
The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducts the Group 1 examination to recruit candidates for various top-level administrative positions in the state of Tamil Nadu. These posts include Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes), and others.
Here’s a breakdown of the TNPSC Group 1 examination:
- Exam Stages:
The TNPSC Group 1 selection process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: This is a screening test consisting of one objective-type paper. The marks obtained in the preliminary exam are not considered for the final merit list.
- Main Examination: Candidates who clear the preliminary exam are eligible to appear for the main examination. This is a descriptive-type exam consisting of four papers.
- Interview: Candidates who qualify in the main examination are called for an interview. The marks obtained in the main examination and the interview are considered for the final selection.
- TNPSC Group 1 2025 – Key Highlights:
- Notification Release Date: April 1, 2025
- Application Period: April 1 to April 30, 2025
- Preliminary Exam Date: June 15, 2025
- Vacancies: 72 posts
- Mode of Exam: Offline (OMR-based) for Prelims, Descriptive for Mains
- Language of Exam: English and Tamil
- TNPSC Group 1 Exam Pattern:
Preliminary Examination:
- Paper: General Studies
- Type: Objective (MCQ)
- Total Marks: 300
- Number of Questions: 200 (175 General Studies + 25 Aptitude & Mental Ability)
- Duration: 3 hours
- Qualifying Marks:
- SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs, BC(OBCM)s, and BCMs: 90 marks
- Others: 120 marks
- Negative Marking: No negative marking
Main Examination: - Paper I: Tamil Eligibility Test (SSLC Standard) – Descriptive Type (100 Marks, 3 hours) – Qualifying in nature
- Paper II: General Studies (Degree Standard) – Descriptive Type (250 Marks, 3 hours)
- Paper III: General Studies (Degree Standard) – Descriptive Type (250 Marks, 3 hours)
- Paper IV: General Studies (Degree Standard) – Descriptive Type (250 Marks, 3 hours)
- Total Marks for Mains: 750
- Interview: 100 Marks
- Total Marks for Final Ranking: 850 (Mains + Interview)
- TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus (for Prelims):
The Preliminary Exam syllabus includes the following units:
- Unit I: General Science
- Unit II: Current Events (History, Political Science, Geography, Economics, Science)
- Unit III: Geography of India
- Unit IV: History and Culture of India
- Unit V: Indian Polity
- Unit VI: Indian Economy
- Unit VII: Indian National Movement
- Unit VIII: History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu
- Unit IX: Development Administration in Tamil Nadu
- Unit X: Aptitude and Mental Ability Tests (Logical Reasoning, Puzzles, Visual Reasoning, Alpha-numeric Reasoning, Number Series)
- TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus (for Mains):
The Main Exam consists of four descriptive papers:
- Paper I: Tamil Eligibility Test: This paper assesses the candidate’s proficiency in Tamil. It covers topics at the SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) standard.
- Paper II: General Studies – I:
- Modern History of India and Indian Culture
- Social Issues in India and Tamil Nadu
- General Aptitude and Mental Ability
- Paper III: General Studies – II:
- Indian Polity and Emerging Political Trends across the world affecting India
- Role and impact of Science and Technology in the Development of India
- Tamil Society – Culture and Heritage
- Paper IV: General Studies – III:
- Geography of India with special reference to Tamil Nadu
- Environment, Biodiversity and Disaster Management
- Indian Economy and Current Economic Trends and impact of Global Economy on India
- Preparation Strategy:
A structured and consistent approach is crucial for success in the TNPSC Group 1 exam. Some general preparation strategies include:
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly go through the detailed syllabus for both Prelims and Mains and break it down into manageable topics.
- Study Material: Gather standard textbooks (like TN SCERTs and Tamil Nadu state board books), reference books, and online resources.
- Create a Study Schedule: Design a realistic timetable with daily, weekly, and monthly goals, allocating sufficient time for each subject based on its weightage. Aim for 6-8 hours of study per day.
- Focus on Current Affairs: Dedicate time daily to read newspapers, follow news channels, and make notes of important national and state-level events.
- Practice Previous Years’ Papers: Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level.
- Take Mock Tests: Regularly take mock tests to simulate the exam environment, assess your preparation level, and improve time management skills. Aim for at least 3-5 full-length mock tests before the exam.
- Revision: Regularly revise the topics you have studied to ensure better retention.
- Note-Taking: Prepare concise notes for quick revision. Use flowcharts, tables, and diagrams for better understanding.
- Stay Healthy: Maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper sleep, diet, and exercise to ensure optimal concentration and reduce stress.
- Time Management: Learn to manage your time effectively during both preparation and the examination. In the exam, try to attempt easier questions first.
- Conceptual Clarity: Focus on building a strong conceptual base for all subjects.
TNPSC GROUP-01 SYLLABUS PDF