The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducted the Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group 2 and Group 2A) Preliminary Examination on 1 November 2026 across Tamil Nadu. Candidates can now download the TNPSC Group 2 Question Paper 2026 PDF in General Tamil, General English and General Studies with Aptitude and Mental Ability.
Approx. 4.90 lakh+ candidates have applied for the Combined Civil Service Examination – 2/2A posts and appeared in the exam. The examination was conducted in offline OMR mode and included 200 questions carrying 300 marks. Candidates can use the question paper to review the questions asked in the examination, compare their responses with the unofficial answer key and estimate their expected scores
Download TNPSC Group 2 Question Paper 2026 PDF
The TNPSC Group 2 Question Paper 2026 is available in PDF format for candidates who want to check the questions asked in the preliminary examination. Candidates can download the General Studies, General Tamil and General English papers using the direct links below.
| Download Official Group 2/2A Paper PDF – Direct Link | |
| GS & Mental Ability | Download Now |
| General Tamil | Download Now |
| General English | Download Now |
Must Check: TNPSC Group 2 Answer Key 2026 Out
Must Check: TNPSC Group 2 Exam Analysis 2026 Live
TNPSC Group 2 Question Paper 2026: Overview
The TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group 2 and Group 2A) preliminary examination was conducted in offline mode. The paper included questions from General Tamil or General English, General Studies, and Aptitude and Mental Ability. Candidates can check the important examination details in the table below.
| TNPSC Group 2 Question Paper Out: Key Highlights |
|
|---|---|
| Key Aspect | Details & Overview |
| Exam Name | TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination – II (Group 2 & Group 2A) |
| Exam Date | 1 November 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline, OMR sheet-based, with multiple-choice questions |
| Total Questions & Marks | 200 questions 300 marks 1.5 marks per question |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Difficulty Level Analysis | Evaluates overall paper difficulty through direct, conceptual, and statement-based questions. |
| Part A: General Tamil / General English | 100 questions (150 marks) |
| Part B: General Studies | 75 questions (112.5 marks) |
| Part C: Aptitude & Mental Ability | 25 questions (37.5 marks) |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 90 |
| Good Attempts & Cut-off | Helps candidates estimate safe score margins and compare expected cut-offs. |
| Official Website | tnpsc.gov.in |
TNPSC Group 2 Exam Analysis 2026: Difficulty Level
The overall difficulty level of the TNPSC Group 2 Preliminary Examination 2026 was moderate. The language section and Aptitude and Mental Ability section provided relatively accessible questions, while the General Studies section required more conceptual understanding, while the Aptitude and Mental Ability section was comparatively easier.
The General Tamil paper was reported as relatively easy, while some candidates found the General English section slightly challenging. The overall difficulty may vary depending on the language paper selected by the candidate.
Candidates can check the section-wise difficulty level below.
| Exam Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A / C: General English | 100 | 150 | Easy to Moderate |
| Part A / C: General Tamil | 100 | 150 | Easy to Moderate |
| Part A: General Studies | 75 | 112.5 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Part B: Aptitude & Mental Ability | 25 | 37.5 | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall Examination | 200 | 300 | Moderate |
Note: General Tamil and General English are alternative language papers. Candidates attempt only one of them. Difficulty levels are based on initial feedback and are not official TNPSC ratings.
Subject-Wise TNPSC Group 2 Exam Analysis 2026
- General Tamil: The General Tamil section was reported as relatively easy by candidates. Most questions were based on the prescribed Tamil syllabus. Some grammar and technical vocabulary questions required more attention.
- General English: The General English section was reported as slightly challenging in comparison with some previous examinations. Grammar, vocabulary and other syllabus-based topics were important areas for candidates.
- General Studies: The General Studies section was comparatively challenging. Candidates reported questions that required conceptual understanding, particularly in areas such as Indian Polity, history and general knowledge. Statement-based questions also required careful reading.
- Aptitude and Mental Ability: The Aptitude and Mental Ability section was comparatively easy. Most questions were based on basic mathematical concepts and reasoning. Candidates with regular practice could attempt a good number of questions.
For a more detailed section-wise review and candidate feedback, check the TNPSC Group 2 Exam Analysis 2026 page.
TNPSC Group 2 Question Paper: Good Attempts (Expected)
The expected good attempts help candidates understand how their performance compares with the overall examination level. These estimates consider the difficulty of different sections and should not be treated as official cut-off marks.
| Exam Section | Total Questions | Total Marks | Expected Good Attempts | Expected Safe Marks Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A / C: General English | 100 | 150 | 85-90+ | 127.5-135+ |
| Part A / C: General Tamil | 100 | 150 | 88-92+ | 132-138+ |
| Part A: General Studies | 75 | 112.5 | 52-58+ | 78-87+ |
| Part B: Aptitude & Mental Ability | 25 | 37.5 | 20-22+ | 30-33+ |
| Overall Good Attempts Target | 200 | 300 | 145-158+ | 217.5-237+ |
TNPSC Group 2 Prelims Exam Statistics 2026
The TNPSC Group 2 and Group 2A recruitment examination is conducted to fill various administrative and other departmental posts under the Tamil Nadu Government. According to the recruitment details, the examination has a total of 846 vacancies. Candidates can check the important recruitment statistics below.
| TNPSC Group 2 Question Paper PDF: Key Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Parameter / Category | Details & Statistics |
| Exam Name | TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination – II (Group 2 & Group 2A) |
| Total Vacancies Announced | 846 posts |
| Group 2 (Interview Posts) | 43 posts |
| Group 2A (Non-Interview Posts) | 803 posts |
| Total Registered Applicants | Approximately 4,89,885 |
| Female | 3,05,000+ |
| Male | 1,84,000+ |
| Third Gender | 30+ |
| Total Statewide Exam Centres | 1,647 centres across Tamil Nadu |
| Chennai Exam Centres | 173 centres (seating 51,721 candidates) |
What is the TNPSC Group 2 Exam Pattern for Prelims and Mains?
Candidates should first familiarise themselves with the TNPSC Group 2 Exam Pattern. The evaluation structure differs for the Preliminary and Main examinations. Aspirants can review the complete exam pattern breakdown for both stages in the section below.
TNPSC Group 2 Prelims Exam Pattern
The Group 2 exam pattern assesses candidates’ language proficiency, general awareness, and analytical abilities through three sections:
- General Tamil or General English (SSLC Standard) with 100 questions,
- General Studies (Degree Standard) with 75 questions, and
- Aptitude and Mental Ability Test (SSLC Standard) with 25 questions.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Max Marks | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Studies | 75 | 112.5 | Degree |
| B | Aptitude & Mental Ability | 25 | 37.5 | SSLC |
| C | Language (General Tamil OR General English) | 100 | 150 | SSLC |
| Total | 200 | 300 |
The Preliminary Examination is a common objective-type test conducted in OMR format for both Group 2 and Group 2A Services. Candidates must obtain the prescribed minimum qualifying marks to be eligible for the Main Examination.
TNPSC Group 2 Mains Exam Pattern
Candidates who qualify for the preliminary examination advance to the TNPSC Group 2 Mains Examination, which consists of Paper I and Paper II. Only candidates who secure the minimum qualifying marks in Paper I will have their Paper II answer sheets improved.
| TNPSC Group 2 Mains Exam Pattern | |||||
| Number of Papers | Paper Name | Level | Type of Exam | Nature | Total Marks |
| I | Tamil Eligibility Test | SSLC | Descriptive | Qualifying | 100 |
| II | General Studies | Degree | Descriptive | Scoring | 300 |
Group 2A Exam Pattern 2026
The TNPSC Group 2A Exam Pattern consists of 2 papers, which are both objective and descriptive tests. Check the details below.
2A Mains Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Type | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Tamil Eligibility Test | 100 | 3 Hours | Descriptive | Qualifying Only (Must score 40+) |
| Paper II | General Studies | 300 | 3 Hours | Objective (CBT) | Final Ranking (Deciding Paper) |
How to Calculate Expected Marks in TNPSC Group 2 Prelims 2026?
Candidates can estimate their expected marks by comparing their responses with the available answer key. The preliminary examination carries 300 marks for 200 questions. Based on the section-wise mark distribution, each correct answer carries 1.5 marks. Candidates must also account for the deduction for unanswered questions mentioned in the examination instructions.
Expected Score = Marks for Correct Answers − Deduction for Unanswered Questions
For example, if a candidate answers 150 questions correctly and leaves 10 questions unanswered:
- Marks for correct answers = 150 × 1.5 = 225
- Deduction for unanswered questions = 10 × 0.5 = 5
- Estimated score = 225 − 5 = 220 marks
This is an estimated calculation. Candidates should verify the applicable evaluation rules in the relevant TNPSC notification and instructions.
Why Should Candidates Download the TNPSC Group 2 Question Paper 2026?
The TNPSC Group 2 question paper is useful for candidates who appeared in the examination as well as those preparing for future TNPSC recruitment examinations. Here are some important benefits:
- Review Questions: Candidates can check the questions asked in the preliminary examination.
- Check Exam Pattern: The paper helps candidates understand the structure and type of questions.
- Compare Answers: Candidates can compare their responses with the unofficial answer key.
- Estimate Expected Marks: The question paper and answer key help candidates calculate their estimated scores.
- Identify Important Topics: Future aspirants can understand which subjects and topics received attention.
- Improve Preparation: Candidates preparing for upcoming TNPSC examinations can use the paper for practice.
Important FAQ:
Ques. Is the TNPSC Group 2 Question Paper PDF available?
Ans. Yes, the question paper PDF has been added to this article following the examination.
Ques. How can I download the TNPSC Group 2 Question Paper PDF?
Ans. Candidates can download the PDF using the direct link provided above in this article.
Ques. What is the format of the preliminary examination?
Ans. The preliminary examination follows an offline, OMR format, comprising 200 multiple-choice questions carrying 300 marks.
Ques. What is the section-wise distribution of questions and marks?
Ans. The preliminary examination includes the following sections:
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Tamil / General English | 100 | 150 |
| General Studies | 75 | 112.5 |
| Aptitude & Mental Ability | 25 | 37.5 |
| Total | 200 | 300 |
Ques. What is the educational standard of each section?
Ans. General Tamil / General English and Aptitude & Mental Ability are set at the SSLC, or Class 10, level. General Studies follows the degree-level standard.
Ques. Does the TNPSC Group 2/2A Prelims examination have negative marking?
Ans. No. Each correct answer carries 1.5 marks, and no marks are deducted for incorrect responses.
Ques. What was the overall difficulty level of the examination?
Ans. The paper was moderate overall. The language and aptitude sections offered good scoring opportunities, while General Studies was comparatively more challenging.
Ques. How can candidates raise objections to the official tentative answer key?
Ans. Candidates can submit objections through the official TNPSC website after the tentative answer key is released. Objections should include supporting references and must be submitted within the deadline specified in the answer-key notice.
Ques. How much time is allotted to complete the preliminary examination?
Ans. Candidates have three hours (180 minutes) to answer all 200 questions and mark their responses on the OMR sheet.
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