers, and media.

TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam 2026 Syllabus — Paper IV: General Studies III (250 Marks)

Unit I: General Geography and Geography of India with Special Reference to Tamil Nadu (75 marks)

Earth and universe — solar system, atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere; India and Tamil Nadu’s location, physical divisions, drainage, weather, and climate; natural resources, irrigation, mineral and energy resources; agriculture, industries, population growth and distribution; races, tribes, linguistics, and religions; geopolitics and border disputes; oceans and seas — Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal; geospatial technology — Remote Sensing, GIS, GNSS; map-based questions on locating features and places; current affairs.

Unit II: Environment, Biodiversity and Disaster Management (75 marks)

Ecology — structure and function of ecosystems, ecological succession; biodiversity types and hotspots in India; CITES, IUCN, and the Convention on Biological Diversity; environmental pollution and management — air, water, soil, thermal, and noise pollution; Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); sustainable development goals; climate change and its consequences for Tamil Nadu, India, and globally; the Paris Agreement and Nationally Determined Contributions; natural and manmade disasters; the National Disaster Management Authority and Sendai Framework; environmental health and sanitation; current affairs.

Unit III: Indian Economy — Current Economic Trends and Impact of Global Economy on India (100 marks)

The largest single unit in Paper IV. Features of Indian economy, national income, NITI Aayog; agriculture, land reforms, Green Revolution, MSP, Public Distribution System; industrial policy, disinvestment, PPP, MSMEs, “Make in India”; infrastructure, banking, and finance — RBI, monetary policy, stock market; public finance — GST, fiscal policy, fiscal federalism; poverty, inequality, unemployment, gender inequality; inflation and sustainable economic growth; India’s foreign trade, globalization, and international institutions — IMF, World Bank, BRICS, SAARC, ASEAN; Tamil Nadu’s economy — Gross State Domestic Product, contract farming, organic farming policy, industry and entrepreneurship development, tourism, self-help groups, and rural welfare programmes; current affairs.

TNPSC Group 1 Marks Weightage 2026 — Where to Focus Your Prelims & Mains Preparation

TNPSC Group 1 Preliminary Exam 2026 Weightage (out of 175 GS questions)

Indian Economy/TN Development Administration, Indian Polity, and Tamil Nadu History/Culture together make up nearly 75% of the General Studies section — these three units deserve the bulk of your Prelims study time.

TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam 2026 Weightage (out of 750 scoring marks across Papers II–IV)

Unlike the Prelims, the Main Exam distributes marks far more evenly across History, Polity, Science & Technology, and Economy (each at 100 marks / 13.3%) — meaning a genuinely well-rounded General Studies preparation matters more at this stage than in the Prelims, where Economy and Polity dominate.

TNPSC Group 1 Exam 2026 – Language Options & Question Paper Rules

• Preliminary Examination: Question paper is bilingual — Tamil and English.
• Main Examination Paper I (Tamil Eligibility Test): Question paper is in Tamil only, and answers must be written in Tamil.
• Main Examination Papers II, III, IV: Question papers are bilingual (Tamil and English), but candidates must answer entirely in one language only — either fully in Tamil or fully in English. Mixing languages partway through a paper (except for untranslatable technical terms) leads to invalidation of the answer booklet.
• Paper III, Unit III (Tamil Society — Culture and Heritage): This specific unit can be answered in either Tamil or English, regardless of which language the candidate chose for the rest of the paper.
• In case of any doubt or discrepancy between the Tamil and English versions of the notification or question papers, the English version is treated as final.

Knowing the syllabus is only step one — the Entri App turns this exact unit-wise breakdown into structured video lessons, topic-wise practice questions, full-length mock tests, and daily current affairs mapped directly to TNPSC Group 1′s Prelims and Mains syllabus. Download the Entri App to start preparing unit by unit, with your study time weighted the way the actual exam is weighted.