The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) will officially release the detailed notification for the Combined Civil Services Examination–I (Group 1 Services) on its official website (www.tnpsc.gov.in) on 23 June 2026. Along with the notification, the commission will also open the online application window for eligible candidates.
As per the official schedule, the TNPSC Group 1 Preliminary Exam 2026 is scheduled for 6 September 2026. Candidates aiming for top administrative posts like Deputy Collector and DSP in Tamil Nadu can find all the crucial details regarding eligibility, selection process, exam pattern, and salary in this article.
TNPSC Group 1 And 1A Recruitment 2026
The TNPSC Group 1 Exam 2026 is one of the most important state-level exams. It is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview. Candidates can check the key details of the exam in the table below.
| TNPSC Group 1 Notification 2026: Key Highlights | |
| Organization | Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Civil Services Examination – I (Group-I Services) |
| Post Name | Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Assistant Commissioner & other |
| Vacancies | TBA |
| Notification Release Date | 23 June 2026 |
| Exam date | 6 September 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Salary | Rs. 56,100-Rs. 2,05,700 |
| TNPSC Official website | www.tnpsc.gov.in |
TNPSC Group 1 Notification 2026 Official PDF
The official TNPSC Group 1 Notification 2026 PDF will be released on 23 June 2026 on the commission’s official website. It will contain important details such as age limit, educational qualifications, eligibility criteria, syllabus, and other recruitment guidelines. Candidates should carefully read the notification before submitting their application form.
TNPSC Group 1 2026 Important Dates
See below for details on the TNPSC Group 1 prelims Exam Date 2026. Stay updated with official notifications to avoid missing any important information.
| TNPSC Group 1 Notification 2026: Important Dates | |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 23 June 2026 |
| TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam Date | 6 September 2026 |
| TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam Date | TBA |
TNPSC Group 1 Application Fee 2026
Applicants must complete the TNPSC Group 1 registration along with the payment of separate fees for the One-Time Registration (OTR), Preliminary Exam, and Main Exam. Candidates from specific eligible categories may be granted fee exemptions as per government guidelines.
| TNPSC Group 1 Application Fee 2026 | |
| Details | Fee |
| One-Time Registration Fee | Rs. 150 |
| Preliminary Examination Fee | Rs. 100 |
| Main Written Examination Fee | Rs. 200 |
| SC/ SC (Arunthathiyars)/ ST/ PwBD/ Destitute Window | NA |
| MBC/ Denotified Communities/ BC (Other than Muslim)/ BC (Muslim) | 3 Free Chances |
| Ex-Servicemen | 2 Free Chances |
TNPSC Group 1 Apply Online 2026
TNPSC will start accepting online applications from eligible and interested candidates after releasing the detailed TNPSC Group 1 Notification 2026. The online application link will be activated on the official website www.tnpsc.gov.in. Once the application process begins, a direct link to apply online will also be provided below for candidates’ convenience.
Steps To Fill The TNPSC Group 1 Online Application Form 2026
Here is a simplified process to help candidates submit the TNPSC Group 1 Online Application Form 2026 on the official website. Those facing any confusion with the application process can follow these clear instructions to complete their form accurately.
- Go to the official TNPSC website www.tnpsc.gov.in.
- Complete your One-Time Registration (OTR) if you haven’t done so in the last 5 years.
- Log in using your newly generated OTR ID and Password.
- Click on the link “Apply Online” next to the Group 1 Services Exam 2026.
- Fill out the application form with correct personal, academic, and communication details.
- Upload scanned copies of your passport-size photograph and signature in the specified format.
- Pay the applicable exam fee online (Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card).
- Verify all entered data and click on ‘Submit’. Print a copy of the acknowledgment page for future reference.
TNPSC Group 1 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must check the eligibility criteria before applying for the TNPSC Group 1 Services. The post-specific educational qualifications and age limits are outlined below.
TNPSC Group 1 Age Limit
The minimum age requirement for TNPSC Group 1 is 21 years, and the maximum age limit is 34 years. The specific cutoff date for determining age eligibility is mentioned in the official notification. Furthermore, candidates belonging to reserved categories are eligible for a 5-year relaxation in the upper age limit, as detailed in the table below.
| Tamil Nadu Group 1 Notification: Age Limit | ||
| Post Name | Max. Age (Others) | Max. Age (MBCs/DCs, BC(OBCM)s, BCMs, SCs, SC(A)s, STs, and Destitute Widows of all Communities) |
| Deputy Collector | 34 | 39 |
| Deputy Superintendent of Police (Category-1) | 34 | 39 |
| Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) | 34 | 39 |
| (i) For candidates possessing any degree | 39 | |
| (ii) For candidates possessing a B.L. degree | 35 | 40 |
| Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies | 34 | 39 |
| Assistant Director of Rural Development | 34 | 39 |
| District Employment Officer | 34 | 39 |
| District Officer (Fire and Rescue Services) | 34 | 39 |
Tamil Nadu Group 1 Educational Qualification
TNPSC Group 1 eligibility requires a degree from a recognized university or UGC-approved institution. Check the official notification for any post-specific qualifications.
| S. No. | Name of the Post | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deputy Collector | Candidates must possess a degree from a recognised university as per the UGC Act, 1956. Preference will be given to candidates with proficiency in Tamil. |
| 2 | Deputy Superintendent of Police (Category – 1) | Degree from a recognised university as per the UGC Act, 1956. Preference for candidates with national sports achievements. |
| 3 | Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) | Degree from a recognised university as per the UGC Act, 1956. Preference categories: (i) B.Com or B.L. degree holders with a Diploma in Taxation Laws, (ii) Candidates with both B.Com and B.L. degrees. |
| 4 | Assistant Director of Rural Development | Degree from a recognized university as per the UGC Act, 1956. Preference is given to candidates with a Post Graduate Degree/Diploma in Rural Sciences/Gandhian Rural Studies. |
| 5 | District Employment Officer | Degree from a recognized university as per the UGC Act, 1956. Preference given to candidates with a Post Graduate Diploma in Economics. |
| 6 | Assistant Commissioner of Labour | Degree from a recognized university as per the UGC Act, 1956. Preference given to freedom fighters and their family members. |
Physical Measurement
Applicants for Deputy Superintendent of Police (Category 1) and District Officer (Fire & Rescue Services) must undergo a physical measurement test, including height, weight, and chest measurements, as part of the eligibility criteria.
| Tamil Nadu Group 1 Physical Measurement Details | |||||
| Post Name & Gender | Minimum Height | Chest (Normal) | Chest (Expansion) | Min. Weight | Weight (kg) |
| DSP (Men) | 165 cm | 86 cm | 05 cm | N/A | NA |
| DSP (Women) | 155 cm | N/A | N/A | N/A | 50 |
| District Officer – Fire (Men) | 165 cm | 89 cm | 05 cm | 50 kg | |
TNPSC Group 1 Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: Qualifying screening test; marks are not counted in the final merit list.
- Main Examination: Descriptive written exam comprising 4 papers to assess candidates’ analytical and writing skills.
- Interview & Document Verification: Personality test carrying 100 marks, followed by verification of documents.
Candidates must qualify at each stage to proceed to the next round.
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam Date 2026 Out
The TNPSC has announced the schedule for the TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam Date 2026, which will be conducted on 6 September 2026. The exam will take place only at the Chennai exam centre. Candidates shortlisted in the Prelims will appear for the Mains Exam at the Chennai centre only.
You can check the TNPSC Annual Planner 2026
TNPSC Group 1 Exam Centres
The exact exam centre details have been mentioned on the admit card.
- Candidates could select two preferred exam centres during the application process.
- The final allotted centre will be mentioned on the TNPSC Group 1 admit card.
- Once allotted, exam centres cannot be changed under any circumstances.
TNPSC Group 1 Exam Pattern
The TNPSC Group 1 selection involves exams, and candidates must know the official TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus and exam pattern to evaluate their strengths. The exam, conducted in English and Tamil, includes Prelims and Mains. This article provides a detailed overview to help candidates prepare effectively.
Prelims Exam Pattern
- The TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam is qualifying in nature (Its marks will not be added to the final merit list)
- The questions shall be of an objective type, and there is no negative marking.
- Qualifying Marks: SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs, BC(OBCM)s, and BCMs: 90 Marks and Others: 120 Marks
| TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam Pattern (Objective) | |||
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
| General Studies (Degree Standard) | 175 | 250 | 3 hours |
| Aptitude & Mental Ability Test (SSLC Standard) | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 200 | 300 | |
Mains Exam Pattern
The Mains exam is a descriptive type, and it consists of 4 papers. Those who pass the Prelims exam will appear for the Mains Exam. The Main Examination answer sheets of Paper II, Paper III, and Paper IV will be evaluated only if the candidate secures the minimum qualifying marks in Paper I.
| TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam Pattern (Descriptive type) |
||||
| Papers | Subject | Marks | Duration | Remarks |
| I | Tamil Eligibility Test (SSLC Standard) | 100 | 3 hours |
|
| II | General Studies – 1 (Degree Level) | 250 | 3 hours | |
| III | General Studies – 2 (Degree Level) | 250 | 3 hours | |
| IV | General Studies – 3 (Degree Level) | 250 | 3 hours | |
| Total | 850 | |||
| Interview | 100 | |||
The final selection will be made based on the total marks obtained by the candidates in the Main Written Examination Paper II, Paper III, Paper IV, and the Interview taken together, and they shall appear for the counselling based on their rank.
TNPSC Group 1 Salary
Candidates who are provisionally selected and appointed to Group 1 Services are entitled to benefits and perks similar to those received by other government employees. The TNPSC Group 1 Salary is placed in Pay Level 22, with a monthly salary ranging from Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 2,05,700 with additional allowances like HRA, medical allowance, and city compensation allowance, across all posts.
Posts include:
- Deputy Collector
- Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Assistant Commissioner
- Assistant Director of Rural Development
- District Officer, and others
TNPSC Group 1 Previous Year Paper
All candidates preparing for the TNPSC Group 1 Exam 2026 should thoroughly study the TNPSC Group 1 Previous Year Papers. These papers provide valuable insights into commonly asked questions, exam difficulty, and recurring topics. Understanding these patterns enables candidates to concentrate on important areas and create focused strategies to improve their performance in both the Preliminary and Main exams.
TNPSC Group 1 Preparation Strategy & Tips
To succeed in the TNPSC Group 1 exam, candidates should follow a focused study plan covering General Studies, Aptitude, and Current Affairs. Regular newspaper reading, solving past papers, and taking TNPSC Group 1 Mock Tests help enhance accuracy and build confidence. It’s important to develop strong writing skills for the Mains and stay informed about state and national events. Consistent practice, thorough revision, and self-evaluation are key to achieving success.
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly review the syllabus and exam pattern to prioritize high-weightage topics.
- Study Material: Use Tamil Nadu State Board books (Classes 6–12) for core subjects like history, geography, and polity. Supplement with standard reference books and current affairs resources.
- Practice Mock Tests: Solve previous years’ papers and take mock tests to improve time management and accuracy.
- Tamil Proficiency: Strengthen Tamil language skills, as it’s a requirement for many posts.
TNPSC Group 1 Online Coaching 2026
Adda247 offers top-notch online coaching for TNPSC Group 1, featuring live classes, expert faculty, and a well-structured study plan. The courses include interactive sessions, doubt-solving opportunities, and mock tests to strengthen your preparation. With access to recorded lectures and comprehensive study materials, candidates can learn at their own pace. Enrolling in Adda247’s TNPSC Group 1 Online Coaching ensures expert guidance and builds confidence, setting you on the path to success in the exam.
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